The Recordable DVD Council (RDVDC) today demonstrated the fastest ever commercially available rewritable DVD products, capable of operating at speeds of 16x.

Panasonic and Hitachi-LG Data Storage have introduced 16x DVD-Ram drives for PCs, while Panasonic and Hitachi Maxell have introduced 16x DVD-Ram media.

However, this looks to be the upper limit of DVD recording speeds for the time being.

"The maximum speed looks to be 16x," said Anthony Jasionowski, group manager of strategic planning at Panasonic and spokesman for the Ram Promotion Group.

"Any faster and even the best media might break apart. It's revolving at 11,000 rpm. We think our competitors may top out at 12x."

Jasionowski told vnunet.com that the recording method has also led to longer lasting data storage. Evidence from a university study suggests that DVDs could last up to 100 years, but he preferred to say a 30-year life span.

According to analyst firm NPD, DVD-Ram players are currently the most popular format in the US, with 38 per cent of the market. The format has been popular in the US and Far East but less so in Europe, where its market share is just under one in three.

The format is also being integrated into 'Super Multi' drives capable of running multiple format media.

"We expect to ship Super Multi recordable DVD drives for PCs with 16x DVD-Ram capability by the end of 2005," said Mitsuhiko Nakata, general manager at Panasonic Shikoku Electronics.

Super Multi sales will outpace DVD-RW format drives by 2006, according to data from consultants TSR.