JVC announces first rewritable single-sided dual layer DVDs
by Conrad Quilty-Harper 
posted Aug 31st 2007 at 3:30PM
Inventing the dual layer DVD-RW standard may seem like an extreme example of too little too late in the days of 15GB+ HD DVD and 25GB+ Blu-ray, but JVC has gone ahead and done it anyway. Hitting up the same 8.5GB capacity as regular double layer DVD-RWs and dual layer DVD-RWs, the JVC discs come with a specially hardened coating which is apparently "150 times" more effective than the coating on plain old DVDs. Unfortunately, the new format requires entirely new burners, is only available at 2x write speeds, and no shipping dates or details are available. Sounds like JVC's got a winner on its hands ... yeah.
Filed under: Storage
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
cory3218 @ Aug 31st 2007 3:47PM
who was the genius in their marketing department that thought this would fly?
buy a new burner, please.
TheGhost @ Aug 31st 2007 3:56PM
I was actually hoping for someone to come out with a re-writable dual-layer disc, but I was hoping that I would be able to use my current DVD writer. If I didn't have to go out and buy a new one (with a lousy 2x burn speed at that), I may have picked up a few discs.
WinterTiger @ Aug 31st 2007 4:13PM
agreed, i'd like it for backups. i might just buy a SATA burner though, i'm getting sick of the huge IDE cables anyway. blu-ray burners are just too expensive, at over $500 for a good one and then $20-$25 per write-once disk, i don't think i'll be switching any time soon, no matter how much i want to.
MaGiXX @ Aug 31st 2007 4:32PM
Futureshop had a sale for 25Gb blu ray discs at 7$ each.
I LOVE THE CAPS LOCK KEY @ Aug 31st 2007 6:19PM
Don't give up hopes yet, a simple firmware upgrade from your drives manufacturer may allow you to use this new fangled media in your drive.
For better answers to all your media related questions, register an account at CD Freaks and ask away.
http://www.cdfreaks.com/
I LOVE THE CAPS LOCK KEY @ Aug 31st 2007 6:25PM
This JVC DVD disc reminds me of those 2.44MB floppies and 3M SuperDisc (LS120 and LS240). They were gone before anyone ever knew they arrived.
kaztm @ Aug 31st 2007 7:33PM
CAPS LOCK,
Don't forget the double-density CD burners that recorded 1.4GB on regular 700MB media.
Nando @ Aug 31st 2007 3:59PM
Engadget, you should have another little star on the DVD that says "GLIPP!!!!" a la Batman-T.V.-show-of-the-60s-style like this (http://boreddreamer.files.wordpress.com/2006/07/serie_glipp.jpg).
dj-kenpo @ Aug 31st 2007 4:11PM
I really wouldn't call "too little too late".
8.5gb disc for $1... or 15gb hd-dvd disc for $20
hmmmmm, where's my calculator, tough choice!
even with 25gb, I'd rather buy 3 discs for $3. might not be AS convenient, but I'll survive. somehow.
years from now, sure, hd/bd will come down to cheap as well, but for now, they're not cheap, so I'm not interested.
dj-kenpo @ Aug 31st 2007 4:13PM
alright, i didn't see the "new burner" point. in which case this is junk, agreed. but I'd still rather use cheapo media
Jim @ Aug 31st 2007 7:30PM
What does "Hitting up the same 8.5GB capacity as regular double layer DVD-RWs and dual layer DVD-RWs" mean? First off, what is the difference between "regular double layer" and "dual layer". And second, isn't this the first DVD-RW anyway?
Bill @ Sep 1st 2007 1:04PM
If they can sell the burner for $99 and media for $1, they've got a winner.
If not, well, most of us will stick with single-layer DVDs until the BR/HD alternatives get a LOT cheaper.