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29 October 2007

CDRLabs kicks off the week with a review of Plextor's new external 18x DVD writer, the "TurboPlex" PX-810UF. Based on the LG GSA-H44N, the PX-810UF is capable of 18x DVD±R, 10x DVD±R DL, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW and 12x DVD-RAM writing speeds and a maximum DVD read speed of 16x. Plextor's new drive also features 48x CD reading and writing speeds, 32x rewriting speeds and support for both FireWire and USB 2.0.

In this review we'll take a look at some of the features found on the PX-810UF and see how it compares to some of the 18x DVD±RW drives from the competition. Does Plextor's external writer have what it takes? You'll have to read the review to find out.

Plextor PX-810UF 18x FireWire/USB 2.0 DVD±RW/RAM

If you have any comments or questions about this review or the Plextor PX-810UF, please post them in the forum. Add a comment

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Optical Storage

29 October 2007

Samsung Electronics has announced their latest DVD writer, the SH-S203N. This Serial ATA equipped drive features support for LightScribe and is capable of 20x DVD±R, 16x DVD+R DL, 12x DVD-R DL and 12x DVD-RAM writing speeds.

Samsung Electronics Ltd., the worldwide digital consumer electronics and information technology leader, announces the world’s fastest DVD burner with 16X dual layer recording and LightScribe technology, the Super-WriteMaster SH-S203N. The SH-S203N is a 20X Serial ATA (SATA) DVD burner offering 16X dual layer recording, and support for all CD/DVD discs including DVD-RAM. The SH-S203N can back up 8.4GB of data or video to a disc. The industry recording standard is 10- to 12X and Samsung’s new SH-S203N dual layer recording speed offers a 30-40 percent improvement recording time for dual layer drives.

The versatile drive also features powerful LightScribe technology that lets users engrave labels, photos, and designs right onto the CD and DVD discs with no hassle at all. The result is a professional look with no worries about labels falling off or sloppy marker smudges. The drive’s label making software is pre-loaded with an array of designs and labels for users who choose not to create their own label.

The SH-S203N is shipping now for a suggested retail price of $79.99. Full details can be found here. Add a comment

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Duplicators

29 October 2007

Aleratec sent out a press release this morning, announcing a new version of its 1:2 Desktop LightScribe Publishing system. The Aleratec 1:2 DVD/CD Copy Cruiser LS, High Speed Edition comes equipped with two 20x DVD writers, giving users the ability to burn or label two discs at once.

Aleratec Inc., leading developer and manufacturer of "Prosumers' Choice" solutions for the Blu-ray, DVD/CD, USB duplicating, and DVD/CD publishing markets, announces the next generation of its 1:2 Desktop LightScribe Publishing system, the innovative new Aleratec 1:2 DVD/CD Copy Cruiser LS, High Speed Edition. When connected to a PC via USB 2.0, the Aleratec 1:2 DVD/CD Copy Cruiser LS, High Speed Edition, is a 1:2 DVD/CD Duplicator that enables small and medium businesses to simply, conveniently and affordably burn or LightScribe label two CDs or DVDs at once. The new DVD/CD recorders are the fastest available, burning DVDs at up to 20x write speeds.

The Aleratec 1:2 DVD/CD Copy Cruiser LS, High Speed Edition is available now for an estimated retail price of $329. More information can be found on Alera's website. Add a comment

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Software

29 October 2007

SlySoft sent out a press release over the weekend, announcing that AnyDVD 6.1.9.3 can defeat the latest version of AACS. At the moment, AnyDVD works with a small number of MKBv4 discs. However, SlySoft will be adding support for all MKBv4 discs in a future release. The company also claims to have cracked BD+, the copy protection found on some new Blu-ray titles.

SlySoft was recently honoured by AACS-LA, being declared as publicenemy number one in the ongoing battle for copyright protection.

To prove them right and to take on the challenge, SlySoft has justreleased the latest AnyDVD version which beats the latest 4th generationHD-DVD and BluRay copy protection MKBv4, which was expected to beunbreakable.

All that AACS-LA has to offer now is BD+, but even that is on the vergeof being circumvented and a release is expected by the end of this year.James Wong, Head of development at SlySoft: "We already found a wayto crack BD+ and we have just turned to fine-tuning. I should reallythink about hiring a bodyguard now, since this product won't pleaseeverybody."

Giancarlo Bettini, CEO of SlySoft: "One could start feeling sorryfor the poor movie industry guys, but in the end, it saves their jobsand ours. Actually, they could be grateful and show a little bit moreappreciation.Beating AACS-LA's protection was a challenge that we acceptedpassionately, since winning feels a lot better if the opponent is almostas strong as we are. However, I wonder when people will understand that more restrictions, pressure and protections that prevent things from working won't generate more but less revenue. Microsoft's revenue in the 90ies prove us right and even Apple recently released a DRM-free iTunes version."

If you want to check out the latest version of AnyDVD, it can be downloaded here. Otherwise, more information can be found on SlySoft's website. Add a comment

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Flash Memory

26 October 2007

PNY Technologies and Ironkey have announced that they've partnered together to deliver IronKey’s Secure USB Flash Drive to retailers. Offering the same features as the IronKey Standard Edition, the PNY 4GB IronKey includes military-grade hardware-encryption, an onboard web browser and internet authentication software to protect online accounts and passwords.

