[(GTV)Chris]

Hi

Many websites are now shipping PC DVD writers that support Dual layer.
Is this just a useless selling feature? I can't seem to locate Dual LAyer media - Or does it use the standard discs.

Any help greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Chris

[Rasczak]

DVD+R DL media will be available in the next couple of weeks from online dealers. Initial costs of branded media are likely to be £5-10 per disk.

[JIT]

Will this mean that we'll start to see dual-layer home recorders become available or will the Panasonic E85 etc. be upgradeable via firmware?

[Rasczak]

We will start to see DVDR DL recorders but they will probably lag behind the PC drives by 12-18 months (perhaps with the exception of Philips models). You will not see updates for existing models as burning DVDR DL requires high speed drives produced with consideration to the new DL standard. Furthermore the process which the 'software' side of things will be done by the recorder will be somewhat different to how it is currently done.

IMHO the best way to 'benefit' from the new DVDR DL is to use your existing recorder in combination with a PC DVD burner compiling your recordings on your PC.

To be honest though issues over compatibility, unknown longevity and cost of media will probably mean Dual Layer DVDRs won't be the best option for sometime for archiving video anyway.