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- Home Entertainment
In a move that is poised to elevate the Blu-ray(TM) Hi-Def format and provide consumers with the ultimate in convenience and viewing flexibility, Universal Studios Home Entertainment (USHE) announced the introduction of groundbreaking dual-format discs containing both Blu-ray(TM) Hi-Def and DVD versions of some of Hollywood's most iconic films. An industry first, the new "flipper" discs will launch on January 19, 2010 with the blockbuster superspy thrillers The Bourne Identity, The Bourne Supremacy and The Bourne Ultimatum, starring Matt Damon, premiering as individually packaged Blu-ray(TM) discs.
For the first time ever, consumers will have the ability to choose between Blu-ray(TM) and DVD formats, simply by flipping a single disc. With complete utility in one convenient package, the revolutionary medium can be used on any DVD or Blu-ray(TM) compatible player, game platform or computer, making it ideal for anyone planning to upgrade to Blu-ray(TM) at a future date as well as current owners of both Blu-ray(TM) and DVD systems. Each side of Universal's flipper discs includes the entire movie as well as all available bonus features, with the Blu-ray(TM) side featuring exciting BD exclusives such as U-Control and BD-Live(TM).
"Universal's flipper discs are the perfect way for consumers to future-proof their collections while still enjoying their favorite movies on all their existing DVD players," said Craig Kornblau, President of Universal Studios Home Entertainment. "The flipper disc offers an easy way for viewers to convert to Blu-ray now or at any time in the future, confident in the fact they will be able to experience their home entertainment purchases in the highest quality picture and sound when they do."
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- Other
Vantec Thermal Technologies, a worldwide leader specializing in computer accessories announces four new products utilizing the new SuperSpeed USB 3.0 interface including two hard drive enclosures—one for each form factor, a PCI-Express card and an ExpressCard/34 adapter.
SuperSpeed USB 3.0 is the next generation bus interface offering transfer speeds of up to 5Gbps (625Mbps) and it is fully backwards-compatible with USB 2.0 and USB 1.1. The new 2.5" and 3.5" enclosures will be based off of Vantec's popular NexStar 3 Hard Drive Enclosures and will be initially available in Onyx Black and boast a mirror finish.
Being the pioneer in the Built-Your-Own-Drive market, Vantec has continued to expand their popular NexStar 3 line with support for more interfaces along with the support for newer hard drives. By integrating SuperSpeed USB 3.0, Vantec has now updated the extensive line of external hard drive enclosures allowing the support for the latest interface. The two new add-on cards directly complement the interface upgrade and will be released with the enclosures.
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- Other
Sharkoon now offers two affordable yet convenient USB-LAN adapters which can easily integrate non-network devices - such as printers, external hard drives or memory sticks - into your home or office networks: The Sharkoon USB LANPorts are equipped with an RJ45 connector, either one or four accessible USB ports, and are simply connected between the Ethernet and USB peripherals. In order for network users to access the attached USB device properly, the provided server software, as well as the respective device drivers, if necessary, must be installed on the individual computers.
The Sharkoon USB LANPort supports both automatic and manual IP address contacts and by default enables the automatic IP addresses via DHCP. The software menu allows users to connect the individual device to one's own computer and use it as if it were directly connected to your PC. If another user needs to access the equipment at the same time, they can simply send a request for release of the device to the current user and then obtain access.
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- Hard Disks
Verbatim is launching the Pocket Drive, a 250GB portable 1.8” Hard Disk Drive in a stylish black aluminium casing which is small enough to slip easily into a trouser or jacket pocket. The Pocket Drive is available in stores now.
Anyone who needs to regularly carry large volumes of data with them, seek solutions that are reliable and easy to carry. Being palm sized, weighing just 85g, and cased in a sturdy protective black aluminium housing, the Pocket Drive from Verbatim does just that.
As well as its visual benefits and storage capabilities despite its small size, the Pocket Drive also offers pre-installed backup and synchronisation software. The Dmailer backup software with data encryption is used for backups while the Verbatim Sync software allows data to be synchronised with ease, for instance between the home PC and the external hard drive. The Sync software works with files of all types and provides synchronisation of mail boxes and web site details such as the favourites that are saved in the Browser.
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- Flash Memory
Team Group will launch at the end of 2009 the brand new X091 USB disk. The disk with super capacity of up to 128GB running at high speed provides businesspersons with more space to store more data and files. In addition to high speed, high capacity, shock absorbency and silence, the X091 has a slide USB connector design for protecting the transfer interface and more convenient use, marking the thoughtful and crafty design of Team Group.
In addition to the excellent functionality, the X091 has an extraordinary appearance design featuring sandblasted treatment on a chessboard-like pattern that marks out the convergence and coolness of the disk, like an extraordinary knight riding across the chessboard. The X091 is offered from 16GB to 128GB for users to choose from to meet their demands for storing music, movies, documents and graphic files. The 4-channel design delivers a reading speed up to 200 times! With a maximum read/write speed of 30-34MB/sec and 25-31MB/sec, the X091 is evidently a USB disk integrating cool appearance and stunning functionality.
