With 6x Blu-ray Disc writers hitting the market, media manufacturers have begun to produce BD-R discs capable of these speeds. DigiTimes is reporting that both CMC and Ritek are in the process of getting their 6x BD-R media certfied and plan to begin volume production later this year.
CMC Magnetics and Ritek have 6x Blu-ray Disc (BD)-R discs in the process of certification by potential clients and plan to kick off volume production in August and some time in the third quarter, respectively, according to the two companies.

Japan-based Matsushita Electric Industrial (Panasonic) last week became the world's first vendor to unveil 6x BD-R discs and will launch single- and double-layer versions for sale in Japan next month, according to industry sources in Taiwan. The BD Association approved the 6x BD-R specification in March defining a maximum write speed of 216Mbps, 20-25% faster than that of 16x DVD+R/-R, the sources noted.
The article also points out that 6x BD-R discs are expected to be relatively expensive and that discs rated at 2x and 4x will remain the mainstream standard. If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes. Add a comment
Sony Creative Software recently announced a new version of its Vegas Movie Studio video production software. Vegas Movie Studio 9 offers a number of new features including direct publishing to YouTube, Blu-ray Disc burning, Cinescore Studio soundtrack creation and enhanced project wizards.
Sony Creative Software, a leading worldwide provider of professional video and audio production applications, today announced new versions of its award-winning Vegas Movie Studio consumer video production software. Vegas Movie Studio 9, Vegas Movie Studio 9 Platinum Edition and Vegas Movie Studio 9 Platinum Pro Pack for the PC will be available in stores and online this August. Sony Creative Software is also introducing Vegas Movie Studio 9 and Vegas Movie Studio 9 Platinum Edition at new lower prices.

“As video has become a popular medium for all age groups to enjoy and share on the Internet, the Vegas Movie Studio 9 line of products was designed to address customer demand for simple, end-to-end video production at home that works seamlessly from the camcorder, to the software and ultimately to a variety of destinations for sharing,” said Dave Chaimson, vice president of global marketing for Sony Creative Software. Whether it’s a camera full of still photos, or footage from your cell phone, our products provide the best solution for creating the perfect montage from all of your media in one, easy-to-use, reliable application.”
Vegas Movie Studio 9 Platinum Pro Pack, Vegas Movie Studio 9 Platinum Edition and Vegas Movie Studio 9 will be available in August and are priced at $129.95, $99.95 and $69.95, respectively. Full details can be found here. Add a comment

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Bluraymods.com is advertising a completely region free Panasonic DMP-BD30. The modified player will automatically play DVD's from all regions and Blu-ray Discs from regions A, B and C using a manual switch. Bluraymods.com also claims that the player will continue to work with future firmware updates.

Bluraymods.com wants €499 ($781US) for a premodified unit. This is pretty steep, considering the DMP-BD30 normally lists for only $499. However, you can save some money by modifying your player yourself as the mod kit costs only €69 ($109US) by itself. Bluraymods.com also has mod kits for other players, including the Sony BDP-S300, Samsung BD-P1400 and Pioneer LX-BD70. Add a comment
At a recent Tokyo news conference, Sony CEO, Howard Stringer, unveiled the company's new corporate strategy. Sony plans to raise its return on equity to 10 percent in three years which would bring its profitability closer to levels at Samsung. To do so, the company will improve the operations of its TV business and expand its PC, Blu-ray Disc-related products and component/semiconductor businesses. Sony also expects its game division to become profitable by the end of the fiscal year and will be launching a video distribution service on its PlayStation Network this summer.
Sony today presented a series of new initiatives designed to build on its previous three-year revitalization plan and to position the company as the leading global provider of networked consumer electronics and entertainment. In particular, the company will focus on strengthening core businesses, enhancing network initiatives and leveraging international growth opportunities to build for the future and drive further growth and profits. In addition, Sony announced the following key mid-term goals:
  • Expand our PC, Blu-ray Disc-related products and component/semiconductor businesses into “trillion yen businesses,” joining LCD TVs, digital imaging (digital cameras and camcorders), game and mobile phones and raising the total number of “trillion yen businesses” to seven.
  • Ensure that 90% of our electronics product categories are network-enabled and wireless-capable by the fiscal year ending March 31, 2011 (“FY2010”).
  • Roll out video services across key Sony products by FY2010, starting with the summer 2008 launch on the PLAYSTATION®Network.
  • Double annual revenue from BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, China) countries to 2 trillion yen by FY2010.
It will be interesting to see if Sony can pull all of this off. If you'd like to read more, Sony's entire announcement can be found here. Add a comment
Back in January, Matsushita Electric announced that it would be changing its company name to 'Panasonic Corporation'. The name change has now been approved by the company's shareholders and will go into effect on October 1, 2008.
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (Matsushita [NYSE symbol: MC]), best known for its Panasonic brand products, today announced its shareholders approved a proposal to change the company's name to "Panasonic Corporation" at its 101st Annial Shareholders Meeting that was held today. The change will become effective from October 1, 2008. The name change will also take effect for some of the group companies currently using the names Matsushita or National. The shareholders of each of these companies approved that this move would also become effective from October 1, 2008. In addition, Matsushita announced its ticker symbol change on the New York Stock Exchange from "MC" to "PC" as of October 1, 2008.

