Transcend sent out a press release today, announcing its new external storage device, the StoreJet 35 Ultra. This aluminum enclosure is available with or without a hard drive and includes features such as an active cooling system and both eSATA and USB 2.0 interfaces.

Transcend Information, Inc (Transcend), a global leader in the digital storage industry, proudly introduces its eSATA / USB 2.0 external storage device - StoreJet 35 Ultra. Cool, fast and quiet, the StoreJet 35 Ultra is the ultimate way to add an extra SATA hard drive to virtually any computer for downloading, storing, transferring and backing up data. The StoreJet 35 Ultra measures 197.5mm by 127.5mm by 48mm and features a stylishly designed aluminum case designed specifically for modern 3.5-inch SATA hard drives. With two convenient connection options, the StoreJet 35 Ultra not only guarantees the fastest possible hard drive speeds with its 3.0Gb/s eSATA interface, but also assures maximum compatibility with all types of computers via its 480Mb/s USB 2.0 connection interface. While most 3.5-inch external hard drives are prone to data-loss and drive failure due to overheating, Transcend’s StoreJet 35 Ultra features an efficient active cooling system that includes an extra-quiet 80mm high-flow fan to keep its internal drive running cool and stable.
If you'd like to read more, Transcend's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
IronKey recently announced an 8GB version of its Secure Flash Drive. Like previous versions, this USB flash drive features military-grade hardwareencryption as well as a suite of applications, including a portable version of Firefox, IronKey Password Manager, RSA SecurID and a Secure Sessions service.
IronKey Inc., maker of theworld's most secure flash drive, announced today availability of the8GB-capacity of its IronKey secure USB devices. IronKey bringsunprecedented mobile data convenience and security to individuals andorganizations with its rugged, waterproof and tamper resistant USB drivesthat include always-on hardware encryption, strong authentication, portableapplications and ultra-fast memory. IronKey's cross platform capability andremote policy enforcement enable IT to rapidly deploy in heterogeneousenvironments with complete control.

The 8GB model is the latest version in the IronKey product line thatcurrently includes 1GB, 2GB and 4GB options. All IronKey devices are easyto use, and there is no need to install software or drivers. All user dataon an IronKey is encrypted with high-speed military-grade hardwareencryption. Unlike software-based encryption, this always-on protectioncannot be disabled, and is protected against cold-boot and brute forceattacks. If a thief tries to break into an IronKey and exceeds apolicy-determined number of failed login attempts, the IronKey Cryptochipwill lock out the encryption functions and securely erase all the encrypteddata with its patent-pending Flash Trash technology.
The 8GB version of IronKey's Secure Flash Drive is available now for $299. Full details can be found here. Add a comment
If the latest rumors are true, the Xbox 360 could be getting Blu-ray support by September. The Economic Daily News is reporting (via DigiTimes) that Pegatron Technology, a subsidiary of ASUS, has received an order from Microsoft to assemble Blu-ray equipped Xbox 360 consoles. Shipments of these consoles are expected to begin shipping in the third quarter of 2008.
Pegatron Technology, an OEM subsidiary of Asustek Computer, has secured orders from Microsoft to assemble Xbox 360 consoles equipped with a Blu-ray Disc (BD)-ROM drive, with shipments to begin in the third quarter of 2008, according to the Chinese-language Economic Daily News (EDN) newspaper.
I'll be very surprised if we see an Xbox 360 with a built in Blu-ray drive. Most of the previous rumors have indicated that the console would be getting support for the format via an addon, similar to its HD DVD player. If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes. Add a comment
TMPG sent out a press release today, announcing a new version of its MPEG editing software. Along with an improved user interface, TMPGEnc MPEG Editor 3 features more than 170 transition effects and support for Blu-ray Disc burning.
TMPG, Inc., the company that makes digital video easy, is about to make Blu-ray Disc creation easier. TMPGEnc MPEG Editor 3 is an easy to use, frame-level cut video editing software package loaded with many advanced features including the ability to output and burn to the Blu-ray Disc (BDAV) high definition video format. The free trial is currently available for download at www.tmpg-inc.com. The full retail version will be available May 14th at $64.95 per license. A special limited-time discount price of $51.95 will also be available for all registered TMPGEnc product owners.

