DVD Forum To Start Verification Of DVD-Audio Format Products

The DVD Forum has announced that it will start verification services for products based on the DVD-Audio format at some of its authorized DVD Format Verification Laboratories from September 1999.Format verification is conducted to establish the conformity of DVD products with DVD formats created by the DVD Forum, and allows manufacturers of successfully tested products to use DVD logos as proof of conformity. Under the Format and Logo License agreement with the DVD Forum, manufactures of DVD products are required to receive verification for their first production models at the authorized Verification Laboratories, in order to assure compatibility among DVD players/drives and discs in the marketplace. In addition to the existing formats of DVD-Video, DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM and DVD-R, the DVD Forum will offer verification services for the newly-established DVD-Audio format at its authorized laboratories at Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Pioneer Corporation, Sony Corporation, Toshiba Corporation, and Warner Advanced Media Operations. Victor Company of Japan, Limited (JVC), which is a core member of the DVD Forum, is also setting up a laboratory to start DVD-Audio verification in September, upon authorization by the DVD Forum. These laboratories will be equipped with verifiers that verify the logical format of the DVD-Audio discs, and supplemental test players for checking disc playability. The labs will also provide reference test discs for DVD-Audio players to check audio still video, audio title set, video title set, navigation command and Packed PCM, so as to assure compatibility among DVD-Audio products in the market. The DVD-Audio format was established by the DVD Forum in February 1999, and its Format Book was issued in April. The verification service for this new format is expected to provide a solid foundation for the launch of DVD-Audio and to support the fast acceptance and wide spread of the new technology in the market. Since November 1996, the DVD Forum has set up eight authorized Verification Laboratories worldwide. The labs support the manufacturing of DVD-compliant equipment and disc through the development and distribution of verification tools and test specifications, format verification services, market monitoring, investigation and analysis of market claims, and distribution of Format Verification News via the DVD Forum Web site. DVD-Audio Verification Laboratories Matsushita (DVD Verification Lab.) FAX: 81-6-6909-5027Pioneer (DVD Verification Lab.) FAX: 81-429-43-0395 Sony (DVD Verification Lab.) FAX: 81-3-5769-5890 Toshiba (DVD Verification Lab.) FAX: 81-3-5444-9430 Warner Advanced Media Operations (DVD Format Verification Services) FAX: 1-717-383 0328 For more details, contact: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. Corporate Public Relations Division Tel: 81-6-6908-0447 Fax: 81-6-6907-2013 Pioneer Corporation Corporate Communications Division Tel: 81-3-3495-9885 Fax: 81-3-3495-4301 Sony Corporation Public Relations Division Tel: 81-3-5448-2200 Fax: 81-3-5448-3061 Toshiba Corporation Corporate Communications Office Tel: 81-3-3457-2105 Fax: 81-3-5444-9402 Victor Company of Japan, Limited (JVC)Public Relations Department Tel: 81-45-450-1489 Fax: 81-45-450-1498 Warner Advanced Media Operations Multimedia Center Tel: 1-570-383-3568 Fax: 1-570-383-7487