Information regarding DualDisc format compatibility in Sony® DVD and CD players.

DualDisc is a new two sided disc product introduced by the music industry which mates DVD recorded material on one side with digital audio material on the other side. DualDisc is similar in size to a DVD and CD. The DVD side of the DualDisc offers DVD video or DVD audio content which may include many of the features currently found in DVD discs including enhanced audio; 5.1 surround sound, music videos, artists' interviews, behind-the-scene footage, documentary films, photo galleries, lyrics and other material produced by the recording artist or label. The audio side of the DualDisc does not meet the technical specifications to be called a "Compact Disc Digital Audio".

The DVD video content on the DVD side of the DualDisc will play on, and be compatible with Sony DVD players and DVD drives, except MegaStorage DVD Changers. However, Sony DVD players and drives do not support DVD Audio format and contents found on the DVD side of a DualDisc conforming to the DVD Audio format will not play on these Sony devices.

Not always. Since the audio side of the DualDisc does not meet the Compact Disc Digital Audio specifications found in the industry "Redbook", the data constituting the audio portion of the disc may not be read by the CD player or CD drives. Even though the audio side does not meet the Compact Disc Digital Audio specification, some Sony CD players and CD drives may read and interpret the audio layer while others may not.

Not always. Since the audio side of the DualDisc does not meet the Compact Disc Digital Audio specifications found in the industry "Redbook", the data constituting the audio portion of the disc may not be read by the CD player or CD drives. Even though the audio side does not meet the Compact Disc Digital Audio specification, some Sony CD players and CD drives may read and interpret the audio layer while others may not.

No. The DVD and CD players and drives manufactured by Sony were designed to meet the Compact Disc Digital Audio and DVD Forum specifications. Since the audio side of the DualDisc does not meet the Compact Disc Digital Audio specification, Sony is not in a position to modify its players or drives to allow them to play back this new type of disc.

No. DualDiscs may become jammed in the slots or racks of the holders of these products. We recommend that you do not attempt to play DualDiscs in these units.

Subject to the answer to Question 2 above, the DVD side of a DualDisc will be able to play in a Sony slot-loading DVD player. However, the DVD side of a DualDisc may be scratched or abraded when used in a Sony slot-loading CD player. Compact Discs have a hard or non-recorded surface on top (normally where you would see the artwork or the label of the record company on the Compact Disc). Some CD slot-loading players are designed to load a Compact Disc by means of a mechanical device that pulls the disc into the player. Because DualDiscs contain a content layer, such as the DVD layer, on the "top side", the loading mechanism may scratch or abrade a portion of that surface. These scratches or abrasions may affect the subsequent playability of such scratched or abraded side of the Disc. We recommend that you do not attempt to play DualDiscs in slot-loading CD players. Whether or not it is scratched or abraded, the audio side of a DualDisc may not play in slot type CD or DVD players because it does not conform to the Compact Disc Digital Audio specifications.

Subject to the answer to Question 2 above, the DVD side of a DualDisc will be able to play in Sony car DVD players. However, the DVD side of a DualDisc may be scratched or abraded when used in a slot loading car CD player. Compact Discs have a hard or non-recorded surface on top (normally where you would see the artwork or the label of the record company on the Compact Disc). Car CD slot-loading players are designed to load a Compact Disc by means of a mechanical device that pulls the disc into the player. Because DualDiscs contain a content layer, such as the DVD layer, on the "top side", the loading mechanism may scratch or abrade a portion of that surface. These scratches or abrasions may affect the subsequent playability of the such scratched or abraded side of the Disc. As a result, we recommend that you do not attempt to play DualDiscs in slot-loading car CD players. Whether or not it is scratched or abraded, the audio side of a DualDisc may not play in Sony car CD or DVD players because it does not conform to the Compact Disc Digital Audio specifications.

The surface of a DualDisc may be scratched or abraded during the loading on DVD players. Such scratches or abrasions from DVD players do not affect the subsequent playability of the scratched or abraded side of the DualDisc. Scratches or abrasions made by the loading mechanism of slot-loading CD players may affect the subsequent playability. Whether or not it is scratched or abraded, the audio side of a DualDisc may not play in CD or DVD players because it does not conform to the Compact Disc Digital Audio specifications.

Sony DVD players and drives may not recognize multi-channel surround sound content found on the DVD side of Dual Discs which content conforms to the DVD Audio format. Sony DVD players and drives do not support the DVD Audio format.

Because the audio side of a DualDisc does not conform to the specifications of the Compact Disc Digital Audio, Sony cannot guarantee that the audio side of a DualDisc would be compatible with, and plays on Sony products.

We do not have sufficient data to specify a percentage.

We are considering manufacturing hardware products accommodating DualDisc in the future, but there are no actual plans at this time.

Sony will comply with the terms of the limited warranty it offers on these products and repair defects in material and workmanship which manifest themselves during the limited warranty period.

No. This question will have to be referred to the music label which sold the Dual-Disc.