Lite-On Europe has announced that they will be launching a LightScribe enabled version of their 18x 'Super AllWrite' drive, the LH-18A1P. Along with support for the latest version of LightScribe, the LH-18A1H features 18x DVD±R, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, 8x DVD±R DL and 12x DVD-RAM writing speeds.

Besides the previously announced LH-18A1P, Lite-On IT has announced it will also launch a LightScribe version of this 18x drive, the LH-18A1H. The LH-18A1H is expected to be available from November 2006.

With the release of the LH-18A1H, Lite-On IT continues to increase its DVD burning speeds from 16x to 18x. With the addition of LightScribe the LH-18A1H offers a lot of versatile options to appeal to the most creative users. The drive writes DVD+R and DVD-R at 18X, thanks to SmartWrite technology. Double and Dual layer discs can be written at 8X. Besides DVD±R(W) compatibility, this drive also incorporates Super AllWrite technology and therefore rewrites DVD-RAM discs at 12X.
The LH-18A1H also support's Lite-On's new WriteSmart technology. Similar to HyperTuning and SolidBurn, WriteSmart automatically detects and decides the optimal write strategy for DVD±R media. More information can be found on Lite-On's website. Add a comment

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A few weeks ago, we reported that Imation had filed a declaratory judgment action against Philips, asking the court to reaffirm a cross-licensing agreement between two companies. Apparently, Moser Baer India (MBI) is getting pulled into this mess. As one of Imations suppliers, Philips has placed a "notice of default" under the company's patent license agreement (search for Moser Baer). In response, MBI has filed their own suit against Philips, asking that these notices be declared null and void.
The Company has received Notices from Philips in relation to certain of their patents license agreements for CD and DVD recordable and rewritable formats entered into between the Company and Philips. The Company is challenging these notices as they substantively relate to Philips contract with Imation Corporation (Imation) under which the Company supplies optical media to Imation and its subsidiaries. Imation has filed a Declaratory Judgment Action at the Federal District Court in St. Paul, Minnesota, USA against Philips, U.S. Philips Corporation, and North American Philips Corporation. The Imation complaint seeks a Declaratory Judgment asking the court to reaffirm its cross license with Phillips.
Philips is definitely playing hardball with their new licensing schemes. With a number of other companies facing patent renewels, we'll probably be seeing more lawsuits in the near future. Thanks to RJW and Digital Dolphin for providing this news. Add a comment
Broadcom has announced the industry's first complete system-on-a-chip (SoC) solution for Blu-ray Disc and HD-DVD. The BCM7440 incorporates the decoding, processing and memory functions for both formats, eliminating the need for two different hardware platforms.
Broadcom Corporation (Nasdaq: BRCM), a global leader in semiconductors for wired and wireless communications, today announced the industry's first complete system-on-a-chip (SoC) solution that combines both Blu-ray and HD DVD optical disc formats into a highly integrated, single-chip design. Building upon its successful first-generation Blu-ray/HD DVD SoC solution, Broadcom has developed a next-generation universal player SoC that not only significantly surpasses current chip technology in integration and performance, but will further the advancement of high definition media players. The new Broadcom SoC has an advanced feature set, coupled with a software stack that is compliant with both Blu-ray and HD DVD specifications, providing OEMs with a complete platform for future generation media players that support both disc formats, as well as other home entertainment and network applications.
I wouldn't hold my breath, hoping for a hybrid Blu-ray/HD DVD player. However, solutions like this should help reduce the costs of single format players. If you'd like to read more, Broadcom's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
Who says piracy doesn't pay? According to DigiTimes, media manufacturers are seeing an increased demand for DVD+R/-R DL discs. This increase is due in part to a hack for the Xbox 360 which allows for the playback of pirated games.
Sources at Taiwan optical disc makers makers indicated demand has been warming up for DVD+R/-R DL (single-sided double-layer) discs recently, following the increased availability of a modding hack that allows for the playing of pirated games on Xbox 360 consoles.

According to various media reports, the hacked games need to be burned onto a dual-layer DVD using a special process before they can be played.
The article also mentions that global shipments of DVD+R/-R DL discs are expected to reach 100 million in 2006 and should double in 2007. If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes. Add a comment

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I-O DATA Japan has announced a new series of drives based on Sony NEC Optiarc's 18x "Super-Multi" drive, the AD-7170A. Along with 18x DVD±R and 12x DVD-RAM writing speeds, these internal and external drives are confirmed to work with Windows Vista. Here are some of the specs:



Writing Speeds:
DVD±R: 18x
DVD±R DL: 8x
DVD+RW: 8x
DVD+R DL: 8x
DVD-RW: 6x
DVD-RAM: 12x
CD-R: 48x
CD-RW: 32x

Read Speeds:
DVD-ROM (Single): 16x Max
DVD-ROM (Dual): 12x Max
DVD±R: 16x Max
DVD±RW: 13x Max
DVD±R DL: 12x Max
DVD-RAM: 12X Max
CD-R/ROM: 48x Max
CD-RW: 40x Max

The internal DVR-AN18GS and external DVR-UN18GS should hit store shelves in late November for ¥8,348 ($71US) and ¥12,075 ($102US) respectively. More information can be found here and here. Add a comment
The European Union's antidumping tariff will finally be coming to an end next year. DigiTimes has reported that this will benefit many of Taiwan's manufacturers as they will have an easier time marketing their CD-R discs in Europe.
The European Union (EU) in March of 2002 decided to impose a five-year 37% antidumping duty on blank CD-R discs exported by leading Taiwanese makers, including CMC Magnetics, Ritek and Prodisc Technology, and the expiration of the punitive tax in early 2007 is expected to help Taiwanese makers market CD-R discs in Europe, according to Taiwan industry sources.

However, the expected benefit for CMC and Ritek should be less significant than for second-tier or smaller makers in Taiwan, since the two makers have been shifting part of their CD-R manufacturing to production of blank discs for DVD+R/-R and other DVD formats, the sources pointed out.
The article also points out that manufacturers will need to sign up for Philips' Veeza licensing system. If they don't, their products will be banned from the European market. If you'd like to read more, the entire article can be found here. Add a comment
While Sony NEC Optiarc has only recently begun shipments of optical disc drives, the company expects to become the world's largest supplier by the end of 2007.
Sony NEC Optiarc, a joint venture between Sony (55% stake) and NEC (45% stake), has begun shipments of optical disc drives (ODDs) for use in IT products and game consoles as well as audio/video optical disc devices, and expects to become the world's largest supplier for such products by the end of 2007, according to the Kyotaro Imamura, general manager of the Computer Peripherals & Optical Media Devices Division of Sony Taiwan.

Sony NEC Optiarc, which began operations in April of this year, can offer total solutions which include Sony's optical pick-up heads and NEC's DSP (digital signal processor) chipsets as well as economical OEM/ODM production by Taiwan-based partners, Imamura pointed out. In addition, Sony and NEC are each leading names in IT, audio/video consumer electronics and game console products, Imamura said.
If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes. Add a comment

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