A single Blu-ray Disc measuring 12 cm in diameter can record more data than 10 DVD discs. Because it's able to store data in any format, movies and photos from camcorders and digital still cameras, as well as documents from a PC's hard disk, can all be stored on the same disc.

On Panasonic's dual-layer Blu-ray Disc (50 GB), the first recording layer (L0), second recording layer (L1), intermediate layer, and transparent cover layer are stacked with high precision in a thickness of only 0.1 mm.
By stacking each layer with uniform thickness, the Panasonic Blu-ray Disc ensures stable recording and playback.

The recording layer characteristics are extremely critical for the dual-layer disc structure. When data is recorded onto the first recording layer (L0), the second recording layer (L1) must allow the laser beam to penetrate it. When data is recorded onto the second recording layer (L1), the laser beam must be focused and efficiently absorbed.
Panasonic successfully created recording layers with a half-mirror property that makes this possible, and achieved the development and mass production of dual-layer discs ahead of other companies.

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Basic BD Technology Stories
The Single-Side, Dual-Layer Disc

Even at normal speed, the Blu-ray Disc can record data more than three times as fast as a DVD. Panasonic's phase-change recording technology, which has undergone continuous refinement over the years, instantaneously changes the atomic arrangement within the recording layer from a noncrystalline (amorphous) phase to a crystalline phase when it is exposed to a high-temperature laser beam. Unlike organic pigment-type (LtH) discs that use chemical changes to record data, the Panasonic Blu-ray Disc records by slightly altering the atomic arrangement. This makes it possible to record at extremely high speeds up to 216 Mbps.

Your living room becomes an HD video theater or a photo gallery with Blu-ray Discs and HD AV equipment from Panasonic. The entire system is supported by the solid quality of Panasonic Blu-ray Discs.

Two types of materials are used to form the recording layers on Blu-ray Discs. One is an inorganic material and the other is an organic dye-pigment. Panasonic uses a unique inorganic material, which creates more durable recording layers. An innovative disc structure also helps to prevent warping, in order to minimize reading errors that occur when the disc is distorted by temperature and humidity changes.

This inorganic material and innovative disc structure are the keys to achieving a long archiving life in a Blu-ray Disc. A Panasonic accelerated age test roughly estimates that Panasonic Blu-ray Discs have an archiving life of more than 50 years at a room temperature of 25°C with 80% humidity. The long life of Panasonic Blu-ray Discs has also been verified by TÜV Rheinland, the world famous third-party certification institution.

Panasonic Blu-ray Discs formed from this inorganic material also show higher resistance to ultraviolet rays than LTH media using an organic dye-pigment. This further contributes to the long life of Panasonic Blu-ray Discs.

Scratches are fatal to recording discs. Scratches can make it impossible to read important data or cause noise in playback images. Panasonic uses a spin coating method to apply a hard coating of uniform thickness that protects the disc from scratches.

The demands for recording discs are becoming increasingly severe, as users call for easier handling and faster recording. Panasonic has more than 35 years of experience in developing recording discs. Our Blu-ray Discs are manufactured in an integrated production plant in Japan where every process, from material development to final manufacturing, is performed. This enables a smooth flow of operations such as development, new technology assessment and mass production, and produces discs with extremely high levels of reliability.

Panasonic develops and manufactures all BD-related products in-house, ranging from components like laser pick-ups and semiconductors, to recorders, players, PC disc drives, BD-ROMs and blank media. Panasonic is also a core member of the Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) and takes part in the planning and establishment of BD standards.
The high compatibility and reliability of Panasonic BDs are backed by the company's extensive know-how and its vast experience and achievements in the field.

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Panasonic Authoring Center Roppongi (PACR)
Format Verification Laboratory
Panasonic Disc Manufacturing America (PDMC)

The substrates of recording media such as Blu-ray, DVD and CD discs are made of polycarbonate, which is a petrochemical product. Producing 1 kg of polycarbonate generates about 5 kg of CO2.
Each 50 GB Blu-ray Disc is capable of storing as much data as 71 CD-ROM discs. The amount of polycarbonate used to produce 71 CD discs is more than 1.1 kg. This means that more than 5.5 kg of CO2 is discharged. On the other hand, only 15 g of polycarbonate is used to manufacture a Blu-ray Disc, thus generating only about 75 g of CO2. In addition to these direct effects, the space that is saved in transportation and storage by using fewer discs also helps to reduce energy consumption.

TÜV Rheinland