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Optical Storage

06 November 2007

Verbatim sent out a press release this morning, announcing the world’s first color-background LightScribe 16x DVD-R and DVD+R media. These new discs were designed specifically for LightScribe-compatible drives and are available in red, orange, yellow, blue and green.

Verbatim Corporation, the storage media producer known for offering the widest range of premium-quality LightScribe media, announced today the world’s first Color-background LightScribe 16x DVD-R and DVD+R media. The new 4.7GB LightScribe DVDRs are available in vibrant shades of red, orange, yellow, blue and green in addition to the original gold color. Verbatim has begun shipping them in the US market in 25-packs which include five discs of each color.

The richly colored DVDRs are produced using LightScribe Media Version 1.2 coating technology on the label side for enhanced image contrast and faster label printing. The data side of the discs incorporates the innovative technologies that deliver the premium quality features consumers have come to expect from the Verbatim brand-- high reliability, stability and longevity with high performance and broad compatibility.

Verbatim's Color-background LightScribe 16x DVD-R and DVD+R media will be available in the US starting in Q4 2007. Full details can be found here. Add a comment

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Optical Storage

06 November 2007

Faster Blu-ray Disc media will soon be on the way from CMC Magnetics and Ritek. According to a report by DigiTimes, the two companies recently obtained level A laboratory certification for 4x BD-R SL media.

Optical disc makers CMC Magnetics and Ritek recently obtained level A laboratory certification for 4x Blu-ray Disc (BD)-R (recordable, write once) SL (single-sided single-layer) discs, according to the two companies.

CMC and Ritek are keeping apace with each other in terms of their progress in R&D for blue-laser optical discs, with each having so far secured level A laboratory certification for 2x HD DVD-R SL, 1x HD DVD-RW (rewritable) SL, 2x BD-RE (rewritable) SL and 4x BD-R SL, according to industry sources in Taiwan.

CMC has also developed 4x BD-R DL discs and is in the process of getting them certified. If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes. Add a comment

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Software

06 November 2007

Sonic has announced that they are partnering with CinemaNow to provide a way for consumers to legally burn downloaded movies and TV shows. CinemaNow has signed up for Sonic's Qflix technology and Intellectual Property licensing program and, in return, their library of video content will be available from within Sonic's movie download application, Roxio Venue.

Sonic Solutions (NASDAQ: SNIC), the leader in digital media software, and CinemaNow (www.cinemanow.com), a digital entertainment innovator delivering high-quality Hollywood movies and TV shows across multiple platforms, announced today a collaboration that will enable consumers to legally burn Internet downloaded entertainment onto protected recordable DVDs for playback on standard and high-definition players. CinemaNow is participating in Sonic's Qflix technology and Intellectual Property licensing program, which allows video entertainment to be recorded to DVD using industry approved Content Scramble System (CSS) encryption. Additionally, CinemaNow's robust library of video content will be available within Sonic's movie download application, Roxio Venue that will be distributed through Sonic's broad OEM and retail channels to provide convenient access to millions of consumers.

CinemaNow will offer the largest selection of movies, TV shows, music videos and more through its online movie store within Roxio Venue and manage content licensing and delivery for consumers. Roxio Venue is now available to PC OEMs for inclusion on systems equipped with Qflix-enabled DVD burners.

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

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Flash Memory

06 November 2007

Samsung recently announced that they've started sampling their 1.8" and 2.5" 64GB solid state drives (SSD). These new drives feature a super-fast SATA II interface, giving them a sequential write speed of 100MBps and a sequential read speed of 120MBps.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., the world leader in advanced memory technology, has become the first in the industry to sample 1.8-inch and 2.5-inch 64Gigabyte (GB) solid state drives (SSD) with a super-fast SATA (Serial ATA) II/native SATA interface. With a sequential write speed of 100Megabyte per second (MBps) and sequential read speed of 120MBps, the SATA II SSD is poised to expand the market for solid state drives from notebook PCs to corporate servers and other high-performance storage applications.

“The 64GB SATA II SSD is based on Samsung’s cutting-edge NAND technology with dramatically improved performance specs that are taking system performance to a whole new level of efficiency,” said Jim Elliott, director, NAND flash marketing, Samsung Semiconductor, Inc.

