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- Home Entertainment
Bringing further heat to the burgeoning HD DVD format, Universal Studios Home Entertainment (USHE) will release more than 100 new film and television titles in 2007. Perennial favorites such Scarface and instant classics like 40-Year-Old Virgin, Battlestar Galactica S1 and Oscar-winning Brokeback Mountain will be joined by dozens of new titles released day and date with the DVD.If you'd like to read more, Universal's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
Since the format's inception in April 2006, USHE has released 60 titles on HD DVD, and currently boasts four of the top 10 best-selling HD DVDs year-to-date, including Casino, Serenity, Fearless and Miami Vice.
Tapping into the studio's vast library, the 2007 slate kicked off on January 18th with the release of The Mummy Returns, followed by Brokeback Mountain starring Heath Ledger and Jake Gyllenhaal on January 23, 2007. Following shortly thereafter will be such day-and-date new releases as Golden Globe-nominee Hollywoodland on February 6. More than 90 percent of the planned 2007 Universal titles will be released as combo discs -- which feature an HD DVD version and a standard DVD version of the movie on the same disc.
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- Software
DivX, Inc. (NASDAQ:DIVX) today announced that Pinnacle Studio Plus 10.7 has achieved DivX Software Certification. Users of Pinnacle Studio Plus will be able to output their video into the DivX format, and thereby ensure interoperability with the over 50 million DivX Certified consumer electronics devices from major manufacturers on the global market today.If you'd like to read more, DivX's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
Pinnacle Studio Plus is a powerful yet easy-to-use software video editor that enables users to create polished, high quality movies in a variety of formats, including DivX. DivX is among the world's most popular video technologies with over 200 million DivX software downloads. Video in the DivX format can be easily uploaded without transcoding to popular internet sites such as DivX Stage6 and Photobucket.
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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.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
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.
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- Optical Storage
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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What motivated you to help circumvent the content protection scheme associated with HD DVD and Blu-ray?The interview is definitely an interesting read. Head on over to Slyck News if you'd like to check it out. Add a comment
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.
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- Optical Storage
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.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
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.
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- Software
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'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
"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."
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- Software
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.Now if Nero would just make it easier to disable Scout. More information can be found on Nero's website. Add a comment
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.
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- Optical Storage
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.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
"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."
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- Optical Storage
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.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
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.
