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Optical Storage

09 May 2007

Plextor Europe sent out a press release earlier today, announcing a new 18x multi-format DVD writer, the PX-810SA. Along with support for Serial ATA, the drive features 18x DVD±R, 10x DVD±R DL and 12x DVD-RAM writing speeds.

Plextor, the personal storage and high reliability optical drive manufacturer, today announces the latest DVD-RW drive from its new PX-800 series: the Serial-ATA PX-810SA. At 18x, it is still one of the fastest drives in the world [-Plextor was the first manufacturer to launch 18x products with the PX-760 series]. It also incorporates multi-format (DVD+/-R & DVD-RAM) technology to satisfy the demand for high-end SATA drives from enthusiast/professional users.

No word on price yet. However, the PX-810SA is scheduled to ship in early June 2007. More information is available on Plextor's website. Add a comment

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Home Entertainment

09 May 2007

While details are sketchy at this point, the German website, heise.de, has reported that Universal has ended its exclusive HD DVD contract. Translated from German:

In the context of a press meeting representatives of the Blu ray advocate maintained Pioneer that universal Home Entertainment stepped out of the exclusive contract with the Hp-DVD-camp and/or its largest representatives on the hardware side Toshiba. Thus the Studio quit the agreement, the notice is not only not effective allegedly already. If this report should be confirmed, thereby the way would be free for film publications on the competition medium Blu ray Disc for universal (in the long run). Above all however the hp DVD graduation Group would lose their only remaining exclusive supporter after Paramount and Warner under Hollywood Studios.

At this point, Universal has not confirmed nor denied this report. If this is true though, it probably means the end for HD DVD. If you'd like to read more, the entire article can be found here. Add a comment

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Home Entertainment

09 May 2007

While Blu-ray and HD DVD have been busy, battling it out, HD VMD has slowing been gaining support. In a recent press release, NME announced that they've formed partnership with independent distributor and production companyAnthem Pictures.

New Medium Enterprises (NME)(OTC Bulletin Board: NMEN), the company bringing affordable HD homeentertainment to the globe through HD VMD (Versatile Multilayer Disc),announces title releases on the HD VMD format into the US market followinga recent partnership with independent distributor and production companyAnthem Pictures. Anthem Pictures, one of the most respected independentproducers and distributors within the industry, has developed world-widerecognition through its large distribution network selling in every countrywith recent releases such as Mother Ghost starring James Franco (Spiderman1,2 & 3) and Kevin Pollack (The Usual Suspects, Casino), Soldier of God andfuture release Two:Thirteen. Catalogue titles include Zalma King's Red ShoeDiaries starring David Duchovni (X-Files).

I think NME has made a smart move by catering to smaller, independent companies like Anthem Pictures. For these companies, HD VMD offer an affordable alternative to Blu-ray and HD VMD. Nevertheless, is HD VMD is going to succeed, they're going to need the support of Hollywood's major film studios. If you'd like to read more, NME's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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Optical Storage

09 May 2007

Pioneer has announced that they will be shipping their new Blu-ray combo drive to European retailers by the end of May. The drive is expected to cost about €250.

The BCD-S02 will read both single and dual-layer Blu-ray disc formats and provide high-speed read and write compatibility for a wide range of DVD and CD discs . The drive will be available though our distribution network for around €250.

You’ll have the choice of both black and beige colour options.

The new drives provide a cost-efficient, high-performance and simple method for you to experience Blu-ray entertainment on your home PC.

More information, including a full list of specs, can be found here. Add a comment

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Software

08 May 2007

Want to play your videos on your new Apple TV? Roxio Crunch might be the answer. Using this new application, you can quickly and easily covert your videos for playback on the Apple TV or portable devices like the iPod or iPhone.

Roxio, a division of Sonic Solutions (NASDAQ: SNIC), today released Roxio Crunch, a software application for quickly and easily converting computer-based video entertainment for viewing in the living room through Apple TV. Supporting a broad range of personal video content including DVD-Video, MPEG-1, MPEG-2 and DivX files, Roxio Crunch uses powerful compression technologies and straightforward settings to format video for optimal playback enjoyment. In addition to converting files for Apple TV, Roxio Crunch also enables consumers to view their favorite content on the road with predefined options for output to iPod and the soon to be released iPhone.

