Sony DADC ramps up Blu-ray replication

Company has shipped 2.5 million 50GB discs since it launched production last fall

By Susanne Ault -- Video Business, 5/16/2007

MAY 16 | Replication company Sony DADC U.S. has shipped 2.5 million 50GB Blu-ray discs since it began production last fall, the company said Wednesday.

Because of increasing strength in the format, Sony DADC is ramping up its Blu-ray production capabilities and expects to achieve an annual capacity of more than 30 million discs by this fall.

The Blu-ray format, including both 25GB and 50GB discs, has sold about 1 million units in the U.S. through April.

“Due to the high demand for the 50GB Blu-ray product, we will continue to add lines and capacity throughout the year,” said Michael Mitchell, executive VP and general manager at Sony DADC.

Jim Twiggs, Sony DADC VP of strategic development, added, “We are experiencing ever-increasing interest in BD50 product from all genres, markets and studios, both large and small. We have seen title planning requests that include multiple BD50 discs in one package.”