Toshiba, NEC create rival optical storage standard
The Toshiba-NEC standard will be able to store 40 GB of data on one side of the disc. The discs will be similar in structure to DVDs, which should reduce manufacturing costs compared to Blu-ray discs. Also, the Toshiba-NEC discs will not require a protective cartridge.
The two standards are incompatible, which could hamper the widespread adoption of next-generation optical storage technology. Recordable DVD has suffered because of the development of three separate standards.
One factor that could aid the Toshiba-NEC alliance is that it plans to present its standard to the DVD Forum, an industry-wide group that includes producers of films, computer software and others. By disclosing the technical specifications of the standard, NEC and Toshiba are likely to win support from other manufacturers that have not joined the Blu-ray camp.
