Verbatim Expands Blu-ray Media

Verbatim is introducing new Blu-ray media products that will ship in the first half of the year.

Estimates are that shipments of Blu-ray discs will increase from an estimated 20 millions units in 2008 and to 64 million in 2009, 152 million in 2010 and 279 million by 2011.

Verbatim is already firmly in the market with Blu-ray media, and at CES it’s introducing new products that expand its range. The company will offer 2X BD-R Thermal Hub-printable discs, Verbatim 2X and 6X Single-sided Double-layer (DL) BD-R Discs, and Verbatim 25GB BD-R LTH Type Discs.

Unlike current BD-R discs, where the inorganic recording layer is made by the sputtering process and requires a huge investment to increase the production capacity and meet growing market demands, the organic recording layer for BD-R LTH TYPE media can be applied using the same dye spin coating process as CD-R or DVD-R media. That means Verbatim can modify its existing CD-R or DVD-R production lines. With the investment in BD-R LTH TYPE production less than current BD-R production, Verbatim believes that technology will break down the barrier to entry into BD production and expects many CD/DVD manufacturers will be joining the BD world.