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Home Entertainment

26 January 2007

It took them nearly a month, but the Advanced Access Content System (AACS) Licensing Authority has finally confirmed that hackers have acquired "title keys", allowing them to decrypt HD movies.

A consortium of movie studios and technology companies backing the encryption system for high-definition DVDs on Thursday confirmed that hackers have stolen "title keys" and used them to decrypt high-definition DVDs through flaws in DVD player software.

Both the title keys and a number of decrypted films have been posted on peer-to-peer Web sites for downloading and copying, a spokesman for the Advanced Access Content System (AACS) Licensing Authority said.

The large size of the files and the high cost of writable hi-def discs make large-scale copying of high-definition DVDs impractical, but the attacks on the new format echo the early days of illegal trafficking in music files, AACS spokesman Michael Ayers said on Thursday.

The AACS LA also confirmed that the keys were acquired from "one or more" player applications but would not say which ones. If you'd like to read more, the entire article can be found here. Add a comment

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Optical Storage

25 January 2007

Earlier this week, Plextor set the record straight, stating that they weren't getting out of the optical drive business. However, with their parent company, Shinano Kenshi Co., Ltd., scaling back its operations, many have wondered whether Plextor would continue to develop their own drives or utilize designs from other companies. According to an article at DigiTimes, Plextor has turned to Lite-On to fill at least some of their orders.

Lite-On IT has also landed PC-use DVD burner orders from Japan-based Plextor, following Plextor's plan to suspend its own PC-use DVD drive business, according to industry sources. The speculation about Lite-On IT spurred the company's share price to reach NT$29.45 on January 24, up NT$1.9 from the January 23 closing price. Some industry watchers, however, said the landed ordered amounts should be limited.

In a way, this really isn't too surprising. Plextor has used BenQ designs in the past. And, with Lite-On taking over BenQ's optical drive business, it makes sense that Plextor place orders with them. If you'd like to read more, the entire article can be found here. Add a comment

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Other

25 January 2007

By now, most of you have probably heard of muslix64. Within the last month, he has circumvented the content protection used by both HD DVD and Blu-ray, releasing a pair of utilities called BackupHDDVD and BackupBluRay. Slyck News has posted an interview with muslix64, asking a number of interesting questions about his techniques and the reason for doing it.

What motivated you to help circumvent the content protection scheme associated with HD DVD and Blu-ray?

With the HD-DVD, I wasn't able to play my movie on my non-HDCP HD monitor. Not being able to play a movie that I have paid for, because some executive in Hollywood decided I cannot, made me mad...

After the HD-DVD crack, I realized that things where "unbalanced" by having just one format cracked, so I did Blu-ray too.

The interview is definitely an interesting read. Head on over to Slyck News if you'd like to check it out. Add a comment

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Optical Storage

25 January 2007

Pioneer Europe has announced the availability of its new Blu-ray Disc combo drive, the BDC-202. With its support for Blu-ray, the BDC-202 can play back HD movies as well as read and write to most existing CD and DVD formats.

Pioneer today confirms the availability of its new 'BDC-202' Blu-ray Disc Combo Drive. With BD-ROM compatibility, the drive enables professionals and consumers to watch pristine quality high-definition (HD) movies on PCs. It also includes read support for single and dual-layer Blu-ray disc formats together with high-speed read/write compatibility with a range of DVD and CD media. With Pioneer reliability and a competitive price point, the BDC-202 meets the growing demand for a versatile HD entertainment experience complemented by practical general-purpose back-up capabilities.

Awareness of the stunning quality of HD content is growing among end-users; knowledge that's gathering steam as the increasing numbers of high-profile movie titles are published and promoted in the Blu-ray format. At the same time, unit costs of powerful graphics processors, high-specification sound cards and attractive flat-screen displays are falling and, in combination with Blu-ray drives, provide the option of offering an exceptional PC-based movie experience.

According to Pioneer's press release, the BDC-202 will be available in the second quarter of 2007 and sold directly to OEM's and system builders. Still no word on pricing. However, Pioneer claims that BDC-202 will be priced "competitive to existing next generation drives." More information, including a full list of specs, can be found here. Add a comment

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Software

24 January 2007

Roxio has announced the release of its Easy Media Creator 9 Deluxe Suite. This new version includes advanced audio and video applications, new DVD menu styles, easy disc cataloging, and Pinnacle's Dazzle video capture device.

Roxio, a division of Sonic Solutions (NASDAQ: SNIC), the leader in digital media software, today launched Roxio Easy Media Creator 9 Deluxe Suite, a comprehensive suite of music, photo, and video applications for consumer digital media enthusiasts. The upgrade includes industry-leading audio applications, new DVD menu styles, Roxio Disc Gallery, and Pinnacle's Dazzle video-capture device. Easy Media Creator 9 Deluxe Suite is available directly from Roxio at www.roxio.com as well as from leading retailers for a suggested price of $149.99.

