The folks at Slysoft have released another public beta of AnyDVD HD. What makes this version special is that it supports Blu-ray as well as HD DVD.
6.1.2.8 2007 03 01
- New: Added Blu-Ray support.
- Change: I/O on 64bit OS (WinXP64/Vista64) moved to kernel mode
- Updated ElbyCDIO layer, fixes "cannot get exclusive access" in CloneDVD and CloneCD under XP64 and Vista64
- Change: ElbyCDIO uses less CPU cycles under Windows XP and Vista
- Change: After using CloneCD or CloneDVD, AnyDVD does no longer rescan the disc under XP64 and Vista64.
- Fix: HD DVDs without iHD menus did not work
- Some minor fixes and improvements
- Updated languages
According to reports on Slysoft's forum, this version does not make Blu-ray region free. However, their team is working hard to implement this feature. If you'd like to try it out, the beta version of AnyDVD HD can be downloaded directly here. If you find a bug or have a suggestion, leave your comments in Slysoft's forum. Add a comment
LightScribe Direct Disc Labeling has announced the launch of its new labeling tool, LightScribe Simple Labeler. Available for computers running Windows, Mac and Linux, this new tool lets you create and customize a label in three fast and easy steps.
LightScribe Direct Disc Labelingannounced today that the LightScribe Simple Labeler, an intuitive labeling tooldesigned to enhance customers' initial CD and DVD labeling experience, isimmediately available for free download and is also now bundled with manyLightScribe-enabled PCs and aftermarket drives. LightScribe customers can labeldiscs in a few easy clicks.
If you'd like to check it out, LightScribe Simple Labeler can be downloaded for free from the LightScribe website. More information can also be found here. Add a comment
The folks at BHA sent us an email this morning, letting us know that B's Recorder GOLD8 and B's CLiP6 now support Windows Vista. One of the more recent updates to B's CLiP6 also adds support for DVD-RAM media. If you'd like to try them out, the updates for B's Recorder GOLD8 and B's CLiP6 can be downloaded for free from BHA's website. Add a comment
Back in November, we reported that Sonic Solutions had filed a patent infringment suit against Nero, claiming that their video editing software infringes upon a patent related to certain techniques for "digital multimedia composition." After months of talks, Nero has announced that the suit has been voluntarily withdrawn by Sonic.
Nero, leaders in digital media technology, today announced that the patent infringement suit brought against it by Sonic Solutions in November 2006 has been voluntarily withdrawn. The suit, filed in the United States district court in Marshall, Texas, alleged that Nero's video editing software infringed on Sonic's U.S. Patent No. 6,204,840.

"Throughout this process we were adamant that the allegations were baseless and that Nero is not guilty of any improprieties in the design and performance of its video editing software," said Udo Eberlein, COO, Nero AG. "We commend Sonic for realizing the unwarranted basis of this claim and voluntarily dropping the lawsuit."
If you'd like to read more, Nero's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
Sonic has announced the availability of a Vista compatible version of Roxio Central. Built upon Vista's design architecture, this new version offers a less cluttered screen environment and faster access to applications and frequent tasks.
Roxio, a division of Sonic Solutions (NASDAQ: SNIC), the leader in digital media software, today announced the availability of a new Windows Vista-compatible version of Roxio Central, which takes full advantage of the new Windows Vista design architecture to deliver a truly intuitive, interactive, and visually-rich software experience. Roxio Central serves as a core access point to digital media tasks across Roxio's software products and offers digital media recording and backup features. The latest version is designed to allow consumers to experience the many benefits of Windows Presentation Foundation (WPF), the new user interface development architecture that enables the incorporation of rich 3D graphics, animations, transitions, and stunning icons.
Roxio Central can be downloaded for free here. Otherwise, more information can be found on Roxio's website. Add a comment