Imation, a worldwide leader in removable data storage media, today announced it has begun its scale-up of manufacturing for HD DVD and Blu-ray optical recordable media in preparation for product introduction in early 2006. The company invested more than $10 million in 2005 in research, development and modular manufacturing capabilities.

A member of the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) and DVD Forum, Imation has dedicated teams completing technology development and final product refinements for single layer and double layer advanced optical formats. With more than 25 years of optical disc technology expertise dating to the introduction of the first video disc in 1982, Imation continues to pioneer superior optical media production technologies. To enable flexibility in responding to market requirements for both Blu-ray and HD DVD products, the company will utilize modular manufacturing processes and leverage key Imation technologies at its Oakdale, Minn. facility.

“Producing both Blu-ray and HD DVD recordable optical media requires advanced manufacturing processes and technology savvy,” said Richard Weiss, vice president of research and development, Imation. “Imation’s continued technology inventions and innovative approaches to modular manufacturing at our Discovery Technology Center position us well to scale-up both new optical formats.”

Throughout 2006, Imation plans to launch the BD-RE (rewritable) and BDR (recordable) 25GB single layer and 50GB double layer Blu-ray formats. Also in 2006, Imation plans to launch the HD DVD-R (recordable) and HD DVD-RW (rewritable) 15GB single layer and 30GB double layer HD DVD formats. Select formats will be available starting the first half of 2006, based on drive and recorder availability.

Source: Imation Press Release

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