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

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Other

05 November 2007

AudioFX Pro 5+1 PC Gaming Headset by Ben Heck @Bigbruin.com
ASUS Commando Motherboard @ThinkComputers.org
ASUS P5E3 Deluxe Motherboard @Hardware Zone
In Win BK623 Mt. Jade Desktop Media Case @Tweaknews.net
Mushkin HP2-8500 2GB Memory Kit @HardwareLogic
PNY XLR8 8800 GT 512MB Video Card @I4U
SteelSound 4H Headset @DV Hardware
Sunbeam Tuniq 3 Mid-Tower Case @ThinkComputers.org
Thermaltake DH101 HTPC ATX Case VF7001BNS @Benchmark Reviews
Thermaltake iXoft Notebook Cooling Pad @Phoronix
XFX GeForce 8800 GT XXX ALPHA DOG EDITION @TweakPC
Zalman CNPS8000 CPU & VF900-Cu GPU Cooler @PC Apex

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Software

05 November 2007

CyberLink sent out a press release this morning, announcing the launch of DVD Suite 6. With its support for Blu-ray and HD DVD, this new version of the suite gives users the ability to create, burn and playback high-def content.

CyberLink Corp. (5203.TW), a leader in digital home solutions, today launched CyberLink DVD Suite 6, a complete package of retail software for playing movies, editing videos, burning and backing up data, copying and authoring discs. With the rising popularity of high-definition videos, CyberLink DVD Suite now comes in three different versions to meet the demand of a different level of digital media usage and enjoyment:

- DVD Suite 6 Ultra: is the ultimate pack for the Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD evangelists
- DVD Suite 6 Pro: is the ideal solution for high-quality DVD burning enthusiasts
- DVD Suite 6 Essential: is the value pack for those new to digital media.

"CyberLink DVD Suite 6 combines the best line up of digital media software from CyberLink," said Alice H. Chang, CEO of CyberLink. "It delivers leading features and advanced technologies for doing everything you could want via a user-friendly interface. CyberLink provides three options to give users the best pack suited to their digital media lifestyle."

CyberLink DVD Suite 6 Ultra is available now on CyberLink's web store for $129.95. The Pro and Essential versions of the suite will hit stores in December and are priced at $89.95 and $49.95 respectively. Full details can be found here. Add a comment

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Other

05 November 2007

The results are in and our readers have chosen the Samsung SH-S203B/SH-S203N as the top DVD writer for the month of October. Here are the top drives:

1. Samsung SH-S203B/SH-S203N
2. LG GSA-H62N/GSA-H62L
3. (tied) Lite-On DH-20A3H/DH-20A3P, Pioneer DVR-111/DVR-111D/DVR-A11 and Plextor PX-760A/PX-760SA

Your favorite drive didn't make it onto the list? Then go and vote for November's top DVD writer. Add a comment

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Other

02 November 2007

Aquacomputer Aquaduct 360 XT @Virtual-Hideout
GeForce 8800 GT SLI Performance @Hardware Zone
HIS 2900Pro 512MB vs. XFX 8800GTS 320MB Fatal1ty @InsideHW.com
Lapwork's Laptop Desk Futura @HardwareLogic
Mushkin PC3-10666 DDR3 1333MHz RAM Kit HP3-10666 @Benchmark Reviews
QNAP TS-109 Pro All-in-One NAS Server @OCModShop
Rosewill RD600N 600W Power Supply @ThinkComputers.org
Sound ID SM100 EarModule Bluetooth Headset @Bigbruin.com

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Flash Memory

02 November 2007

Transcend recently announced the arrival of its new SD/MMC Card Reader S5. While small in size, the S5 features a built-in USB connector and support for the latest SDHC standard. The reader can also access data from newer, mini-size mobile phone memory cards via an adapter.

Transcend, a global leader in flash products and peripherals, is proud to announce the arrival of its new SD/MMC Card Reader S5. With industry-leading compact size, attractive all-white design, multi-format convenience, and built-in USB connector, the S5 is the easiest, most convenient portable card reader available.

Memory cards have become an important part of our digital lives. We rely on them for storing photos, video capturing, listening to music or even watching movies with portable devices. Transcend’s Card Reader S5 allows quick and easy access to all the data on your memory cards - without the hassle of messy cables and drivers. The S5 plugs directly into any USB 2.0 (or 1.1) port and is capable of data transfer rates up to 480Mb/s. In addition, it supports the latest SDHC standard for hi-end large capacity memory cards. The reader also gives you the added benefit of accessing data from newer, mini-size mobile phone memory cards such as miniSD, microSD and MMCmicro via an adapter. The Card Reader S5 has a sleek design that makes it compact and portable, with rounded edges for easy handling.

No word on pricing or availability. If you'd like to read more, Transcend's entire press release can be found website. Add a comment