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Software

26 September 2007

CyberLink sent out a press release this morning, announcing the availability of CyberLink MakeDisc 3. This new version of MakeDisc expands the functionality of Windows Vista Media Center and CyberLink PowerCinema, giving users the ability to burn data, videos, music, and photos to DVD or Blu-ray Disc.

CyberLink Corp. (5203.TW), a leader in digital home solutions, today added to its range of enhancement software for Windows Vista Media Center with the availability of CyberLink MakeDisc 3. The latest version of MakeDisc enables authoring of video and photos, and the burning of data and music files on Blu-ray Discs and DVDs.

MakeDisc 3 with support for Blu-ray Discs is available to OEM customers that are developing solutions for the digital home, while a version supporting DVD authoring and burning is now available on the CyberLink website.

CyberLink MakeDisc 3 DVD is available now for $49.95. More information can be found on CyberLink's website. Add a comment

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Optical Storage

26 September 2007

DigiTimes has reported that Taiwan's disc manufacturers are seeing an increase in OEM orders for blank DVD+R/-R media. According to the article, the increase is due to retailers replenishing their inventories and the upcoming holiday season.

CMC Magnetics, Ritek, Prodisc Technology and Gigastorage, Taiwan-based producers of optical discs, have seen a significant increase in OEM orders for blank DVD+R/-R discs since the beginning of September with their production capacities being fully booked for the entire fourth quarter of 2007 or until January 2008, according to the companies. However, since they are uncertain how long the demand will last the companies have not raised OEM quotes.

The amount of orders has increased because international brands and large retail channels in the US and Europe have been replenishing their inventories, CMC and Ritek indicated, adding that the demand stems from the summer season as well as the from the traditional peak period prior to the Christmas and New Year holidays.

The article also points out that OEM quotes will stay the same for the time being. However, OEM quotes are likely to go up if demand continues to grow. If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes. Add a comment

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Home Entertainment

26 September 2007

At a recent press event, Sharp unveiled its latest Blu-ray Disc recorders. Along with the easy to use BD-AV1/AV10 series, the company introduced two hard drive equipped models, the BD-HDW20 and BD-HDW15. Both recorders feature two digital tuners, 1080/24p video output and, depending on the model, either a 500GB or 1TB hard drive.

Sharp Corporation will introduce into the Japanese market two new AQUOS Blu-ray Disc Recorders: the BD-HDW20 featuring a hard drive with a 1-TB (terabyte) capacity, the industry's largest, and the BD-HDW15 with a 500-GB hard drive. Both models reflect Sharp's consistent focus on true full HD image quality and are capable of recording and playing back digital HDTV data exactly as broadcast.

In designing these AQUOS Blu-ray Disc Recorders, Sharp placed emphasis on faithfully reproducing high-resolution video images from digital broadcasts and Blu-ray discs on the AQUOS LCD TV. They are equipped with hard drives from 500 GB to 1 TB in capacity, and also support dubbing (moving) video from the hard drive to BD-RE or BD-R discs. HDTV programs recorded on the hard disk can be dubbed (moved) to Blu-ray discs while retaining exactly the same image quality as broadcast, enabling users to easily create an HDTV library.

While Sharp has not announced how much their Blu-ray Disc recorders will be, AV Watch expects the BD-HDW20 and BD-HDW15 to cost 300,000 Yen ($2,600US) and 200,000 Yen ($1,733US) respectively. If you'd like to read more, Sharp's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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Other

25 September 2007

ASUS P5E3 Motherboard @TweakTown 
Cooler Master Cosmos 1000 Case @Hardware Zone
Corsair Survivor GT USB Flash Drive @Tweaknews.net
Gigabyte GP-S6500 And GP-S7500 @InsideHW.com
Hiper Anubis ATX Case @PC Apex
HIS Radeon HD 2900 PRO 512MB @TweakTown
OCZ Technology PC2-8500 Reaper HPC CrossFire Edition 2GB Kit @Bigbruin.com
Samsung YP-K5 MP3 Player @ThinkComputers.org
Xclio Propeller ATX Case @Futurelooks

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Other

25 September 2007

Today, CDRLabs brings you an in depth look at Samsung's new Serial ATA equipped "Super WriteMaster" drive, the SH-S203B. This highly anticipated drive features some of the fastest reading and writing speeds available. The SH-S203B is capable of 20x DVD±R, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW and 12x DVD-RAM writing speeds and has a maximum DVD read speed of 16x. On top of that, it's the first drive to offer both 16x DVD+R DL and 12x DVD-R DL writing speeds.

