Sony DADC PR Contact
Shelley Klingerman
Tel: 812-462-8260
Email: shelley.klingerman@sonydadc.com
Sony DADC Announces Global Blu-ray Disc Roll-out
Blu-ray Disc Production to begin in March 2006
Terre Haute, IN, January 4, 2006 – Sony DADC today announced its disc production plans for the new Blu-ray disc format. Beginning in late February of 2006, Sony DADC will be ready to accept orders and manufacture 25GB Blu-ray Discs on a global basis. The first production will begin in Sony’s Shizuoka, Japan facility and will accommodate both local and export demand. The Sony DADC facility in Terre Haute, IN will start production by May 2006, and the Salzburg, Austria plant will commence production by July 2006.
Throughout the remainder of 2006, Sony DADC will continue to add equipment on a global basis, and will reach a capacity of 5 million units per month for the US and 2.5 million units per month for both Japan and Europe. This will be accomplished with a total of 30 replication lines. By the late summer of 2006, all facilities will be equipped to manufacture both the 25GB and 50GB versions of the Blu-ray disc format. The initial lines will utilize a sheet-type process. The spin process, which has been successfully developed, will be implemented when second generation lines are developed.
“Sony DADC is committed to playing a key role in the global establishment of the Blu-ray format. Over the last 18 months, our engineers been able to perfect the production process for Blu-ray discs, and we are now ready to begin manufacturing,” stated Dieter Daum, President, Sony Disc & Digital Solutions.
“Sony DADC has been privileged to be involved with Blu-ray manufacturing preparations both internally and with our customers for well over a year now. We will support all of our customers during the launches of BD video and PlayStation 3 in the coming year and beyond,” states Bob Hurley, Executive Vice-President, Sales & Marketing.
About Blu-ray Disc
Blu-ray Disc is the next generation optical disc format developed for high-definition video and high capacity software applications. A single layer Blu-ray Disc will hold up to 25 GB of data and a dual layer Blu-ray Disc will hold up to 50 GB. This greater storage capacity enables the Blu-ray Disc to store up to five times the amount of content than is possible with current DVDs.
About Sony DADC
Sony DADC, a leading producer of optical disc media, has cutting-edge optical media manufacturing facility locations in Terre Haute, IN and Pitman, NJ. Although widely known for its quality disc production and distribution services, Sony DADC also develops and delivers dynamic technologies that not only protect disc content, but also transform discs into powerful marketing tools by adding secure links to bonus web-site content or prize incentives. Sony DADC operates within the Sony Corporation of America corporate group. Visit us at www.sonydadc.com or call 1.800.358.7316 for more information.
About Sony Corporation of America
Sony Corporation of America, based in New York City, is the U.S. subsidiary of Sony Corporation, headquartered in Tokyo. Sony is a leading manufacturer of audio, video, communications, and information technology products for the consumer and professional markets. Its music, motion picture, television, computer entertainment, and online businesses make Sony one of the most comprehensive entertainment companies in the world. Sony’s principal U.S. businesses include Sony Electronics Inc., Sony Pictures Entertainment, Sony Computer Entertainment America Inc., and a 50% interest in Sony BMG Music Entertainment, one of the largest recorded music companies in the world. Sony recorded consolidated annual sales of approximately $67 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005, and it employs 151,400 people worldwide. Sony’s consolidated sales in the U.S. for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005 were $18.4 billion. For more information see www.sony.com.
###
