Plasmon sent out a press release this morning, announcing that they've started shipping their new UDO-DMD drives and media to HD DVD content management and mastering solution providers.
Plasmon (LSE: PLM - News), the trusted source in data archiving, today announced that they have begun initial shipments of their new UDO-DMD (Ultra Density Optical - Digital Master Disk) drives and media to HD DVD content management and mastering solution providers for testing and integration. The UDO-DMD format is part of a technology and business alliance between Mitsubishi Kagaku Media (MKM), Memory Tech Corporation (MTC), and Plasmon to provide secure distribution and long-term storage of HD DVD content between authoring studios and disc mastering facilities.

Plasmon has passed a major milestone with the initial shipment of DMD to application providers in the high density content mastering market. Two strategic solution providers currently working with DMD are DCA - the optical industry's leading provider of world-class signal processing technology, and MTC - who together with Toshiba developed the original HD DVD technology. Both companies have already been shipped evaluation DMD drives and media for system testing and integration into their applications. First generation DMD30 (30.2GB) is designed for the distribution and archive of new HD DVD and existing DVD content. Second generation DMD60 (60GB) is scheduled to launch in mid 2007 and will also support Blu-ray.
If you'd like to read more, Plasmon's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
CyberLink has announced that their BD Solution software is being bundled with LG's X600 series desktop computers. Here's part of their press release:
CyberLink Corp. (5203.TW), a world leader in digital home solutions, announced today that Blu-ray Disc creativity and burning software suite CyberLink BD Solution is available with LG's XPION X600 series desktop computers.

CyberLink BD Solution features award-winning DVD player software PowerDVD, which provides the software player functionality for enabling the XPION X600's high-definition video playback and enjoying the advanced navigation features of Hollywood Blu-ray Discs.
If you'd like to read more, CyberLink's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
Facing pression from TSST and Hitachi-LG Data Storage, Lite-On has reportedly lowered its OEM/ODM prices for 16x DVD burners to US$27-28.
Lite-On IT, the largest Taiwan-based maker of optical disc drives (ODDs), has lowered its OEM/ODM prices for half-height (H/H) 16x DVD burners to US$27-28, but some expected orders were shifted to Toshiba Samsung Storage Technology (TSST), the company's main competitor, because TSST offered prices as low as below US$25, according to industry sources in Taiwan.
The article also mentions that the competition for OEM/ODM orders is expected to continue and that prices may drop even further. If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes. Add a comment

eVGA 7950GX2 1GB Graphics Card @ BCCHardware
ATI And NVIDIA Graphics Cards In Video Decoding Tasks @ Digit-Life
Hiyatek Contractible Laptop Cooling Pad @ ThinkComputers.org
Apack Zerotherm GX810 Videocard VGA Cooler @ Tweaknews.net
Antec Fusion Media Center Case @ HardwareZone
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The results are in and our readers have chosen the Pioneer DVR-111/A11 as the top DVD writer for the month of October. Here are the top drives:
  1. Pioneer DVR-111/A11
  2. BenQ DW1650/1655
  3. (tied) LG GSA-H10N/L/A and Plextor PX-760A/760SA
  4. LG GSA-H22N/L
Your favorite drive didn't make it onto the list? Then go and vote for October's top DVD writer. Add a comment
The battble between Blu-ray and HD DVD could be coming to an early end. According to an article at EETimes, machines capable of playing both Blu-ray and HD-DVD discs are expected to emerge some time next year.
Leading chip vendors such as Broadcom, STMicroelectronics and NEC Electronics told EE Times they are developing ICs that allow high-definition optical drives and players to comply with the two competing specifications. These suppliers appear to have specific knowledge that their potential customers—whose names they declined to disclose—will roll out universal players as early as 2007.
While its great that these companies are developing chipsets compatible with both Blu-ray and HD DVD, the biggest hurdle will be the optical units as each format stores information at a different depth. Thankfully, companies like Ricoh are already working on this problem. If you'd like to read more, EETimes' entire article can be found here. Add a comment
Thermaltake Kandalf LCS Liquid Cooled Case Review @ Tweaknews.net
HIS IceQ3 Radeon X1950 Pro Review @ The TechZone
Sony A-100 @ Digit-Life
BlueAnt Supertooth II Bluetooth Speakphone @ BlueTomorrow.com
Intel Core 2 Extreme QX6700 @ HardwareZone, Digit-Life, and TweakTown
Silverstone LC20 @ Overclockers Online
Thermaltake Mini-ITX Drive Bay PSU and 7" LCD Monitor @ VIA Arena
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InterVideo has announced the launch of their new DVD playback software, WinDVD 8. Along with support for Windows Vista, WinDVD 8 offers a number of new and expanded features including support for high-def formats like MPEG2-HD, VC1, WMV-HD and H.264 HD.
InterVideo, Inc. (NASDAQ:IVII - News) today announced WinDVD 8, the latest release of the software DVD player favored by 175 million users worldwide. WinDVD 8 takes video and audio playback to the next generation with Windows Vista(TM) compatibility. Offering an unprecedented list of new and expanded features, the new version delivers the smooth, crystal-clear video and rich surround sound users have come to expect from WinDVD.

