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Memorex, a division of Imation Corp., today announced the retail availability of its highly anticipated Blu-ray media. The recordable (BD-R) and rewritable (BD-RE) discs support high-definition (HD) video recording, making them ideal for consumers who want to capture, save and share up to 25 GB of HD content in crystal-clear quality. Blu-ray also meets today's high-capacity data storage needs with five times greater capacity than recordable DVD media and faster transfer speeds.

Memorex Blu-ray discs use state-of-the-art, blue-violet laser technology to support HD broadcast and video recording, as well as high capacity data and photo storage from PCs and servers. Compatible with Blu-ray capable recorders, Memorex Blu-ray media records and preserves the digital quality of HD broadcasts, including enhanced 7.1 channel surround sound, brilliant widescreen aspect ratio, high-resolution 1080i picture, and content-rich interactive features. A single 25GB Memorex Blu-ray disc can store approximately two hours of HD-quality video or up to 20 hours of lower-resolution video, providing up to five times greater capacity than standard 4.7 GB DVDs.

For protection of important data and video, Memorex Blu-ray discs include DuraLayer Technology, a special scratch-resistant hard coating that guards against dust, debris and rough handling. It is the DuraLayer coating that makes it possible for Blu-ray discs to be used without an outer cartridge, by protecting the recording layers of the disc. Memorex is a division of Imation Corp, which holds several intellectual property rights in the manufacturing processes of the Blu-ray format and boasts a modular manufacturing facility equipped for the production of both Blu-ray and rival format HD DVD discs.

Memorex is a contributing member of the Blu-ray Disc Association, which supports the Blu-ray format, as well as the DVD Forum, which supports the HD DVD format. As announced earlier this year, Memorex will deliver both Blu-ray and HD DVD products to the consumer market.

Individually packaged Memorex Blu-ray recordable (BD-R) and re-writable (BD-RE) media with DuraLayer Technology are now shipping to select retail locations and are listed at a suggested retail price of $19.99 and $29.99, respectively.