The 4-layer DVD arrives

When we first heard about the DVD standard, we were looking at big ones, as an optical disc capable of carrying more than 4GB of data meant a huge capacity.

We’ve gone beyond that since then, with the emergence of dual-layer disks that could store data in two layers, giving us more than 8GB of storage space.

That wasn’t enough for the market either, as HD content came out, so new standards came that promise capacity around 20GB, such as HD-DVD and Blu-Ray. Standards developers are still struggling to get their own of the two HD standards accepted by the world, and we still don’t know which drive would be worth investing in.

The traditional single-layer plate

The situation is now further complicated by a new option to increase the capacity of traditional DVDs. With the help of a new red laser technology, it has become available to increase the storage space to 5 GB per layer, plus they can do so in up to four layers. It’s easy to calculate that this capacity, with its 20GB area, could already compete with HD standard discs.

The structure of the four layers

Descriptions related to the new disks called VMD, the manufacturing process, and the data needed to read the optical disc were already completed in January 2007. According to the development company, the switch to new discs and readers would cost much less than the production of high-capacity discs and related devices currently expanding, as existing production lines would also be adaptable. This would not be bad for us buyers either, as we could get such technology relatively cheaply.

Schematic drawing of the reader

According to the developer, the solution can be used not only for red but also for blue lasers, so it will significantly increase the capacity of discs carrying new HD content.