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At one point, AACS seemed like an impenetrable wall. Lately though, its looking more like swiss cheese. Earlier this week, a person going by the name arnezami on the Doom9 forums discovered that volume keys could be extracted using what he calls a processing key. With this information, it would be possible to decrypt all HD DVD movies without needing to know the volume key first.
The author of the AACS bypass attempt code, whose screen handle is arnezami, described the process of locating the media key as a matter of creating a control program that slowed down the playback of an HD DVD disc, searching for changes in critical locations in memory. Once those changes are made, playback halts, and the changed memory contents are tested for a sequence of bytes that can be validated as a media key.

From there, arnezami needed a volume ID - a sequence which, when combined with the media key, could yield the VUK. In a bizarre twist, he learned the volume ID was actually guessable, at least for one disc: It was a decimal-encoded permutation of the production date of the disc (9/18/06).
While the AACS LA has acknowledged these hacks, they have yet to revoke any device keys. Even if they do, it probably won't set back people like arnezami very long. If you'd like to read more, head on over to BetaNews. Add a comment

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Rivet Fashion Wrap & MP3 Accessories @TechZone
A-DATA PD7 1GB Flash Drive @ChileHardware
ASRock AM2NF3-VSTA AMD Athlon 64 Socket AM2 Mainboard @Redaktion ocinside.de
Pioneer Elite 60 inch PureVision Plasma HDTV PRO-1540HD @I4U
GeForce 8800 GTS 320MB @HardwareZone
Altec Lansing inMotion iM510 Travel Speakers @BCCHardware
Brando Workshop 55-in-1 Card Reader @ThinkComputers.org
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Software
The folks at Slysoft have released a public beta of AnyDVD HD. As many of you already know, AnyDVD HD will decrypt HD DVD movies on the fly, letting you copy them to your hard drive or play them on non-HDCP compliant hardware.
6.1.2.0 2007 02 12
- New: Added support for new versions of the SONY Arccos protection to the option to remove "Protection based on unreadable Sectors"
- New: Added HD DVD and AACS support. (Registered users need an upgrade key, currently only available to registered beta testers)
- Fix: Problem with multi-angle titles and Sony Arccos protection
- Some minor fixes and improvements
If you'd like to try it out, the beta version of AnyDVD HD can be downloaded directly here. If you find a bug or have a suggestion, leave your comments in Slysoft's forum. Please feel free to join the discussion in our forum as well. Add a comment

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Optical Storage
Traxdata sent out a press release earlier today, announcing the launch of their new 25GB Blu-ray Rewritable (BD-RE) media.

Traxdata, a leading brand of flash and optical media storage products, has today announced the availability of its first Blu-ray rewritable (BD-RE) Disc. The single layer disc can store a huge 25GB of any form of digital data including photos, music, computer games, video or documents, enabling users to easily store and categorise all their data.

Due to the vast storage capacity necessary to support HD quality video, Blu-ray media is the perfect medium to support the highest quality HD video available today (up to 1920 x 1080 at 40Mbit/sec). When played-back with a Blu-ray Disc player the media provides image sharpness, digital surround sound, improved contrast and vivid colours for a superior cinema quality viewing experience.
If you'd like to read more, Traxdata's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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Optical Storage
New Medium Enterprises (NME) recently announced that they've signed agreement, making DaTARIUS the preferred testing equipment provider for the HD VMD optical disc format. The two companies will also jointly own any intellectual property that may result from the project.
New Medium Enterprises (NME) (OTC BB:NMEN.OB - News) and the DaTARIUS Group, today announced that they have signed an agreement, where DaTARIUS becomes the preferred off-line testing equipment provider for the HD VMD optical disc format. NME and DaTARIUS will jointly own the Intellectual Property Rights that emerge from efforts in building testing equipment for the industry.

The agreement represents a major advancement in the global manufacturing and testing process for HD VMD, since many replicators use DaTARIUS' DaTABANK system. The availability of driveCubes for HD VMD on the DaTABANK system is a catalyst for the optical disc industry and promotes the growth of the HD VMD format alongside Blu-ray and HD DVD.
It's good to see HD VMD get support from industry leaders like DaTARIUS. The format is still going to need the blessing of Hollywood, if NME has any hopes of succeeding in markets like the US. If you'd like to read more, NME's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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nVidia GeForce 8800GTS 320MB @TweakTown
Jabra Bluetooth BT325s Bluetooth + MP3 Headset @BCCHardware
NZXT Zero Computer Case @Tweaknews.net
A4 Tech NB 99 Battery Free Wireless Mouse @Futurelooks
ECS AMD690GM-M2 Motherboard @TweakTown
BFG 8800 GTS OC 320MB Graphics Card @I4U
XFX 8800 GTS 320MB XXX Graphics Card @I4U
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Optical Storage
Plextor LLC has announced a new ultra-portable DVD writer, the PX-608CU. This pocket sized drive can be powered from the USB bus, eliminating the need for an AC adapter.

