The Xbox 360 Elite will hit store shelves on April 29th for a suggested retail price of $479.99. If you already own an Xbox 360, the 120GB hard drive can also be purchased separatedly for $179.99. More information can be found on Microsoft's website. Add a comment
Microsoft Corp. today announced the upcoming availability of Xbox 360 Elite, a new model of the video game and entertainment system that will include a 120GB hard drive, a high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) port, a high-definition cable, and a premium black finish for the console, wireless controller and Xbox LIVE headset. Xbox 360 Elite has enough space for a library of Xbox LIVE Arcade games and thousands of songs, as well as downloadable high-definition TV shows and movies available on Xbox LIVE Marketplace. The new 120GB hard drive also will be sold as a stand-alone accessory to give current Xbox 360 owners greater choice and flexibility in their games and entertainment experience. Additional Xbox 360 Elite accessories, such as the black Xbox 360 Wireless Controller, Xbox 360 Play & Charge kit and the Xbox 360 rechargeable battery, will be available separately.
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment (SPHE)'s blockbuster Bond title, Casino Royale, released March 13 on Blu-ray Disc, has hit the 100,000 units shipped mark and is setting records at retail for greatest number of high-definition copies sold in one day, it was announced today by SPHE Worldwide President, David Bishop. The title debuted in the top 10 on Amazon's DVD top-sellers list - a first for any film in high definition. The film's director, Martin Campbell, extolled the disc quality and commented, "It's just unbelievable. Clearly, it's fantastic. The comparison between standard def DVD and Blu-ray is quite stunning and quite transparent to the master. It's precisely what would make me want to buy a copy."SPHE plans to offer more titles on 50GB discs, including new releases like Rocky Balboa and The Pursuit of Happyness. More information, including a list of upcoming releases, can be found here. Add a comment
Since the November launch of Playstation 3, sales of Blu-ray titles have risen exponentially - a more than 700 percent increase. "As a point of comparison, the first DVD title to ship 100,000 units took approximately 11 months (Air Force One, in February 1998)," said Mr. Bishop. "Casino Royale on Blu-ray has done it in far less time and is clearly demonstrating the format's robust growth in the marketplace." Sony DADC has replicated more than two million Blu-ray Discs for Sony Pictures since the launch of the format.
Writing Speeds: DVD±R: 8x DVD±R DL: 8x DVD+RW: 4x DVD-RW: 6x DVD-RAM: 5x CD-R: 24x CD-RW: 16x Access Times: DVD-ROM: 180ms | Read Speeds: DVD-ROM (Single): 8x Max DVD-ROM (Dual): 6x Max DVD-Video: 4x Max DVD±R: 8x Max DVD±RW: 6x Max DVD±R DL: 6x Max DVD-RAM: 5x Max CD-ROM: 24x Max Buffer Size: 2MB |
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No word on pricing or availability. If you'd like to read more, Verbatim Europe's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
One package, two processes. Verbatim has released a digital photo album that will delight fans of digital data storage just as much as it will please people who appreciate professional photos. The digital photo album is a box containing a CD-R 52x for back-up copies of precious photos and photographic paper coated on both sides for brilliant print-outs of your favourite pictures.
Second-tier Taiwan makers of blank optical discs, including Prodisc Technology and Optodisc Technology, have launch price competition for OEM orders quoting US$0.14-0.15 for a 16x DVD+R/-R disc, 17-18% lower than the general level of US$0.17-0.18, according to industry sources.The article also mentions that 18-20x DVD+R/-R discs will not be in significant demand until the fourth quarter of the year. If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes. Add a comment
CMC Magnetics and Ritek, the top two makers, have not followed suit in lowering prices for 16x DVD+R/-R discs, but have reduced OEM quotations for 8x discs by 10-20%, the sources pointed out.
The Blu-ray Disc Assn. has mandated that all hardware streeting after that date must be able to play back picture-in-picture video, as driven by BD Java interactive technology. Many players on shelves now can handle BD Java, but to varying degrees. Few Blu-ray players include picture-in-picture capability, for instance, not even the PlayStation 3.Unfortunately, those that shelled out a small fortune for first gen Blu-ray Disc players probably won't be able to take advantage of features like picture-in-picture, even with a firmware update. If you'd like to read more, the entire article can be found here. Add a comment
Sony's current and summer 2007 stand-alone models and available Pioneer and Philips units are among those lacking the picture-in-picture feature.
With two different pools of players at retail in the near future, studios will have to navigate how to best create titles that play universally. A title with a highly touted picture-in-picture feature, for example, might not play properly on all players.
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