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The biggest difference with this new model is its new SATA interface. However, don't expect a significantly higher level of performance with this drive over an IDE model. The biggest impact in performance was certainly the CPU usage. They are, by far, the lowest I've ever seen. This was expected though because an SATAI drive can indeed provide low CPU Usage over IDE. This was apparent is all read tests performed with this drive. Is it worth it? Honestly, the answer is no. For the most part, you'll get just as good performance with one of their older IDE models. Other than CPU usage, the other real benefit is that smaller cable.Miguel also has some interesting insights about burning DVD's under windows Vista. If you'd like to read more, the entire review can be found here. Add a comment
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- Optical Storage
With Hewlett-Packard (HP) and Dell evaluating the feasibility of adopting half-height 20x DVD burners, and other PC brands already having decided to adopt such burners for market segmentation and the promotion of sales of desktop PCs equipped with Windows Vista in the second quarter, 20x stands a good chance of replacing 16x to become the mainstream writing speed of DVD burners in the fourth quarter of 2007, according to leading Taiwan optical disc drive makers.The article also mentions that Hitachi-LG Data Storage (HLDS), Toshiba-Samsung Storage Technology (TSST) and Pioneer are preparing to start volume production of 20x DVD burners in the second quarter. If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes. Add a comment
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- Optical Storage
TDK has partnered with Primera to optimise the printable surface of its BD-R media for use with Primera's world renowned line of inkjet BD-R disc publishing and duplication products. In an extension of the existing close partnership between the two companies, TDK is delivering increased flexibility in printable media by broadening customisation options for the European duplication industry.TDK has also partnered with Rimage to develop thermal printable Blu-ray discs. These discs are coated with a special thermal-optimised surface that not only delivers bright, high-resolution full color images and text, but also prevents warping.
TDK's BD-R is manufactured to Rimage specifications for maximum color performance with Rimage's high-resolution Everest thermal printer technology. By using one of Rimage's DVD/CD compatible thermal printers, duplicators and publishers can customise BD-R discs by printing text and graphics directly on each disc's label-side surface, creating the potential for more visually vibrant designs. In addition, the new formats allow the printing of high quality custom text and graphics directly onto a wider printable area ranging from 24mm to 118mm in diameter.TDK's inkjet and thermal printable Blu-ray Discs will be available in April 2007. No word on price yet. However, more information can be found here and here. Add a comment
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Sony NEC Optiarc Inc., launches its new sales company, Sony NEC Optiarc Europe GmbH ("Optiarc Europe"). The European headquarters will be at Ismaning near Munich, Germany. Optiarc Europe, the optical disc drive specialist, will present itself to a broad public at CeBIT for the first time before officially starting to trade in the EMEA region on 2nd April 2007.This is definitely good news for our European readers. Hopefully Sony NEC Optiarc will decide to tap into the American market and launch a sales company over here as well. If you'd like to read more, Sony NEC Optiarc's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
The new sales company will be a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony NEC Optiarc Inc. ("Optiarc Japan") based in Tokyo, Japan. Optiarc Japan is invested by Sony Corporation (55%) and by NEC Corporation (45%), set up in April 2006. The joint venture company develops and manufactures optical disc storage drives. In the EMEA region the new company takes charge of sales and marketing activities of optical disc storage drive products manufactured by its parent company.
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Nero, leaders in digital media technology, announced today that Nero Linux 3 will be unveiled at CeBIT. The new version of the definitive burning application for Linux operating systems will feature Blu-ray and HD DVD data recording support as well as an improved graphical user interface that is similar to the look and feel of the current Nero Burning ROM 7 edition.A beta version of Nero Linux 3 is expected to be available at the end of March. More information can be found here. Add a comment
"Nero has long recognized the importance of including the Linux community in our broad user base," said Udo Eberlein, Chief Operating Officer, Nero AG. "By ensuring that the functionalities of our most popular application are available to users of the Linux operating systems, we are also ensuring that Nero's cutting-edge burning technology is enjoyed by users all over the world."
In addition to Blu-ray and HD DVD burning capabilities, Nero Linux 3 will also natively support 64-bit systems, as well as Unicode in all languages currently supported by Nero's flagship product, Nero 7.
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With the help of today released AnyDVD, discs protected with "Protect DVD-Video" can now be played on Windows MCE 2005, with Windows Media player or Zoom Player. WITHOUT ANYDVD RUNNING, THESE DISCS CANNOT BE PLAYED!Examples: "Wer früher stirbt..." and "Perfume", both R2, GermanIf you'd like to try it out, a demo version of AnyDVD can be downloaded here. Otherwise, more information is available on Slysoft's website. Add a comment
Giancarlo Bettini, SlySoft CEO: "Shame on the makers of this really bad protection. They don't do their customers a favour, if they cannot watch the original disc! We really hope that they get these discs slapped in their faces by their (ex)customers."
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At a press conference at CeBIT 2007, Studio Canal, Universal, Toshiba and Microsoft were on stage to announce the formation of a new trade organization, the European HD DVD Promotional Group, Ltd., which will include movie studios, distributors, consumer electronics companies, IT companies, PC makers, disc replication companies and authoring houses companies throughout Europe and around the globe. As the European counterpart to the North American HD DVD Promotional Group and working with the HD DVD Promotion Group originally organized in Japan, the new non-profit organization completes the global promotion structure for HD DVD, working to educate consumers on the quality and value of the format.While HD DVD releases have been a bit slow as of late, more than 600 titles are expected to be on store shelves by the end of 2007. If you'd like to read more, the entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
"After a strong year in North America and Asia, HD DVD is drawing attention in Europe, with unrivaled quality and affordable prices," said Ken Graffeo, Executive Vice President, HD Strategic Marketing, Universal Studios Home Entertainment. "HD DVD is the most recognized brand name worldwide for high definition packaged media and we now have a strong group of companies behind it, from hardware manufacturers to studios and distributors."
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Roxio, a division of Sonic Solutions (NASDAQ: SNIC), the leader in digital media software, today launched Roxio Copy & Convert 3, the ultimate solution for quickly and easily managing, transferring, and enjoying digital entertainment on PCs, set-top players, or mobile devices. In addition to making high-quality copies of personal CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray Discs, this next generation edition of Roxio's Easy DVD Copy program now enables consumers to move their favorite movies and music to portable devices such as iPods, PSPs, and mobile phones. Roxio Copy & Convert 3 also adds greater file support, batch conversion capabilities, automatic music cataloging, and the ability to backup iPod music to any PC.Roxio Copy & Convert 3 is available now and can be purchased directly from Roxio for $49.99. More information can be found on Roxio's website. Add a comment
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CyberLink Corp. (5203.TW), a world leader in digital home solutions, today demonstrated its range of entertainment software for Today's Digital Lifestyle, in Hall 21, booth C02 at CeBIT 2007, Germany.More information, including a full list of products, is avialable on CyberLink's website. Add a comment
"As a key entertainment enabler within the digital home, CyberLink software covers a full spectrum of activities, from high-definition movie playback and premium TV sharing over the home network, to media creation and disc burning on Blu-ray Discs and HD DVDs," said Alice H. Chang, CEO of CyberLink. "We're pleased to be in Germany to attend the world's largest IT fair, showcasing our strengths in the digital home with easy-to-use products for consumers and our OEM partners alike."
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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.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
"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."
