The company has announced that this month it will start the production of the Blu-ray Discs (BD-ROM), discs with a capacity of maximum 50GB, enough space for a high definition format movie.

Panasonic is one of the first companies that announce beginning of the production for such discs, Blu-Ray being considered by a large number of producers and users the successor of current DVDs. According to the company's statements, the production will start in the factories from Torrance, Calif, Panasonic also planning to involve to movie producing industry and the Hollywood studios.

Currently, Panasonic collaborates with Origin Electric for the developing of a system intended for the massive production of BD-ROMs using a 0.1 mm resin layer that covers and protects the discs.

Until now, there hasn't been announced a price for these discs, but from the statements of all 13 members of the Blu Ray group it turns out they will be much more expensive than the classic DVDs.

Panasonic has announced that 25GB discs will be the first to be produced at the end of this month, and the discs with a double storing capacity will enter production starting with this year's December.

Until now, TDK was the only one that announced its intention to start production of the 50GB Blu Ray media, taking also the opportunity to advertise Durabis, the technology used to protect discs. According to TDK, this technique of applying protective layers will considerably improve the resistance of the Blu-Ray discs to shocks, scratches and dust.