The Japanese company, Buffalo, has announced what they call the world's first HD DVD-ROM drive for the PC. Based on the Toshiba SD-H802A, the HDV-ROM2.4FB can read HD DVD-ROM and HD DVD-R discs at 2.4x and is backwards compatible with most DVD and CD media. Here's part of their press release, translated from Japanese:

"HDV-ROM2.4FB" 30GB (HD DVD-ROM) is the HD DVD drive for PC which corresponds to the playback of the next generation optical disk "HD DVD" which actualizes bulk at single sided 2 layer in place of DVD which presently has spread. Adopting TOSHIBA corporation make HD DVD drive "SD-H802A" to drive. HD DVD-ROM of HD DVD Disc (it reads and private 1 layer /2 layer), HD DVD-R ([raitowansu] and 1 layer) corresponds to lead/read 2 type. Respectively, it corresponds to reading 2.4 time speed, * 2. DVD (DVD±R, RW and ±R2 layer, DVD-ROM)/it corresponds to the playback of CD-R, RW and ROM other than HD DVD. It can correspond HD DVD of the next generation at 1 units without also the DVD/CD contents which already you have of course making wasteful.
The HDV-ROM2.4FB comes with CyberLink PowerDVD HD DVD Edition and is expected to hit store shelves at the end of December for 37,000 Yen ($322US). More information can be found here. Add a comment
Sonic has announced the latest version of their DVDit authoring software. DVDit Pro HD offers a number of new features, including support for the Blu-ray Disc format.
Sonic Solutions (NASDAQ: SNIC), the leader in digital media software, today released DVDit Pro HD, the latest version of the company's pioneering DVD authoring solution, which now makes it possible for video professionals and enthusiasts to create high-definition Blu-ray Disc (BD) movies on their PC for the first time. Based on the same technology used in the development of Hollywood titles, DVDit Pro HD enables users to produce rich Blu-ray Disc titles with stunning HD menus that truly showcase and complement the breathtaking realism of high-definition video content and burn them to Blu-ray recordable discs for playback in Blu-ray players. Roxio DVDit Pro HD is available today at www.roxio.com for $599.99.
While Roxio lists the price at $599.99, DVDit Pro HD can is currently on sale for $499.99. If you'd like to read more, Roxio's press release can be found here. Add a comment
A few months ago we reported that counterfeit BenQ and Plextor DVD burners were found on the Chinese market. Sony doesn't seem to be immune to counterfeiting either. According to DigiTimes, counterfeit versions of the Sony DW-G120A were recently found in Beijing.
Counterfeit versions of Sony's DW-G120A, a 16x Super Multi DVD burner, have been found in Beijing, according to industry sources in Taiwan. In response, Sony Taiwan indicated that no such knockoffs of Sony DVD burners have been found in the Taiwan market.

LiFU is the China sales agent for Sony optical storage product lines, the sources indicated. Samsung, BenQ and Asus, the top three brands for DVD burners in the China market, are concerned about the news, the sources pointed out.
It's unlikely that these counterfeit drives will show up in the US. However, keep it in mind in case that DVD burner on eBay seems to be too good of a deal. If you'd like to read more, the entire article can be found here. Add a comment

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The Abcron Corporation sent out a press release this morning, announcing their new PlayO brand 8x DVD+R DL media. Available with or without a printable surface, these new discs can hold 8.5GB of data or four hours of DVD-quality video.
Abcron Corporation today announced two new additions to its comprehensive line of optical media products; the PlayO 8X Double Layer DVD +R and the PlayO 8X Printable Double Layer DVD +R.

Recording at 8X speed, these new large 8.5 GB storage capacity discs enable data to be recorded or read on one layer without affecting the other layer in order to enable long-time music streaming potential. These discs are ideal for users who record extra-long movies since they do not require users to compress or delete scenes and extras, and they record twice as fast as typical 4X discs. The PlayO 8X double layer discs store up to four hours of DVD-quality video, 16 hours of VHS-quality video, or over 120 hours of MP3 audio.