"With the advent of the Windows Vista era, being able to use a single software solution to play all DVD/video/audio in multiple formats simplifies our customers' digital lifestyle," said Steve Ro, CEO and President of InterVideo. "People are eager to adopt next-generation technologies like H.264, VC1 or the UPnP ability in the new Windows Vista OS, and WinDVD 8 provides this path. WinDVD users worldwide can always get the most out of their current systems. Now, WinDVD 8 users can also leverage the enhanced multimedia features and capabilities of Windows Vista."
WinDVD 8 is currently available at InterVideo's web site and will be at retail outlets within the next few weeks. The Gold and Platinum versions are priced at $39.95 and $59.95 respectively. More information on both can be found here. Add a comment
Sunland International sent out a press release this morning, announcing the DIGISTOR DW-ISD081. This new slim-line drive features 8x DVD±R, 4x DVD±RW and 2.4x DVD+R DL writing speeds.
Sunland International (SLI), a leading distributor of optical and data storage products, today announced they will expand their product offering to include the new DIGISTOR Slim-line Internal DVD Writer. DIGISTOR's new drive, DW-ISD081, will offer an industry leading 24 month warranty.

Designed with the needs of notebook and server manufacturers in mind, the DW-ISD081 offers the ability to record DVD±R/RW+RDL with speeds of up to 8X as well as CD-R/RW at up to 24X. The new drive is also fully compliant with the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) Directeive 2002/95/EC of the EU.
The DW-ISD081 will begin shipping on November 10th. More information can be found here. Add a comment
NVIDIA released a new set of NVIDIA Forceware drivers today. One of the highlights of this release is the inclusion of NVIDIA's new PureVideo HD technology which provides hardware acceleration for decoding H.264, VC-1, WMV and MPEG-2 movies.
Movie lovers can now build a PC to enjoy a spectacular HD DVD or Blu-ray experience with the release of new NVIDIA Forceware drivers featuring NVIDIA PureVideo HD technology. PureVideo HD technology combines high-definition video decode acceleration and post-processing to deliver extraordinary picture clarity, smooth video, brilliant color, and precise image scaling for high definition movies. The drivers are available now from NVIDIA.com.

"This is a milestone in PC entertainment," said Scott Vouri, general manager of multimedia at NVIDIA. "NVIDIA is proud to be the first graphics processing company in the world to make it possible for consumers to build or upgrade a PC to play HD DVD and Blu-ray movies."
Keep in mind that you will need an HDCP compliant video card and monitor if you plan to play HD DVD and Blu-ray movies at high resolutions. More information on PureVideo HD can be found on NVIDIA's website. Add a comment