Verbatim to Deliver 8x DVD+R Write-once Media as Drives Hit Market.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

CHARLOTTE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 6, 2003

New Discs Significantly Reduce Recording Time; Company Ramps

Production as DVD Burner Availability, Demand Increase

Verbatim(R) Corporation, the first media manufacturer to offer a complete family of high-speed write-once and rewritable DVD media, announced today that it will begin shipping 8x-speed DataLifePlus(R) 4.7GB DVD+R media this month as higher-speed DVD multi-format burners become widely available. At 8x speed, a 4.7GB DVD+R disc can be filled to capacity in less than 10 minutes. Verbatim 8x DVD+R media has been tested and approved by major original equipment manufacturers of 8x burners such as BenQ DW800A, LiteOn LDW-841S, NEC ND-2100A and Plextor PX-708A, as well as the 8x DVD+R burners announced by HP, Philips and Dell.

Recognized for its research and development strength, Verbatim has an unmatched history of being first with the industry's fastest optical media while maintaining its reputation for providing the highest levels of reliability and durability. The key component in achieving 8x speed DVD+R media is Metal Azo recording dye, a proprietary technology developed by Verbatim's parent company, Mitsubishi(R) Kagaku Media (MKM).

For higher reliability, the new 8x DVD+R media is manufactured utilizing Verbatim's proprietary Ultra-Precise Molding (UPM) technology. With UPM, the deflection or tilt of the substrate is minimized so the media spins smoothly at high speeds, regardless of the type of drive. Stable rotation at high-speeds is critical to eliminate the possibility of data errors during the read/write processes.

By using the proven dye technology incorporated in its 4x DVD+R media as the platform for the new, more sensitive AZO technology, Verbatim engineers not only achieved high-speed 8x +R write speed, they ensured that the new media will maintain 1x, 2.4x and 4x recording compatibility.

"Verbatim works directly with the standards groups and leading drive manufacturers to co-develop next-generation DVD+R/+RW solutions," said Tim Clatterbuck, Verbatim's director of optical storage marketing. "These efforts, as well as MKM's extensive R&D capabilities and Verbatim's stringent quality/performance testing procedures, have helped Verbatim strengthen its reputation for being first with new disc technologies and first in quality. These are also the key reasons we were asked to provide the benchmark media 8x +R drive manufacturers use for their testing and certification," he added.

With the availability of media that complies with the 8x DVD+R specifications, consumers, businesses and professionals can save a tremendous amount of time in recording their content to media that is compatible with the widest possible range of DVD set top players and computer DVD-ROM drives in use today. These features and the low storage cost make Verbatim 8x-speed DataLifePlus DVD+R media ideal for businesses and professionals that need a high-quality DVD duplication solution. The faster speed will enable them to duplicate and distribute DVDs such as training, sales videos, service/support videos, data bases, etc., more efficiently and will help them increase their productivity.

Broad compatibility, a low storage cost and high-speed recording make the discs ideal for sharing computer data, home videos, photos, and music. With write-once security, Gigabytes of capacity, and a long archival life, Verbatim DVD+R media is also an excellent storage solution for data backups and archiving of vital corporate data as well as personal memories.

The demand for DVD media is being driven by increased availability of recordable drives. Industry analysts project that worldwide recordable DVD media sales will climb from 75 million discs in 2002 to more than 300 million in 2003. Since making its debut in 2002, DVD+R continues to claim a growing share of the DVD media market. With the dramatic increase in the production of low-cost DVD burners and the availability of high-speed 8x DVD+R media, that share is expected to increase significantly.

Verbatim and Mitsubishi(R) Chemical Company, MKM's parent company, are original members of the DVD+RW Alliance that developed the DVD+RW format. Verbatim was the first to offer rewritable and Write-Once media for the DVD+RW and DVD+R formats.

Price, Availability

Verbatim DataLifePlus 8x DVD+R media has an estimated street price of $3.99 and will be available through authorized resellers and the Verbatim web site in November. The new media is packaged in jewel cases, multi-packs and spindles. Blank inkjet printable surface discs will also be available. Verbatim backs the quality of its complete line of DataLifePlus DVD media with a lifetime warranty.

About Verbatim

Verbatim Corporation, a Mitsubishi(R) Chemical Company, is currently the only firm in the world that designs, develops and manufactures high-performance, high-quality CD-Recordable, CD-ReWriteable, DVD-Recordable and ReWriteable DVD media products, and a complete family of MO media, as well as magnetic media and imaging products. Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation , parent company of Mitsubishi Kagaku Media, is Japan's largest chemical company and one of the world's leading manufacturers of information storage products. For complete information on Verbatim's DigitalMovie DVD+/-R media, contact Verbatim at 1200 W.T. Harris Boulevard, Charlotte, NC 28262, 800-421-4188, FAX [phone]; or visit the company's web site at www.verbatim.com.

Editor's Note: For 8x DVD+R photos and samples for use in benchmark testing new 8x DVD+R burners, contact Andy Marken, Marken Communications, Inc., 408-986-0100 or [e-mail].

Verbatim and DataLifePlus are registered trademarks of Verbatim Corporation. Other company and product names contained herein are trademarks of their respective companies. Specifications subject to change without notice.