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31 January 2008

The Playstation 3 isn't the only Blu-ray player getting support for Profile 1.1. Earlier today, CyberLink released a 71.8MB update for the retail version of PowerDVD Ultra. Along with improved BD-Java compatibility, this new update adds support for BD-Video Profile 1.1.

List of Updates:

• Support BD-Video Profile 1.1.
• Improves BD-Java compatibility to enhance interactivity with some BD-ROMs.

If you'd like to give it a try, the update can be downloaded for free from CyberLink's website. Add a comment

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31 January 2008

CyberLink has announced that they are participating in the formation of a joint HD DVD patent license and that one of their own patents has been determined to be essential to the HD DVD standard.

CyberLink Corp. (5203.TW), today announced it is participating in the formation of a joint HD DVD patent license based on its ownership of a patent determined to be essential to the HD DVD standard.

CyberLink's patent relates to the specifications for interactive content over a network for prerecorded HD-DVD Discs, for playback according to the DVD Specifications for High Definition VIDEO (HD DVD-Video).

"Innovation is the key to CyberLink delivering leading products to our customers as well as sustaining long-term business success," said Alice H. Chang, CEO of CyberLink. "We're extremely proud be a part of a group of essential HD DVD patent owners who have come together voluntarily for the purpose of forming a joint license, as this is testament to the strength of our core technology."

If you'd like to read more, CyberLink's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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Other

30 January 2008

Antec True Power Quattro 850W Power Supply @HardwareLogic.com
AutumnWave OnAir HDTV-GT USB ATSC/NTSC Tuner/Receiver @ThinkComputers.org
Crucial Ballistix DDR3 PC3-12800 2GB Memory @BCCHardware
ECS GeForce 8800GT Accelero S1 512MB @TweakTown
Galaxy Tvisto Pro Digital Media Enclosure @ThinkComputers.org
HighPoint RocketRAID 3520 SATA Raid Controller @TechwareLabs
Microsoft LifeCam VX-7000 USB Webcam @Everything USB
MSI P7N SLI Platinum Motherboard @Hardware Zone
NZXT Rogue Super Cube @TweakPC
Seasonic M12II 500watt Power Supply @TweakTown
Thermaltake NBcool T2000 Notebook Cooler @TechwareLabs
Thermalright Ultima-90 Heatpipe CPU Cooler @Bigbruin.com

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Other

30 January 2008

Today, CDRLabs brings you an in depth look at ASUS's new Blu-ray combo drive, the BC-1205PT. Based on the Pioneer BDC-202, the BC-1205PT combines a BD-ROM and DVD writer into a single unit. The drive is capable of 12x DVD±R, 6x DVD±RW, 4x DVD±R DL and 5x DVD-RAM writing speeds and can read Blu-ray Discs at speeds as high as 5x.

In this review we'll take a look at the features found on the BC-1205PT and see how it compares to some of the Blu-ray drives from the competition. Does ASUS's new combo drive have what it takes? You'll have to read the review to find out.

ASUS BC-1205PT Blu-ray Combo

If you have any comments or questions about this review or the ASUS BC-1205PT, please post them in the forum. Add a comment

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30 January 2008

Gateway announced their new GM5664 desktop PC today. Along with an AMD Phenom 9600 Processor and ATI Radeon HD 2400XT graphics card, the GM5664 features a Hybrid-SuperMulti drive which allows users to watch both HD DVD and Blu-ray movies.

With the ability to watch live TV and breeze through the most intense media demands, the Gateway GM Series of PCs are ideal entertainment supercenters. The ultimate PC for media-hungry users, they feature the high-performance horse power needed for playing the latest games and blazing through processor-intensive programs.

Gateway’s newest addition to the line, the GM5664 desktop, is ideal for those interested in extreme gaming, digital photo and video editing, watching TV or movies and storing a massive media library.

The new Hybrid-SuperMulti drive lets customers watch both Blu-Ray and HD-DVDs, and features burning capability on any type of DVD or CD disc. Rounding out this media supercenter is an integrated TV tuner with remote control, so consumers can watch, pause and record their favorite live programming.

The Gateway GM5664 desktop PC is available now for $1,149.99. More information, including a full list of specs, can be found here. Add a comment

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Hard Disks

30 January 2008

Western Digital sent out a press release today, announcing its new My Passport Essential Portable USB Drives. These stylish, pocket sized hard drives are available in capacities up to 320GB and can be powered directly through the USB cable.

