Ray Freeman, OSTA Facilitator
805.963.3853

Mike Manuel / George Millington,
Walt & Company Communications
408/496-0900



OSTA BEGINS INDUSTRY-WIDE
DVD/CD COMPATIBILITY TESTING

Independent Testing Will Stimulate Compatibility, Protect User Investments in CD-R Storage

Santa Barbara, Calif., September 24, 1997 - The Optical Storage Technology Association (OSTA) announced today a comprehensive, industry-wide compatibility testing initiative between DVD devices and Compact Disc (CD) media. The tests are designed to ensure a clear migration path for current users of optical storage technology, such as Compact Disc-Recordable (CD-R), to future devices such as DVD-ROM. In addition, compatibility testing will ensure the preservation of major investments made today in data marts and data warehouses that use current optical storage technology. Preliminary compatibility test results are scheduled for announcement in late October, while final test results will be made public in February.  
 
Announced on the heels of its groundbreaking work in CD-ROM/CD-R compatibility testing and the ratification of the MultiRead specification, this new round of comprehensive tests again underscores OSTA's commitment to foster product compatibility for end users and to make optical storage technology easy to use.
 
"As the popularity of optical storage continues to grow, users must feel comfortable about moving to more powerful storage solutions," said Ray Freeman, OSTA Facilitator and President of industry analyst firm Freeman Associates. "Corporate America has embraced CD-R jukebox solutions and is moving now to CD-RW. Soon DVD-R and rewritable DVD will be in the fold. Losing access to data already recorded is not an option for anyone. That is why OSTA continues to build consensus within the industry and to sponsor testing that significantly benefits end users."
 
To date, fourteen DVD-ROM manufacturers have agreed to participate in the OSTA compatibility study, with more expected to join. The study will be conducted in two phases with final results targeted for release in February. Information on compatibility test results, migration paths and the MultiRead specification are available on the OSTA Web site at www.osta.org.
 
OSTA Background   The Optical Storage Technology Association (OSTA) was incorporated as an international trade association in 1992 to promote the use of writable optical technologies and products for storage of computer data. OSTA works to shape the future of the industry by making optical storage easier to install and use, increasing market awareness and understanding, enabling advances that meet customer needs and defining common implementations of standards. The organization's membership includes optical product manufacturers and resellers from three continents, representing more than 80 percent of worldwide writable optical product shipments. OSTA specifications are developed through the work of CD-writable, file interchange, magneto-optical, market development, and planning committees. Interested companies worldwide are invited to join the organization and participate in its programs by contacting an OSTA representative at 805/963-3853 or by addressing its Web site at http://www.osta.org.
 
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