Even though the 4X DVD-R recorders just hit the streets last fall, and 4X DVD+R upgrades have just been released, Philips Semiconductors is already putting the pieces in place for 8X DVD+R and 4X DVD+RW recording with an integrated chipset, optical pickup unit, firmware, and reference design. Philips introduced the Nexperia DVD+R/RW solution in November.
Philips believes DVD recorder sales are going to ramp up even more quickly than DVD player sales did, growing from less than 5 million units this year to more than 50 million units in 2006. The company is banking on the increase in speed — 8X would allow the burning of a 4.7GB disc in about 15 minutes (actually more like 8 minutes - DG, ActiveWin) — to help spur that growth.
Philips also plans to introduce 16X +R capability in 2003, integrating the laser controller and the integrated memory into a single DVD processor. "That's where DVD recording speed is likely to cap out, due to the density of the media," Criou says.
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