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International brands of optical discs in the Japan market, including TDK, Imation and Verbatim, plan to ask Japanese authorities to ban the import of blank DVD+R/-R discs that pirate their M-Codes, which would affect some second-tier makers of optical discs in Taiwan because they are producers of a large portion of such DVD+R/-R discs, according to industry sources in Taiwan.While CMC and Ritek have already responded, stating that they are using fully licensed M-Codes, the ban is expected to have a negative impact on two or three of Taiwan's other manufacturers. If you'd like to read more, the entire article an be found here. Add a comment
The M-Code is a manufacturer identification code built into an optical disc to allow burners to read the parameters expressed in the code so as to automatically adjust writing speeds and power use to reach optimal recording, the sources explained. Each brand has its own M-Code and only its OEM makers are licensed to use its identification code, the sources pointed out.
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Blue Ray Technologies has completed its $12 million plant in downtown Spokane, WA, and produced the first run of true indie Blu-ray discs in the U.S. following an arrangement with GE Plastics. The advanced, eco-friendly plant may also be the first of its kind in the world.If you'd like to read more, Blue Ray Technologies' entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
"We are very proud that Blue Ray Technologies has produced the first American-made single layer Blu-ray disc with GE Plastic's products and technical support," said Charles Crew, president of GE Plastics.
Washington-based Blue Ray Technologies Inc. new environmentally sound plant to manufacture and distribute Blu-ray discs is now the first U.S.-owned-and-operated producer of Blu-ray discs. The plant will run nonstop and will eventually surpass 100,000 discs a day.
The development is significant because the major studios, led by Blu-ray creator Sony, control most of the world's production of Blue-ray discs -- mainly in Asian plants. Mini-majors, Indie studios, TV companies and record labels would have to stand in line and pay high costs to get Blu-ray product out for the rapidly-growing market.
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The DRU-840A is available now for about $70. The DRX-840U and DRX-S70U is expected to ship next month and are priced at $110 and $130 respectively. Full details can be found here. Add a commentThe 840 series of drives is Sony’s latest crop of multi-format DVD burners that support 20X DVD±R recording speeds, delivering a full 4.7 GB disc of video, data, music or images on standard 16X DVD+R media in about five minutes. In addition, the drives can record on 8.5GB DVD+R Double/Dual layer and 4.7GB DVD+RW discs at 12X speed.
The internal DRU-840A drive and external DRX-840U burner come bundled with the Nero 7 Express DVD/CD mastering software. The new DRX-S70U burner has a slim design to compliment a notebook or desktop PC, supports 8X DVD±R recording speeds, and comes with a full version of the Nero 7 software suite. All three burners support both dual and double layer formats, as well as CD-R/RW recording.
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Today Warner Home Video (WHV) announced that it has the fastest and highest-selling high definition title in the market with the epic action-adventure, “300.” Since July 31, 2007, “300” has sold more than 250,000 copies to consumers on HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc.While a notable achievement, this is still a drop in the bucket compared to standard DVD sales. If you'd like to read more, Warner's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
“300” provides another high definition milestone for Warner Home Video which was the first studio to break the 100K sold mark with “The Departed.” Overall WHV has six of the top 10 selling high definition titles with “300,” “The Departed,” “Superman Returns,” “Planet Earth - The Complete Collection,” “Batman Begins,” and “Happy Feet.” Warner also has the highest grossing high definition title with the dual-format release of “Planet Earth.”
“‘300’ is an amazing film, and the high definition sales we are seeing underscores the positive business benefits of supporting both HD DVD and Blu-ray,” said Ron Sanders, President of Warner Home Video. “This phenomenal response to ‘300’ is the latest proof that our approach makes the most sense in today’s market and has enabled Warner Home Video to continue to lead the market in high definition sales.”
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Ritek, the second largest Taiwan-based maker of optical discs, has secured certification for blank 2x HD DVD-R (recordable, write once) discs, according to industry sources in Taiwan. The company had already achieved certification for its 1x HD DVD-R and 1x HD DVD-RW (rewritable) discs in May 2007.If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes. Add a comment
In addition to the HD DVD format, Ritek has obtained certification for blank BD (Blu-ray Disc)-R discs, while CMC Magnetics, the largest Taiwan-based maker, received the same certification earlier in late April of this year, the sources indicated. Japan-based Mitsubishi Kagaku Media (MKM), Matsushita Electric Industrial (with Panasonic as brand name) and TDK were the first three recipients of such BD-R disc certification, the sources noted.
