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Optical Storage

11 May 2006

Plextor Europe has officially announced the Serial ATA version of the PX-760A, the PX-760SA. The company also announced the launch of their new 52/32/52 CD-RW, the PlexWriter Premium2.

Following on from the recent successful launch of Plextor's PX-760A ATAPI/IDE DVD-RW drive into the market, the company today announces the Serial-ATA version - PX-760SA. This 18x drive is the World's fastest Serial-ATA DVD-ReWriter on the market, capable of 18x DVD+R and 10x DVD+R DL speeds, and is designed to take advantage of the latest motherboard connections within modern PCs.

Separately, Plextor is also launching the next model in its Premium range - PlexWriter Premium2. This fast drive not only offers 52x read/write and 32x re-writing speeds, but also includes a large 8MB buffer which is useful when multi-tasking to ensure there is no data interruption

The PX-760SA and PlexWriter Premium2 will ship in June. More information on both drives can be found here. Add a comment

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Optical Storage

11 May 2006

BenQ Japan sent out a press release earlier today, announcing their new "Super-Multi" drive, the DW1670. Here's part of their press release, translated from Japanese:

BenQ Japan Ltd. will put "BenQ DW1670" that becomes a new model of the storage product on the market in the middle of May. "BenQ DW1670" is made by the Philips BenQ Digital Storage company that is a joint enterprise of BenQ and the Philips Co.. That can correspond also to DVD-RAM Valuable data can be recorded in DVD and CD without reserve as the kind of the media format doesn't worry in record type DVD drive corresponding to the CD/DVD all formats. DVD±R The record speed of DVD±R DL media was improved besides a high-speed record of 16 X speed or less was achieved at 88.64Mbit or less/second (eight X speed). Moreover, BenQ original air cooling function【Dual Cooling System(DCS)】 high-speed to record, and to emanate heat that reads and generates high speed in Toki is installed, generation of heat in the drive is suppressed to effective, and deterioration in the record quality can be prevented.

While the bulk, or OEM, version of the drive will hit store shelves on May 12th, the retail version won't ship until June. More information, including a list of specs, can be found here. Add a comment

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Optical Storage

11 May 2006

According to an article at DigiTimes, CMC has begun shipping single-layer 15GB HD DVD-R discs and is planning to produce dual-layer 30GB media in the 3Q of this year.

Already having started production of HD DVD-R discs in May, CMC Magnetics stated it is preparing for volume production of 30GB single-sided dual-layer HD DVD-R discs in the third quarter, according to the company.

The company is already volume shipping single-sided single-layer 15GB HD DVD-R discs, and CMC plans to volume ship the 30GB discs in the third quarter, according to the company.

If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes. Add a comment

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Other

10 May 2006

The guys at CD Freaks have put together a review of Lite-On's LightScribe capable "Super AllWrite" drive, the SHM-165H6s. Here's what they had to say about it:

Lite-Ons offering with the SHM-165H6S performs with good to excellent write quality on just about every media type tested with a few exceptions. The drives support for DVD-RAM and LightScribe Direct to Disc Labeling technology truly makes this drive a ‘Super AllWrite Drive'.

If you'd like to read more, head on over to CD Freaks and check out their review. Want a second opinion? Our review of the SHM-165H6S can be found here. Add a comment

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Optical Storage

10 May 2006

Imation has announced that they've started shipping printable CD and DVD media with their new AquaGuard technology. With AquaGuard, images and text are permanently locked into the disc's surface, making them resistent to both water and smudging.

Print images with lasting impact on the new Inkjet Printable CDs and DVDs with AquaGuard(TM) surface from Imation Corp (NYSE: IMN) -- available in mid-May through Imation authorized distributors. Thanks to the first-of-its kind AquaGuard nanoparticle technology, the new discs feature a whiter, brighter surface that provides a better canvas on which to print vibrant, lasting impressions. Printed images and text are also permanently locked into the disc's surface -- even when handled immediately after printing or when exposed to water.

Inkjet disc printing -- as part of the fast-growing printable media market -- is an efficient and cost-effective solution for duplicators who create CDs or DVDs, and the businesses or consumers they serve. Imation's Inkjet Printable Media with AquaGuard surface, the world's first water-resistant and smudge-resistant inkjet printable media, alleviates traditional concerns about the appearance and smudging of inkjet disc printing compared to more expensive thermal disc printing. A white paper about AquaGuard technology is available at http://www.imation.com/aquaguard.

