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Optical Storage

19 June 2007

As we reported a few weeks ago, Toshiba currently plans to put HD DVD drives in all of their notebook computers. The company is apparently starting with their mainstream models, incorporating HD DVD drives into the Satellite P205, Satellite X205 and Qosmio F45. Toshiba also plans to release the first U.S. notebook with a writable HD DVD drive later this year.

Toshiba's Digital Product Division (DPD), a division of Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., today announced that the Satellite P205, Satellite X205 and Qosmio F45 will be the company's first mainstream mobile solutions to incorporate HD DVD drives, while the Qosmio G45 will be the first U.S. notebook computer with a writeable HD DVD optical drive, and will be available to consumers in time for the back-to-school season.

"In the realm of high definition nothing compares to the capability and quality that is available through HD DVD," said Mark Simons, vice president and general manager, Digital Products Division, Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc. "Due to manufacturing efficiencies being achieved for HD DVD, we're able to add this revolutionary technology into our mainstream consumer notebook lineup at affordable prices."

Toshiba's HD DVD enabled notebooks range in price from $1,449 to $3,199, depending on the model and configuration. More information can be found here. Add a comment

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Optical Storage

18 June 2007

Lite-On has finally unveiled their new series of "Super AllWrite" drives. The DH-20A3L, DH-20A3H, DH-20A3S and DH-20A3P all features 20x DVD±R, 8x DVD±R DL and 12x DVD-RAM writing speeds. The big difference between the four is their support for LightScribe (DH-20A3L and DH-20A3H) and Serial ATA (DH-20A3L and DH-20A3S). Here are some of the drives' specs:

Writing Speeds: DVD±R: 20x Max DVD±R DL: 8x Max DVD+RW: 8x Max DVD-RW: 6x Max DVD-RAM 12x Max CD-R: 48x Max CD-RW: 32x Max

Read Speeds: DVD-ROM: 16x Max CD-ROM: 48x Max Access Times: DVD-ROM: 160ms CD-ROM: 160ms

According to April's product roadmap, these drives were supposed to support the DVD-RW DL format. However, looking at the specs on Lite-On's website, that doesn't seem to be the case. More information on all four drives can be found here. Add a comment

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Home Entertainment

18 June 2007

Thanks to Blu-ray.com, we've learned of a new Blu-ray Disc player from Hong Kong based manufacturer, GoWell Enterprises. While details are a bit sketchy, the G875 appears to support HDMI 1.3 and wireless networking and will have 1G of NAND flash memory. Here are some of the player's specs:

· Support Blu-ray driver · USB 2.0 interface(high speed) & card reader · Support SD/MMC/MS/XD card · Support 1G NAND Flash · DISC Playable: Blu-ray disc/H.264/MPEG4/DivX/XviD/DVD/SVCD/VCD/CD/MP3/Kodak Picture/Photo CD/WMV9 · Support: DivX 3.11/4.02/5.02/5.03/5.05 and later, DivXPro, XviD, Nero digital · PAL/NTSC/MULTI TV system compatible · Full function remote control · Support 4:3 & 16:9 TV mode · High Definition video(HDMI V1.3) output · 10/100M BaseT Ethernet (RJ45) · Mini PCI interface, Support wireless home networking · SATA HDD socket · Building in HDD

At this point, its unknown when GoWell's player will be hitting store shelves or how much it will be. As we find out more, we'll let you know. In the mean time, you can read all about the G875 on GoWell's website. Add a comment

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Home Entertainment

18 June 2007

Since late last year, Blockbuster has been testing the waters, renting both Blu-ray and HD DVD titles in 250 of their stores. The company recently announced plans to increase this number to 1700. However, with 70% of the high-def rentals going to Blu-ray, Blockbuster has decided not to offer HD DVD titles at these new locations.

Blockbuster Inc. will rent high-definition DVDs only in the Blu-ray format in 1,450 stores when it expands its high-def offerings next month, dealing a major blow to the rival HD DVD format.

The move, being announced Monday, could be the first step in resolving a format war that has kept confused consumers from rushing to buy new DVD players until they can determine which format will dominate the market.

Blockbuster has been renting both Blu-ray and HD DVD titles in 250 stores since late last year and found that consumers were choosing Blu-ray titles more than 70 percent of the time.

This isn't good news for HD DVD fans. With Blockbuster going Blu-ray, it probably won't be long before smaller video rental services do the same. If you'd like to read more, the entire article can be found here. Add a comment

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Optical Storage

15 June 2007

DigiTimes has reported that CMC Magnetics recently received level A certification for its 2x BD-RE media. According to the article, they are the first Taiwanese manufacturer to do so.

CMC Magnetics, a maker of optical discs in Taiwan, on June 12 announced it has acquired level A certification for its 2x Blu-ray Disc (BD)-RE (rewritable) SL (single-sided single-layer) discs, the first recipient among Taiwan makers of optical discs.