WD (NYSE: WDC) today introduced its new My Passport Essential Portable USB Drives. Redesigned to complement WD's popular My Book family of external drives, the drives introduce a sleek new form that feels good in your hand and fits neatly in a pocket or purse. Available now at select retailers and at WD's online store (www.shopwd.com), the new My Passport Essential USB Drives feature a beautiful glossy black finish and put almost a third of a terabyte of digital storage in the palm of your hand.

Weighing in at less than 5 ounces, My Passport Essential Drives are light and compact to carry and because they are bus powered, they do not need an external power adapter. Equipped with sync and encryption software (Windows-compatible only), this lightweight drive with mega-capacity, makes it easy to securely carry thousands of songs, or videos or photos.

WD's My Passport Essential USB Drives are available now, with the 320GB version retailing for about $199.99. Full details can be found here. Add a comment

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Software

30 January 2008

Sonic announced today that their Professional Products Group will be focusing its research and development resources on the authoring of Blu-ray Disc titles and the production of DVD-on-demand content. As a result, the group will stop selling its Scenarist HD DVD authoring product line.

Sonic Solutions (NASDAQ: SNIC), the leader in digital media software, today announced that its Professional Products Group will focus its research and development resources on the creation of new applications for cutting-edge authoring of Blu-ray Disc titles that encompass the interactive and connected-content capabilities of BD-Live. The group will also increase resource allocation on developing its encoding and title creation applications that streamline the process of preparing video entertainment for digital distribution. In order to address these emerging market opportunities and optimize investment return, the Professional Products Group will conclude sales of its Scenarist HD DVD authoring product line.

"Extending Sonic's long history of commitment and support for the professional sector, we are aligning our professional product portfolio to address the evolving needs of our high-end customers," said Dave Habiger, president and CEO, Sonic Solutions. "Our Professional Products Group plays a significant role in supporting the development of high-definition formats, including the contribution of core IP to HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc joint portfolio licenses. Going forward, the group will direct its considerable format expertise on helping our professional customers fulfill the richly interactive promise of Blu-ray Disc including BD-Live, and aligning with a broader company strategy to enable the secure and efficient digital-distribution of video entertainment."

Things aren't looking good for HD DVD. Without products like Scenarist, its going to be much harder for studios to get their titles ready for release. If you'd like to read more, Sonic's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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Optical Storage

29 January 2008

North Coast Interactive sent out a press release today, announcing their new UltraPrint-D Diamond Everest Printable media. This new 700MB CD-R media is rated at 52x and features a “TrueSilver” data side, which makes it look like a “glass mastered” disc.

North Coast Interactive is proud to announce the immediate availability of UltraPrint-D Diamond Everest Printable Media. UltraPrint-D media is the latest addition to NCI's industry leading line of Everest Printable Media products. The unique feature of the “D” series of CD-R media is the Diamond or “TrueSilver” data side. This is achieved through a specially processed dye layer which removes the greenish tint found in typical CD-R media. The end result is a disc which more closely resembles mass replicated or “glass mastered” discs.

“We are currently the only manufacturer offering Everest Printable Diamond or 'True Silver' discs.” explains Thomas Blaha, President of North Coast Interactive, Inc. “These discs are intended to meet the needs of the short run music industry, or others who value the look of glass mastered discs. Using our media in an Everest printer allows them to have a disc which rivals the appearance of a glass mastered offset press printed disc in much smaller quantities and shorter turnaround times.”

NCI's UltraPrint-D Diamond Everest Printable media is available now in hub printable white and hub printable silver formats. Full details can be found here. Add a comment

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28 January 2008

AMD ATI Radeon HD 3870 X2 @ChileHardWare,HotHardware.com
ASUS P5E3 Deluxe WiFi X38 Motherboard @HardwareLogic.com
Daze Products Nintendo DS Game Chamber @Bigbruin.com
GECUBE Radeon HD 3870 X2 Graphics Card @TweakTown
GeForce 8800 GT Roundup @InsideHW.com
Gigabyte GV-RX385512H (Radeon HD 3850 512MB) @Hardware Zone
Lexar 12-in-1 USB2 Card Reader @ASE Labs
Nexus Caterpillar Silent PC Case @TechwareLabs
OCZ 4GB Reaper X HPC PC2-6400 Memory @Virtual-Hideout
Samsung SyncMaster 2232GW 22-inch Widescreen LCD Monitor @ThinkComputers.org
SanDisk Sansa Clip MP3 Player @TechwareLabs
Sparkle 8800GTS 512MB @Madshrimps
Thermaltake SwordM Full Tower Case @ThinkComputers.org

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