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Ritek and CMC Magnetics, the top two makers of optical discs in Taiwan, exhibited Blu-ray Disc (BD) and HD-DVD discs at the recent 2006 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in the US, with each company planning to start volume production of the discs next quarter at the earliest, according to the two companies.The article also mentions that CMC plans to ship 15GB HD-DVD discs when Toshiba launches their HD DVD players in the US and Japan. The company is also developing a double-layer HD-DVD disc with a capacity of 30GB. If you'd like to read more, the entire article can be found here. Add a comment
Ritek showcased 25GB BD-R (recordable, write once), 15GB HD-DVD-R, 15GB HD-DVD-RW (rewritable) and 20GB HD-DVD-RAM (also rewritable) discs, all single-sided single-layer, at CES, company spokesman Eric Ai pointed out. The production of HD-DVD discs will come earlier than BD discs, Ai indicated.
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According to Arima's company filing with the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TSE), Arima Devices will take over Philips' R&D centers in Holland and Singapore and a manufacturing site in Shanghai, China, with 780 Philips staff to remain in employment. Under the deal, Arima Devices will obtain all of Philip's patented PHU-technology, including Blu-ray-Disc-related technologies, and is looking to be a major global manufacturer of PC-use DVD drives and high-end optical PUHs.Pick-up head (PUH) shortages have been plaguing Taiwanese drive manufacturers for a number of years. With Japanese manufacturers holding the patents, they've had to import these key components. Hopefully, this will change with Arima's purchase of Philips' optical pick-up business. If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes. Add a comment
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A major addition to LG's Super-Multi line of drives is the GSA-H10N, one of the world's first optical storage drives that can write DVD-RAM at a 12x speed. The Super-Multi GSA-H10N is designed for anyone with storage needs where consistency and the ability to re-write data and video is a must. Whether to back-up MP3s, videos, digital pictures or any large files, this drive can handle it all at speeds only a few have ever experienced. In addition to the 12x DVD-RAM write speed, this unit features write speeds of 16x for both DVD+R and DVD-R, write speeds of DVD+RW to 8x, DVD-RW to 6x, DVD+R DL at 10x and DVD-R DL at 8x.No word on pricing or availability yet. However, the GSA-H10N should be shipping soon as Buffalo and I-O DATA have already announced their own versions of the drive. Both companies are expecting to start shipments by the end of this month. If you'd like to read more, LG's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
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BenQ, a leading manufacturer of digital lifestyle devices, today announced the expansion of its storage product line with two new external drives that feature a double-layer recording capability. Both the slim-line TW200D DVD+/-RW drive and EW16GA 16x DVD re-writer are designed for portability for on-the-go professionals.The TW200D and EW16GA are expected to ship in March and will cost $299 and $249 respectively. More information on both drives can be found here. Add a comment
To maximize convenience, the TW200D's slim and lightweight design enables easy portability, and provides the space-saving flexibility of being placed or stored either vertically or horizontally. The TW200D offers 24x CD-ROM and 8x DVD-ROM read speeds as well as 2.4x DVD+R double layer, 8x/4x DVD+R/RW, 8x/4x DVD-R/RW and 24x CD-R/RW write speeds. The unit weighs approximately 14.5 ounces (410 grams), and the casing dimensions are 5.5" (wide) x 0.85" (height) x 6.2" (deep).
The EW16GA provides 48x CD-ROM and 16x DVD-ROM read speeds as well as 8x/4x DVD+R/-R double layer, 16x/8x DVD+R/RW, 16x/6x DVD-R/RW and 48x/32x CD-R/RW write speeds. The unit weighs approximately 3.35 lbs. (1.52 kilograms), and the casing dimensions are 6.7" (wide) x 2.4" (height) x 9.5" (deep).
