Verbatim Unveils New LightScribe 16x DVD-R Media, High-Speed Label Writing and Color Options
Thursday January 5, 8:01 am ET

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 5, 2006--Extending its leadership in offering the widest range of premium-quality LightScribe® media, Verbatim® Corporation announced today its new LightScribe 16x DVD-R media in 30-pack spindles. Verbatim, which already offers LightScribe CD-R and DVD+R media in 10-pack spindles, 20-pack slim cases and 30-pack spindles, will begin shipping the new LightScribe 4.7GB/120-minute DVD-R media in Q1 2006. The company also is preparing to roll out LightScribe gold-background CDs and DVDs with a new coating that enables faster label printing, as well as color-background LightScribe CDs/DVDs in Q2. Engineering samples of the new LightScribe media are being showcased this week during CES in Las Vegas at Verbatim's Booth #36049, South Hall 4.
 
When Verbatim LightScribe media is combined with the LightScribe-enabled drives and software licensed by Hewlett-Packard Company (HP), consumers can use the same optical disc drive laser to burn content to the data side of the disc and create a silkscreen-quality label on the other side of the disc.

The LightScribe media coating was developed by Verbatim's parent company, Mitsubishi Kagaku Media Co., Ltd., (MKM) in collaboration with HP. As key backers of LightScribe technology, Verbatim and MKM are leveraging their expertise in optical technology to deliver the new LightScribe 16x DVD-R media, even faster label printing and more color choices.

Number one in the global recordable CD and DVD media markets in 2005, Verbatim/MKM is well-known for delivering media that is fully standards-compliant and first in quality. For LightScribe users, this means that the discs they produce can be played by the broadest number of CD/DVD playback devices.

"The write speed on the label side of a LightScribe disc is affected by the coating just as the write speed on the data side of a disc is determined by the recording dye," explained Tim Clatterbuck, Verbatim Optical Storage Manager. "Our next-generation LightScribe media, Version 1.2, will have a new coating that can make the label write speed up to 30 percent faster than current LightScribe media, depending on the drive model and firmware version." Clatterbuck noted that current LightScribe drive owners will be able to take advantage of the new media by updating their LightScribe system software.

In addition to the current gold color, the new coating technology used on Verbatim's next-generation LightScribe CD and DVD media will enable the discs to be produced with vibrant new jewel-toned background colors such as yellow, green and orange.

With its all-in-one approach to burning and labeling CDs and DVDs, LightScribe technology is being used by a growing number of home, office and mobile users. Now they can print professional-looking labels on the CD or DVD discs they create wherever they go -- without the need for a printer, ink cartridges or adhesive paper labels. According to HP, 2.5 million LightScribe-enabled drives were shipped in the first six months following the January 2005 launch. NPD reports that LightScribe-enabled drives represented a record 18.8 percent of the US retail market sales for aftermarket PC DVD burners in October 2005.

Consumers will be able to easily identify Verbatim LightScribe media through the LightScribe logo found on the packaging and in the hub of every disc.

Pricing, Availability

Verbatim LightScribe 16x DVD-R discs and higher-speed media will be available in Q1 2006 with an estimated street price of $39.99 for a 30-pack spindle.

About Verbatim

Verbatim® Corporation, a Mitsubishi® Kagaku Media Company, is an international organization that develops and markets innovative, high-quality products for storing, moving and using digital content. Known for its leadership in the removable storage media and related accessories markets, the company provides reliable, unique technologies and products that are highly sought after and broadly distributed worldwide. For more information, contact Verbatim at 1200 W.T. Harris Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28262, 800-421-4188, FAX 704-547-6609; or visit the company's web site at www.verbatim.com.

Verbatim is a registered trademarks of Verbatim Corporation. LightScribe is a registered trademark of the Hewlett-Packard Development Company. Other company and product names contained herein are trademarks of their respective companies. Specifications subject to change without notice.

Source: Yahoo!