Dual-layer BD-ROM discs produced by Panasonic : Panasonic has modified its existing pilot production line for single-layer Blu-ray Discs, called BD-ROM, so that it is able to replicate dual-layer BD-ROM discs with 50 gigabytes (GB) of storage capacity. The new pilot replication line is housed within the Panasonic Disc Manufacturing Corporation of America, which is located here in Torrance, Calif. Single-layer Blu-ray Discs have 25 GB of storage capacity for holding video and other data, while current DVD discs have 8.5 GB of storage at most. The doubling of BD-ROM disc storage capacity is enabled by spin coating technologies that create two recorded layers on a single side of a Blu-ray Disc.
Matsushita plans to enter the Digital SLR market : Matsushita plans to ship single-lens reflex (SLR) digital cameras with interchangeable lenses in 2006. The cameras will comply with the "four thirds system" mounting standard pushed by Olympus Optical Co, Ltd of Japan, and the firms will jointly develop products and key components. "Even if we achieve modest success in digital home appliances, where the pace of technological progress is so rapid, we could lose our lead at any time," explained a spokesperson for Matsushita Electric Industrial Co, Ltd of Japan. "Now that we've achieved a degree of success in compact cameras, we think it's time to build a powerful brand name in the field."