"Roxio continues to address the evolving needs of the market by providing users with a richer set of tools for efficiently producing highly personalized and professional-looking multimedia projects in an intuitive and easy-to-use environment," said Stan Wong, general manager, Roxio division, Sonic Solutions. "Easy Media Creator 9 Deluxe Suite takes the industry-leading suite of photo, video, and music applications to new heights with its extended feature set, while also delivering tremendous value in this complete all-in-one digital media solution."

Roxio's Easy Media Creator 9 Deluxe Suite should hit stores some time in February for a suggested retail price of $149.99. More information can be found on Roxio's website. Add a comment

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Software

24 January 2007

Apparently, some of the new display methods in Nero 7.7.5.1 caused a brief virus scare. Nero has posted a message on their website, stating that there is no threat and that the warnings should not appear once you update your virus definitions.

With development of Nero 7, we used innovative methods to display pictures and videos. Some of these methods were used for the first time in version 7.7.5.1 and adapted to Windows Vista. As these methods were previously unknown to antivirus software manufacturers, this resulted in a virus warning being displayed during the installation of Nero 7.7.5.1.

Please be advised, these methods have been examined by antivirus software manufacturers and have been classified as harmless. The relevant updates of the virus definitions have been carried out. Once the antivirus software has been updated, virus warnings should no longer appear during the installation of Nero 7.7.5.1.

Now if Nero would just make it easier to disable Scout. More information can be found on Nero's website. Add a comment

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Optical Storage

23 January 2007

As we reported over the weekend, Plextor's parent company, Shinano Kenshi Co., Ltd., is going through a corporate reorganization. Due to an incorrect translation of a Japanese article, there were many concerns that Plextor would be getting out of the optical drive business. We've gotten word from Plextor LLC that this isn't the case and that "business will continue as usual."

Plextor LLC, a leading developer and manufacturer of high-performance digital media equipment, today reaffirmed its commitment to the optical disc drive business in North and South America. On January 19, 2007, Shinano Kenshi Co., Ltd., the parent company of Plextor, announced plans to perform a corporate reorganization to streamline Plextor's optical drive business to enhance operating efficiencies.

"This announcement by Shinano Kenshi will have no material affect on the operations of Plextor LLC, as we already completed a corporate reorganization in North and South America last year. Our business will continue as usual," said Toru Nakazawa, President of Plextor LLC, USA. "It is unfortunate that an incorrect translation of a Japanese article, which contained some errors, has led to the rumor that Plextor is somehow quitting the optical disc drive business. This is completely false. In fact, Plextor plans to continue to lead the market with innovative, exciting products that solve real world problems for our consumer and business customers. We deeply appreciate the loyalty of our customers and valued business partners. And we look forward to many years of future success."

Well, there you have it. The question still remains though as to whether or not Plextor will continue to develop their own drives or utilize designs from other companies. As we find out more, we'll let you know. In the mean time, Plextor's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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Optical Storage

23 January 2007

LightScribe sent out a press release today, announcing that its Direct Disc Labeling technology is ready for the launch of Windows Vista.

LightScribe announced today that its Direct Disc Labeling technology is ready for the upcoming launch of Windows Vista. Businesses and consumers purchasing the latest Microsoft operating system will not have to wait to experience the benefits of LightScribe, a no-hassle way to burn professional, silkscreen-quality labels on CDs and DVDs right in the drive.

The LightScribe development team worked closely with Microsoft to ensure that all the benefits of the LightScribe user experience are available with Windows Vista. The new LightScribe System Software also has enhanced AutoPlay functionality, providing customers with the option to easily burn LightScribe labels upon inserting a blank disc.

Vista compatible LightScribe system software has been released and can be downloaded here. More information can be found on the LightScribe website. Add a comment

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Home Entertainment

23 January 2007

According to ABI Research's latest report, The State of High Definition, universal players, like LG's Super Multi Blue Player, will become the norm and could eventually end to the battle between Blu-ray and HD DVD.

When LG Electronics launched its Super Multi Blue Player at the recent CES exhibition, it signaled an exit strategy from the "war of the high-definition DVD formats." By creating a player that will accommodate both HD-DVD and Blu-ray discs, the Korean manufacturer may have created a precedent that the rest of the industry will have to follow. A new study from ABI Research forecasts that such universal players will become the norm, not the exception, benefiting confused consumers unwilling to commit to one DVD camp or the other.

"We believe that universal players will come to dominate the high-definition DVD player market," says Steve Wilson, the firm's principal analyst of consumer electronics. Samsung is expected to release its own universal player soon, and others, including large CE vendors, may follow suit before long. ABI Research forecasts sales of 2.4 million players in 2007, rising to 55 million in 2011.

Personally, I don't see universal players as an end to the war. By supporting both formats, they will drag it out even further. If you'd like to read more, ABI Research's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment