The Blu-ray Disc Association is rolling out a new BDXL format capable of holding up to 128GB (write-once) or 100GB (rewriteable), according to Engadget. Standard 50GB Blu-ray discs currently hold about half that much data.
The larger format will require a new player -- a firmware update won't do it -- since they go up to three or four layers deep and will likely need a more powerful laser.
A consumer version is in the works, though it will first be aimed at markets where Blu-ray Disc recorders are popular, or available at all, such as Japan (but not the U.S.). Final details on the format are expected in the coming months.
