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http://www.smh.com.au/news/breaking/...oneclick=true#

Optical media developer Verbatim will support both the competing
next-generation DVD standards, the company says in a statement.

Blu-ray Disc is backed by 11 companies, including Sony, Samsung,
Philips, LG, Dell and HP, while HD-DVD is backed by seven companies,
including Toshiba and NEC. Sony is committed to introducing the format
into its PlayStation system.

The rivalry is similar to the battle between the VHS and betamax
formats in the 1970s when video recorders first became popular.

Two years ago, the 230-member DVD forum decided on HD-DVD as the
successor to the DVD, but Blu-ray Disc was not submitted for
consideration.

Verbatim's Blu-ray media will be available in 25GB (single-layer) and
50GB (double-layer) capacities. The HD-DVD media will be available
with a single-layer capacity of 15GB. Double-layer HD-DVD media is
also being developed for release following a finalisation of the
format.

Verbatim is a contributor to the Blue-ray Disc Association and a
member of the HD-DVD Promotion Group.
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In May, Verbatim and its parent company, Mitsubishi Kagaku Media
(MKM), claimed they had No. 1 market share worldwide in CD-R, CD-RW,
DVD-R and DVD-RW volume.






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