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Optical media, such as CD-R and DVD-R, are seeing growth in demand, with their ability to store
various text based data, still images from digital still cameras, and video images from digital television.
However, there has always been concern about secure storage of data, due to proliferation of media
that are not up to the standards and with premature life, and without specific references or correct
information on life expectancy. Furthermore, with official document storage and report documentation
migrating to electronic data in public offices, we have been receiving reports about troubles of not being
able to read stored data, and there have been concerns over reliability on a global basis. In order to address this concern, CDs21 Solutions, through collaboration with OSTA (Optical Storage
Technology Association), a U.S. based optical storage promotion entity, and with cooperation from Dr.
Mitsuru Irie of Osaka Sangyo University, has been working on the creation of universal test method for
the estimation of lifetime of optical media, and on January 13th of last year, ISO/IEC has approved it as
official international standard with ISO/IEC 10995 designation. Following this process, ADTC, a NPO
entity, was formed as a part of the preparation to apply the test method, to create operation guidelines
and to install equipment at the facilities, where test operations were conducted in March, 2009, and the
actual "Test for estimation of lifetime of optical media" will start in April, 2009. With the launch of this operation, use of certification mark (please refer to the attached image) will
be granted for optical media that are tested and are found to satisfy specified conditions (lifetime
expectancy of at least 30 years), and the marks can be printed on product packages, etc. The consumers
can now expect to be free from troubles associated with media lifetime by making the purchase of
products with the certification mark as a reference. Moreover, we anticipate applications towards
original master storage of various data and images, and for institutional storage of official public
documents, allowing the consumers to make use of optical media with confidence. We estimate that the
products which will go through the testing process and will be found to satisfy the specified conditions
to become available in the market from this May onward. Sample Design of Certification Logo
CDs21 Solutions is asking other associations and organizations for their cooperation on this
"Activity regarding estimation of lifetime of optical media", and we are hoping that the optical media
industry as a whole will address this issue, so that the problems associated with lifetime expectancy is
resolved. Following is the outline of the ADTC, a NPO entity:
- Name of Organization: Non-Profit Organization Entity - Archive Disc Test Center
- Corporate Number: 0195-05-013247 (filed with Tokyo Metropolitan Government)
- Administrative Office Location: Kanda Jimbo-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan
- Test Center (Center Laboratory) Location: Kogane Kamifusa-machi, Matsudo-shi, Chiba, Japan
- Date of Incorporation: August 26th, 2008
- Main Equipment at Center Laboratory
o Environmental Test Chambers, Error Rate Detectors, etc.
- Organization: Management Group, Administration Group, Account Team, Center Laboratory
(Test Center)
- Managing Director: Takao Ihashi (CDs21 Solutions – Chairman of Board of Directors)
Please also refer to the home page (URL address: n-adtc.org, Scheduled to become available after
March 25th)
Remarks: As of January, 2009, the standard for the testing only covers 120mm and 80mm DVD+R and
-R. For products which satisfy specified conditions in the tests, they will be permitted use of the
certification mark as demonstration of having passed the lifetime estimation test based on ISO/IEC
10995 standard.
【CDs21 Solutions】
CDs21 Solutions is a voluntary organization, established as a collaboration of former MultiMedia CD
Consortium and Orange Forum, and it is an interdisciplinary organization consisting of members from
various optical disc related industries. It has been engaging in improving compatibility of applied
products complying to various optical disc standards, which include hardware, media, software, and
contents creation, and has also been promoting related services, in order to contribute to the industry
as well as to the end users.
There are currently about 40 participating members from both in and out of Japan, mainly consisting
of manufacturers of optical discs and drives. CDs21 Solutions Homepage: http://www.cds21solutions.org/ 【OSTA】Optical Storage Technology Association, California, U.S.A.
OSTA is an international organization whose purpose is the promotion of recordable optical media for
storage of computer data and image contents. The number of members and associate count over 40,
which span across North America, Asia and Europe.
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