DVD+RW technology guardian, the DVD+RW Alliance, this week issued the final version of the 8x rewrite specification... almost.

What was released this week was the final draft version, which presumably needs little in the way of modification before becoming the full 1.0 spec.

When it does, disc and drive manufacturers will be able to offer product capable of rewriting a 4.7GB single-layer disc twice as fast as current 4x, so-called 'High Speed' drives. That should lead to full-disc rewrites coming in at under eight minutes.

Media supporting the 8x speed are expected to be offered by HP, Sony, Ricoh, Philips, Yamaha and MKM. Drives and discs should ship later this year. ®

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