Blu-ray Disc Founders approve version 1.0 of BD-ROM physical specification.

The Blu-ray Disc Founders approved the BD-ROM physical specification within the general timeframe originally outlined in the BD-ROM development roadmap. The completion of the physical specification is an important step because it provides disc manufacturers with the information they need to prepare their BD-ROM disc production lines.

"Blu-ray Disc (BD) is on schedule for companies to introduce BD-ROM players, drives and prerecorded software to consumers beginning in late 2005," said Maureen Weber, general manager of HP's Optical Storage Solutions Business. "Given the strong support from consumer electronics, PC and media manufacturers for BD, a wide variety of products is expected to eventually be available in every segment of the market."

The Blu-ray Disc Founders group includes 13 leading consumer electronics, PC and media companies, which will give the format a strong worldwide market presence.

Danielle Levitas, director of IDC's Consumer Markets research, added that, "with the rapid growth in high-definition TV, blue-laser technology will be an important step forward in the consumer entertainment experience. The announcement from the Blu-ray Disc Founders indicates they are well on their way toward delivering their format."

Interested parties can obtain the format specification by contacting the Blu-ray Disc License Agent ([e-mail] / fax: [phone]) and executing the required license agreement. Companies interested in developing, manufacturing and selling BD-ROM products must sign a license agreement to comply with the format specifications.

About the Blu-ray Disc Founders: The Blu-ray Disc Founders was formed in May 2002 to pursue broad acceptance of the Blu-ray Disc formats. Members are Dell Inc.; Hewlett Packard Company; Hitachi, Ltd.; LG Electronics Inc.; Mitsubishi Electric  Corporation; Panasonic (Matsushita Electric); Pioneer Corporation; Royal Philips Electronics; Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.; Sharp Corporation; Sony Corporation; TDK Corporation; and Thomson. The Web site for the Blu-ray Disc Association is www.bluraydisc-official.org. In May, the Blu-ray Disc Founders voted to create the Blu-ray Disc Association to give more companies an opportunity to participate in the development and promotion of the Blu-ray Disc format. More than 240 companies attended recent information seminars in Japan and the United States to hear about how they can play a role in the format creation, technology contribution and working level of BDA's operation.