Company News: Page (1) of 1 - 06/30/04

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Verbatim Corporation announced today the availability of a new Double Layer Solution Kit that enables consumers to take full advantage of the multiple DVD+R/RW recording formats offered by the latest Double Layer (DL) DVD drives. In addition to a Verbatim 8.5GB DVD+R DL-certified disc, the convenient 10-pack includes eight Verbatim 1-8x DVD+R discs for high-speed recording and one Verbatim 1-4x DVD+RW disc for ReWriteable applications. Philips, Sony, Dell, HP and other DVD+RW Alliance members have all announced drives that support all of these DVD formats. By combining the superior performance and reliability of Verbatim's Double Layer Solution Kit and a DL drive, consumers have a complete solution for all of their DVD-recordable needs. Verbatim also announced today that it is adding an additional Double Layer production line to help meet growing demand.

An industry pioneer in advancing the DVD media industry, Verbatim leveraged the R&D strengths of its parent company, Mitsubishi Kagaku Media (MKM), to deliver 8.5GB DVD+R DL media that exceeds the DL specifications. Double-Layer DVD+R technology was developed by MKM in collaboration with Philips and other DVD+RW Alliance members.

Manufactured with two technically advanced AZO recording layers, Verbatim's 2.4x DVD+R DL media nearly doubles the storage capacity on DVD recordable discs from 4.7GB to 8.5GB on a single side. The high capacity makes Verbatim DVD+R DL media ideal for consumers, businesses and content developers that want to store volumes of video, audio, data and images without having to stop and flip the disc. Up to 4 hours of DVD-quality video, up to 16 hours of VHS-quality video or approximately 2,000 songs in the MP3 format can be stored on a single disc. The DVD+R DL media also offers the largest DVD back-up and data archiving solution.

DVD+R DL technology enables professional developers of dual layer DVD content to reduce project development times while significantly lowering their costs. Previously, video, game, and film developers were forced to replicate a "check disc" to properly test and verify the quality of their dual layer DVDs, which costs hundreds of dollars and days to produce. With DL media's high capacity, they can test the playback almost immediately and realize substantial cost savings.

PC Double Layer burners will replace single-layer burners at all levels of the market beginning in the second half of 2004, which will drive the demand for DVD+R DL media. With BenQ's announcement of a Double Layer set-top DVD video recorder developed in cooperation with Philips--and others soon to follow, the demand for DVD+R DL media will continue to grow quickly.

"Verbatim has set the performance standard for the entire Double-Layer production industry by producing DVD+R DL-certified media that exceeds the DL specifications," said Tim Clatterbuck, Verbatim Optical Storage Manager. "Verbatim's ability to deliver this new technology while totally complying with the DL standard is one of the key reasons premium drive manufacturers are shipping Verbatim DVD+R DL media with their DL burners.

"A large percentage of our production capacity is currently being shipped to drive manufacturers so they can test and calibrate their drives at the factory level," Clatterbuck explained. "To meet the growing demand from manufacturers and enable us to place the multi-pack DL media with large retailers, we're adding another production line that will double our DVD+R DL media production capacity by the August/September timeframe."

Pricing, Availability
Verbatim 8.5GB Double-Layer DVD+R media is available through leading retailers such as Best Buy, Internet etailers and distributors across the country. The Double Layer Solution Kit, which includes one DVD+R DL disc, eight 8x DVD+R discs and one 4x DVD+RW disc, is available with a street price of about $30. All of the discs are in protective jewelcases. Verbatim also produces single DVD+R DL discs in jewelcases which have a street price of about $15.00 per disc.

About Verbatim
Verbatim Corporation, a Mitsubishi Kagaku Media Company, is an international organization that develops and markets innovative, high-quality products for storing, moving and using digital content. Known for its leadership in the removable storage media and related accessories markets, the company provides reliable, unique technologies and products that are highly sought after and broadly distributed worldwide. For more information, contact Verbatim at 1200 W.T. Harris Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28262, (800) 421-4188, FAX (704) 547-6609; or visit the company's web site at www.verbatim.com.

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