Devices can read Blu-ray and HD DVD burning discs

In order to help customers not be confused when choosing a new generation DVD player, Japanese company Ricoh has developed a component that can read and write all Blu-ray discs, HD DVD as well as regular DVDs and CDs.

This part is a circular diffraction plate, 1 mm thick, 3.5 mm in diameter, placed between an optical lens and a laser. The diffraction pattern will adjust the light ray to the lens, concentrating the light in a position suitable for each different disk format.

The data layer of the Blu-ray Disc is located at a depth of 0.1 mm from the disk surface and the HD DVD is 0.6 mm like the DVD. CD has data layer depth of up to 1.1 mm. Ricoh's multi-format compatible device can determine which type of disc is being used and adjust the laser path to the lens.

"This is the first product that is really ready to support all four optical disc technologies and customers will be the first beneficiaries," Ricoh spokesman confirmed.

Ricoh will present their device in the international optoelectronic exhibition, which takes place from July 12 to July 14 in Tokyo (Japan) and plans to bring it into production from the end of this year.