DigiTimes is reporting that the demand for dual-layer DVD's will increase next year. Thanks to incrased production and price cuts by Ritek and CMC, the demand for dual-layer DVDs is expected to go from 190 million units in 2007 up to 400 million units in 2008.
The worldwide demand for single-side dual-layer DVD+R/-R discs will increase in 2008, according to sources at disc makers and research firms.

Since Ritek and CMC Magnetics expanded their 2.4x dual-layer DVD production capacity starting in 2007, pricing has dropped from NT$70-80 (US$2.17-2.48) to NT$55-60, which has helped to boost market demand, according the market sources.

The demand for dual-layer DVDs in 2007 is to be around 190 million units and is expected to go up to 400 million units in 2008, according to disc makers citing a report from BOC.
If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes. Add a comment

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Last week, the HD DVD Promotions Group announced that they had sold more than 750,000 HD DVD players. The Blu-ray Disc Association has finally responded to these claims, stating that they have sold more than 2.7 million units since the format's launch. As with HD DVD's claims, this number includes set-top players as well as Blu-ray capable gaming devices like the PlayStation 3.
Through October, there had been 2 million units sold of the Blu-ray-enhanced PlayStation 3. That arguably gives Blu-ray set-tops a 700,000 piece of overall format unit sales. But the picture is muddied somewhat by the likely gangbuster PlayStation 3 sales in November due to the introduction of the relatively cheap $399 PlayStation 3. November console sales will not be available from the NPD Group until mid-December.
If you'd like to read more, the entire article can be found here. Add a comment
Super Talent recently announced the launch of two 256GB solid state drives (SSD). These new drives feature a Serial ATA interface and offer greater resistance to shock and vibration than standard hard disk drives. The I-Temp version also supports operating temperatures ranging from -40ºC to 85ºC


Super Talent Technology, a leading manufacturer of flash storage solutions and DRAM memory modules, today launched a pair of 256GB Serial ATA (SATA) solid state drives (SSDs).

Super Talent’s new FSD56GC35M is 100% interchangeable with standard 3.5-inch SATA hard disk drives, but offers all the advantages of an SSD including greater resistance to shock and vibration, significantly lower power consumption and faster performance. FSD56GC35M supports a 0C to 70C operating temperature range. Super Talent also offers an industrial temperature (I-Temp) version of this drive, SS56GA6C35I, which supports an extended -40C to 85C operating temperature range. All I-Temp rated SSDs are tested at their rated temperature extremes to ensure functionality.
Both drives are sampling now and prices are available upon request. If you'd like to read more, Super Talent's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
D-Box Technologies announced this week that they have signed a deal with Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment. Beginning with “The Game Plan,” Disney will include D-BOX Motion Code on select Blu-ray Disc titles. By including this technology, owners of a D-box motion device will be able to simulate the action sequences occurring on the television screen.
D-BOX Technologies Inc. (TSX-V: DBO.A) announced today thatit has closed a licensing agreement with Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment (WDSHE) to feature DBOXMOTION CODETM on select Blu-ray Disc releases. D-BOX MOTION CODETM will initially be featured onWDSHE’s “The Game Plan,” which will be available in high-def only on Disney Blu-ray Disc on January 22,2008.

The addition of the D-BOX MOTION CODETM to the high quality picture and sound of the Blu-ray format willtransport movie-viewers in the comfort of their homes to a new dimension and let them be part of the movie.Of course, only those homes equipped with D-BOX motion generation systems will enjoy the full benefit of theBlu-ray Disc-embedded with D-BOX MOTION CODETM.
If you'd like to read more, D-Box's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
Advanced Media sent out a press release today, announcing the availability of its 266X Series of Compact Flash memory cards. These ultra fast cards feature dual channels of data throughput, allowing them achieve a maximum read speed of approximately 40MB/per sec.
Advanced Media, Inc., manufacturer and marketer of the popular Ridata brand of recordable DVD, flash media, electronic storage products and digital accessories, today announced the availability of its ultra fast, new 266X Series of 2-16 GB capacity Compact Flash memory cards. Depending on the device used, the card virtually eliminates data lag time.

