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Duplicators

18 September 2007

Aleratec has announced that they've started shipping the 1:4 DVD/CD Tower Publisher HLS with faster drives and a new version of their Disc Publishing Software Suite. With these upgrades, Aleratec's new Publishing Tower can duplicate discs in even less time than its predecessor.

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 today it is shipping the 1:4 DVD/CD Tower Publisher HLS with a more powerful Aleratec Disc Publishing Software Suite and the industry's fastest DVDRW LightScribe recorders. The Publishing Tower supports up to four simultaneous DVD/CD copies, recordings, or produces up to four Silk Screen Quality LightScribe labeled discs. The 1:4 DVD/CD Tower Publisher HLS is a DVD/CD duplicator with LightScribe technology that simultaneously laser burns custom labels directly on DVD/CD discs like its predecessor, except it can duplicate discs even faster. Customers can create their own custom labels, with text and graphics, using the unique Aleratec Disc Publishing Software Suite, included free with purchase.

The 1:4 DVD/CD Tower Publisher HLS is available now for an estimated retail price of $739. More information can be found on Aleratec's website. Add a comment

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Optical Storage

18 September 2007

Pioneer and Mitsubishi Chemical announced today that they have developed a new type of BD-R disc that uses organic dye in the recording layer. This new media corresponds to the "Low to High" (LTH) recording system which is included in the Blu-ray Disc Recordable Format Ver 1.2 specifications. Here's part of Pioneer's press release, translated from Japanese:

Both corporations advanced the cooperation development of the pigment type blue ray postscript type disk from 2004. This time, the Mitsubishi chemical media took charge as for the pioneer of the appraisal of the trial manufacture disk and the verification from viewpoint of compatibility of drive and of the further improvement and disk trial manufacture of the organic pigment record material, the design of the disk structure with simulation took charge. It succeeded in the development of 2x fast record organic pigment system BD-R by fusing the technology these both.

In addition both corporations, ever since the announcement of cooperation development 2005, advanced the standardization propulsion activity of the organic pigment type record media, but this spring, the recording type which corresponds to organic pigment system BD-R (Low to High system) was adopted for Blu-ray Disc Recordable Format Ver.1.2.

Pioneer and Mitsubishi Chemical claim that this dye will lower production costs as companies using it will be able to produce discs using modified CD-R and DVD-R manufacturing equipment. The big catch here is that discs using the LTH system will not be compatible with existing Blu-ray writers. While Pioneer is working on a new drive that can write to these discs, it is unknown whether support can be added to older drives via a firmware update. If you'd like to read more, Pioneer's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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Other

17 September 2007

Intel Q6600 Quad Core Processor @HardwareLogic
Logitech G9 Laser Gaming Mouse @I4U
Scythe Kama Cross CPU Cooler @BCCHardware
SilverStone Kublai KL02 Case @Phoronix
Silverstone TEMJIN TJ10 Enclosure @Virtual-Hideout
Thermalright V2 VGA Cooler @Tweaknews.net
Thermaltake MaxOrb CPU Cooler @ThinkComputers.org
Thermaltake SwordM VD5000BNA Case @Hardware Zone
Ultra Products X3 1000 Watt Modular Power Supply @Bigbruin.com
Xigmatek HDT-S1283 Exposed Copper Heatpipe CPU Cooler @ Benchmark Reviews

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Software

17 September 2007

Sonic announced today that RealNetworks has licensed their AuthorScript DVD burn technology and integrated it into the new version of RealPlayer. With support for AuthorScript, RealPlayer users will now be able to burn personal content and online video to CD or DVD.

Sonic Solutions (NASDAQ: SNIC) today announced a multi-year, global licensing agreement with RealNetworks for Sonic AuthorScript, the company's media formatting and CD/DVD burning engine. RealNetworks has integrated the AuthorScript DVD burn technology into the new version of the RealPlayer, enabling users to reliably burn personal content and online digital media entertainment files that are not DRM protected to CD or DVDs that play on the more than one billion DVD players installed worldwide.

Users of the standard free version of the new RealPlayer can easily burn downloaded video content, including Flash video, to Video CDs for viewing on many commercial DVD players. Those interested in creating customized DVDs of their favorite online content can upgrade to the "Plus" version of the new RealPlayer for a one-time fee of $29.99 and gain access to Sonic's custom DVD burning technologies. The new DVD burning functionality forms an important bridge between the PC and the TV, enabling RealPlayer Plus users to view their online content in the comfort of their living rooms.

The new RealPlayer and premium RealPlayer Plus are available now and can be downloaded from www.realplayer.com. 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

17 September 2007

Traxdata sent out a press release today, announcing their new double-sided 8x DVD-R media. With a capacity of 9.4GB, these double sided discs can hold four hours of DVD-quality video, 16 hours of VHS-quality video, or over 120 hours of MP3 audio.