If you'd like to read more, the entire article can be found here. Add a comment

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Optical Storage

15 June 2007

AOpen has released some details on their new 20x "Super-Multi" drive, the DSW2012P . This new drive features 20x DVD±R, 8x DVD±R, 8x DVD+RW, and 12x DVD-RAM writing speeds. Here are some of the drive's specs:

Writing Speeds: DVD+R: 20x DVD+RW: 8x DVD+R DL: 8x DVD-R: 20x DVD-RW: 6x DVD-R DL: 8x DVD-RAM: 12x CD-R: 48X CD-RW: 32x

Read Speeds: DVD-ROM: 16x Max DVD±R: 16x Max DVD±R DL: 8x Max DVD-RAM: 12X Max CD-ROM: 48x Max CD-ROM: 32x Max Access Times: DVD-ROM: 160ms CD-ROM: 160ms

Like the DSW1812P, the DSW2012P appears to be based on a Lite-On design. The DSW2012P is shipping now, and can be purchased through various resellers for less than $40. Full details can be found on AOpen's website. Add a comment

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Optical Storage

13 June 2007

Fujifilm announced today that they will be bringing Labelflash DVD media to the U.S. market. Similar in concept to HP's LightScribe technology, Labelflash lets you burn graphics and text onto the tops of special DVD discs.

FUJIFILM today announced the availability of recordable media for the Labelflash enabled laser-labeling DVD drives. This technology is being introduced in the U.S. market with select models of the new Toshiba Satellite A205/P205 Notebook computer series.

Labelflash technology was created as a joint project between engineers at Yamaha Corporation and Fujifilm Corporation. DVD drives enabled with Labelflash allow users to create customized, professional-looking DVDs with clear, finely detailed labeling by inscribing high-quality images and text directly into a specialized dye within the disc. The process eliminates the need for specialized printers, inks or sticky labels.

Fujifilm recordable media for Labelflash is initially available in DVD-R (16x) format and are capable of burning images in as little as five (5) minutes in ‘Fast’ mode and 15-20 minutes for the highest contrast.

Let's hope that Pioneer and Optiarc decide to bring their Labelflash compliant drives to the U.S. as well. If you'd like to read more, Fujifilm's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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Hard Disks

12 June 2007

Toshiba sent out a press release this morning, announcing the launch of two new digital video recorders (DVR). The RD-A600 and RD-A300 support Toshiba's new "VARDIA engine" and can record two digital HD television programs at once. The two DVR's also feature an integrated HD DVD writer, giving users the ability to record programs directly to disc or transfer HD video from the hard drive.

Toshiba Corporation today announced two high-end additions to its VARDIA digital video recorders (DVR) that add the capabilities of HD DVD recordable drives to a wide range of advanced functions. The new DVR introduce the ability to record two digital HD television programs simultaneously, and also integrate Toshiba's new "VARDIA engine", which supports significant enhancements to ease of use and performance, including faster drawing of the graphic user interface (GUI) and improved HD DVD disc operation. The HD DVD VARDIA RD-A600 and HD DVD VARDIA RD-A300 will be rolled out in the Japanese market from the end of June.

The new models offer consumers a choice of hard disk drive capacities. The 600-gigabyte (GB) RD-A600 can record about 78 hours*1 of digital HD broadcasts to its hard drive in HD picture quality, while 300GB RD-A300 can record about 39 hours*1. Both integrate an HD DVD recordable drive that can directly record HD television programs to an HD DVD-R disc or transfer HD images stored in HDD to an HD DVD-R disc. Like standard DVR, the new recorders allow users to build libraries of their favorite content, whether dramas, movies or sport, but add the ability to do so in vibrant, high definition detail, by storing HD content to HD DVD-R discs.

While Toshiba has not announced a price, AV Watch expects the RD-A600 and RD-A300 to cost about 200,000 Yen ($1644US) and 150,000 Yen ($1233US) respectively. More information, including a full list of specs, can be found here. Add a comment

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Home Entertainment

12 June 2007

While Toshiba's promotions has helped HD DVD capture 60% of the HD set-top market, sales are still coming up short of expectations. According to Reuters, Toshiba has had to lower its U.S. sales forecast. Instead of 1.8 million units, the company now expects to sell 1 million players by the end of 2007.

Japan's Toshiba Corp. has slashed its sales target for high definition DVD players and recorders after disappointing sales in the U.S., putting a damper on prospects for one of its growth businesses.

"Sales in the U.S. have been slower than expected, and we are going to have to lower our U.S. sales forecast," said Yoshihide Fujii, head of Toshiba's digital consumer business.

The electronics group now expects to sell 1 million next-generation optical disc players in North America by the end of calendar 2007, down 44 percent from its previous estimate of 1.8 million unit sales, a Toshiba executive said on Tuesday.

While the price of HD DVD players have come down considerably, most consumers are still holding off, waiting to see which format wins. If you'd like to read more, the entire article can be found here. Add a comment