The Blu-ray Disc Association has developed increased capacity for Blu-ray Discs in what’s called the BDXL format – a multi-layer, write-once Blu-ray Disc that holds up to 128GB on quadruple layers. A triple layer version of the BDXL will max out at 100GB, but gain the advantage of being rewriteable. Licenses are now available to manufacturers to begin production on the BDXL. But for now, this extra large format will be strictly for storage purposes.
High-def movies, as we know them, will most likely stay on the 50GB Blu-ray Discs, especially considering current Blu-ray players will not play the BDXL discs. However, Sony says there may be a consumer market for capture and playback of HD broadcasts using the BDXL format. And, if BDXL players ever did become consumer-friendly, the players/recorders would be able to read current 25GB and 50GB Blu-ray Discs because the BDXL format has evolved from the same technology.
According to Victor Matsuda, Blu-ray Disc Association Global Promotions Committee chair, “The BDA worked diligently to create an extension of the Blu-ray Disc format that leverages the physical structure of the design of the disc to create even more storage capacity.”