The brand changeover from National to Panasonic to be phased-in across Japan commencing October 1, 2008 has started earlier than the original plan, expected to complete within fiscal year 2010 ending March 2010. Currently, the National brand is used for home appliances and housing equipments in Japan.
If you'd like to read more, Panasonic's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
Imation sent out a press release this morning, announcing the availability of its new paperclip-sized Atom Flash Drive. The ultimate in data storage portability, the Atom measures less than 1.5 inches long and .5 inches wide, and weighs in at less than an ounce.

Imation Corp. (NYSE: IMN), a worldwide leader in removable data storage, continues to deliver the ultimate in flash drive technology and design with the availability of its smallest USB flash drive in the United States, the Imation Atom Flash Drive. Featuring a unique ultra-compact design, performance and high storage capacities, combined with password protection, partitioning software, and Windows(R) Vista ReadyBoost compatibility, the Atom Flash Drive is an essential and secure portable storage accessory for those transporting their digital life.

Roughly the size of a paperclip, the Atom Flash Drive is the smallest among Imation's flash drives, measuring less than 1.5 inches long and .5 inches wide, and weighing less than an ounce. The ultra-compact and unique design allows users to attach the drive directly to other mobile devices making it easy to manage and transfer digital files. A sleek black and aluminum finish make it a stylish and professional choice for professionals on the go.
The Imation Atom Flash Drive is available now in 1GB, 2GB, 4GB and 8GB capacities. Prices range from $17.99 to $99.99, based on capacity. If you'd like to read more, Imation's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
Corel announced today that Lenovo has chosen to bundle WinDVD and DVD MovieFactory with its new line of IdeaCentre Blu-ray Disc desktop computers. With this software, consumers will be able to use Lenovo's desktop computers to author and play back Blu-ray videos and movies.
Corel Corporation (NASDAQ:CREL; TSX:CRE), a leading developer of graphics, productivity and digital media software, today announced that Corel® WinDVD® and DVD MovieFactory® are bundled with Lenovo’s new consumer line of IdeaCentre Blu-ray Disc® desktop computers.

With Corel’s award-winning WinDVD and DVD MovieFactory, the IdeaCentre can now author and play back Blu-ray Disc movies and video with the latest high-definition effects including Dolby® Digital and DTS® Surround Sound.

“We are pleased Lenovo has selected WinDVD and DVD MovieFactory for its new consumer desktop series,” said James Carrington, Senior Director, OEM and Strategic Product Marketing at Corel. “An increasing number of consumers are making the switch to HD, and with Lenovo’s IdeaCentre Blu-ray Disc desktop computers, users will find a superior HD authoring and playback experience for their home movies, as well as state-of-the-art viewing for the latest Hollywood releases.”
If you'd like to read more, Corel's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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Memorex sent out a press release this morning, announcing the availability of their SimpleSave Photo & Video Back-Up DVDs. This new recordable DVD media features embedded software that automatically finds the photo and video files on your PC and then backs them up onto the very same disc.

Consumers will use their digital cameras more than ever this summer to capture memories and thrilling moments from family vacations, backyard get-togethers and warm weather activities. Memorex, the leading brand of optical media at U.S. retail and a portfolio brand of Imation Corp (NYSE: IMN), offers Memorex SimpleSave Photo & Video Back-Up DVDs, an easy and hassle-free way to back up those precious summer pictures and safeguard them against heartbreaking loss due to PC crashes. Available now, the discs are record-once DVDs with embedded software that automatically finds, organizes and backs up photo and video files on PCs and connected drives. The software is auto-launching and requires no installation, making SimpleSave a totally new way to back up content with almost no effort required.
Memorex SimpleSave Photo & Video Back-Up DVDs will be available this summer at Fry’s Electronics and OfficeMax stores. This discs come in packs of five with slim storage cases for a suggested retail price of $14.99. If you'd like to read more, Memorex's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment