Competition to make video disk technology standard

The second European DVD (digital video disk) summit will take place in Dublin Castle next week. Between 200 and 300 people are expected to attend.

The digital video disk - a compact disk version of the video cassette - can store full-length movies and advocates believe it will eventually replace CD-Roms as well as VHS video cassettes and laser discs.

A race is currently underway to standardise the technology involved as multimedia experts see the opportunity to use DVDs for specialised content. Though the industry is in its infancy, accelerated growth is expected.

This includes extending its application into interactive movies, audio and games technologies.

The focus of the Dublin Castle event will be strategic issues, alliances and publishing opportunities for the European and Pacific regions.

This will include an analysis of the development of DVD technology in Europe in tandem with its US counterparts.

Sponsored by electronics giant Philips and supported by Enterprise Ireland, the keynote speaker for the event will be Mr Emile Patrone, head of the Hollywood DVD Video Group that includes TimeWarner and MGM.

A debate on the final day will address one of the biggest hurdles facing DVD in Europe - censorship and other regulatory issues.

The panel will include the director of the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC), Mr Robin Duval.

The convergence of the Internet and DVD will be one of the hottest topics for debate, and Mr Harvey Mabry of Panasonic will provide the first showing of Net DVD, which promises to create a secure environment for e-commerce.

A gala evening in St Patrick's Hall on Wednesday, March 31st, will be hosted by the Minister of State for Enterprise and Employment, Mr Tom Kitt.

The highlight of the evening will be the selection of winners from each of the nine categories in the inaugural European DVD Awards.

Philips Eindhoven is providing the latest DVDVideo players and plasma display monitors for the event, and Creative Labs is supplying high-end DVD-Rom PCs.

DVD SUMMIT 2 takes place in Dublin Castle between March 30th and April 1st. Further details and bookings can be conducted online at www.dvdsummit.com