Sharp has announced the upcoming launch of a 100GB recordable triple layer Blu-ray format. Available in Japan at the end of July, the VR-100BR1 disc can store up to 12 hours of regular digital TV broadcasts or nearly nine hours of digital satellite broadcasts, according to Sharp.

The VR-100BR1 adheres to the new BDXL format specifications introduced by the Blu-ray Disc Association in April. The BDXL format allows for a maximum 128GB of write-once capability for Blu-ray discs and can support up to 100GB of Blu-ray data in rewritable disc format. The extra capacity is achieved by adding layers to the disc. The current 50GB disc have two layers, the 100GB discs will have four.

The Blu-ray Disc format has gone through a difficult childhood, and as a result we now have a tricky, fragmented market with different players supporting (or not supporting) different Blu-ray features. Of course, to take advantage of the new standard, you’ll need new hardware. Sharp says they have two new Aquos Blu-ray recorders coming up in Japan. One thing you can be sure of. Sharp may be first, but other manufacturers won’t be far behind. it shouldn’t be too long until rewritable 100GB and write-once 128GB BDXL discs become available.