Additionally the PlayO 8X Printable Double Layer DVD + R includes a printable feature that enables users to print vibrant, full color images directly onto the complete surface of the discs. These discs are compatible with a wide range of leading inkjet printers.
PlayO brand 8x DVD+R DL media is available now in packs of 10. More information, including prices, can be found on Abcron's website. Add a comment

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A German court recently declared that the DVD media manfacturer, Optical Disc Service (ODS), was infringing upon certain patents licensed in the MPEG-2 Patent Portfolio License. According to the suit, ODS was manufacturing DVD-Videos without licensing the required patents.
District Court in Germany (Landgericht Dusseldorf) today announced verdicts finding that German DVD disc manufacturer Optical Disc Service ("ODS") has infringed certain patents licensed in the MPEG-2 Patent Portfolio License offered by MPEG LA as a result of ODS's manufacture of DVD discs. The verdict of infringement as a result of DVD disc manufacturing issued in eight of nine cases brought by six patent holders who are Licensors to MPEG LA's MPEG-2 Patent Portfolio License. See http://www.mpegla.com/news/n_05-08-02PR.pdf. The patent holders alleged that using the MPEG-2 Standard in recording video onto DVD discs constituted acts of infringement. The MPEG-2 Standard is the core technology underlying the efficient creation, transmission, storage and display of digitized moving images and sound tracks on which DVD and other digital technologies are based; and the DVD-Video Standard (DVD Specifications for Read-Only Disc, Part 3: VIDEO SPECIFICATIONS) requires DVD Video discs to contain information formatted in accordance with the MPEG-2 Standard.
ODS has been ordered by the court to stop its current DVD production and pay damages to the patent owners. If you'd like to read more, MPEG LA's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
Originally scheduled to ship in June, Sony has repeatedly delayed the launch of its first Blu-ray Disc player, the BDP-S1. Sony has announced that the BDP-S1 has (finally) started to ship and should hit stores in time for the holidays.
Sony announced today that its first dedicated Blu-ray Disc player, the BDP-S1 model, has begun shipping to major consumer electronics retailers and specialty dealers nationwide.

This next-generation device, which is capable of playing both high-definition Blu-ray Disc (BD) prerecorded titles as well as traditional DVDs, adds an exclamation point to Sony's full HD 1080 line of products, which ranges from BRAVIA flat-panel LCD and Grand WEGA SXRD rear-projection televisions to the new PlayStation 3 game console, Blu-ray Disc enabled VAIO computers, PC drives and recordable BD media.

"I'm thrilled that it's here just in time for the holidays," said Randy Waynick, senior vice president of marketing for Sony Electronics' Home Products Division. "Combining a Sony 1080p HDTV set and our new BD player with an HDMI-enabled A/V receiver and surround sound speakers provides the epitome of the high-definition lifestyle."
Let's hope that the BDP-S1 was worth the wait. If you'd like to read more, Sony's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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China Daily has reported that many Chinese manufacturers plan to stop making DVD players in 2008. Instead, they will manufacture players based on the country's home-grown standard, EVD.
Nearly 20 leading Chinese manufacturers will stop making DVD players from 2008, replacing them with EVD (Enhanced Versatile Disc) players, the next-generation players based on a Chinese home-grown standard.

The companies involved, including Shinco, Amoi, Hisense and TCL, will make a joint announcement of the ban next Wednesday, said Zhang Baoquan, chairman of Antaeus Group and secretary-general of the EVD Industry Alliance, which is dedicated to promoting the EVD standard.

Ending production of DVD players and pumping up EVD production will help the new standard succeed in the marketplace, Zhang said.
So why not Blu-ray or HD DVD? The biggest reason is licensing fees. By using EVD, manufacturers won't have to pay them. If you'd like to read more, the entire article can be found here. Add a comment