"Ritek is committed to provide a comprehensive line of Ridata brand storage solutions for all mobile device users. Our new 266X Series of 2GB to 16GB* cards offer dependable, fast, storage for today's demanding consumers," Harvey Liu, president of Advanced Media Inc., commented. "We are pleased to offer the ideal combination of ultimate performance, cutting-edge technology and strong consumer value for photographers or mobile device users."
If you'd like to read more, Advanced Media's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
The Japan Recording-Media Industries Association (JRIA) recently announced its three year forecast for the global demand and production of recording media. According to the forcast, the demand for data CD-R's will fall over the next few years. However, the demand for write-once DVD's is on the rise and is expected to exceed that of CD-R's by 2009.
Global demand for Write-once DVDs - Global demand for write-once DVDs in 2008 will increase by 12% from 2007 to 6.195 million units and 2% in 2010 to 6.649 million units. Although the growth rate will fall into single digits in 2009, demand will continue to expand. Write-once DVDs are the easiest-to-use media for PC and DVD recorder users and they are inexpensive, making them highly appealing. In addition, the expansion of the terrestrial digital broadcasts in Japan is driving the demand for CPRM media that can be used for copy controlled digital television broadcasts, and it is expected that the addition of "Dubbing 10" function to DVD recorders will further stimulate the demand. The forecast of demand declining in 2010 takes into consideration the appearance of blue laser disks.

Global demand for Re-writable DVDs - Global demand for re-writable DVDs will increase by 6% in 2008 to 487 million units but will decrease by 3% in 2010 to 476 million units, and is expected to continue decreasing after 2010. The mainstream re-writable DVDs are still 2X and 4X speed, and there is a substantial difference from write-once DVDs, which are maily 16X speed. There are also strong indications that competition with other storage media including USB memory devices will decrease re-writable DVDs demand for PC applications.
The JRIA also expects that the demand for blue laser (Blu-ray and HD DVD) will reach 24 million units in 2008 and 215 million units in 2010. If you'd like to read more, the entire forcast can be found here. Add a comment
According to a new report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc., the world DVD players & DVD recorders market is projected to reach 264.7 million units by the year 2010. Much of this growth is due to the DVD recorders market, which is expected to grow exponentially over the next few years.
World DVD players & DVD recorders market stands enthused by the growing consumer desire for superior movie viewing experience at home. In regions where cable TV penetration is relatively low i.e. Europe, demand for DVD players and recorders is projected to grow in the upcoming years. Future demand for DVD players, which are essentially commoditized products, is expected to stem largely from developing markets, where household penetration of DVD continues to be small. China, over the last few years, has emerged into a major, lucrative market for DVD players. The country is forecast to drive growth in Asia-Pacific in the upcoming years. Growth in the premium priced DVD recorders market is expected to stem from developed countries, with Japan the world's most technology savvy country, driving gains in the world market. In addition to Japan, Western Europe is also expected to fuel growth in the DVD recorders markets, while Eastern Europe is expected to drive market opportunities in the DVD players market.

As stated by the recent report published by Global Industry Analysts, Inc., world market for DVD players & DVD recorders is dominated by Europe, and Asia-Pacific with a combined 75.4% share estimated in the year 2007. Strong growth is expected stem from Asia-Pacific, with sales of both DVD players and recorders in the region expected to rise by 26.3 million units between the period 2007 to 2012. In Japan, sales of the same are projected to reach 23.1 million units by the year 2012. In the world DVD players market, Asia-Pacific is expected to record robust CAGR of 23.06% over the analysis period of 2003 to 2012, while United States, and Japan are expected to witness declining demand.
If you'd like to read more, Global Industry Analysts' entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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HD VMD is finally making its way to the US. New Medium Enterprises (NME) announced this week that US electronics distributor PC Rush has placed an order for 10,000 HD VMD Multilayer players. These players will be sold through PCRush.com and distributed to retail outlets by PC Rush's sister company, Distenex.
New Medium Enterprises,Inc. (NME) (OTC Bulletin Board: NMEN), provider of the affordable,high-quality HD VMD (Versatile Multilayer Disc) format, announced todaythat leading US electronics distributor PC Rush has placed its order for10,000 Multilayer Players. Starting from December, PC Rush will be sellingNME's 1080p HD VMD Multilayer Players through their E-commerce site, andwill distribute to retail outlets in the United States through associatecompany Distenex. Additionally, the order will complement HD VMD filmcontent currently available in the US.

Fred Bokhoor, PC Rush CEO states, "We are very excited about stockingthis unique product, one which we feel can make High Definition accessibleto a whole new segment of the home entertainment market."
No word yet on when PC Rush will get these players in stock. If you want one in time for the holidays, they can be ordered directly from NME for about $200. Both models are expected to ship in mid-December. If you'd like to read more, NME's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment