The Blu-ray Disc Association is targeting commercial segments, announcing a new disc specification that will more than double the storage capacity of current discs. The BDXL specification uses three or four recordable layers to reach capacities of up to 128GB.
In the same announcement the Association also revealed that it would be releasing an additional specification that would enable users to view but not overwrite critical data. The specification would also provide the flexibility to include relevant personal data on the same physical disc.
The new formats will not be compatible with existing Blu-ray players.
The Association explained in a statement: “Because both BDXL and IH-BD are specially designed formats with specific market segments in mind, newly-designed hardware is required to play back or record BDXL or IH-BD media. However, because the new media specifications are extensions of current Blu-ray Disc technology, future BDXL and IH-BD devices can be designed to support existing 25GB and 50GB Blu-ray Discs.”