Versatile Multilayer Disc
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Media type | High-density optical disc |
---|---|
Encoding | MPEG-2 and VC-1 |
Capacity | Standard: 20 GB (4 layer), 5 GB per layer |
Developed by | New Medium Enterprises |
Usage | High-definition video |
Optical discs |
---|
Versatile Multilayer Disc (VMD or HD VMD) was a high-capacity red-laser
History
The company founded in Nevada as Shopoverseas.com on August 2, 1999, changed its name to New Medium Enterprises, Inc. (NME) on July 10, 2000. On April 20, 2001, it became a public company, with shares traded over-the-counter with symbol MNEN. On January 13, 2004 it acquired the intellectual property for multi-layer optical discs from MultiDisc Ltd. and TriGM International S.A, and became headquartered in London.[1] On June 14, 2005, Rupert Snow became chairman, and Mahesh Jayanarayan became chief executive officer, replacing interim CEO Irene Kuan. On July 1, 2005, Eugene Levich was appointed chief technical officer of NME. Levich had a long history of developing multi-layer formats, such as the fluorescent multilayer disc of Constellation 3D.[2]
In December 2005, NME announced an agreement with Chinese-based company E-World which was developing a similar format called Enhanced Versatile Disc.[3] At CeBIT in March 2006, NME demonstrated a prototype VMD player and announced that it was expecting to launch the format in the third quarter of 2006.[4] NME claimed 100 titles would be available in 2006.[5]
At the Custom Electronic Design & Installation Association trade show in September 2007, NME exhibited two players set for release in October 2007. Twenty US titles were available at launch time, including some from
The two initial players to be released were the ML622S and the ML777S. The ML777S included
The manufacturers hoped to sell the format as a lower cost alternative to other optical technologies.[7] However, the Great Recession of 2008 struck about this time, and NME struggled to stay in business.[8]
On June 13, 2008 Geoffrey Russell, the interim chief executive officer of New Medium Enterprises, Inc., notified the US
In October 2008, the technology behind HD-VMD was revived by companies Royal Digital Media, Anthem Digital and DreamStream to produce a new 100GB optical disc. Anthem Digital's chairman Michael Jay Solomon was the former chairman of New Medium Enterprises.[11][12] As of December 2010, Royal Digital Media, Anthem Digital and DreamStream web sites were no longer available.
Technical specifications
Disc format
The format uses approximately 5 GB per layer,[13] which was similar to standard DVDs. Standard VMDs can use 4 layers, for 20 GB of storage. The rarer 8 and 10 layered discs store 40 GB to 50 GB, respectively.[14] One manufacturer listed up to 20 layers on a disc being possible in the future.[13]
The Blu-ray Disc uses a blue-violet laser, rather than VMD's red laser, which means Blu-ray can store more information per layer. This format has so far only utilized 1 and 2-layered versions. In January 2007, Toshiba announced development on a triple layer HD DVD (TL51) that would have had a capacity of 51 GB. Hitachi announced a 4 and 6 layer version of Blu-ray as well, capable of 100 GB and 200 GB respectively. A standard 4-layer VMD stored 20 GB, which was comparable to a 1-layered HD DVD (15 GB) and 1-layer Blu-ray Disc (25 GB).
Content format
The HD VMD format is capable of
The HD VMD format supports up to 7.1-channel
codecs.See also
- Comparison of high definition optical disc formats
References
- ^ "Form 10KSB/A: Annual Report for Fiscal Year End June 30, 2006". US Securities and Exchange Commission. April 4, 2008. Retrieved October 19, 2021.
- ^ "Form 10KSB/A: Annual Report for Fiscal Year End June 30, 2005". US Securities and Exchange Commission. November 2, 2005. Retrieved October 19, 2021.
- ^ Tony Smith (March 31, 2006). "Rivals start to spin Blu-ray, HD DVD alternatives". The Register. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
- ^ R. Block (March 6, 2006). "Higher capacity 50GB EVD / VMD at CeBIT". EnGadget. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
- ^ R. Lawler (May 9, 2006). "Enter VMD: 100 high-def titles launching this year from NME". EnGadget. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
- ^ a b "HD VMD to Battle Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD". PC World. September 8, 2007.
- ^ Eric A. Taub (March 10, 2008). "Another DVD Format, but This One Says It's Cheaper". New York Times. Archived from the original on April 29, 2018. Retrieved October 19, 2021.
- ^ "HD VMD (2007 – 2008)". Museum of Obsolete Media. 23 December 2020. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
- ^ New Medium Enterprises, Inc., Form 15, US Securities and Exchange Commission
- ^ NEW MEDIUM ELECTRONICS LIMITED, 12/08/2008, APPLICATION FOR STRIKING-OFF, Companies House
- ^ "RDM's revives HD-VMD with DreamStream encryption". Archived from the original on February 7, 2009.
- ^ "Solomon Heads Up Global Digital Studio | PressReleasePoint". www.pressreleasepoint.com.
- ^ a b NME - New Medium Enterprises - HD VMD, High Definition Players and Movies Archived December 25, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
- ^ NME fleshes out 40GB HD VMD discs, hardware, still prepping for launch - Engadget