A few weeks ago we reported that Gigstorage was in the process of moving its CD-R manufacturing business to Thailand. According to a recent article by DigiTimes, the company's new factory is up and running and they've started volume production of CD-R discs.
Gigastorage, a second-tier maker of optical discs in Taiwan, early in May started volume production of CD-R discs at an initial monthly capacity of two to three million discs in Thailand, and will begin volume production of photovoltaic conductive paste, its new product, in July of 2007, according to the company.

Gigastorage completed its shift of CD-R disc manufacturing equipment from Taiwan to its factory in Thailand and then began production. While the factory's production will focus on CD-R discs for the time being, Gigastorage may also shift production lines of DVD+R/-R discs from Taiwan if demand in the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) market grows to a certain level, the company indicated.
If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes. Add a comment
Today, CDRLabs brings you an in depth look at ASUS's new Serial ATA equipped "Super-Multi" drive, the DRW-1814BLT. Sporting some pretty impressive specs, the DRW-1814BLT is capable of 18x DVD±R, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, 8x DVD±R DL and 14x DVD-RAM writing speeds and a maximum DVD read speed of 16x. Along with support for LightScribe, the drive also includes features like ASUS's FlextraLink, FlextraSpeed and QuieTrack technologies.

In this review we'll take a look at some of the features found on the DRW-1814BLT and see how it compares to some of the 18x DVD±RW drives from the competition. Does the DRW-1814BLT have what it takes? You'll have to read the review to find out.


ASUS DRW-1814BLT SATA 18x DVD±RW/RAM
If you have any comments or questions about this review or the ASUS DRW-1814BLT, please post them in the forum. Add a comment
To cope with falling media prices, some of the industry's smaller media manufacturers have started using second-grade polycarbonate and self-developed dyes. As a result, batches of discs with defect rates as high as 50% have started to show up on the Taiwanese market.
In the Taiwan retail market, small brands or brands without a reputation have recently provided a large volume of DVD+R/-R discs of which purchasers have found as many as 30-50% failed in performance. Such defect rates are historically very exceptional, according to Taiwan retail channels.

Currently, DVD+R/-R discs supplied by international brands, including Philips, Sony and TDK, sell at NT$8-12 (US$0.24-0.36) per disc while small or little-known brands charge only NT$6-7 for a disc, the sources indicated.
These failure rates are quite high, even for low grade media. Nevertheless, people shouldn't be surprised by the quality. As the old saying goes, you get what you pay for. If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes. Add a comment
Sandisk has announced that they're partnered with Microsoft to develop a replacement for their existing U3 Smart Technology. Expanding upon U3's current capabilities, this new hardware and software based solution will let users store data, applications and their own custom computing environment on a flash storage device.
Microsoft and SanDisk Corporation (NASDAQ:SNDK) today announced they have signed an agreement to deliver a next-generation software and hardware solution to place application programs and personal customization on USB flash drives and flash memory cards, expanding on and replacing SanDisk’s existing U3 Smart Technology.

Under the terms of the agreement, Microsoft will develop a new software experience and SanDisk will develop new hardware capabilities, including the addition of TrustedFlash security technology. SanDisk will incorporate the combined software and hardware solution on removable flash memory cards and Cruzer USB flash drives. The new offering is expected to be commercially available starting in the second half of 2008.
While U3 has been around for a few years, the technology really hasn't taken off. Hopefully, with Microsoft's help, Sandisk can make this new technology go mainstream. If you'd like to read more, Sandisk's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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Earlier this week, CyberLink officially announced their new remote media access web service, CyberLink Live. By installing their free media server software, users can remotely access video, audio, photos and even live TV via the CyberLink Live website. Best of all, this service is free.
CyberLink Corp. (5203.TW), a world leader in digital home solutions, today launched CyberLink Live website (www.cyberlinklive.com) to provide a means of personal media remote access and sharing consumer-generated content over the internet.

"CyberLink Live is a step forward in our vision of a complete digital lifestyle," said Alice H. Chang, CEO of CyberLink. "Based on our existing multimedia and network technologies for the digital home, CyberLink Live place-shifts a user's content from their home PCs, so they can remotely access their media on any web-browsing device. We are building an ecosystem of digital media entertainment from inside the home that can reach out to anywhere in the world."
If you'd like to check it out, head on over to the CyberLink Live website and create an account. Otherwise, more information can be found here. Add a comment
Similar to their efforts with Blu-ray, the MPEG LA has announced plans to create a joint HD DVD patent license. At this point, the group has put out a call for patents that are essential to the HD DVD Standard.
MPEG LA, LLC, world leader in one-stop technology standards patent licensing, today issued a call for patents and patent applications that are essential to the HD DVD Standard in order to facilitate creation of a joint HD DVD patent license.

"Continuing in its mission to respond to the market's need for fair, reasonable, and nondiscriminatory access to patents essential to defined technologies, MPEG LA is pleased to accept an invitation to facilitate this effort so that users may have the benefit of a convenient marketplace licensing alternative to assist them with implementation of their technology choices," said MPEG LA Chief Executive Officer Larry Horn.
The MPEG LA will be accepting submissions through the end of June and currently plans to meet with essential patent holders in September. If you'd like to read more, the MPEG LA's entire press release can be found here (PDF). Add a comment
Universal has finally responded to reports that they were ending their exclusive HD DVD contact. According to a recent article by heise.de, the company has stated that they've not ended their contract nor do they plan to support Blu-ray. Translated from German:
After representatives of the Blu ray advocate had maintained Pioneer, universal Home Entertainment had stepped out of the exclusive contract with the Hp-DVD-camp and/or its largest representatives on the hardware side Toshiba, announced themselves now to Wayne borrows to word, Executive Vice President Commercial operation the Studios. In a statement opposite it communicated heise on-line that this rumor was “completely wrong” and universal will not change the sides, in order to support in the future the competition format Blu ray Disc.
With Blu-ray dominating the market, it wouldn't surprise me if Universal was testing the water. For now though, it appears that they're sticking with HD DVD. If you'd like to read more, the entire article can be found here. Add a comment

ECS NF650iSLIT-A Motherboard @HardwareLogic
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ZEROtherm GX815 Gamer Edition VGA Cooler @ThinkComputers.org
Tritton Audio Xtreme 5.1 PC Gaming USB Headset @Everything USB
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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