Press Releases-2 27 September, 2005 | News

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Toshiba First in World to Develop Notebook PC with HD DVD-ROM Drive

27 September, 2005

Tokyo—Toshiba Corporation today brought high-definition imaging to portable computing with the development of the world’s first notebook PC integrating a slim-type HD DVD-ROM drive. Toshiba plans to commercialize the new PC by the beginning of 2006, initially in Japan, giving computer users access to high definition video images recorded in the HD DVD format.

With TV moving towards high definition digital broadcasts and PCs increasingly integrating advanced AV capabilities, including TV tuners, demand is emerging for high definition programming and content. Toshiba has responded to this trend by promoting the advanced imaging capabilities of the next-generation HD DVD format, and has now brought HD DVD to portable computing, the fastest growing segment of the computer market.

The slim-type HD DVD-ROM drive, with a height of only 12.7 millimeters, takes full advantage of the physical structure of HD DVD discs to realize a pick-up head with a single optical lens that can read HD DVD discs and read and write to standard DVD and CD. This size advantage also supported Toshiba in bringing high definition capabilities to the go-anywhere small form factor of the notebook PC.

Toshiba has assured that users can enjoy a mobile, high definition environment to the full by equipping the new PC with a high resolution LCD display.

The new PC will be exhibited at CEATEC JAPAN 2005, at Makuhari Messe, Chiba Prefecture, from October 4 to 8, 2005.

About HD DVD
HD DVD is the next-generation DVD format standardized by the DVD Forum, the international association of some 240 consumer electronics, IT, entertainment software, disc manufacturing and other related companies around the world. The versatility of HD DVD supports many applications, including players, recorders, PCs and automotive devices.

Main features of HD DVD

1)

The same disc structure as DVD, two 0.6mm-thick polycarbonate discs bonded back-to-back, makes it much easier for HD DVD to achieve backward compatibility with DVD. It also assures easier manufacturing of discs and hardware devices, resulting in lower manufacturing costs.

2)

Robust playability, with no need for a disc cartridge to protect against surface blemishes and fingerprints.

3)

The DVD Forum has approved HD DVD-ROM discs with a data capacity of 30GB, enough capacity for more than eight hours of high definition video images*. Higher capacities are also anticipated; Toshiba has already developed a disc with a 45GB capacity. High data capacity is achieved by adopting a shorter wavelength blue-violet laser and advanced data processing technologies, assuring the ability to store large capacity data sources including high-definition images.

*	MPEG4-AVC or VC1 compressed video and audio data at a data transfer rate of 8 to 9Mbps

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