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ArcSoft has announced that they will be demonstrating ArcSoft Digital Theatre 2 at CeBIT. This new playback software supports HD DVD titles as well as commercial and homemade DVD movies.
ArcSoft, Inc. is demonstrating its High Definition solutions this week at CeBIT, where ArcSoft Digital Theatre 2 is featured at the HD DVD Promotion Group booth (Hall 1, Stand L59). The new player supports HD DVD playback, as well as commercial and homemade DVD movies and a variety of multimedia files on Windows XP and Windows Vista systems.

"We're very pleased to be showcasing our high definition solutions, which are among the best performing in the industry," said Michael Downs, ArcSoft Vice President of Marketing and Business Development. "We've been working closely with the HD DVD Promotion Group, leading graphics chipset companies, and the major Hollywood studios to ensure that we can effectively provide the complete spectrum of HD DVD functionality to our customers."
Whiel ArcSoft doesn't mention it in their press release, Digital Theatre 2 can also playback Blu-ray movies. If you'd like to read more, ArcSoft's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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Software
Nero has announced that they will be releasing a new version of Nero 7 in April that will add a copy protection feature to their SecurDisc technology. Here's part of their press release:
Nero, leaders in digital media technology, announced today that the April update of the Nero 7 digital multimedia suite will include a new feature of SecurDisc technology. Now users can benefit from an innovative copy protection feature designed to prevent duplication of PDF documents saved on DVDs created with SecurDisc.

SecurDisc is a technology that offers a full feature set of security-related functions through a combined hardware/software solution and additionally offers encryption with password protection, digital signature, and higher data reliability through data storage redundancy and defect management.
From what we've seen, SecurDisc works quite well. Unfortunately, its only supported by a few drives at the moment. If you'd like to read more, Nero's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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Home Entertainment
Video Business has reported that Lionsgate will be releasing two movies, Ultimate Avengers: The Movie and Ultimate Avengers 2, on a single 50GB Blu-ray Disc. These two films are also the first direct to DVD titles to be released on Blu-ray.
Lionsgate and Marvel Enterprises plan to use Blu-ray Disc to its full capacity with the first double feature release on the format.

The companies will debut Ultimate Avengers: The Movie and Ultimate Avengers 2 on one 50GB Blu-ray disc April 24 for a suggested retail price of $39.99. Prebook is March 28.

The films will be the first direct-to-DVD releases to debut on Blu-ray.
To fill up the rest of the disc, the release will also include two featurettes, a gag reel, a trivia track and a first look at the movie Dr. Strange. If you'd like to read more, the entire article can be found here. Add a comment

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Sharp has announced that they will start volume production of its new high-power blue-violet laser diode in May. With a maximum power output of 210 mW, the GH04P21A2G can write to dual layer Blu-ray Discs and HD-DVDs at 6x.
Sharp Corporation will begin volume production in May of the High-Power Blue-Violet Laser Diode GH04P21A2G that achieves a power output*1 of 210 mW, the industry's highest*2. This device will enable high-speed 6X recording on next-generation dual-layer Blu-ray Discs (BD) and HD-DVDs...

...The GH04P21A2G makes full use of crystal growth technology developed for infrared, red, and blue-violet low-power laser diodes. In addition to a newly developed laser chip with a proprietary facet structure and a high power output of 210 mW that will contribute to high-speed recording for the next generation of DVDs, this current device also features a long service life of 10,000 hours, a level that leads the industry.
Sharp plans to produce 250,000 units per month. If you'd like to read more, Sharp's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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Software
It's been more than a year, but Nero has released an update for Nero 6.6. While there is no change log, Nero mentions on their website that they've "improved the interaction between Nero and the Lightscribe.api". If you'd like to check it out, the update can be downloaded here. As usual, feel free to share your experiences in our forum. Add a comment

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Good news for fans of Game Jackal. Slysoft has announced that they've acquired the software from the Australian software company, Jacal Consulting.
The Antigua based copy protection specialist SlySoft has now acquired Game Jackal from Australian software company Jacal Consulting. All further development of Game Jackal has been taken over by SlySoft.

Giancarlo Bettini, CEO at SlySoft: "Due to new Australian copyright law, Jacal Consulting had to take down the Game Jackal website in January and SlySoft took this opportunity to complement oursoftware portfolio. Game Jackal is a perfect addition to our range of product offerings."
The first release of SlySoft Game Jackal will be available at the end of March. Owners of the old version of Game Jackal will be able to upgrade to a SlySoft license for no more than $10. If you'd like to read more, Slysoft's entire announcement can be found here. Add a comment

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DigiTimes has reported that the Taiwanese manufacturer, U-Tech, has successfully produced pre-recorded HD DVD discs and has sent out samples for certification.
U-Tech Media, the largest maker of pre-recorded discs in Taiwan, has successfully developed and produced pre-recorded HD DVD discs, with sample products currently under certification by potential clients, according to the company.

The top eight Hollywood studios and some independent movie producers have only a few OEM makers, such as Austria-based Sony Digital Audio Disc Corporation (DADC) and Japan-based Memory-Tech, to produce their HD DVD movie discs and are not expected to release OEM orders to new makers for the time being, U-Tech indicated. Sony DADC has three production lines with a monthly capacity of 750,000 pre-recorded HD DVD discs while Memory-Tech has invested in Shanghai United Optical Disc, for the production of such discs, industry sources in Taiwan pointed out.
U-Tech is also developing pre-recorded Blu-ray Discs and could begin production in the first half of this year. If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes. Add a comment

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Software
Nero has announced that Nero 7 Essentials is being shipped with ASUS's new LightScribe capable DVD writer, the DRW-1814BL. Here's part of their press release:
Nero, leaders in digital media technology, announced today that Nero 7 Essentials digital media software suite has been selected as the exclusive software package bundled with ASUSTeK's new DVD-RW drives sold worldwide, beginning with the DRW-1814BL LightScribe DVD-RW drive released today.

Nero 7 Essentials, a "one stop" digital multimedia solution, provides consumers with pre-mastering, recording, packet writing, and photo management applications. In addition, ASUSTeK drive purchasers will be offered a free 30-day trial of SVCD and DVD-Video playback, authoring, and encoding applications via download from www.nero.com.
Only a 30 day trial? That's pretty chintzy considering most drives come with some sort of DVD playback software. Anyway, if you'd like to read more, Nero's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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