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- Optical Storage
I-O DATA Japan has announced a new portable 6x Blu-ray Disc writer based on the Sony Optiarc BD-5730S. The BRP-US6 is capable of 6x BD-R, 6x BD-R LTH, 4x BD-R DL, 2x BD-RE and 2x BD-RE DL writing speeds and a maximum BD read speed of 6x. The drive is also backwards compatible with all DVD and CD formats and can be powered off a computer's USB bus or the included AC adapter. The BRP-US6 is expected to ship in the middle of December for a suggested retail price of 29,600 Yen ($342US).
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- Software
SENSIO Technologies Inc., the inventor of the SENSIO® 3D technology, and CyberLink signed a letter of intent to integrate SENSIO's software solution, the S3D software decoder, into Cyberlink's PowerDVD videoplayer. PowerDVD is the leading DVD, Blu-ray Disc and AVCHD movie player software application, chosen by top-brand PCs and optical disc drives purchased by consumers and businesses around the world. The all new SENSIO and CyberLink solution will enable consumers to view movies on their computer in 3D and will be on demonstration as early as January at the 2010 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, at the SENSIO stand (S20931).
"We are delighted to work with SENSIO to deliver the next generation of home entertainment on CyberLink's industry leading video playback application, PowerDVD," said Alice H. Chang, CEO of CyberLink. "By leveraging SENSIO's advance 3D technologies within PowerDVD we are able to enhance the movie watching experience and offer consumers another dimension for enjoying DVDs and Blu-ray movies."
"SENSIO is a company of firsts - it was the first to do live 3D broadcasts, to present a Full 3D HD solution and to have its format standardized. We are very pleased to cooperate with CyberLink, the PC digital multimedia development leader. This agreement is another step that confirms our momentum in the consumer electronics market and that moves us closer to our objective of becoming the de facto standard for PC platforms, playstations and 3D televisions," explains Nicholas Routhier, SENSIO's President and Chief Executive Officer.
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- Flash Memory
Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., the world leader in advanced semiconductor technology solutions, announced today that it commenced the industry’s first volume production of 3-bit, multi-level-cell (MLC) NAND flash chips using 30-nanometer (nm)-class process technology at the end of November. The chips will be used in NAND flash modules accompanied by exclusive Samsung 3-bit NAND controllers to initially produce eight gigabyte (GB) micro Secure Digital (microSD) cards.
“Introducing cost-efficient, 30nm-class 3-bit technology widens our NAND memory solution base to make NAND even more enticing for increasingly diverse market applications,” said Soo-In Cho, executive vice president and general manager of the Memory Division at Samsung Electronics. “Our 3-bit NAND memory will support the development of more cost-competitive, high-density consumer electronics storage solutions,” he added.
Three-bit MLC NAND increases the efficiency of NAND data storage by 50 percent over today’s pervasive 2-bit MLC NAND chips. Samsung’s new 30nm-class 3-bit MLC NAND will provide consumers with effective NAND-based storage that can be applied to USB flash drives in addition to a range of micro SD cards.
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- Flash Memory
Professionals are increasingly demanding details as digital imaging technologies advance, and memory cards with high capacity and read-write speed are the most important accessory for DSLR users. Coping with the rapidly changing consumer demands for high-level memory cards, Team Group Inc, a specialist professional image storage maker, introduces two super-speed memory cards with premium quality and durable performance: Team CF 600X and Team SDHC Class10. Delivering a read-write speed of up to 90MB/sec and 22MB/sec, the CF 600X and SDHC Class 10 mark the advent of the “speed counts” era for digital imaging.
The CF 600X uses the new-generation chipset and the exclusive Turbo MLC technology to boost the 4-channel transfer speed of CF cards to 600X. Together with the CF4.1 high-speed interface supporting Ultra DMA modes 0-6, the average data read/write speed is increased to 90/93 MB/sec to fulfill the 8-shot per second continuous shooting demand of DSLR photographers to capture every touching moment. By launching the 16GB model, the CF 600X can handle the RAW high-resolution format with great ease. The mainstreamed 8GB model at a maximum read/write speed of 60/55 MB/sec (400X) is also available. Additionally, memory cards from Team are equipped with the ECC (error correction code) function to automatically detect and correct errors. The built-in advanced leveling algorithm ensures the reliability of data transfer and enhances product life. Most importantly, the CF 600X maintains the green enterprise feature of Team with its low energy consumption and RoHS compliance.
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- Flash Memory
Active Media Products, manufacturer of SSDs and innovative USB drives, today announced a new Ken Elkinson USB flash drive that includes six original Ken Elkinson piano solos in MP3 format. The tiny pivot style drive features a hologram of New York's greatest icon - the Statue of Liberty - on its front, tying into Ken's roots in New York City.
The Ken Elkinson USB drive is a tiny general purpose mobile storage device that comes preloaded with a six pack of original Ken Elkinson compositions in MP3 format. The drive itself is waterproof, supports up to 200X transfer speeds. The folding drive is offered in 2GB, 4GB, 8GB and 16GB capacities. "I'm thrilled to be partnering with AMP on this product," stated Ken Elkinson. "These six songs are an excellent cross-section of my music that I picked myself."