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The Blu-ray Disc Association announced today that the format specification is complete and that licensing is ready to begin for BD-ROM, BD-RE and BD-R. The completion of the specification now enables content providers and manufacturers to begin the process of producing Blu-ray Disc products for a wide variety of uses.Wow.. and just in time for CES. If you'd like to read more, the entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
The Blu-ray Disc Association approved these specifications on January 2, 2006. Licensing of the BD-R and BD-RE 2.0 specifications began December 26, 2005. Specifications have been approved for the Blu-ray Disc single (25GB) and dual (50GB) layer specifications.
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Verbatim Corporation, a pioneer in developing advanced DVD and Double Layer technologies, announced today a new Mini DVD+R Double-Layer (DL) disc. Measuring only three inches (8cm) in diameter, the new discs provide a full hour of continuous video capture time on a single side or 2.66GB of storage capacity--almost twice the capacity of current mini DVDR discs. Three-packs of Verbatim Mini DVD+R DL media will be available in the spring of 2006, when the new Mini +R DL-compatible camcorders are launched. The media can also be recorded with drives supporting the +R DL format.No word on price yet. However, Verbatim expects to ship the discs in the spring of 2006. If you'd like to read more, Verbatim's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
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Extending its leadership in offering the widest range of premium-quality LightScribe media, Verbatim Corporation announced today its new LightScribe 16x DVD-R media in 30-pack spindles. Verbatim, which already offers LightScribe CD-R and DVD+R media in 10-pack spindles, 20-pack slim cases and 30-pack spindles, will begin shipping the new LightScribe 4.7GB/120-minute DVD-R media in Q1 2006. The company also is preparing to roll out LightScribe gold-background CDs and DVDs with a new coating that enables faster label printing, as well as color-background LightScribe CDs/DVDs in Q2. Engineering samples of the new LightScribe media are being showcased this week during CES in Las Vegas at Verbatim's Booth #36049, South Hall 4.Verbatim's LightScribe 16x DVD-R discs and higher-speed media will be available in Q1 2006 with an estimated street price of $39.99 for a 30-pack spindle. More information can be found here. Add a comment
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The burning (writing) speeds of RAM currently range from 1x to 5x with LG showcasing Super Multi DVD burners with a RAM speed of 12x at the ongoing CES (Consumer Electronics Show), Lite-On IT noted. Lite-On IT plans to skip 12x and develop the maximum 16x speed for the RAM format, the company emphasized.The article also mentions that Lite-On is working to increasing the writing speeds for LightScribe and DVD+R/R DL media. If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes. Add a comment
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In this review we'll take a look at some of the features found on the ND-4550A and see how it compares to some of the 16x DVD±RW drives from the competition. Does NEC's new "Super-Multi" drive have what it takes? You'll have to read the review to find out.
As usual, if you have any comments or questions about this review or the NEC ND-4550A, please post them in the forum by clicking the link below. Add a comment
NEC ND-4550A Super-Multi DVD±RW/RAM
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Sony's first Blu-ray Disc home player, model BDP-S1, will be available in early summer and features 1080p full HD video output for brilliant HD imagery and also DVD upscaling to 1080p. This initial BD player features a sophisticated design and exceptional build quality with rigid beam construction as well as finely tuned audio and video parts and circuits...While there isn't a lot of information on Sony's new Blu-ray drives, the Japanese website, AV Watch, does have a few pictures of them. As we find out more, we'll let you know. In the mean time, Sony's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
...Sony also announced that a Blu-ray Disc aftermarket drive for personal computers is also expected to be available this year, and will support 25GB/50GB BD-R/RE discs, as well as DVD+R/+RW, and CD-R/RW recordable media. This drive will be bundled with consumer-level BD recording software and accessories for creation of High-Definition home video and data Blu-ray Discs.
Beginning in the spring, Sony will begin selling a 25GB single layer BD-R and the BD-RE recording media. Dual layer 50GB capacity recordable media will follow in the subsequent months. Recordable Blu-ray Discs utilize Sony's AccuCORE technology offering superb archival and reliability, scratch guard protection and temperature durability.
