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Sony's forthcoming 20GB version of the PlayStation 3 video game console will feature an HDMI 1.3 output, the company announced Friday at the Tokyo Game Show.Sony also announced that they have dropped the price of the 20GB PS3 in Japan to 49,980 yen ($426), including tax. Unfortunately, it will still cost $499 in the US. More information can be found here. Add a comment
The port, which had been previously announced as standard on the stepped-up 60GB model, allows games to be played in full high-definition video and audio.
The company said its decision was made in part by the "sharp increase" in flat-panel televisions now sold with high-definition multimedia interface ports, or HDMI.
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Basically at the end of the day, this drive met my expectations. It seems that lately there really haven't been many exciting new technologies when it comes to DVD/CD Burners, and when I started this drive I was pretty sure there wasn't going to be anything that jumped out and surprised me. It really makes giving this drive a final score tough, I couldn't give it a perfect score just since it really didn't blow me away or anything, however it has very solid numbers and therefore scored quite high in the end.If you'd like to read more, head on over to BCCHardware and check out their review. Want a second opinion? Our review of the GSA-H10N can be found here. Add a comment
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The basic Xbox 360 doesn't come with high-definition DVD capability. The new Microsoft peripheral, to be launched in Japan on Nov. 17, is based on the HD DVD standard, a rival technology to the Blu-ray format Sony is using for the HD player built into its anxiously awaited upgrade to the PlayStation line.Microsoft also announced that they will be releasing a software update later this year, that will enable full 1080p output. Without an HDMI interface though, it is unclear whether it will be able to play HD DVD movies at this resolution. If you'd like to read more, the entire article can be found here. Add a comment
The attachment will cost 19,800 yen ($170) in Japan, bringing the combined cost of the basic Xbox 360 and the HD-DVD player to 49,600 yen ($420) -- compared to 59,800 ($510) for the basic PlayStation 3 in Japan. The higher-end Xbox plus the HD-DVD player will cost 57,700 yen ($490). Sony has left it up to retailers to set the price for its higher-end PlayStation 3.
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Interestingly enough, Panasonic's new recorders can also down convert HD content so that it will fit on a normal DVD. The DMR-BW200 and DMR-BR100 are expected to hit stores in Japan on November 15th for about $2550 and $2050 respectively. More information can be found here. Add a comment
The new models support single-layer 25 GB and dual-layer 50 GB BD discs (BD-RE and BD-R). Users can record up to six hours of high-definition programs on a 50 GB BD disc.(1) In addition, the DMR-BW200 and DMR-BR100 come with a built-in HDD with a huge capacity, 500 GB and 200 GB, respectively.
The DMR-BW200 is equipped with a total of seven TV tuners including two tuners each for terrestrial, BS and 110-degree CS digital broadcasts and one analogue TV tuner. That enables users to record two digital TV programs simultaneously on the HDD. Users can also record one program on the HDD while recording one on a BD-RE disc.
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The total 18x DVD writing times are very good and the quality ok on this Samsung SH-S182D.We too have a review of the SH-S182D in the works. In the mean time, head on over to CD Freaks and check out their review. Add a comment
The CD-R write quality is excellent with the Samsung SH-S182D, with most tested CD-R media returning impressive results. Write performance was also impressive with many burns well under 3 minutes.
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In this review we'll take a look at some of the features found on the DRW-1608P3S and see how it compares to some of the 16x DVD±RW drives from the competition. Does ASUS's drive have what it takes? You'll have to read the review to find out.
As usual, if you have any comments or questions about this review or the ASUS DRW-1608P3S, please post them in the forum by clicking the link below.
ASUS DRW-1608P3S 16x DVD±RW/RAM
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The internal DRU-830A drive is shipping now for about $70 after a $20 mail-in rebate. The DRX-830U and DRX-S50U are both expected to ship in October for $100 (after $30 rebate) and $130 respectively. Last but not least, the DRX-830UL-T will ship in December for $130 (after $30 rebate). More information, including a list of specs, can be found here. Add a comment
Based on Sony's 12th generation of optical storage technology innovation, the new 830 series of multi-format DVD burners support all of the industry's leading recording formats in just one drive. Enabling the industry's fastest 18X DVD±R recording speed, the 830 burners deliver a full 4.7 GB of video, data, music or images on standard 16X DVD+R media in about five minutes.
The internal DRU-830A drive and external DRX-830U burner come bundled with the new Nero 7 software suite, a feature-rich package for burning, authoring and editing home movies, creating digital scrapbooks and backing up critical data. The external DRX-830UL-T drive is designed for dual Macintosh and Windows platform support. It also includes Roxio Toast 6 Lite software in the box.
For those looking for a space-saving burner to complement their notebook or desktop PCs, Sony's DRX-S50U drive offers all the advantages of a high-speed DVD/CD burner in a slim external design. This drive also comes with the Nero 7 software suite, including DVD authoring, video editing, photo retouch and disc label creation.
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The PX-608U is expected to ship to distributors in North and South America on September 25 with a suggested retail price of $199.99. More information can be found here. Add a comment
Plextor LLC, a leading developer and manufacturer of high-performance digital media equipment, today announced the availability of the PX-608U ultra-portable DVD+/-R/RW CD-R/RW multi-drive. The smallest CD/DVD drive ever to be released by Plextor, the PX-608U measures just 5.43 inches x 6.38 inches x 0.87 inches and weighs less than one pound. The drive is designed for traveling laptop computer users, who can use it as a lightweight, high-capacity, removable storage device.
The PX-608U supports 5X DVD-RAM functionality for removable data storage applications. Unlike other optical media formats, special burning software is not required to write DVD-RAM media on a personal computer. A user simply inserts a blank DVD-RAM disc and the system automatically formats the disc and assigns a drive letter. Users can drag-and-drop files, use the "save as" command, and remove the disc, which can then be read in any PC or desktop player with a drive that supports the DVD-RAM format. The DVD-RAM format offers up to 9.4 GB per double-sided disc.
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Warner's plan is to create a disc with a Blu-ray top layer that works like a two-way mirror. This should reflect just enough blue light for a Blu-ray player to read it okay. But it should also let enough light through for HD-DVD players to ignore the Blu-ray recording and find a second HD-DVD layer beneath.If you'd like to read more, the entire article can be found here. Add a comment
An ordinary DVD recording could be put on the other side, so that conventional DVD players can read the disc as well.
Although the triple-standard disc will cost more to make, it should still be cheaper than pressing three, and shops should be pleased not to have their shelves overloaded with so many different discs.
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If you'd like to read more, Traxdata's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
Traxdata has today announced the launch of its HD DVD-R media, the eagerly awaited successor to the current DVD. This is the only HD DVD-R that is available to buy online and in-stores today, heralding the start of a new era in optical storage media. It is set to revolutionize the quality and volume of data that users can store on one disc.
For the first time, consumers with HD DVD players/recorders will be able to record and watch their favourite movies, programmes or sporting events that are broadcast in HD, providing improved clarity, image sharpness, colours and sound, opening the door to an exciting new world of entertainment. The HD DVD provides three times the amount of digital storage than a standard single layer DVD, offering a massive 15GB to enable users to literally store hundreds of the highest quality photos, music, videos or data.
