Memorex Turns Attention To DVD 120 Media

By Staff On Sep 1 2003 - 6:00am

Up and coming from Memorex is DVD 120 blank media, said to take the guesswork out of buying recordable DVD media, with packaging that clearly identifies which products are most appropriate for various uses.

DVD 120 media will be available in all formats for up to six hours of home recording and playback. This includes DVD-RAM video, DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD+RW and DVD-RW. Each DVD 120 disc also comes with a DVD storage case, similar to the movie box seen at local video stores.

Availability is October and suggested retails for various packages/formats range from $2.99 to $29.99.

Looking at CD-R/RW blank media, Memorex's senior product marketing manager Brad Yeager said there is a worldwide shortage, with the industry forecasting that 9 billion to 10 billion discs will be sold worldwide in 2003.

"Current production capacity worldwide is around 8 billion CD-Rs, thus wholesale prices for CD-Rs have increased more than 25 percent in the last six months. Prices should continue to increase during 2003, with this price increase affecting various portions of the business," Yeager said. "No-name suppliers are receiving smaller allocations and higher prices, while name-brand suppliers are rethinking their marketing strategies."

He continued, "Larger production capacity for CD-R will not be evident during 2003 due to most major manufacturers investing in DVD production facilities. And many CD-RW manufacturers are converting their production to DVD rewritable production lines, lessening worldwide supply of CD-RW."