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14 PIONEER CORPORATION
Research and Development
Pioneer believes that research and development (R&D) is a driving
force behind the creation of new markets, positioning it as a lifeline for
the continued existence and growth of enterprises. Pioneer is there-
fore actively engaged in all aspects of R&D, from basic research aimed
at realizing future new businesses to technology development aimed
at adding value to existing products.
In basic research, Pioneer focuses on fields where it can leverage
its business resources and technologies. The Company conducts
research in fields such as next-generation optical discs, organic light-
emitting diode (OLED) displays, next-generation memory devices as
well as audio/video structure analysis technology and image compres-
sion technology related to information and communications services.
In technology development for existing businesses, Pioneer’s
goals are to improve product functions and usability, while rapidly
bringing to market new technologies that will lead to new products.
Pioneer’s overseas research centers in the U.S., the U.K., and
China develop technologies in line with the characteristics of each
region. Pioneer also actively participates in national research projects
and conducts joint research with universities and other companies.
Organic Dye BD-R and Metal Nitride
BD-R Discs
Pioneer has been focusing on developing tech-
nologies for popularizing write-once Blu-ray Discs
(BD-R) as a new generation of optical recording
media following DVD-R and DVD-RW discs.
Through joint development with Mitsubishi
Kagaku Media Co., Ltd., Pioneer has success-
fully developed a commercial-grade BD-R disc
with an organic dye recording layer. Because
CD-R and DVD-R disc production technology
and production facilities can be converted to
organic dye BD-R production, we expect to be
able to realize BD-R disc media that can be
offered at low prices. In April 2007, the Blu-ray
Disc Association, an industry consortium respon-
sible for establishing format standards, standard-
ized a recording format compatible with organic
Pioneer is developing a disc drive product compatible with
BD-R discs with organic dye/metal nitride recording layers.
Shown here is a prototype displayed at CEATEC JAPAN* 2007.
Prototype BD-R disc with an organic dye
recording layer