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TDK announced on August 31, 2006, that it had developed a single-sided, recordable Blu-ray disc with a reported capacity of 200GB. The design used six layers, each reported to hold 33.3GB. The announcement described a development achievement; the available reports do not establish a retail launch or compatibility with ordinary Blu-ray players.
How TDK said the 200GB disc was built
The 200GB Blu-ray disc was a recordable blue-laser disc, not a read-only movie disc. TDK’s stated capacity came from six recording layers on one side of the disc, with 33.3GB per layer, according to the company announcement reproduced by 4RFV and a contemporaneous ITmedia report.
TDK also illustrated the capacity as approximately 18 hours of high-definition video encoded at 24 Mbps. That is the company’s estimate at the stated bitrate, not a universal runtime: actual recording time depends on the video’s encoding and other data stored on the disc.
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ITmedia’s September 1, 2006 coverage put TDK’s development in context alongside standard Blu-ray capacities and the company’s earlier prototype:
#1 Best Overall
- 200GB large storage capacity, BD-R TL format for professional archive backup
- Premium archival grade dye layer, excellent resistance to electromagnetic interference
- Supports UHD 4K media recording, stable burning with low error rate
- Non-volatile offline storage, protects important data from hard drive failure
- Requires compatible BDXL Blu-ray burner for successful writing
| Disc or development | Reported capacity | Layers and status in the 2006 report |
|---|---|---|
| Single-layer Blu-ray | 25GB | Standard media cited by ITmedia |
| Dual-layer Blu-ray | 50GB | Standard media cited by ITmedia |
| TDK earlier prototype | 100GB | Four layers of 25GB each |
| TDK 200GB development | 200GB | Six layers of 33.3GB each; development announcement |
The comparison shows a reported increase in capacity and layer density; it does not mean the 100GB or 200GB designs were equivalent to standard retail discs.
Was the TDK 200GB Blu-ray disc sold to consumers?
The available 2006 reports document TDK’s development announcement. They do not establish a release date, price, retail product listing, or whether ordinary consumer Blu-ray players and drives could read the six-layer disc. That absence does not prove the prototype never reached the market; it means these reports do not establish that it did.
Rank #2
- 1 high-grade non-rewritable BD-R discs with projected lifetime of several hundred years (based on ISO/IEC 16963 testing)
- Stored data is engraved - ultimate archival solution. Impervious to environmental exposure, including light, temperature and humidity
- Media discs with up to 100GB of storage space to back-up your HD video, music and photos with superb resolution and amazing sound quality.
- Withstood rigorous testing for durability by US Department of Defense. Compatible with BDXL optical drives
- Verbatim has been a leader in data storage technology since 1969, and guarantees this product with a 10-year limited warranty and technical support
TDK’s later involvement with Sony’s Optical Disc Archive is a separate matter. In an April 16, 2012 company announcement, TDK described support for a professional archival system using cartridges with 12 optical discs and capacities from 300GB to 1.5TB. Those specifications concern Optical Disc Archive, not the 200GB Blu-ray development, and do not show that TDK’s six-layer disc became a consumer product. See TDK’s 2012 announcement.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 10 high-grade, non-rewritable BD-R discs, OEM certified, with a one hundred year archival life
- Verbatim Blu-ray discs are treated with Hard Coat to prevent scratches, resist fingerprints and reduce dust build-up
- Single-layer discs with up to 25GB of storage space to back-up your HD video, music and photos with superb resolution and amazing sound quality.
- Up to 6x write speed. Compatible with the latest Blu-ray hardware including Sony, Pioneer, Panasonic, Dell, Lenovo, HP, and LG.
- Verbatim has been a leader in data storage technology since 1969, and guarantees this product with a limited lifetime warranty and technical support
Rank #4
- 🌻STORAGE CAPACITY: Massive 100GB capacity per disc for large-scale archival needs , such as : Design/Architecture firms, Libraries, Financial institutions, Audio/visual professionals.
- 🌻Durable Disc Design: Constructed from durable polycarbonate material, BDR discs can withstand scratches and fingerprints for reliable long-term data archiving.
- 🌻Long-Lasting Archival: Data stored on BDR discs is designed for stability and longevity, safely storing your files for decades to come.
- 🌻WRITE SPEED: 4X recording speed ensures efficient data transfer, and it optimized for reliable data recording
- 🌻PACKAGE CONTENTS: Includes 2 BD-R TL discs housed in a protective jewel case for safe storage and handling
Rank #3
- 25 high-grade, non-rewritable BD-R discs, OEM certified, with a one hundred year archival life
- Verbatim Blu-ray discs are treated with Hard Coat to prevent scratches, resist fingerprints and reduce dust build-up
- Single-layer discs with up to 25GB of storage space to back-up your HD video, music and photos with superb resolution and amazing sound quality.
- Up to 16x write speed. Compatible with the latest Blu-ray hardware including Sony, Pioneer, Panasonic, Dell, Lenovo, HP, and LG.
- Verbatim has been a leader in data storage technology since 1969, and guarantees this product with a limited lifetime warranty and technical support
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