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TDK's press release also mentions that they've created 100GB, quad-layer Blu-ray Disc prototypes and have pushed recording speeds to 216Mbps (6x). The company is also in the process of developing the world's first 200GB Blu-ray Disc prototype. If you'd like to read more, TDK's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
TDK, a world leader in digital recording solutions, today announced that it has begun shipping 25GB recordable and rewritable Blu-ray Disc media to retailers nationwide. A pioneer of blue laser recording technology and founding member of the Blu-ray Disc Association, TDK is the first to market with bare Blu-ray Disc media. Retail pricing is set at $19.99 for a 25GB BD-R (recordable), $24.99 for a 25GB BD-RE (rewritable). In addition, TDK will ship 50GB Blu-ray Disc media later this year with retail pricing set at $47.99 for a 50GB BD-R (recordable) and $59.99 for a 50GB BD-RE (rewritable).
The revolutionary single-sided discs are bare, cartridge-free media. The 25GB products are single layer whereas the 50GB products have a dual layer recording material structure. TDK first shipped mass production samples in December 2005, and with the subsequent issuance of the relevant license, the company immediately commenced full force manufacturing.
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Lite-On IT and BenQ today announced that they have formed a strategic alliance that will bring together two of the industry's leading players and enhance the overall competitiveness of Taiwan's storage sector. The transaction is expected to increase Lite-On IT's global market share to 27%, making it the world's No. 2 optical disk drive (ODD) maker.I must admit that I am a little surprised by this bit of news. Nevertheless, its going to be interesting to see what happens. If you'd like to read more, the entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
As part of the alliance, Lite-On IT will acquire BenQ's storage-related assets, including BenQ's ODM customer portfolio and the rights to use BenQ's technology portfolio. Lite-On IT will also receive order commitments on BenQ-branded storage products.
"This strategic alliance combined with our manufacturing advantages, will allow Lite-On IT to further sharpen its competitiveness in the ODM market and become the No. 2 ODD manufacturer worldwide," expressed Raymond Soong, Chairman of Lite-On IT. "In partnering with BenQ, Lite-On IT expects to benefit from increased manufacturing efficiency, greater economies of scale, and a larger market share."
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Your favorite drive didn't make it onto the list? Then go and vote for April's top DVD writer. Add a comment
- BenQ DW1650/1655
- LG GSA-4167B
- Plextor PX-716A
- BenQ DW1640
- NEC ND-3550A/3551A
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As our introductory price, we will be offering the following subscription options:
For instructions on how to subscribe, please see this forum thread. Add a comment$1/month subscriptions, with the option of auto-renewing
$10/year subscriptions, with the option of auto-renewing
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FVD (forward versatile disc), Taiwan's self-developed DVD standard, is getting a boost in the fight against EVD (enhanced versatile disc), a China-developed DVD standard, as Beijing E-World Digital Technology, a major promoter of the EVD standard, has defaulted on some loan payments and now stands to lose some of its patents, sources said.The article also mentions that various companies have decided to roll out PC-use FVD discs in the US and Europe. If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes. Add a comment
The China-based company used nine patents to secure a loan of 14 million yuan (about US$1.7 million) from two international financing companies and it has now defaulted on repayment of this loan. As a result of this, one of the financing companies is preparing to auction some of the patents, said sources at China's State Intellectual Property Office (SIPO).
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Xilisoft DVD Ripper Platinum is designed to be easy enough for a beginner to use, while still offering great customization capabilities to satisfy the needs of more experienced users. Intuitive default settings can automatically adjust the sound levels and ripping speed of the conversion files. Or high end output settings can be used to allow the user to adjust these features selectively.If you'd like to try it out, a trial version of DVD Ripper Platinum can be downloaded from Xilisoft's website. Otherwise, more information can be found here. Add a comment
DVD's can be ripped to any custom file size necessary. Xilisoft DVD Ripper Platinum also auto-splits output files into several files to fit on a CD-R or for use on other personal media devices. Media devices such as MP4, PSP, iPod, mobile phones and PDA's are supported. Xilisoft DVD Ripper Platinum allows you to rip any segment of a DVD, also allows ripping of target subtitle and audio tracks.
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Optodisc Technology, a second-tier maker of DVD discs in Taiwan, on April 5 announced that Japan-based Sino-JP Assets Management has decided to cancel its original plan of becoming its largest shareholder because both sides have been unable to settle on the price and volume of new shares and convertible bonds to be issued.For now, Optodisc plans to seek other target investors. If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes. Add a comment
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Advanced Media, Inc., manufacturer and marketer of the popular RIDATA brand of recordable CD and DVD media, electronic storage products, and digital media accessories, is introducing an 8x DVD+R Double Layer optical disc to its product line at Spring Retail Vision 2006. With an amazing 8.5GB of storage capacity, the advanced, single-sided disc is perfect for virtually any business or household application Shipments will begin immediately.No word yet on pricing or availability. As we find out more, we'll let you know. In the mean time, Advanced Media's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
"Users of the RIDATA 8x DVD+R Double-Layer medium, featuring a dramatically increased speed, will enjoy fast, reliable storage with a wide range of playback options.," stated Harvey Liu, Advanced Media president. "We are pleased to first offer it to the retail industry that will be taking advantage of Spring Retail Vision."
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With newly formed optical disc drive (ODD) vendor Sony NEC Optiarc setting aggressive shipment goals, its contract manufacturer Lite-On IT stands a good chance of becoming the leading worldwide ODD supplier this year, market sources indicated. Sony NEC Optiarc, a joint venture (JV) between Sony and NEC, aims to beat out market leader Hitachi-LG Data Storage (HLDS) to become the top ODD vendor worldwide in 2006.The article also mentions that Lite-On may start using NEC's chipsets. According to MediaTek, Lite-On has not made the switch yet. If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes. Add a comment
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In breaking news out of Japan today (April 3, 2006), Samsung is rescheduling its initial U.S. Blu-Ray player launch from May 23 to June 25 in order to complete compatibility testing with several Blu-Ray test discs that will become available in late April from product manufacturers and content providers.On a positive note, Samsung has added a few new features to their new player. The BD-P1000 will now provide native 1080p output via HDMI for Blu-ray titles mastered in 1920 x 1080 resolution and can upconvert standard DVD's to 1080p. The company has also upgraded the memory card interface by adding support for Mini-SD and Memory Stick Pro Duo formats. If you'd like to read more, head on over to EETimes. Add a comment
According to the company, the hardware development for Samsung's BD-P1000 Blu-Ray player is complete and ready for mass production in Suwon, South Korea once these compatibility tests are passed. The company still anticipates that the Samsung BD-P1000 will be the first Blu-Ray player to launch at a national level in the United States.