"TMPGEnc MPEG Editor 3 offers state-of-the-art technology to smoothly edit high-definition video, plus a host of Blu-ray Disc oriented features. As more professional and amateur videographers embrace high definition video recording, there will be an increasing demand for good software to edit and write video to Blu-ray Disc," commented TMPG Inc. CEO Kimi Matsuki.
If you'd like to check it out, the trial version of TMPGEnc MPEG Editor 3 can be downloaded here. More information is also available on TMPG's website. Add a comment
Apple announced today that it has signed deals with most major Hollywood studios, allowing them to sell movies through the iTunes store the same day they're released on DVD. These movies will be priced at $14.99 versus the $9.99 for most catalog titles.
Apple today announced that new movie releases from major film studios and premier independent studios are available for purchase on the iTunes Store (www.itunes.com) on the same day as their DVD release. New releases and catalog titles will be available from 20th Century Fox, The Walt Disney Studios, Warner Bros., Paramount Pictures, Universal Studios Home Entertainment, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Lionsgate, Image Entertainment and First Look Studios. Movies purchased from iTunes can be viewed on an iPod with video, iPhone, Mac or PC or on a widescreen TV with Apple TV, with new releases priced at $14.99 and most catalog titles at $9.99.
It will be interesting to see how many people are willing to spend $15 for an electronic copy of a movie. Personally, I'd rather spend a few bucks more and get it on DVD. If you'd like to read more, Apple's entire announcement can be found here. Add a comment
Despite the death of HD DVD, consumers have been slow to adopt Blu-ray. According to NPD's Retail Tracking Service, sales of standalone Blu-ray player sales dropped by 40% from January to February and rose only 2% from February to March. Instead of going Blu-ray, the NPD Group found that many consumers are buying up-converting DVD players. As a result, sales of these players were up 5% over last year.
Standalone Blu-ray player unit sales dropped 40 percent from January to February in the U.S. and only saw a 2 percent increase from February to March, according to NPD's Retail Tracking Service. HD DVD player unit sales dropped 13 percent from January to February, but as production stopped and inventories dried up, sales spiraled down 65 percent from February to March.

"That standalone Blu-ray players haven't picked up significantly from HD DVD's loss shows that few consumers were dissuaded primarily by the 'format war'," said Ross Rubin, director of industry analysis, NPD. "When we surveyed consumers late last year, an overwhelming number of them said they weren't investing in a new next-generation player because their old DVD player worked well and next-generation players were too expensive. It's clear from retail sales that those consumer sentiments are still holding true."

One option consumers are embracing to enhance their DVD viewing experience is purchasing up-converting DVD players. According to NPD's Retail Tracking Service, unit sales of up-converting players were up over 5 percent in the first quarter of 2008 compared to 2007, while sales of DVD players without an up-converting feature declined 39 percent.
If you'd like to read more, the NPD Group's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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CyberLink recently announced the launch of CyberLink Live Premium. This new version of its remote media access service offers advanced capabilities including a hosted relay service for optimized bandwidth, scheduled recording of TV shows, an electronic program guide and the ability to download photos, videos, audio and documents.
CyberLink Corp. (5203.TW), innovative solutions provider for the connected digital lifestyle, today announced the release of CyberLink Live Premium, the secure and personal web service for remote media access. CyberLink Live Premium’s place-shifting technology allows users to access digital media as well as business documents stored on a remote PC via a web browser. Targeted at the media enthusiast, CyberLink Live Premium offers advanced capabilities including:

  • Hosted relay services to enable connectivity across firewalls
  • Optimized bandwidth for the best TV, video, and photo streaming quality for full screen displays, and CD-quality audio streaming
  • Scheduled recording of live TV programs
  • Electronic program guides for scheduling broadcast TV programs
  • Downloading of photos, videos, audio and documents
  • Uploading and management of all sorts of document file formats
  • Support for all types of file formats
  • Webcam monitoring, including motion-detection recording, scheduled recording, and manual recording of up to 3 hours.
CyberLink is currently offering two subscription plans. CyberLink Live Premium users can choose to pay $18 for three months or $48 for an entire year. If you'd like to read more, CyberLink's entire announcement can be found here. Add a comment
Aleratec announced this week that it has started shipping its new duplicator grade LightScribe DVD-R media. These new discs are produced in five different colors (red, orange, yellow, green, and blue) to help organize and identify different types of data.

Aleratec Inc., leading developer and manufacturer of "Prosumers' Choice" solutions for the USB, Flash, HDD, Blu-ray, DVD/CD, duplicating, and DVD/CD publishing markets, is now shipping its new Aleratec color coded duplicator grade LightScribe DVD-R recording media. Aleratec duplicator grade LightScribe media is optimized for LightScribe Direct Disc Labeling DVD Duplicators and Publishing Systems producing the highest contrast LightScribe Direct Disc Labels and maximum yields in demanding professional disc publishing applications. The new Aleratec duplicator grade LightScribe media is produced in 5 different colors to aid in segregating and organizing different types of data or multimedia. These color-coded discs are LightScribe-ready and can be direct-to-disc LightScribe labeled in LightScribe DVD-RW drives without a printer. The Aleratec Rainbow 100 Pack(tm) contains 20 each of 5 key colors (red, orange, yellow, green, and blue) for a wide range of disc identification options.
Aleratec's duplicator grade LightScribe DVD-R media is available now in packs of 100 for an estimated street price of $89.99. More information can be found here. Add a comment

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