Pioneer Japan sent out a press release earlier this week, announcing its new 16x Blu-ray Disc writer, the BDR-S09J. This Windows 8.1 compatible drive is is capable of 16x BD-R, 14x BD-R DL, 8x BD-R LTH, 2x BD-RE and 2x BD-RE DL writing speeds and a maximum BD-ROM read speed of 12x. The BDR-S09J also writes to triple-layer (100GB) BD-R media at 8x, quad-layer (128GB) BD-R media at 6x and triple-layer (100GB) BD-RE media at 2x.

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Compared to the BDR-S08J, the BDR-S09J is 20% faster during disc setup and, thanks to an improved algorithm, is 10 minutes faster when verifying the contents of a recorded disc. Along with the usual assortment of features like Pioneer's PowerRead and PureRead3+ technologies, the BDR-S09J introduces a new "surface-oriented mode" that improves the appearance of BD-R discs by reducing the unevenness of the recording surface.  The drive also ships with authoring and playback software from CyberLink and is expected to cost about 20,000 Yen ($195US) when it hits stores in late February.

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Along with the ultra-light BDR-XD05J, Pioneer Japan announced its new 16x Blu-ray Disc writer, the BDR-209JBK. This Windows 8.1 compatible drive is is capable of 16x BD-R, 14x BD-R DL, 8x BD-R LTH, 2x BD-RE and 2x BD-RE DL writing speeds and a maximum BD-ROM read speed of 12x. The BDR-209JBK also writes to triple-layer (100GB) BD-R media at 8x, quad-layer (128GB) BD-R media at 6x and triple-layer (100GB) BD-RE media at 2x.

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The BDR-209JBK includes features like Pioneer's PureRead2 technology and a special power-saving mode. The drive also ships with authoring and playback software from CyberLink and is expected to cost 14,000 Yen ($136US) when it hits stores at the end of January.

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Pioneer Japan sent out a press today, announcing what it claims to be the world's lightest BDXL compatible Blu-ray Disc writer. The BDR-XD05J measures only 133 × 133 × 14.8 mm and weighs in at a mere 230g. This USB 3.0 equipped drive is capable of 6x BD-R, 6x BD-R DL, 6x BD-R LTH, 2x BD-RE and 2x BD-RE DL writing speeds and a maximum BD-ROM read speed of 6x. The BDR-XD05J also writes to triple- (100GB) and quad-layer (128GB) BD-R media at 4x and triple-layer (100GB) BD-RE media at 2x.

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The BDR-XD05J includes features like Pioneer's PureRead2+ technology and an "advanced silent mode" for when playing movies and audio discs. The drive is also compatible with the company's new APS-WF01J wireless dock, which lets it be used with Windows-based tablets. The BDR-XD05J ships with authoring and playback software from CyberLink and is expected to hit stores in late January for about 10,000 Yen ($97US).

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millenniata logo.pngMillenniata, the industry pioneer responsible for M-Disc’s lifetime optical data storage capabilities, today announced partnerships with the leading optical disc drive manufacturers in the world. Samsung, LG, and LiteON optical disc drives will carry the M-Disc logo to inform customers of the included M-Technology. The adoption of M-Disc by leading hardware innovators and software innovators such as CyberLink and Nero sparks a revolution in consumer and business Archival Storage opportunities. Partnerships with leading computer companies will be announced in the coming months.

Millenniata is also partnered with RITEK, the leading optical disc manufacturer in the world, to manufacture and distribute both the DVD and Blu-ray M-Disc through their own channels and through other leading optical brands. With world-wide distribution and broad industry support, M-Disc has created a platform for consumers and enterprises to archive their most precious data permanently across all storage platforms.

As the industry’s first consumer archival platform, M-Disc has elevated the storage industry’s overall standard. With the onset of consumer demand for more reliable and safe data storage capabilities, the M-Disc storage platform provides the capacity to store all data for up to 1000 years. The platform also eliminates the need for constant data management.

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The DVD6C Licensing Group (DVD6C) consisting of nine leading developers of DVD technology and formats - Hitachi Consumer Electronics Co., Ltd., JVC KENWOOD Corporation, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation, Panasonic Corporation, Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., SANYO Electric Co., Ltd., Sharp Corporation, Toshiba Corporation and Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Inc. - today announced that it is revising its worldwide patent licensing program to offer a reduced royalty rate for DVD Read-Only Discs to licensees in good standing.

