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Optical Storage

03 July 2006

BenQ Europe has announced the release of their new Blu-ray writer, the BW1000. Incorporating three types of lasers, the BW1000 can write to CD, DVD and Blu-ray media. Interestingly enough, it also sports three LED's so that you know what media you're working with.

BenQ today announces the next generation optical writer, the BenQ BW1000 trio writer. The BenQ BW1000 incorporates three types of lasers to support multiple media formats - The current red laser disc, infra-red laser and the new blue laser disc Blu-Ray. Together with other features, such as precision Tilt Control System, SolidBurn and Write Right technology, this high-capacity optical drive device with Blu-Ray technology encompasses all the right applications for a greater read/ write capability with Blu-Ray discs and compatibility with both DVD and CD.

The BW1000 is expected to ship in August for a suggested retail price of € 799,00. If you'd like to read more, BenQ's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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Optical Storage

03 July 2006

LG recently unveiled their latest "Super-Multi" drive, the GSA-H30N. Along with support for Serial ATA, the drive features 16x DVD±R, 8x DVD±R DL and 12x DVD-RAM writing speeds. Here are some of the GSA-H30N's specs:

Writing Speeds: DVD+R: 2.4x, 4x, 8x, 12x, 16x DVD+RW: 2.4x, 4x, 6x, 8x DVD+R DL: 2.4x, 4x, 6x, 8x DVD-R: 2x, 4x, 8x, 16x DVD-RW: 1x, 2x, 4x ,6x DVD-R DL: 4x, 8x DVD-RAM: 2x, 3x, 5x, 12x CD-R: 16x, 24x, 32x, 40x, 48x CD-RW: 4x, 10x, 16x, 24x, 32x Buffer Size: 2MB

Read Speeds: DVD-ROM: 16x Max DVD±R: 16x Max DVD±RW: 12x Max DVD±R DL: 12x Max CD-ROM: 48x Max Access Times: CD-ROM: 120ms DVD-ROM: 140ms DVD-RAM: 250ms

No word on price or availability yet. As we find out more we'll let you know. Until then, more information can be found here. Add a comment

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Optical Storage

03 July 2006

Verbatim Australia has announced their new Mini DVD+R Double Layer media. Measuring only 8cm in diameter, these discs can hold up to 2.6 GB of data or 55 minutes worth of DVD quality video.

Verbatim, a pioneer in developing advanced DVD and Double Layer technologies, today announced their new Mini DVD+R Double-Layer (DL) disc. Measuring only 8cm in diameter, the new discs provide nearly one hour of continuous video capture time on a single side or 2.6 GB of storage capacity- almost twice the capacity of current mini DVDR discs. Five-packs of Verbatim Mini DVD+R DL media will be available in July 2006, when the first new Mini +R DL-compatible camcorders are launched. The media can also be recorded with drives supporting the +R DL format.

Verbatim's Mini DVD+R DL media is shipping in 5 pack jewel cases and will hit store shelves later this month. More information can be found here. Add a comment

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Optical Storage

03 July 2006

DigiTimes has reported that CMC Magnetics, Ritek, Prodisc and Optodisc are having problems raising funds and have requested extensions for loan payments.

CMC and Ritek each applied for floating ECBs (euro convertible bonds) worth US$200 million, while Prodisc and Optodisc applied for the issuing of new shares to raise additional capital of NT$2.0 billion and NT$1.0 billion, respectively, from target investors, the sources indicated. Except for NT$1.0 billion that Prodisc has raised, all the other fundraising have been stalled due mainly to strict government reviews of the applications, the sources pointed out.

The article also mentions that the shortage of funds may have a negative impact on the R&D of next-generation blue-laser discs. If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes. Add a comment

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Other

30 June 2006

Just a reminder that CDRLabs is offering an ad-free subscription-based service. For a low monthly or yearly fee, CDRLabs.com can be viewed without any ads. This subscription service also gives members access to a special "members only" section of the forum and benefits like a larger attachment quota. This is great for all of you that like to upload writing quality scans.

