UK-based New
Medium Enterprises (NME) has developed the Versatile Multilayer Disc (VMD),
a new optical-based format capable of storing 20GB of data. Unlike HD DVD and
Blu-ray Disc, VMD is a red-laser technology that achieves its storage capacity
by using a greater number of layers. VMD is precisely the same size and
thickness as DVD. However, while DVD technology utilizes two layers of a disc,
VMD technology has conceived multi-layering, where up to 5GB can easily be
stored on each layer. NME will officially demonstrate its true HD VMD 20 (GB)
disc playback with an 'off the shelf' DVD drive equipped with HD VMD PC playback
software, along with its new HD VMD media player. The proprietary PC drives will
go on sale in Q3 07. VMD is currently being adopted by content providers and
distributors in 12 regions worldwide, including Brazil, Central Europe, China,
France, Germany, Iceland, India, Japan, the Middle East Russia, Scandinavia and
the United States.