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This New DVD-RAM Media Provides High Quality 2-Hour Digital Recording and Large Capacity Data Recording. A Small Size (80mm) DVD-RAM Disc for Video Camera Use is Also Being Released.

The market for DVD is increasing with the expanding usage of DVD players in homes. In Japan, the Broadcasting Satellite digital broadcasting is planned to start by the end of this year and broad band network service is expected to grow substantially. The use of PCs and the internet has been increasing in the homes of the average consumer. The infrastructure for distributing and exchanging high quality digital data, picture, and sound at high-speed bit transfer rate is gradually being set up.

The DVD-RAM disc has the ability to play, rewrite, save, and exchange data due to the demands presented by this newly emerging digital society. DVD media has to handle movies, still pictures, sound, and computer data in addition to addressing copyright protection issues.

Maxell was the first to release a 2.6GB (1st generation) DVD-RAM disc to the world in April 1998. This was used mainly for PC file backup and network server backup. Maxell DVD-RAM discs come in five different configurations. The 4.7GB single sided disc comes in two types (with cartridge and without) and the 9.4GB double-sided (cartridge type) is ideal for data storage use. In addition, 120mm single-sided DVD-RAM videodiscs and 80mm small-sized DVD-RAM videodiscs are being heralded as the new VHS format for video recorders and camcorders respectively.

The DVD-RAM disc is expected to become the media of choice for storage of digital information in the 21st century.

Product Name                                Model Name   Release Date
------------                                ----------   ------------

Data Use Double-sided 9.4GB DVD-RAM disc      DRM94F        July 10
(Cartridge type)

Data Use Single-sided 4.7GB DVD-RAM disc      DRM47R        Aug 25
(Cartridge type)

Data Use Single-sided 4.7GB DVD-RAM disc      DRM47         Sep 25
(Without cartridge)

DVD-RAM disc for Video Recording(a)           DRM-V47R      July 10
(Standard mode, Single-sided 120 min.)

Mini (80mm) DVD-RAM disc for Camcorder(a)     DRMS-28R      Aug 25
(High-quality mode, Double-sided 60 min.)

(a) Come in cartridge style

Features

1.  Increased capacity

In comparison to previously released media the recording capacity has
been expanded 1.8 times through the increment of track density and
linear record density using the land & groove recording method.

2.  Excellent random access format for PC media

Utilizing the random access format allows for quick access of files
for PC and Server media. The data transfer rate is doubled up to 22.16
Mbps making the disc suitable for recording PC data in addition to
recording Audio and Video data.

3.  High reliability and durability

A low error rate disc with high S/N ratio and supplemental spare area
for defect management contribute high reliability. By optimizing the
phase change recording layer to the fullest, Maxell has enabled the
media to maintain its quality even after repetitive recordings. In
addition, storage ability is rated at a 10 years minimum (Based on
Maxell testing).

4.  Enclosed in a durable cartridge with a special overcoat on the
    disc surface to ensure data protection

The disc is protected from debris and fingerprints with a durable
cartridge. Incorporating a special overcoat layer on its surface also
further protects the recording side of the disc. The combination of
these two steps ensures a high degree of safety during handling.

5.  Type 2 cartridge compatible with future DVD players

DVD-RAM Type 2 removable disc allows for use with DVD-RAM compatible
DVD players, allowing playback of movies, etc.


Type of Use    Model Name    Disc Diameter    Cartridge    Removable
                                                type         from
                                                           cartridge

Data use       DRM94F        120mm            TYPE 1          no
               DRM47R                         TYPE 2          yes
               DRM47                       No cartridge        -

Video use      DRM-V47R      120mm            TYPE 2          yes
               DRMS-V28R     80mm             TYPE 2          yes


6.  120mm disc (DRM-V47R) incorporates a copyright protection feature

The 120mm-disc for video recording allows for copyright protection,
utilizing CPRM (Copy Protection for Recordable Media), a copy
generation restriction and management system.

7.  Already formatted for easy use

The video use DRM-V47R and DRMS-V28R are available pre-formatted which
allows for instant use.

Specifications

Item                  Data Use                   Video Use

              DRM94F   DRM47R   DRM47     DRM-V47R       DRMS-V28R

Sides used    Double-  Single-  Single-   Single-sided   Double-sided
              sided    sided    sided

Recording     9.4GB    4.7GB    4.7GB     120 min        60 min
Capacity                                  (Standard      (High-quality
                                            mode)          mode)
Laser
wavelength                      650nm

Numerical
aperture of
Objective lens                   0.6

Recording
layer
Materials            Phase change recording materials

Substrate
material                     Polycarbonate

Minimum
data bit
length                           0.29um

Recording
Format                    Wobbled land and groove

Track pitch                      0.62um

Sector Size                    2,048 Bytes

Modulation
Method                        8/16 RLL(2,10)

Error
correction
Code                     Reed-Solomon product code

Reference
data Transfer
rate                            22.16Mbps

Disc
dimensions
(diameter)               120mm                             80mm
(thickness)              1.2mm                            1.2mm

(disc center            15.0mm                           15.0mm
hole diameter)

Cartridge
dimensions   138mm x 125mm x 8mm  (without     138mm x     91mm x
                                  cartridge)   125mm x     89mm x
                                                 8mm      5.4mm

Operating
environment                     5C 60C 3% 85%RH

Contact:

     Hitachi Maxell, Ltd.
     Ichiro Yamashita, +81-3- 5467-9299
     ichiro-yamashita@maxell.co.jp