Sony produces milestone Blu-ray disc

Replicator says yields improved on the way to 10 million disc output

By Susanne Ault -- Video Business, 10/2/2007

OCT. 2 | Sony DADC has produced its 10 millionth 50 gigabyte Blu-ray disc, and the company says manufacturing yields are approaching that of standard DVD.

The milestone disc is part of Sony Pictures Home Entertainment’s shipment of Spider-Man 3, which streets on Oct. 30, day and date with its standard-definition version.

Since the launch of the format, Sony DADC has produced more than 50 million BD discs, spanning both 25GB and 50GB sizes. Manufacturing capacity has reached 21 million discs per month across Sony DADC’s three plants in Terra Haute, Ind.; Salzburg, Austria; and Shizuoka, Japan.

Also, Sony DADC claims it has quickly reduced defections within the production process and is achieving 85% yields on single-layer 25GB BD discs, nearing parity with DVD yields.

“With regard to BD 50, yields have increased steadily and are consistently between 75% and 79%,” said Bob Hurley, executive VP of sales and marketing at Sony DADC. “Cycle times for BD 50 have likewise improved dramatically. As demand for both BD 25 and BD 50 increases and the production lines are run more consistently, we fully anticipate further yield improvements.”

During the first half of 2007, 1.7 million Blu-ray discs have sold through to consumers, according to Sony executives at last month’s CEDIA.

“A year and a half ago, when the dual-layer 50GB Blu-ray Disc was introduced, it caused a stir amongst the content creation industry,” said Hurley. “The exceptionally high storage capacity enables movie studios to present their titles in the very best high-definition visual and audio quality.”