Traxdata, a leading optical and flash media storage vendor, has today announced the availability of its double-sided DVD-R 8x media enabling uses to store a massive 9.4GB on the one disc.

This equates to up to four hours of DVD quality video, 16 hours of VHS quality video, or more than 120 hours of MP3 audio, so users can utilise the double-sided disc to back-up or store their personal pictures, movies, data files, software and music, on the most cost-effective media per gigabyte.

Double-sided discs are highly compatible with nearly all DVD drives and recorders as well as a majority of DVD-ROM, DVD video players, and game consoles, so there is no need for any extra hardware in order to begin using this media. Burn the disc in the same way as a normal DVD, except to burn the other side you simply flip the disc over as prompted.

Traxdata's dual-sided DVD-R media is available now in cake boxes of 50. Full details can be found here. Add a comment

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Other

14 September 2007

A.C.Ryan ToolFree TFX @TweakPC
Cooler Master Cosmos RC-1000 Mid-Tower ATX Case @Benchmark Reviews
DDR3 Memory Round-Up @HotHardwre.com
Gigabyte GA-P31-DS3L Motherboard @Phoronix
Ideazon Business Solution Keysets @BCCHardware
Logitech Premium Notebook Headset @I4U
Seasonic S12II 500W Power Supply @ThinkComputers.org
Ultra ChillTec Thermo-Electric CPU Cooler @HotHardware.com
Western Digital Scorpio 250GB 2.5" SATA Hard Drive @Bigbruin.com
WolfKing Warrior Gamepad @Tweaknews.net

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Flash Memory

14 September 2007

SanDisk recently announced the launch of the SanDisk Express line of high-performance flash memory products. The first product in this line is the SanDisk ExpressCard. Developed for camcorders, the ExpressCard supports the SxS video specification and offers speeds 2.5x faster than PC Cards.

The first product in the SanDisk Express line is the SanDisk ExpressCard, a flash memory card designed for a new generation of professional camcorders that record to ExpressCards rather than magnetic tape, hard discs or optical discs.

The SanDisk ExpressCard is expected to be available in November, in 8 gigabyte (GB) and 16 gigabyte capacities. Recording time for high-definition video capture, at 35 megabits per second, will be approximately 30 minutes on the 8GB card and 60 minutes on the 16GB card.

The SanDisk ExpressCard is expected to ship in November and will be available in 8GB and 16GB capacities. More information, including prices, can be found here. Add a comment

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Optical Storage

14 September 2007

It appears that HD DVD fans are going to have to wait a bit longer for 51GB HD DVD discs. In a recent statement to BetaNews, a Toshiba spokesperson pointed out that only a preliminary version (1.9) of the physical specifications had been approved by the DVD Forum. Also, the company won't be able to determine whether current players will be able to use this "Trip-Layer" format until the final specifications have been approved.

"We understand that the preliminary version (1.9) of the physical specifications for the triple-layer 51 GB HD DVD-ROM disc has been approved," said Toshiba's spokesperson today.

The spokesperson then added that it has not yet been determined whether current HD DVD players or recorders will be able to use the new format, which the headline of an official Toshiba statement given to BetaNews today is now calling "Trip-Layer." "Toshiba will study the performance of current HD DVD player/recorders with the disc after the standard receives final approval by the DVD Forum."

I'd be very surprised if the final specifications were approved this year. Then again, the DVD Forum may push it through to give them the advantage over Blu-ray. If you'd like to read more, the entire article can be found here. Add a comment

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Optical Storage

13 September 2007

The DVD Forum held their 39th Steering Committee meeting earlier this week. Among other things, the group approved the physical specifications for the Triple Layer Twin format and 51GB High Density Read-Only Disc. Here are some of the highlights from the meeting:

• Approval of Optional Specifications for HD DVD-ROM Physical Specifications Version 1.2: Triple Layer Twin format, Revision 1.0
• Approval of DVD Specifications for High Density Read-Only Disc [HD DVD-ROM (51G)] Part 1 Physical Specifications, Version 1.9
• Approval of
  -DVD Download Blank Disc Test Specification, Version 1.0
  -DVD Download Disc Writer Test Specification, Version 1.0
• Approval of HD DVD & DVD Non-Mandatory Verification Tools Requirements & Guidelines, Version 1.0
• Approval of Logo/Mark for HD DVD Format on Red-laser Recordable Disc
• Approval of China HD DVD Format related issues
  -Use of Standard Contents of HD DVD-Video Specifications
  -Use of File System of HD DVD-ROM Specifications

So there you have it. The 51GB HD DVD Disc has been offically approved by the DVD Forum. Now we just need to wait and see if they can be read by existing HD DVD players. If you'd like to read more, the Steering Committee's entire list of resolutions can be found here. Add a comment