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Software
LightScribe Direct Disc Labeling has announced the launch of its new Windows software development kit (SDK). With this public SDK, software developers can integrate LightScribe functionality into their Windows-based applications.
LightScribe today announced the immediate release of publicly available Windows software development tools for its Direct Disc Labeling technology. These downloadable tools significantly simplify the creation of LightScribe DVD/CD labeling applications, expanding LightScribe integration beyond general data mastering software. The LightScribe Windows public software development kit (SDK) allows individual application developers to integrateLightScribe support into Windows-based software with a standardized LightScribe application user interface. LightScribe is a no-hassle way to burn professional, silkscreen-quality labels on CDs and DVDs right in the drive. The LightScribeWindows public SDK is available at(http://www.lightscribe.com/go/downloads/windows).
If you'd like to read more, LightScribe's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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Software
Corel has announced a new version of its Ulead VideoStudio software. According to Corel's press release, Ulead VideoStudio 11.5 Plus offers a complete, user-friendly solution for DVD and HD editing and authoring.
Corel Corporation (NASDAQ:CREL; TSX:CRE), a leading developer of graphics, productivity and digital media software, today announced Ulead VideoStudio 11.5 Plus, the latest version of its award-winning consumer video editing and DVD authoring software. VideoStudio 11.5 Plus combines the benefits of VideoStudio 11 Plus and the VideoStudio 11 Plus Power Pack in one box.

"With VideoStudio 11.5 Plus, consumers now have access to the very latest in DVD and HD editing and authoring, all in one box, making it even easier to edit, author and share their favorite videos with family and friends," said Jeff Hastings, President and General Manager, Corel Digital Media. "VideoStudio 11.5 Plus also includes support for the latest HD formats including Blu-ray, HD DVD and AVCHD, giving consumers the ability to create professional-looking, high definition videos that they are proud to share whether it is in their living room, a board room, or over the Web."
VideoStudio 11.5 Plus is available now for a suggested retail price of $129.99. VideoStudio 11 Plus users can also take advantage of the features found in VideoStudio 11.5 by downloading the free VideoStudio 11 Plus Power Pack. Full details can be found here. Add a comment

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Software
CyberLink sent out a press release this morning, announcing the launch of PowerProducer 5. This new version adds a number of features including BD-RE 3.0 certification, on-disc editing, customizable disc menus and support for the AVCHD format.
CyberLink Corp. (5203.TW), innovative solutions provider for the connected digital lifestyle, announced today the release of disc authoring software CyberLink PowerProducer 5, which supports the creation of Blu-ray Discs and DVDs featuring video content recorded in the AVCHD format.

PowerProducer 5 is available in two versions. PowerProducer 5 Ultra lets users create high-quality professional-looking discs on Blu-ray Discs and DVDs. With support for the AVCHD video format, users can also create DVDs featuring highly compressed high-definition content. PowerProducer 5 (DVD) supports the creation of customized menu designs for DVDs and VCDs.
The Ultra and DVD versions of CyberLink PowerProducer 5 are available now and are priced at $79.95 and $49.95 respectively. More information can be found here. Add a comment

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Home Entertainment
Lionsgate announced this week that it is working with Apple to provide Digital Copy for iTunes. Beginning Rambo and The Eye, Lionsgate will include an additional digital copy on select DVD and Blu-ray releases that can be transferred to iTunes and then played back on a computer, iPod, iPhone or Apple TV.
LIONSGATE (NYSE: LGF), the leading independentfilmed entertainment studio, announced today that it is working with Appleto provide Digital Copy for iTunes, affording customers who purchase selectDVDs with an additional iTunes Digital Copy of the movie. Just like moviespurchased from the iTunes Store, an iTunes Digital Copy can effortlessly betransferred to iTunes and then viewed on a PC or Mac, iPod with video,iPhone or on widescreen television with Apple TV.

The first Lionsgate DVDs to debut with iTunes Digital Copy will be thespecial edition DVD and Blu-ray releases of "Rambo," the latest installmentin the popular action franchise starring Sylvester Stallone and "The Eye,"the supernatural thriller starring Jessica Alba. "Rambo" will be availableat retail May 27th and "The Eye" will be released on DVD this summer.Lionsgate and Apple will deliver numerous additional Lionsgate films on DVDwith iTunes Digital Copy later this year.
If you'd like to read more, Lionsgate's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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Other
A-Data Vitesta DDR3-1600X CL7 PC3-12800 RAM @Benchmark Reviews
AMD HD3870 512MB Roundup @Madshrimps
ASUS HD DVD-ROM HR-0205T @CD Freaks
FSP FX700 FX-Epsilon Power Supply @HardwareLogic
Honeywell 80GB SecuraDrive @ASE Labs
Lian Li PC-A77 Full Tower Case @ThinkComputers.org
Sapphire Radeon HD 3870 X2 Graphics Card @TweakTown
Sigma Luna Type W Case @Virtual-Hideout
Toshiba Satellite X205-SLI4 Laptop @HotHardware.com
Tyan Tempest i5400XT Motherboard @Phoronix
Ultra Dual-Computer 7-Port USB2.0 Hub @Tweaknews.net
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Flash Memory
Imation has announced that its new Mtron powered Solid State Drive (SSD) products are now available. The company currently offers the MOBI 3000 Series for power users and the PRO 7000 Series which is aimed more at enterprise and corporate use.

