The DVD-Forum has announced some details for the upcoming 16x DVD-RAM format at the European verification seminar, held in Reutte (Austria) on March 29th. Thanks to the German website Heise online, we can report that the DVD-Forum specifies the new DVD-RAM format for speeds from 6x to 16x. The bad news in this context is that current 2-5x (Class 0) drives will not be able to write these new high speed DVD-RAM discs, which require rotation speeds of 9738 rpm in the inner part of the disc and 11000 rpm on the outer part of the disc where the writing speed reaches 16x. Because this the DVD-Forum introduces, a new format class, called 'Class 1". These new class 1 specifications will also include, the primary relevant specs for slim-line drives, 8x and 12x speeds.
This can probably cause a delay of the rollout from the first burners that support 16x DVD-RAM. NEC has announced their first multi format burner, which also supports DVD-RAM for late summer.The ND-4550 A should be able to write DVD+R/-R and '“RAM up to 16x, DVD+/-RW,DVD+R DL up to 8x and DVD-R DL up to 6x speed. The Slim-line ND-7550A should write all formats with up to 8x (DVD-R DL 6x) and Class 0 DVD-RAM up to 5x speed.
Takao Arai, Senior Manager from the DVD format verification center and employee at Hitachi, added that there are currently problems with the first 16x test samples and that the final versions of the format books (versions 3.0 to 6.0) are ready in July instead of May, which was planned. Then the forum will be able to finish the final versions of the test specifications, which are a must for the production of the first drives and media.
The text above is a free translation from the original German article found over at Heise online. Those of you who are capable of
reading the German language can read the full German article
there.
Source: Heise online
