Infinity Storage Media announced the release of its hybrid disc which presents both Blu-ray and DVD data layers, allowing users to view the content on standard DVD players and also in high-definition Blu-ray players.

The DVD layer is placed over the Blu-ray layer and the players’ lasers will penetrate to the needed depth and read the corresponding layer. The hybrid disk consists of a single layer (25GB) BD and Dual-layer (8.5GB) DVD on one side. The compatibility tests concluded that the new release works just as good on PC drives, DVD and Blu-ray players.

The new disc will be first released in Japan for the local TV-series drama “Code Blue emergency helicopter doctor Blu-ray BOX”. The series is available on 4 hybrid discs, priced at $400 for 534 minutes of content, or 7 conventional DVDs available for $260.

Infinity Storage Media’s officials announced that they are also going to release out an advanced version of the disc which will integrate a dual-layer Blu-ray (50 GB) and a single-layer DVD (4.7 GB).

This technology has been around for quite some time, but Infinity is the first to release it on the market. Back in 2004, JVC presented its prototype but from that point on the company did not go forward with the production process.

Even though they got off to a slow start, Blu-ray discs managed to win over many movie enthusiasts over the past few months, recording a significant sales increase worldwide. For example, according to GFK, British consumers have bought 462,500 Blu-ray discs in November, which represents an increase of 165 percent from October’s results.