Imation Corp. (NYSE: IMN), a worldwide leader in removable data storage, today announced the availability of its Solid State Drive (SSD) solutions. Imation brings its global marketing, distribution and technical service expertise to its solid state drives that are powered by Mtron, a technology powerhouse in SSD solutions. Imation's SSD portfolio includes the MOBI 3000 Series for high performance end users, and the PRO 7000 Series, ideal for enterprise, corporate and IT infrastructure applications with extreme performance needs. The products use industry-leading solid state storage and controller technology to accelerate the performance of high availability enterprise applications.
The Imation MOBI 3000 Series and PRO 7000 Series are now available in a 32GB capactity for a suggested retail price of $699.99 and $1,159.99 respectively. Full details can be found here. Add a comment

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Optical Storage
Last week, Maxell announced that it was shutting down its media manufacturing business at the end of March and would be outsourcing production to other companies. DigiTimes is now reporting that Maxell is likely to place OEM orders with one of Taiwan's media manufacturers.
As Hitachi Maxell, one of the global top-five vendors of blank optical discs, has decided to stop self-production of blank CD-R, DVD+R/-R and blue-laser optical discs in March 2008 but outsource production and maintain own-brand marketing, leading Taiwan-based makers are likely to obtain OEM orders from the Japan-based client, according to industry sources in Taiwan.

Although makers of optical discs in China can offer lower prices, Taiwan-based makers have the upper hand in competition for Hitachi Maxell's OEM orders because of the higher quality of their products, the sources pointed out. Among Taiwan-based makers, CMC Magnetics, Ritek and Daxon Technology stand a better chance than others of obtaining orders, the sources indicated.
Most of the media sold in the US under Maxell brand is manufactured by Ritek. It would not surprise me if the company used them for the Japanese market as well. If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes. Add a comment

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Home Entertainment
Over the last few weeks, there have been rumors indicating that Microsoft was working on a Blu-ray addon for the Xbox 360. The Financial Times is now reporting that Sony is in talks with Microsoft about adopting Blu-ray. According to the article, Microsoft could incorporate a Blu-ray drive into the Xbox 360 or offer support via an addon, similar to their HD DVD player.
But after Sony’s victory last month in the high-definition DVD format war, Stan Glasgow, Sony Electronics US president, said the two sides were now talking about Microsoft adopting Blu-ray.

A Blu-ray drive in a 360 would make Microsoft more competitive with the PS3, but it would also mean extra revenues for Sony’s electronics division. It would also add further cost to the 360, meaning a premium edition of the console could be necessary.

A Blu-ray drive could be incorporated in its top-of-the-range Elite Xbox, or Microsoft could again offer a drive as a plug-in peripheral.
While I don't see Microsoft incorporting a Blu-ray drive into the Xbox 360, an addon drive is a probably a given at this point. If you'd like to read more, the entire article can be found here. Add a comment

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Other
ASUS EN8800GS TOP 384MB @Hardware Zone
ATP Electronics ProMax II CompactFlash Card and Reader @Bigbruin.com
Coolink Chip Chilla Chipset Heatsink @Techwarelabs
Microsoft Wireless Laser Mouse 6000 @HardwareLogic.com
OCZ Cryo-Z Phase Change Cooler @TweakTown
Patriot Memory PC2-9200 2GB EP DDR2 Kit @TweakTown
Radeon HD 3870 X2 in Crossfire X @TweakTown
Seagate Barracuda ES.2 1TB Hard Drive @HotHardware.com
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Home Entertainment
Circuit City has launched a new program, allowing those that purchased an HD DVD player within the last 90 days to trade it in toward a Blu-ray player. According to Gizmodo, the company is not promoting this trade in program and that consumers will need to specifically ask for it.
According to a Circuit City employee in Chicago, the consumer electronics chain is trading in HD DVD players bought into their stores "within 3 months of the announcement," as opposed to their 30-day return policy. According to the internal memo announcing the demise of the format, they will either give customers a Blu-ray player—paying the price difference, if any—or a gift card. The trade-in, however, will not be widely promoted and it will be only made available if the customer asks for it.
In order to qualify for the trade in program, you will need your receipt, the original box the player came in and all of the accessories. Hopefully, this means that we'll see similar trade in programs from other retailers, like Best Buy, in the near future. Feel free to share your thoughts in the forum. Add a comment

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