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12 December 2006

Pioneer Japan has officially announced its new 18x DVD writer, the DVR-A12J. Along with support for Labelflash, the DVR-A12J features 18x DVD±R, 12x DVD-RAM and 10x DVD±R DL writing speeds. Here's part of their press release, translated from Japanese:

"The DVR-A12J" series, 18 time speed of DVD±R, DVD-RAM actualizing the high-speed record of 12 time speed of 2 anew. New design "air induction slit" was adopted on the disk tray, by the fact that it continues adopts this corporation individual "disk resonance stabilizer", the record precision which is stabilized even in these high-speed record times the quiet sound conversion which it is thorough was actualized simultaneously in the frame.

　As for this product, as for record playback of various record types DVD and record type CD of course, high-speed record of single sided 2 layer media Dual Layer DVD-R and DVD+R Double Layer (the maximum of 10 time speed) it corresponds anew.

　In addition, with the laser for the data logging which is loaded onto the substance, drawing is possible to the label surface of the private disk which corresponds, you adopted for the first time "Labelflash (the label flash) technology" as a product of this corporation brand.

While Pioneer has not announced a price, AV Watch expects the DVR-A12J to cost about 10,000 Yen ($85US). If you live in Japan, expect to see it on store shelves about mid-December. More information, including a full list of specs, can be found here. Add a comment

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Optical Storage

11 December 2006

DigiTimes has reported that Lite-On has launched its first Blu-ray disc burner in Japan. According to the article, the LH-2B1S currently goes for 70,000 Yen, or $600US.

Lite-On IT recently launched its LH-2B1S serial ATA Blu-ray Disc (BD) Triple Writer, the company's first BD burner, in Japan at a retail price of 70,000 yen (US$600), with the price significantly lower than BD burners offered by other vendors, according to industry sources in Taiwan.

Although not launched in Taiwan yet, the Japanese retail price of the LH-2B1S is lower than the NT$29,900-32,990 (US$920-1,014) for BD burners currently on sale in the Taiwan market, the sources indicated.

The LH-2B1S is also available in the US and can be picked up at places like Newegg for about $600. More information can be found here. Add a comment

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Optical Storage

12 December 2006

Verbatim Europe sent out a press release today, announcing their new archival grade DVD-R media. Featuring a gold and silver reflective layer, these discs provide both good reflectivity and resistance to oxidation.

Verbatim has unveiled a breakthrough in archival media technology with a new type of DVD. The new Archival Grade DVD-R 8x features a gold and silver reflective layer. This dual reflective technology has two advantages when compared to media with a simple reflective layer. The first benefit is that the gold layer provides a good resistance against atmospheric influences such as oxidation - which is one of the primary causes of CD and DVD degradation. The second benefit is that the silver layer provides good reflectivity for precise reading and writing of data by the laser. As a result, the new Verbatim media shows significant improvements over conventional disks in terms of both longevity and compatibility. The product is now available as a 5 pack jewel case and as a 25 spindle pack.

If you'd like to read more, Verbatim's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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Optical Storage

08 December 2006

With first tier manufacturers like Ritek raising CD-R disc prices, a number of second tier manufacturers have followed suit. DigiTimes has reported that Prodisc Technology, Gigastorage and Lead Data have raised prices by 3-8%, bringing OEM quotes up to US$0.11-0.12.

Following price increases by first-tier optical disc makers in Taiwan, second-tier makers including Prodisc Technology, Gigastorage and Lead Data all raised prices of their CD-R discs by 3-8% since the beginning of this month, according to sources.

In November, Ritek, the second largest producer of optical discs in Taiwan, announced it will be raising its prices for CD-R discs to US$0.12, up from US$0.11, according to company vice general manager Chang Yu-Kun, (transliterated from Chinese).

Second-tier optical disc makers raised CD-R disc OEM quotes from US$0.1-0.11 to US$0.11-0.12, the sources said.

If you've been waiting to buy CD-R media, you might want to stock up now as prices are only going to go up in the future. For the full story, head on over to DigiTimes. Add a comment