Roxio Crunch for Mac OS X is currently available for $39.99. A dual-platform Mac and Microsoft Windows version will be available at retail stores later this quarter. Full details can be found here. Add a comment

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Other

08 May 2007

As a supporter of both Blu-ray and HD DVD, it shouldn't be surprising that HP is one of the first computer manufacturers to offer a PC with support both formats. ExtremeTech has reported that HP will be offering LG's Super Multi Blue drive (GGW-H10N) as an option on two of their Media Center PCs. As we've reported in the past, the GGW-H10N functions as both a Blu-ray Disc writer and HD DVD-ROM drive.

While pricing was not immediately available on either series, both Media Center PCs will come with an optional LG Super Multi Blue Blu-ray Disc Rewriter and HD DVD-ROM Drive (GGW-H10N), which the company demoed at this year's Consumer Electronics Show.

It is expected that the drive will cost $1200, falling into a comparable price range to LG's standalone BH100, also known as the Super Multi Blue Player.

An HP representative said that the optical drive is a triple-format writer and will be able to write to Blu-ray discs at 2x (single-layer and double-layer), DVDs, and CDs. The drive will not be able to write to HD DVD, however, and currently Toshiba is the only company that manufactures an HD DVD writerfor PCs.

Unfortunately, ExtremeTech doesn't seem to have all of their facts straight. The GGW-H10N is able to write to single layer BD-R discs at 4x and not the 2x stated in their article. If you'd like to read more, their entire article can be found here. Add a comment

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Other

07 May 2007

Imation sent out a press release earlier today, announcing plans to acquire Memcorp Inc. for $60 million in cash and notes. Until now, Memcorp has been operating under a long-term license agreement for the Memorex brand. By acquiring the company, Imation will gain full control of the Memorex brand and extend its product portfolio beyond removable media.

Imation Corp. (NYSE: IMN), a worldwide leader in removable data storage, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire certain assets of Memcorp Inc. and Memcorp Asia Limited (together known as "Memcorp") from privately held Hopper Radio of Florida, Inc.

The purchase price for the assets includes approximately $23 million in cash and $37.5 million in three-year notes, plus a potential earn-out of up to $20 million over three years, dependent on financial performance of the purchased business. Imation also expects to invest approximately $15 million in additional working capital after the acquisition closes. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2007, subject to customary closing conditions and governmental approvals.

Imation expects the acquisition to contribute an estimated $10 to $12 million in operating income and add approximately $200 million in annual revenue in the first full year of operation. If you'd like to read more, Imation's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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Home Entertainment

07 May 2007

EE Times has an interesting article about a new antitheft mechanism developed by NXP Semiconductors and Kestrel Wireless. DVD manufacturers wanting to use the system would incorporate a small RFID chip and a thin electro-optic layer into each disc. These discs would then remain unreadable until activated by a RFID reader at the point of purchase.

Under the system, the DVD manufacturer would overlay each disk with a thin electro-optic layer, conceived by Kestrel. Atkins said the layer functions "like a shutter," barring a DVD player's laser from reading the disk. An RFID inlay comprising the RFID chip and an RF antenna is embedded in the disk.

DVD disks incorporating the mechanism would remain unreadable until passed through an RFID reader at the point of purchase. The reader would check a unique number embedded in the disk's RFID chip to confirm the sale. The RFID chip on the DVD would then power up, creating a short electric impulse that would change the optical behavior of the disk's electro-optic film layer and make the layer transparent. Any DVD player could then read the disk.

At this point, its questionable whether or not the benefits of the security mechanism outweigh the added costs. Nevertheless, the solution will enter "advance trials" in mid-2007 and is expected to appear in commercial optical disks by the end of the year. If you'd like to read more, the entire article can be found here. Add a comment

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Home Entertainment

07 May 2007

Simplay Labs has announced that the Samsung BD-P1200 is the first high-definition DVD player to the pass the Simplay HD Testing Program. According to their press release, the goal of this new program is to help consumers identify HD components that will work together and provide a consistent "plug and play" experience.

Simplay Labs, LLC, the leading provider of testing technologies, programs and interoperability design standards for the high-definition (HD) consumer electronics industry, today announced that Samsung's BD-P1200 Blu-ray Disc(TM) Player is the first high-definition DVD player to pass the Simplay HD(TM) Testing Program.

The Simplay HD Testing Program helps consumers identify HD components, such as HDTVs and next-generation DVD players, that will work together to provide a consistent "plug and play" user experience and maximize users' access to premium HD content.

The BD-P1200 isn't the first product from Samsung to wear the Simplay HD logo. The Samsung R155 DVD recorder and the Samsung LN-T3253H 32" LCD HDTV have also passed testing. If you'd like to read more about the Simplay HD Testing Program, Simplay Labs' entire press release can be found here. Add a comment