Philips makes announcement regarding next generation high-density optical disc format

EINDHOVEN, The Netherlands,--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 15, 1995-- On August 18, 1995, Philips Electronics N.V. and Sony Corporation took the initiative to issue a proposal for a single, next generation high-density optical disc format that combines the best features of the MMCD and SD formats. This proposal was made to the presidents of the companies forming the SD alliance.

In the weeks following thereafter, the proposal was refined and received the endorsement of major Hollywood studios and PC manufacturers.

Philips is pleased to learn today that the members of the SD Alliance have announced their support for the proposed single format. "We believe that the agreed upon single format offers users the benefits of a technically superior format while maintaining compatibility with current CD media, such as CD-Audio, CD-ROM, Video CD and CD-i," said Henk Bodt, Executive Vice President of Philips Electronics N.V.

The basic specifications of the single format agreed upon today are as follows:

• Backward compatibility with current CD media
• O.6mm substrate thickness, bonded disc (single-layer/dual-layer) and 4.7 GB capacity per layer
• EFM Plus signal modulation
• RS-PC error correction code