With concerns about identity theft on the rise among consumers nationwide, PNY Technologies, Inc. and IronKey have partnered to deliver IronKey’s Secure USB Flash Drive through retail channels. The IronKey has been designed with military-grade standards for hardware-encryption and tamper-resistant durability. It provides an unprecedented level of data security and protection of online passwords, critical documents, files, and images to consumers. The relationship between PNY and IronKey gives retail shoppers access, for the first time, to a secure USB flash drive that meets the requirements of the nation’s most demanding security experts...

...The IronKey Secure USB Flash Drive, which has a high-speed data transfer rate (up to 20MB/sec. write, up to 30MB/sec. read), is housed in a rugged metal casing that is filled with an epoxy-based potting compound, making it both waterproof (MIL-STD-810F compliant) and tamperproof.

The PNY 4GB IronKey is shipping now and retails for about $149.99. Full details can be found here. Add a comment

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Other

25 October 2007

abit AN-M2HD Motherboard @Virtual-Hideout
D-Link DIR-655 Xtreme N Gigabit Router @Futurelooks
ECS G31T-M Motherboard @TweakTown
Gigabyte Triton 180 Case @Tweaknews.net
Hades H1 3200dpi Gaming Mouse @OCModShop
Ultra 7 Port Buddy Hub @HardwareLogic

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Flash Memory

25 October 2007

SanDisk recently announced that they filed two lawsuits against 25 card vendors and controller suppliers, alleging that they infringed upon five of their patents. The company also filed a complaint with the International Trade Commission (ITC), asking that they ban importation of infringing products into the U.S.

SanDisk Corporation (NASDAQ: SNDK) today announced the filing of three patent infringement actions against 25 companies that manufacture, sell and import USB flash drives, CompactFlash cards, multimedia cards, MP3/media players and/or other removable flash storage products. The actions, filed in the United States District Court in the Western District of Wisconsin and in the United States International Trade Commission (“ITC”), allege that the defendants have infringed various SanDisk system-level patents, and seek damages and a permanent injunction in the federal court actions, as well as a permanent exclusion order from the ITC banning importation of the products into the United States.

“These actions demonstrate SanDisk’s long-term commitment to enforcing its patents, both to protect our investment in research and development by obtaining a fair return on that investment, and out of fairness to third-parties that participate in our patent licensing program,” said E. Earle Thompson, Chief Intellectual Property Counsel at SanDisk. “Our goal is to resolve these matters by offering the defendants the opportunity to participate in our patent licensing program for card and system technology. Otherwise, we will aggressively pursue these actions, seeking a prompt judicial resolution awarding damages, obtaining injunctive relief and banning importation of infringing product.”

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

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Other

24 October 2007

A-DATA 16GB Class 6 SDHC Memory Card @I4U
ASUS Xonar D2 Ultra Fidelity 7.1 PCI Sound Card @HotHardware.com
Cooler Master Sphere CPU Cooler @HardwareLogic
Envision L19W661 19" Wide LCD HDTV @I4U
GIGABYTE GSmart i350 GPS Mobile Phone @TweakTown
GIGABYTE iSolo 210 ATX Chassis @Virtual-Hideout
Kingwin Revolution RVT-9225 Heatpipe Direct Touch CPU Cooler @Bigbruin.com
Kingwin Z1 External HDD Enclosure @Virtual-Hideout
Leadtek Winfast PX8800 Ultra Leviathan @TweakTown
Logitech G9 Laser Gaming Mouse @ASE Labs,Everything USB
Rosewill RX-358-S-SLV eSATA And USB Hard Drive Enclosure @Bigbruin.com
Samsung BD-P1200 Blu-ray Disc Player @ThinkComputers.org

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Optical Storage

24 October 2007

I-O DATA Japan has announced a new series of drives based on the Panasonic's 4x Blu-ray Disc writer, the SW-5583. The internal BRD-SM4 and external BRD-UM4 feature 4x BD-R, 4x BD-R DL and 2x BD-RE writing speeds and a maximum BD-ROM read speed of 4x. Here are some of the specs:

Writing Speeds: BD-R: 4x BD-R DL: 4x BD-RE: 2x DVD±R: 16x DVD±R DL: 8x DVD+RW: 8x DVD-RW: 6x DVD-RAM: 5x CD-R: 40x CD-RW: 24x

Read Speeds: BD-ROM: 4x BD-R: 4x BD-R DL: 4x BD-RE: 2x DVD-ROM (Single): 16x Max DVD-ROM (Dual): 8x Max DVD±R: 18x Max DVD±RW: 8x Max DVD±R DL: 8x Max DVD-RAM: 5x Max CD-R/ROM: 40x Max CD-RW: 32x Max

Access Times: BD-ROM: 210ms DVD-ROM: 170ms DVD-RAM: 350ms CD-ROM: 150ms Buffer Size: 8MB

The BRD-SH6B and BRD-UXH6 will ship in the middle of November and are priced at 63,500 Yen ($514US) and 69,000 Yen ($558US) respectively. More information can be found here. Add a comment