Philips expects downloadable dual layer firmware Q2

[Vanderlow]

What interesting is this statement: "System makers can download the firmware to upgrade existing DVD+RW chips from supporting 4.7GB to 8.5GB. "

Whole article from Digitimes:

Both Netherlands-based Philips Semiconductors and Taiwan-based MediaTek expect to begin offering solutions for dual-layer DVD+R technology in the second quarter of this year at the earliest, according to sources.

Philips expects to begin offering downloadable firmware that supports dual-layer DVD+R technology to system makers in the second quarter, said Marconi Jiang, general manager of sales at Philips Semiconductors in Taiwan.

System makers can download the firmware to upgrade existing DVD+RW chips from supporting 4.7GB to 8.5GB. Taiwan driver vendors including BenQ have already committed to the technology for 8x DVD systems, said Jiang.

Philips dubs the dual-layer DVD+R technology DVD+RW 9. The technology is said to double the data storage capacity on DVD recordable discs from 4.7GB to 8.5GB and remains compatible with existing DVD video players and DVD drives, according to an October 3 press statement from Philips.

MediaTek is offering a new chip supporting dual-layer DVD+R to its system customers. Lite-On IT expects to begin mass production of recorders that support the technology in the second quarter, according to sources. MediaTek does not expect any intellectual property problems, according to Ming-kai Tsai, chairman of MediaTek.

Philips Research – a part of Royal Philips Electronics – co-developed dual-layer DVD+R technology with Japan’s Mitsubishi Kagaku Media (MKM), an affiliate of Japan’s largest chemical company, Mitsubishi Chemical.

http://www.digitimes.com/NewsShow/Artic ... =A5&seq=22

[Ian]

Yep, the key word there is "chips". It doesn't mean that other components in existing drives can do it. I will be very surprised if current Philips drives (or others using Nexperia) will be upgradable.

[Vanderlow]

But it does "imply" (keyword is imply) that there are chipsets that are out there meant to do just 4.7GB that can be coverted through a firmware to 8.5GB.

Add on: ok I se what you mean now about the "other components" ....

Are there any burners in the US rebaging the philips 824 yet?

[Ian]

Are there any burners in the US rebaging the philips 824 yet?

No, but there are drives using the same chipset (Nu Tech, BenQ, etc).

I hate to dig all of this up again, but didn't BenQ come out and say that they weren't going to offer a dual layer upgrade for their drive?