Imation's Inkjet Printable Media with AquaGuard surface will hit store shelves in mid-May. More information, including pricing, can be found here . Add a comment

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Optical Storage

10 May 2006

Memorex has announced that they've added 16x DVD+R discs to their line of LightScribe media. These new discs also support LightScribe 1.2 technology, allowing for faster label creation speeds.

Memorex, the leading brand of optical media at U.S. retail and a division of Imation Corp. (NYSE: IMN), expands its LightScribe recordable media offerings to include the newest and fastest LightScribe technology. New Memorex 16X DVD+R LightScribe media allows for stunning, laser-etched designs right on the disc surface, giving consumers a no-hassle way to burn silkscreen-quality disc prints. Featuring LightScribe Media Version 1.2 technology, the new discs produce disc designs even faster than the previous version.

With Memorex LightScribe media and a LightScribe-enabled computer drive, consumers can create custom labels using photos, graphics and text, and then inscribe the designs directly onto the specially coated, scratch-resistant discs. Memorex's new 16X DVD+R discs with LightScribe Media Version 1.2 offer maximum data recording speeds and faster label creation than first generation LightScribe DVDs. Memorex was one of the very first media brands to offer LightScribe CD and DVD recording media at North American retail.

Memorex's 16x DVD+R LightScribe media is available now in packs of 10. More information can be found here. Add a comment

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Other

09 May 2006

Toshiba has announced their new digital entertainment notebook, the Qosmio G35-AV650. According to their press release, it is the first notebook shipping in the U.S. to incorporate an HD DVD-ROM drive.

Toshiba's Digital Products Division (DPD), a division of Toshiba America Information Systems, Inc., today introduced the Qosmio(TM) G35-AV650, the first notebook PC shipping in the U.S. to incorporate an HD DVD-ROM drive(1) that allows users to enjoy the dazzling realism and clarity of high-definition digital entertainment in a portable device.

Designed for optimum digital entertainment immersion and multimedia capabilities, the Qosmio G35-AV650 with HD DVD-ROM allows consumers to enjoy high-definition movies anywhere in the home or on the go with external power. Backwards-compatible(2) with current DVD formats, the HD DVD-ROM drive allows users to continue playing compatible discs from their existing DVD collections.

Along with its HD DVD-ROM drive, the Qosmio G35-AV650 features a 2.0GHz Intel Core Duo processor, two 100GB hard drives in a RAID configurationn and an NVIDIA GeForce Go 7600 graphics controller. All this doesn't come cheap either. According to Toshiba's press release, the Qosmio G35-AV650 will cost about $2,999. More information, including a full list of specs, can be found here. Add a comment

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Home Entertainment

09 May 2006

Sony has announced the Playstation 3 will launch in North America on November 17, 2006. Available in two versions, the console will come with either a 20GB ($499) or 60GB ($599) hard drive.

Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) announced today that it would launch PLAYSTATION3 (PS3) in "Clear Black" in North America on November 17, 2006, as part of a worldwide simultaneous launch.

PS3 is the most advanced computer system that serves as a platform to enjoy next generation computer entertainment contents in the home, realized through the combination of Cell and RSX processors, in addition to the playability of a vast catalog of PlayStation and PlayStation2 software titles. Having Giga-bit Ethernet and a pre-installed hard disk drive (HDD) as standard in PS3, users will be able to download a variety of contents as well as access on-line games and services over the network.

Equipped with basic input/output ports, PS3 supports a broad range of displays from conventional NTSC/PAL standard TVs to the latest full HD (1080i/1080p) flat panel displays, offering the joy of the most advanced computer entertainment contents to homes around the world. For use in living rooms, maximum heat and noise reduction has been achieved with a noise level equivalent to that of the current slim-line PlayStation 2.

With the overwhelming computational power of the Cell processor, PS3 is capable of playing back content from Blu-ray (BD) disc at a bit rate of multiplex 48Mbps with ease, the maximum bit rate defined in BD standards.

According to DailyTech, the PS3 can connect to the PSP and will have an online service that is completely free. If you'd like to read more, Sony's press release can be found here. Add a comment

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Optical Storage

09 May 2006

DigiTimes has reported that Gigastorage and Lead Data are planning to form a joint venture in Paraguay to produce optical discs.

Gigastorage and Lead Data, two second-tier makers of optical discs in Taiwan, plan to establish a joint venture to produce optical discs in Paraguay in a bid to tap the market in Latin America, according to industry sources.

According to the article, Latin American countries impose very high customs tariffs on optical discs. By moving the factory to the area, they can cut down on some of these costs. If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes. Add a comment