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The 1GB Mobility Kit is available now for a suggested retail price of $27. A 2GB version will also be available some time in the near future. However a price has yet to be determined. Full details can be found here. Add a comment
Kingston Technology Company, Inc., the independent world leader in memory products, today announced it is releasing an all-in-one Mobility Kit that includes a microSD card with dual adapters and a USB card reader to give mobile consumers handy storage access when using SD- and USB-compatible digital devices.
Available immediately in a 1GB card configuration, with a 2GB version to follow, the Kingston Mobility Kit provides a single card solution for mobile phones, digital cameras, media players and more using a microSD card as the centerpiece combined with miniSD and full-size Secure Digital(TM) (SD) card adapters plus a USB reader.
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German Optical Disc manufacturer Infodisc today received delivery of the first BD ROM manufacturing line Indigo in Western Europe. The Oerlikon (SWX:OERL) Blu-ray replication line will be installed in the coming days at the Renchen/Germany facility. Infodisc will offer its services as the first independent European Blu-ray manufacturer, which is not contractually tied to a particular Hollywood movie studio. As a pioneer in the Blu-ray production technology, Infodisc will share its experience with other replicators and serve as a showcase for the Oerlikon Blu-ray line Indigo.If you'd like to read more, Oerlikon's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
“We’ve evaluated the available Blu-ray production equipment and were primarily impressed by Oerlikon,” says Michael Gotowski, CEO at Infodisc. “The INDIGO line is approved by major replicators, features an excellent cover layer process and is mature for Blu-ray mass production. Oerlikon is launching soon the 50GB dual layer upgrade, using Sony’s wet embossing process. This is the professional package we need for our own market success.”
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Ritek, the second largest Taiwan-based maker of optical discs, will, in line with its overall adjustment in production, shift some of its blank CD-R and DVD+R/-R disc manufacturing equipment from Taiwan-based factories to those of Ritek Vietnam, its subsidiary in Vietnam, according to a company filing with the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TSE) on August 3.The article also mentions that CMC and Gigastorage have started manufacturing CD-R discs in Thailand. Both companies plan to begin production of DVD+R/-R discs in that country later this year. If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes. Add a comment
The shift will be through Ritek's sale of manufacturing equipment to its wholly owned overseas subsidiary Score High Group for US$34.560 million, the current book value of the equipment. Score High will then resell the equipment to Ritek Vietnam, Ritek spokesman Eric Ai indicated.
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Toshiba's third generation family starts with the entry level HD-A3player featuring 1080i output capability. The other two new models,Toshiba's HD-A30 and HD-A35, will output 1080p resolution (1920 x 1080p),the highest HD signal currently available. Both models are capable ofoutputing signals at 1080p/24 frames per second so consumers can enjoymovies in their native frame rate. The HD-A30 and HD-A35 models alsofeature "CE-Link" (HDMI-CEC), allowing two- way control between the HD DVDplayer and a TV through an HDMI connection.Toshiba currently plays to ship the HD-A30 in September for about $399.99. The HD-A3 and HD-A35 will hit store shelves a month later and are priced at $299.99 and $499.99 respectively. Full details can be found here. Add a comment
The top-of-the-line HD-A35 also adds support for Deep Color via HDMIallowing compatible display devices to deliver outstanding video quality -displaying millions of possible colors to billions of possible colors.
Additionally, the HD-A35 offers 5.1 channel analog output and High BitRate Audio (up to 7.1 channel) via HDMI. With content encoded in 7.1ch,this advanced surround sound is achieved through the HDMI connectionbypassing the player's internal audio processor and sending the signal to a7.1 capable A/V receiver. High Bit Rate Audio will allow the consumer tointegrate the HD-A35 with the latest multi-channel A/V receivers and enjoya whole new dimension of high definition home entertainment.
