- Details
- Home Entertainment
At the Entertainment MerchantsAssociation (EMA) Home Media Expo 2007, the North American HD DVDPromotional Group today announced that overall HD DVD hardware sales wereup 37 percent from Q1 to Q2 2007, while software sales experienced a 20percent increase in growth. The data is based on NPD reports, NielsenNetratings reports and point of sale data from the studios. During the sametime-frame, overall Blu-ray hardware sales saw a 27 percent decline from Q1to Q2, and Blu-ray software sales were down 5 percent.In the past, the HD DVD Promotional Group has not included Sony's Playstation 3 in their sales figures. With the recent price drop of the 60GB PS3 and cheaper Blu-ray prices on the way, things could look very different story next quarter. If you'd like to read more, the entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
Driven by major spring marketing efforts which brought standalone HDDVD players down to an industry first $299, dedicated HD DVD CE playersexperienced an astounding 183 percent quarterly increase. There arecurrently more than 180,000 dedicated HD DVD CE players in the market.
- Details
- Optical Storage
Sony's new DVDirect is expected to ship in August for a suggested retail price of $230. Full details can be found here. Add a comment
Sony Electronics today debuted its next-generation multi-function DVDirect DVD recorder which can quickly transfer high-definition home videos and digital photos to DVD discs without using a computer.
The new VRD-MC5 model can now transfer AVCHD quality videos to DVD discs in their native 1080i HD resolution when connected directly to a Sony hard drive or Memory Stick Handycam camcorder. The resulting DVD can be played back on compatible Blu-ray Disc devices, including players and computer drives as well as PlayStation 3 (PS3) computer entertainment systems.
The VRD-MC5 recorder can also transfer standard-definition home videos to DVD without the complexity of using a computer from virtually any camcorder, VCR or digital video recorder. The new model includes Digital Video (i.LINK/FireWire/IEEE-1394), S-Video, Composite Video inputs, and USB (for Sony hard drive, DVD, and Memory Stick Handycam camcorders). DVD video discs recorded in this manner are playable in most consumer DVD players.
- Details
- Other
Add a comment
A.C.Ryan AluBox ESATA/USB2.0 External Hard Drive Enclosure @Tweaknews.net
Antec Sonata III Case @HardwareLogic
Gigabyte Laptop Sleeve @The TechZone
Palit HD 2600 PRO and HD 2600 XT Sonic @TweakTown
Plantronics Discovery 665 Bluetooth Headset @Futurelooks
Sprint Novatel Wireless Ovation U720 EV-DO Modem @I4U
ZOTAC GeForce 8400GS 256MB @TweakTown
- Details
- Home Entertainment
As much as I'd like to see the movie Cars in high-def, the nearest tour stop is a 3 hour drive. Full details, including the tour schedule, can be found here. Add a comment
The Walt Disney Studios today announced the launch of Disney’s Magical Blu-ray Tour, which will visit 18 malls nationwide beginning August 17. The announcement was made by Bob Chapek, president of Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment. Disney’s Magical Blu-ray Tour, sponsored by Panasonic, is an interactive exhibit designed to educate consumers about the new high-definition home entertainment technology and will feature interactive kiosks, viewing stations and a special presentation theater where consumers can experience first-hand the amazing capabilities and benefits of Blu-ray Disc technology. Disney’s Magical Blu-ray Tour will also focus on providing clarity for the growing consumer confusion around high-definition home entertainment and educating them on the benefits of Blu-ray Disc technology. The tour will kick-off in Los Angeles, the entertainment capital of the world, beginning August 17 at the Westfield Topanga mall in Canoga Park, CA and continue on to 17 additional locations across the U.S.
- Details
- Home Entertainment
Almost half a million DVD players manufactured in China have been recalled in Japan after reports that some had emitted thick smoke and begun to melt.According to the recall notice, the flaw affects 19 of Axion's DVD players as well as those sold by Rossini, Audiovox and Insignia. If you'd like to read more, the entire article can be found here. Add a comment
Most of the products at risk were sold under the Axion brand, according to Japanese press reports.
