LightScribe Direct Disc Labeling sent out a press release this morning, announcing the launch of their new Travel Kit. Using the tips, templates, and resources in this free, downloadable kit, travelers can add a personal touch to their DVD and CD label designs.
LightScribe Direct Disc Labeling announced today the LightScribe Travel Kit that enables consumers to preserve their vacation memories and add that personal touch to their DVD and CD label designs. The LightScribe Travel Kit's DVD / CD label tips, templates, and resources are available for free download on lightscribe.com - just in time as people return from summer holidays.

To ensure that discs containing their travel memories stand out, customers owning a LightScribe-enabled drive can go to the Travel Kit (www.lightscribe.com/go/create) and download travel DVD and CD label designs, mailers, and disc sleeve designs that reflect their favorite trip memories to share with family and friends.
If you'd like to check it out, the Travel Kit can be downloaded for free from the LightScribe website. More information can also be found here. Add a comment
Erik Deppe has released a new version of Nero CD-DVD Speed. Along with the usual bug fixes and improvements, this version adds disc quality tests for Mediatek based Blu-ray Disc drives as well as support for HD DVD-RW SL/DL media.
CD-DVD Speed v4.7.7.3 - Download
  • Disc Quality Test: added support for blu-ray testing with Mediatek based drives
  • Added preliminary support for HD DVD-RW SL/DL
  • Small improvements and bug fixes
More information can be found on the CD Speed website. Also, feel free to share your experiences in our forum. Add a comment
Sonic Solutions has announced a new version of its Scenarist Designer PS Software. By using this plugin, graphic designers can design menus in Photoshop and export them for use with both Blu-ray and HD DVD. With version 2.1, Sonic has broadened the applications reach by supporting non-Scenarist-based authoring systems.
Sonic Solutions today introduced Scenarist Designer PS Software Version 2.1, a plug-in for Adobe Photoshop that brings increased power, flexibility, and automation to the HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc menu design process. Offering seamless integration with the title-creation workflow in Sonic's industry-leading Scenarist Workgroup authoring applications, Designer PS enables simultaneous format-compliant output of color-optimized menu graphics for both Blu-ray Disc (HDMV and BD-J) and HD DVD (HDi). New in version 2.1 is support for non-Scenarist-based authoring systems, which broadens the application's reach and effectiveness for graphics professionals joining the high-definition format evolution. Scenarist Designer PS 2 is available immediately through Sonic's resale channels worldwide.
If you'd like to read more, Sonic's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
CyberLink announced this morning that PowerDVD Ultra and PowerDirector have been optimized for Intel's Core 2 Quad processor. Here's part of their press release:
CyberLink Corp. (5203.TW), a leader in digital home solutions, announced significant performance gains for playing, analyzing, and producing high-quality video content using CyberLink's leading applications on systems featuring the Intel Core 2 Quad processors.

CyberLink's optimization of the Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD playback software PowerDVD Ultra improved frame-rate performance by up to 66%. Automated video editing software PowerDirector improved editing and transcoding times by up to 68%. All software was tested in controlled conditions and was verified with significantly improved performance on Intel's quad-core technology.
If you'd like to read more, CyberLink's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
Corel announced today that Pioneer has chosen to bundle WinDVD 8, Ulead VideoStudio 11 and Ulead Burn.Now 1.5 with their new Blu-ray Disc combo drive, the BDC-2202. Here's part of their press release:
Corel Corporation (NASDAQ:CREL; TSX:CRE), a leading developer of graphics, productivity and digital media software, today announced that Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. is bundling its next-generation Blu-ray Disc (BD) combo drive, the BDC-2202, with selected titles from Corel’s digital media software lineup. The software bundle includes special editions of Corel’s WinDVD 8, Ulead VideoStudio 11 and Ulead Burn.Now1.5.

Affordably priced at $299.99, Pioneer’s BDC-2202 drive offers a compelling solution for consumers who want to use their PC to view the growing number of high-definition Hollywood movies that are being released on BD.

In addition to ensuring compatibility with commercially released Blu-ray Disc movies, the Corel software that comes bundled with the new Pioneer BD combo drive allows users to create and burn personal DVD movies and digital photo slideshows, backup files to a DVD or CD, and create and burn music to a CD.
If you'd like to read more, Corel's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment