New Medium Enterprises has signed an agreement to sell its first Versatile Multilayer Disc (VMD) replication lines to Bars Media Group based in Kazan, Russia.

A total of 10 pressing lines built by VDL-ODMS will be supplied over a three year period to Bars Media who will be the exclusive agent of the multilayer VMD format in Russia. VMD lines will produce DVD-5, DVD-9, VMD 20 and VMD 24 (red laser 20 GB and 24 GB disc).

This line is designed for upgrade to manufacture VMD 60 (blue laser 60 GB disc). The VMD line will be in production Q3 2007.

“The agreement with Bars Media Group expands NME’s global distribution for VMD in an important region that is need of a viable and cost-effective HD solution,” said NME CEO Mahesh K. Jayanarayan. “Joint marketing efforts between Bars Media Group and NME will drive awareness of VMD in Russia, one of the world’s fastest growing regions for home entertainment consumption, and throughout the Far East region.”

Bars Media Group is one of the leading innovative replicators in the region and supplies its various products to regions of the Russian Federation and CIS. Currently, Bars Media features Singulus and ODMS replication lines. “This will give us a head start over other formats in the region and also be able to address the rampant piracy problem in our region in the DVD sector,” said General Director, Marat Garaev.

The group is a media conglomerate involved in newspaper publishing, TV and various other media services.

Story filed 01.03.07