Plextor LLC, a leading developer and manufacturer of high-performance digital media equipment, today announced its second-generation ultra-portable DVD±R/RW CD-R/RW multi-drive. Available immediately, the pocket-sized PX-608CU measures 15.9mm high and weighs just 250g (less than nine ounces), which makes it one of the smallest portable DVD writers available in the world. The PX-608CU is ideal for mobile laptop users and others who require a modern, stylish, and compact DVD burner to use anywhere.

Numerous enhancements have been made to the PX-608CU, most notably the addition of USB bus-power for both maximum convenience and true plug-and-play usability. There is generally no need for an external power supply, although the PX-608CU retail package does include an AC-adapter for systems that may not meet USB power requirements. The redesigned clamshell chassis is both portable and stylish. The PX-608CU is also RoHS compliant, satisfying the regulatory requirements of European Union markets.
The PX-608CU is expected to ship to distributors in North and South America in February 2007 for a suggested retail price of $169.00. More information can be found here. Add a comment

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Other
HDMI connections have been available on HDTV's and other consumer electronics products for a number of years. More recently, HDMI has made its way to the PC market. According to a press release sent out by HDMI Licensing, LLC, more than 50 HDMI PC products are currently available.
HDMI Licensing, LLC, theagent responsible for licensing the High-Definition MultimediaInterface(TM) (HDMI(TM)) specification, today announced the rapidpenetration of HDMI into the PC market with more than 50 HDMI PC productscurrently available, including nearly two dozen desktop and notebook PCs,families of HDMI PC monitors from major manufacturers and a broad range ofmotherboards and graphics cards with HDMI outputs.

HDMI is the de facto standard digital interface for HDTVs and high-definition (HD) consumer electronics products. HDMI is also currently theleading interface for PCs intended for HD content usage, includingconnection to HDTVs and HD video camcorders.
If you'd like to read more, HDMI Licensing, LLC's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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Home Entertainment
During the US launch of the PS3, Sony gave away 400,000 copies of 'Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby' on Blu-ray. According to GamesIndustry.biz, Sony will continue the trend for the European launch of the PS3, giving 'Casino Royale' to the first 500,000 people to register the console on the PlayStation Network.
Sony has announced that the first 500,000 consumers to register their PlayStation 3 on the PlayStation Network after the console's European launch will receive a free copy of James Bond film Casino Royale on Blu-ray.

Sony's Darren Carter, VP of brand and consumer marketing, described it as a "phenomenal incentive" for consumers to sign up to the console's online service, which allows for free online gaming as well as downloadable content through the PS3 Store.

"Casino Royale not only makes the most of the features and capabilities of the Blu-ray format, but is one of the most exciting and entertaining movies to debut on Blu-ray this year," Carter added.
As much as I like Will Ferrell, I'd take Bond over Talladega Nights any day. If you'd like to read more, the entire article can be found here. Add a comment

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Home Entertainment
While Blu-ray has the advantage over HD DVD in regards to capacity, the format has been criticized for its higher production costs. So how big is the price difference between Blu-ray and HD DVD? As Wesleytech has found out, the difference is not as big as HD DVD supporters would like you to think.
My confidential industry source revealed that one large replication company is currently charging approximately $1.15 per single layer HD DVD (15GB) and $1.30 per single layer Blu-ray Disc (25GB), assuming a quantity of 25,000. For comparison purposes, a run of 25,000 Dual Layer DVD (DVD9) discs would cost about $0.50 per disc at this same facility. DL HD DVD (30GB) was right inline with SL Blu-ray (25GB) pricing, but an exact figure was not provided. This translates to a cost of approximately $0.077 per GB on HD DVD SL media and $0.052 per GB on Blu-ray SL media.
As Wes is quick to point out, these prices don't include setup or AACS fees. This and the cost to author a title, can have a big effect on the overall price. In an case, its an interesting read. if you'd like to check it out, the entire article can be found here. Add a comment

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