Toshiba Gets Dual-Layer Crazy with HD

Consumer electronics and computer giant develops 30GB dual layer HD DVD-R disc to compete against's Sony's seemingly more popular Blu-ray format.

Toshiba today continued its push forward against Sony’s Blu-ray to be the king of next generation optical discs as it announced a 30GB dual-layer HD DVD-R disc. The company plans to improve on the specifications of the disc before bringing a HD DVD recorder to market next spring.   The dual-layer HD DVD-R disc is based on the same disc structure as current DVD discs, HD DVD-ROM discs (read-only), and HD DVD-RW discs (rewritable): back-to-back bonding of two 0.6 millimeter-thick substrates. The new disc also shares key manufacturing processes with DVD-R: use of an organic dye as the data storage medium; and a spin-coating process for depositing the dye.   Toshiba will work with disc manufacturers to verify compatibility of HD DVD-R discs in testing in mid-October.