The Blu-ray disc association (BDA) today announced the finalization and release of the specifications for BDXL, the new multi-layer recordable Blu-ray format with up to 128GB of capacity. With the completion and approval of the specification, manufacturers can now obtain licensing information and license applications needed to begin production of the high capacity write-once and rewritable discs and hardware.

Targeted primarily at commercial segments such as broadcasting, medical and document imaging enterprises with significant archiving needs, BDXL provides customers with triple layer 100GB RE (rewritable) and R (write-once) discs and quadruple layer 128GB R discs. Possible consumer applications include capture and playback of HD broadcast and satellite programming in markets where set-top recorders are prevalent. The new media specifications are extensions of current BD technologies, future BDXL capable recorders can easily be designed to play back existing 25GB and 50GB Blu-ray formats, hence, future consumer Blu-ray disc players are likely to eventually support the new discs.

"The BDA worked diligently to create an extension of the Blu-ray disc format that leverages the physical structure of the design of the disc to create even more storage capacity. By using the existing Blu-ray technologies, we have created a long-term and stable solution for archiving large amounts of sensitive data, video and graphic images. We expect further growth of the Blu-ray disc market as the introduction of 100GB/128GB discs will expand the application of Blu-ray disc technologies,” said Victor Matsuda, the chairman of BDA’s global promotions committee.

Pricing of new BD media types and hardware remains a question. Moreover, considering the fact that there are now several Blu-ray disc standards – the original Blu-ray (there are different profiles for players, though), Blu-ray 3D and Blu-ray XL – there is likely to be a mess with them in the future.

Tags: Blu-ray, BDXL