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In a rush to explain the reasons why DVD-RAM (rewritable DVD) technology hasn't grown as rapidly as most industry analysts and participants originally projected, many have said that the lack of a single set of standards has confused the marketplace. They add that as a result of this confusion, sales of DVD-RAM will continue to be lackluster until those standards are clearly developed. However, the majority of the DVD standards do exist. They have been reviewed and accepted by the leading international standards organizations. The DVD Forum, consisting of more than 300 major consumer and computer-related companies has established the current 2.6GB and next-generation 4.7GB compatible DVD-RAM standards. Work on the next-generation storage solution started in 1994. It wasn't until December 1995 that the Forum (initially known as the DVD Consortium) was formed.
Clear Objectives
The Forum set forth on a formidable mission . . . "establish the `single, best' DVD format for each of the DVD applications and encourage DVD acceptance across entertainment, consumer electronics and IT industries." To make certain these requirements were met, drive and media manufacturers were joined by all of the leading motion picture and computer industry manufacturers as well as major content developers. Today, more than 300 of these organizations play an active role in addressing, driving, and resolving the multitude of standards issues. . . not the product producers. Some may say the Forum takes too long to resolve certain standards issues. However, it is a difficult challenge because this is the first cross-industry technology that is not being guided and controlled by product manufacturers.
As a result of their coopetive (cooperative/competitive) efforts, the Forum has issued specification format books for DVD-- Video, DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD-R, DVD-RW, and DVD-- Audio. The Forum administers format and logo licensing. Members actively administer DVD Verification Labs in each of the product categories. These labs proactively ensure that DVD products adhere to the industrywide standards...