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OSTA BEGINS INDUSTRY-WIDE
DVD/CD COMPATIBILITY TESTING
Independent Testing Will Stimulate Compatibility, Protect
User Investments in CD-R Storage
Santa Barbara, Calif., September 24, 1997 - The Optical Storage Technology
Association (OSTA) announced today a comprehensive, industry-wide compatibility
testing initiative between DVD devices and Compact Disc (CD) media. The
tests are designed to ensure a clear migration path for current users
of optical storage technology, such as Compact Disc-Recordable (CD-R),
to future devices such as DVD-ROM. In addition, compatibility testing
will ensure the preservation of major investments made today in data marts
and data warehouses that use current optical storage technology. Preliminary
compatibility test results are scheduled for announcement in late October,
while final test results will be made public in February.
Announced on the heels of its groundbreaking work in CD-ROM/CD-R compatibility
testing and the ratification of the MultiRead specification, this new
round of comprehensive tests again underscores OSTA's commitment to foster
product compatibility for end users and to make optical storage technology
easy to use.
"As the popularity of optical storage continues to grow, users
must feel comfortable about moving to more powerful storage solutions,"
said Ray Freeman, OSTA Facilitator and President of industry analyst firm
Freeman Associates. "Corporate America has embraced CD-R jukebox
solutions and is moving now to CD-RW. Soon DVD-R and rewritable DVD will
be in the fold. Losing access to data already recorded is not an option
for anyone. That is why OSTA continues to build consensus within the industry
and to sponsor testing that significantly benefits end users."
To date, fourteen DVD-ROM manufacturers have agreed to participate in
the OSTA compatibility study, with more expected to join. The study will
be conducted in two phases with final results targeted for release in
February. Information on compatibility test results, migration paths and
the MultiRead specification are available on the OSTA Web site at www.osta.org.
OSTA Background The Optical Storage Technology Association (OSTA)
was incorporated as an international trade association in 1992 to promote
the use of writable optical technologies and products for storage of computer
data. OSTA works to shape the future of the industry by making optical
storage easier to install and use, increasing market awareness and understanding,
enabling advances that meet customer needs and defining common implementations
of standards. The organization's membership includes optical product manufacturers
and resellers from three continents, representing more than 80 percent
of worldwide writable optical product shipments. OSTA specifications are
developed through the work of CD-writable, file interchange, magneto-optical,
market development, and planning committees. Interested companies worldwide
are invited to join the organization and participate in its programs by
contacting an OSTA representative at 805/963-3853 or by addressing its
Web site at http://www.osta.org.
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Editors Note: Product and company names used here are trademarks or
registered trademarks of their respective companies.
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