The built-in LCD screens could become deformed by overheating, and the Asahi Shimbun reported that, as well as harmful smoke, there was a risk of fire.
- Details
- Other
Add a comment
Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6850 @Hardware Zone
OCZ Rally 2 4GB USB 2.0 Flash Drive @Futurelooks
PowerColor HD 2600 XT 256MB GDDR3 @InsideHW.com
Saitek GH30 Vibration Headset @ThinkComputers.org
Synology Diskstation DS107E Network Attached Storage Enclosure @Tweaknews.net
- Details
- Flash Memory
The DataTraveler 100 is available now in capacities ranging from 1GB to 8GB. More information, including prices, can be found here. Add a comment
Kingston Technology Company, Inc., the independent world leader in memory products, today announced the availability of the Kingston DataTraveler 100 (DT 100) USB Flash drive. With a capless design, the USB connector is safely housed inside the DataTraveler’s casing. A new, “thumb-action” slide positioned on the side of the drive makes retracting and protracting the USB connector, a simple, single-hand operation.
Offering style, function and affordability, the new DataTraveler 100 simplifies the process of storing and transferring large files from one digital device to another without passwords or built-in software programs. Available in capacities up to 8GB, the new DT 100 is the ideal USB drive for users who need a convenient way to transport and share files anywhere in the world.
- Details
- Optical Storage
We haven't heard much from our contacts at LG USA. However, the GGW-H20N should hit the European market during the 3Q of 2007 and is expected to cost only 400 Euro (~$551US). More information can be found here. Add a comment
LG breaks the next record in the discipline Blu ray to technology: The new GGW-H20N burns BD-R-disks with 6x speed. Like its predecessor GGWH10N the new LG super Multi Blue describes not only Blu ray disks, but reads also the second High definition format HD DVD. The full unformattedness becomes besides gradually payable: The new internal hybrid Sprinter is not to cost any more than 400 euro (UVP). Beside all usual CD and DVD formats inclusive DVD dual and double Layer reads and writes the GGW-H20N also DVD-RAM and supports doppellagige BD-media, whose storage capacity amounts to 50 GB. The drive assembly is attached over an SATA interface and comes in the third quarter on the market.
- Details
- Other
Add a comment
Antec Phantom 500 Watt Silent Power Supply @Futurelooks
Apevia X-Qpack 2 CM500 Camouflage SFF Case @Benchmark Reviews
ASUS EN8600GT Silent 256MB GDDR3 @Hardware Zone
Crucial Ballistix Tracer DDR2-1066/PC2-8500 2GB Kit @Redaktion ocinside.de
Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3R (Intel P35) Motherboard @Hardware Zone
HIS Radeon IceQ Turbo X1650XT 256MEG PCI Express Videocard @Tweaknews.net
Logitech Cordless Skype Internet Handset @Tweaknews.net
Samsung 275T 27" Widescreen LCD @BCCHardware
SanDisk Cruzer Contour 4GB Flash Drive @Everything USB
Silverstone SG03 Case @HardwareLogic
- Details
- Other
Sony BMG Music Entertainment is suing a company that developed antipiracy software for CDs.The Amergence Group has already responded to these allegations, stating that the problems were due to "Sony's under-tested release of a competitor's technology." Needless to say, this is going to be an interesting court battle. If you'd like to read more, the entire article can be found here. Add a comment
Sony claims the technology was defective and cost the record company millions of dollars to settle consumer complaints and government investigations.
Sony BMG filed a summons in a New York state court against The Amergence Group, formerly SunnComm International, which developed the MediaMax CD copy-protection technology.
Sony BMG is seeking to recover $US12 million ($A14 million) in damages from the Phoenix-based technology company, according to court papers filed on July 3.