Specifically, the revised licensing program provides for the following reduced rates from the current US$0.04 per disc - for Read-Only Discs (DVD-Video Discs, DVD-ROM Discs, and DVD-Audio Discs) for licensees in good standing, i.e., licensees who have no overdue or incorrect royalty reports or overdue or underpaid royalties (including back royalties) and are otherwise in compliance with their license agreement with DVD6C:

  • US$0.035 per disc for all DVD Read-Only Discs sold or otherwise transferred on or after July 1, 2013.
  • US$0.033 per disc for all DVD Read-Only Discs sold or otherwise transferred on or after January 1, 2014.
  • US$0.03 per disc for all DVD Read-Only Discs sold or otherwise transferred on or after January 1, 2015.

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Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., a global leader in digital media and its convergence technologies, announced today a new slot-in, slim portable DVD writer, the SE-B18AB optical disc drive (ODD), that adds to its former version’s sleek design and convenient functions.

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The new SE-B18AB provides a metallic-finished surface which nicely matches today’s slim laptop designs. With its stylish footprint and smart features, consumers will appreciate the SE-B18AB as an excellent laptop companion.

The SE-B18AB’s slot-in system allows easier loading and unloading of discs. Without the need to open or close the tray, the drive will swallow the disc automatically. A simple push of a button will eject the inserted disc.

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Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. today officially released its BDR-XS05 slot loading BD/DVD/CD burner, which can be used in a horizontal or vertical (standing up) position to save on desk space. The slot loading mechanism on the BDR-XS05 adds elegance and a differentiating style to conventional tray or clamshell drives, and is intended for discerning consumers opting for a device that combines technology, performance and great cosmetic appeal. The versatile and slim BDR-XS05 supports all BDXL discs and includes CyberLink software for Blu-ray and DVD playback, video editing and authoring, and data/file storage. In addition, the drive offers USB 3.0 connectivity for high speed read and write performance.

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“The BDR-XS05 not only offers great performance, but we’ve also made it fun and functional by letting users customize it so it’s not just another computer device sitting on a table or desk,” said Steven Cohn, director of optical sales for the Home Electronics Industrial Department at Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. “With the clear top plate, users can change the color with the three inserts we’ve included in the packaging or add their own insert such as a picture so the device becomes part of the office or home décor.”

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Buffalo Japan sent out a press release earlier this week, announcing its new portable DVD writer, the DVSM-PTS58U3. Available in your choice of black, white and silver, the drive weighs in at a mere 220g and is only 14.4mm thick. The DVSM-PTS58U3 is also USB powered and is capable of 8x DVD±R, 6x DVD±R DL, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW and 5x DVD-RAM writing speeds and a maximum DVD read speed of 8x.

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The DVSM-PTS58U3 features an LED indicator that shows whether or not it is getting enough power as well as a second USB cable to "boost" the power to the required levels. The drive also ships with a software bundle from CyberLink that includes PowerDVD and Power2Go. The DVSM-PTS58U3 is scheduled to ship in early October and is expected to retail for about 7,245 Yen ($73US).

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Vinpower Digital, a recognized global manufacturer and distributor of digital duplication equipment and accessories, has added the prestigious Plextor brand to its arsenal of products.  Vinpower partnered with Philips & Lite-On Digital Solutions (PLDS), to distribute the full line of Plextor PX-891SAW Optical Disc Drives (ODD) worldwide.

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"If you talk to anyone about digital duplication equipment, the name Vinpower Digital is guaranteed to come up; therefore, we are quite excited to work closely with Vinpower Digital to bring consumers and professional users the enhanced Plextor PX-891SAW drives." said Darlo Perez, Managing Director of Plextor Americas. "This drive is designed for optical storage applications such as digital duplication equipment which demands greater reliability and performance."

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Pioneer Japan sent out a press release earlier this week, announcing what it claims to be the world's first portable, wireless Blu-ray Disc writer. The BDR-WFS05J is based on the company's portable, slot-loading Blu-ray Disc writer, the BDR-XS05J. When connected to a USB 3.0 port, this drive is capable of 6x BD-R, 6x BD-R DL, 6x BD-R LTH, 2x BD-RE and 2x BD-RE DL writing speeds and a maximum BD-ROM read speed of 6x. It also writes to triple- (100GB) and quad-layer (128GB) BD-R media at 4x and triple-layer (100GB) BD-RE media at 2x.

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The included wireless dock can function as an 802.11a/b/g/n access point or be connected to via a router at speeds up to 300Mbps. Thanks to the dock's high-speed USB virtualization technology, users can play back movies or burn a disc from their Windows-based PC or tablet using the included CyberLink software. Mac support is also planned and will be added in the future through a free firmware update.

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