In this review we'll take a look at some of the features found on the SH-S203B and see how it compares to some of the 18x and 20x DVD±RW drives from the competition. Does the SH-S203B have what it takes? You'll have to read the review to find out.

Samsung SH-S203B 20x DVD±RW/RAM

If you have any comments or questions about this review or the Samsung SH-S203B, please post them in the forum. Add a comment

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Home Entertainment

25 September 2007

Forrester Research released a new report on Monday, stating that the battle between Blu-ray and HD DVD is likely to run another 18 months. As Reuters reports, consumers are waiting for prices to come down and for the format war to end before buying a next-gen player.

Sales of next-generation DVD players are not seen as likely to take off for another 18 months as consumers are still waiting for prices to fall and for the battle over two competing technologies to be resolved.

Referring to the high-definition DVD format war between HD DVD and Blu-ray, Forrester Research said in a report on Monday that while the two camps have "been fighting what seems to be a war of attrition for consumers' hearts and minds," few consumers are warming to either type of device.

The report also states that Blu-ray will eventually win out over HD DVD. However, the Blu-ray camp will need to cut prices to do so. If you'd like to read more, the entire article can be found here. Add a comment

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Other

24 September 2007

Apple 3G iPod Nano 8GB @ Everything USB
Gigabyte GA-X38-DQ6 (Intel X38) Motherboard @Hardware Zone
HP w2207 22" LCD Monitor @I4U
Left-Click MicroPwn System @HardwareLogic
Logitech G9 Laser Mouse @Metku.net
Tagan ITZ Series 1300W Power Supply @ThinkComputers.org
Toshiba Regza 42X3000P 42" 1080p HDTV @I4U
ZEROtherm ZT-100 Thermal Grease @Virtual-Hideout

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Software

24 September 2007

Adobe sent out a press release this morning, announcing the availability of Adobe Premiere Elements 4. With this new version of Adobe's consumer video-editing software, users can create their own movies and burn them to Blu-ray Disc or upload them directly to social networking sites like Youtube.

Adobe Systems Incorporated (Nasdaq:ADBE) today announced the immediate availability of Adobe Premiere Elements 4, a major upgrade to the best-selling consumer video-editing software. Available for Windows, Adobe Premiere Elements software offers easy and flexible ways to create home movies with amazing video and audio effects in just minutes, and then share them on DVDs, via mobile devices or upload them directly to YouTube and other social networking sites. Adobe Premiere Elements includes a wealth of new functionality, including an Organizer to help find and sort video clips, one-click movie themes and an improved easy-to-use interface.

Adobe Premiere Elements 4 for Windows is available now for an estimated street price of $99.99. If you'd like to read more, Adobe's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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Duplicators

24 September 2007

Aleratec has announced that they've started shipping the 1:3 DVD/CD Tower Publisher HLS. This desktop sized LightScribe disc publishing tower can copy or label up to 3 discs at once.

Aleratec, Inc., leading developer and manufacturer of Aleratec Award Winning "Prosumers' Choice" solutions for the Blu-ray, DVD/CD, USB duplicating, and DVD/CD publishing markets announced it is now shipping the 1:3 DVD/CD Tower Publisher HLS, a more compact, lighter LightScribe disc publishing tower that is easy to move where it is needed. The 1:3 DVD/CD Tower Publisher HLS can produce up to three simultaneous DVD/CD copies, recordings, or produces up to three silkscreen-quality LightScribe labeled discs with the latest Aleratec Disc Publishing Software Suite and the industry's fastest DVDRW LightScribe recorders. The 1:3 DVD/CD Tower Publisher HLS incorporates LightScribe disc labeling technology that laser burns custom labels directly on DVD/CD discs. Customers can create their own custom labels, with text and graphics, using the powerful Aleratec Disc Publishing Software Suite, included free with purchase.

The 1:3 DVD/CD Tower Publisher HLS is available now for an estimated retail price of $479. More information can be found on Alera's website. Add a comment