Mumbai: Moser Baer India Ltd has announced the launch of HD DVD-R (high-density digital video recordable discs). The HD DVD-R has a capacity of 15 GB - more than three times the data storage capacity of a standard DVD.

The company has already started shipping the new-generation HD DVD-Rs to its global OEM customers. HD DVD can be used to provide ideal imaging solutions in the fields of business, healthcare and government departments, photography as well as high definition video recording. "The world is moving towards high-definition content. This is a significant technology shift in the global optical media industry and will radically change the consumer''s viewing experience. According to the US-based Strategic Marketing and Decisions, the demand for the next generation high-density formats is expected at 1.5 billion discs over the next three years. This represents an exciting opportunity for us, as the company now has the first mover advantage with this launch," said Ratul Puri, executive director of the company.

As markets evolve faster amidst increasing competition, Moser Baer is embarking on a strategy to transform itself into a technology developer and innovator from a technology recipient.

"This is a significant landmark for us. And we are very proud that an Indian company has emerged in a strong leadership position in the next generation optical media space and current launch is the first in a series of many such launches expected throughout the year. This reaffirms our technology leadership position along with our manufacturing leadership position," commented Giriraj Nyati, VP R&D and engineering.

Moser Baer hopes to leverage its core skills in base material engineering, thin film coating, precision sputtering and deep UV mastering technologies for an intensive technology thrust. Starting from the current quarter and in conjugation with drive and recorder availability, the company expects to be first to market in a majority of the next generation formats. The company sees great potential for dual-layer DVD-Rs, HD DVD-R (recordable) and RW (re-writable), dual-layer HD DVDs and BD-R and RE.

Moser Baer is a world leader in the development and manufacture of removable data storage media. Incorporated in 1983, the company is today one of India''s leading technology companies and ranks among the top three optical storage media manufacturers in the world. It has a broad product range of floppy disks, compact discs (CDs) and digital video discs (DVDs).

A pioneer among globalising Indian firms, Moser Baer has a presence in over 82 countries, serviced through six marketing offices in India, the US and Europe, and enjoys strong ties with all major global technology brands.