As part of your subscription, you will also get a vanity CDRLabs email address. Powered by Google, this email account comes with a whopping 2GB quota.

As our introductory price, we will be offering the following subscription options:

$1/month subscriptions, with the option of auto-renewing

$10/year subscriptions, with the option of auto-renewing

For instructions on how to subscribe, please see this forum thread. Add a comment

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Other

30 June 2006

The guys at CD Freaks have taken a look at ASUS's new 16x DVD±RW, the DRW-1608P3. Here's what they had to say about this Pioneer DVR-111 based drive:

Following our extensive tests we found that this drive is a very good Multi DVD burner. The ASUS DRW-1608P3S is called "Multi DVD Burner" since it supports recording on all available media formats including CD-R/RW, DVD±R/±RW, DVD±R Double/Dual Layer, and DVD-RAM. It is able to read and write DVD-RAM using a fast 5x CLV method.

We too have a review of the DRW-1608P3 in the works. In the mean time, head on over to CD Freaks and check out their review. Add a comment

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Software

29 June 2006

Nero has announced a new summer promotion. Those that buy Nero 7 Premium will get the "MP3 Power Pack" for free.

Nero, leaders in digital media technology, announces that its powerful Nero 7 Premium software suite will be sold with the "MP3 Power Pack" during a summer special.

In addition to quickly ripping music tracks into the standard MP3 format without any difficulty, this module also allows users to convert music files in the high fidelity and compressed mp3PRO format. The summer promotion version of Nero 7 Premium will be available at retail stores and online under www.nero.com by the end of June 2006.

With the "MP3 Power Pack", Nero owners will be able to do unlimited MP3 and mp3PRO encoding/decoding. More information can be found on Nero's website. Add a comment

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Home Entertainment

28 June 2006

According to an article at IGN, Sony's Playstation 3 console will support HDMI 1.3. Recently finalized, the new 1.3 spec features 48-Bit color and "lip sync support" which will automatically synchronizes audio and video tracks.

The new 1.3 spec HDMI standard will be incorporated in the PlayStation 3. Ken Kutaragi, president and group CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment, applauded the 1.3 spec finalization, saying "PlayStation3 will be the most advanced computer platform for enjoying a wide range of entertainment content, including the latest games and HD movies, in the home. By introducing the next-generation HDMI 1.3 technology, with its high speed and deep color capabilities, PS3 will push the boundaries of audiovisual quality to the next level of more natural and smoother expression on the latest large flat panel displays."

Assuming game developers choose to take advantage of 36- and 48-Bit color, the ability to output such a broader color spectrum could give the PS3 a solid technologic advantage over the Xbox 360, which will not be able to transmit such signals over component cables. If the promised, but still not officially announced, Xbox 360 DVI wire comes out, it too will not have the bandwidth to carry the high-Bit color that HDMI 1.3 supports.

If you'd like to read more, the entire article can be found here. Add a comment

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Other

28 June 2006

According to an article at IGN, Sony's Playstation 3 console will support HDMI 1.3. Recently finalized, the new 1.3 spec features 48-Bit color and "lip sync support" which will automatically synchronizes audio and video tracks.

The new 1.3 spec HDMI standard will be incorporated in the PlayStation 3. Ken Kutaragi, president and group CEO of Sony Computer Entertainment, applauded the 1.3 spec finalization, saying "PlayStation3 will be the most advanced computer platform for enjoying a wide range of entertainment content, including the latest games and HD movies, in the home. By introducing the next-generation HDMI 1.3 technology, with its high speed and deep color capabilities, PS3 will push the boundaries of audiovisual quality to the next level of more natural and smoother expression on the latest large flat panel displays."

Assuming game developers choose to take advantage of 36- and 48-Bit color, the ability to output such a broader color spectrum could give the PS3 a solid technologic advantage over the Xbox 360, which will not be able to transmit such signals over component cables. If the promised, but still not officially announced, Xbox 360 DVI wire comes out, it too will not have the bandwidth to carry the high-Bit color that HDMI 1.3 supports.

If you'd like to read more, the entire article can be found here. Add a comment