Kodak Is First Company To Perfect
Hybrid CD Technology
ROCHESTER, N.Y.--(BUSINESS
WIRE)--June 28--Eastman Kodak Company today announced Kodak
CD-PROM technology, a new compact disc technology with exciting
applications for the computer industry.
Kodak CD-PROM technology (for
Compact Disc-Programmable ROM) combines the technologies of two
CDs in one new type of media. It contains mass-replicated
information, like the software titles, music and games published
on CD-ROM. But these discs add a new feature--a recordable area
that lets CD-PROM users customize individual discs.
The company is already using the
discs in its Kodak Picture CD product for consumers, which is now
available nationwide in the U.S. But the implications for the
computer industry are much broader, including:
- Reducing piracy of copyrighted
information that's distributed on CD.
- Providing companies a more
efficient way to distribute their products on CD.
- Customizing products to make
them more useful and fun for end-users.
The technology can be applied to
future DVD applications, although there is not currently a
standard for hybrid media in the DVD specification as there is in
the CD format specifications, such as Orange Book, Red Book and
Yellow Book.
"The concept for this kind of
hybrid compact disc has long been described throughout the
industry, but Kodak is the first company to develop a practical,
manufacturable disc," said Steve Glaza, general manager, Storage
Business, and vice president, Digital and Applied Imaging, Kodak.
"Anyone who can benefit from the ability to produce
customized discs with mass-replicated content can employ Kodak
CD-PROM technology."
Kodak CD-PROM technology is
compliant with all industry standards. End-users of the media will
be able to read the discs on equipment for reading CD-ROM discs.
The 120 mm hybrid disc allows
multi-session recording and has a capacity of 680 MB. The space
devoted to pre-mastered and recordable information can vary based
on the needs of the application.
The technology uses modulated
grooves that have the appearance of pits (like CD-ROM discs) and
grooves (like CD-R discs) so that the disc can have a pre-stamped
area and be appendable for writing. Kodak employs a stabilized
cyanine dye across the disc. A gold reflective layer is used for
the optimal combination of stability and reflectivity, enabling
the reader to read the "pits" through the dye layer and a writer
to write on the disc.
Kodak tests indicate that the
discs perform as well as, or better than, current CD-R and CD-ROM
media in playback compatibility, stability, robustness, error
rates and other important measures.
Availability
Kodak is currently manufacturing
CD-PROM discs and shipping them to customers who order Kodak
Picture CDs. The company's mastering facility in Rochester and
disc production facilities in Youghal, Ireland, and Guadalajara,
Mexico are capable of producing CD-PROM discs (with the ROM
portion pre-recorded) for other customers.
Kodak is currently talking to a
number of large companies that may benefit from CD-PROM
technology, including major players in the computer industry. The
company is open to licensing the technology. Kodak also recently
identified Rimage Corporation as its "preferred provider" of
integrated hardware and software for publishing and duplication
that will help to implement CD-PROM technology. Rimage, meanwhile,
has chosen Kodak as its "preferred provider" of CD-PROM media
for use with Rimage's systems. Together, the two companies will be
able to offer complete solutions that allow customers to customize
CD-PROM discs in their applications.
Kodak said the future direction of
the technology will include products that allow end-users to write
on CD-PROM discs at the desktop.
"The development of CD-PROM
technology reflects Kodak's commitment to leadership in developing
and applying 120 mm disc technology," Glaza said. "We
believe that CD-PROM technology is a true breakthrough in CD
technology, and we look forward to working with other leaders in
the computer industry to take advantage of its many benefits."
Editor's Note: For additional
information about Kodak's CD-R products, visit our web site on the
Internet at www.kodak.com/go/cdr
Contact:
Media
Joe Runde, Kodak, 716/726-7740
[email protected]
Richard A. Kiley, Saphar & Associates, Inc.
716/325-7624, ext. 19
[email protected]
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