Nero has announced that ASUS has selected Nero 7 Essentials to demonstrate their new LightScribe capable DVD writer, the DRW-1612BL, at Computex 2006. Here's part of their press release:
Nero, leaders in digital media technology, today announced that its Nero 7 Essentials digital media software suite has been selected by ASUSTek Computer Inc. (ASUS) as the digital media software to power demonstrations of its new DRW-1612BL LightScribe DVDRW drive at Computex 2006. The demonstrations will allow users to experience with the formidable hardware and software solutions working together to burn audio, video and data discs.
For those wondering, the DRW-1612BL features 16x DVD±R, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, 8x DVD±R DL and 12x DVD-RAM writing speeds. More information can be found here. Add a comment
Lite-On Europe has revealed the company's Blu-ray Disc plans. According to their press release, they plan to introduce their first Blu-ray drive, the LH-2B1S, in August 2006.
Lite-On IT, one of the world's biggest optical disc drive manufacturers, is ready for the next generation of optical disc formats. Lite-On IT announces to start producing BD (Blu-ray Disc) compatible drives in Q3 2006 and to introduce Lite-On branded Blu-ray drives to the market in August 2006.

The LH-2B1S will be the first Lite-On drive with Blu-ray Disc technology. Thanks to the use of the blue-violet laser, it enables users to record, rewrite and playback high-definition video (HD) as well as storing large amounts of data. The Blu-ray Disc format offers more than five times the storage capacity of traditional DVDs and can hold up to 50GB of data on a double layer BD disc and up to 25GB on a single layer BD disc. Naturally, the drive will also be compatible with DVD±R(W) (DL) media and CD-R(W) media.
Lite-On also points out that the LH-2B1S will also feature a Serial ATA (SATA) interface. More information can be found here. Add a comment
According to DigiTimes, Taiwanese drive manufacturers are expecting 18x DVD burner sales to catch up with 16x models in 2007.
Demand is increasing for 18x DVD burners with sales volume in 2007 expected to catch up with that of 16x models, currently the mainstream writing speed, according to sources in Taiwan's optical disc drive (ODD) industry.

Toshiba-Samsung Storage Technology (TSST) this month will launch its 18x Super Multi DVD burners, which have a writing speed of 12x for the DVD-RAM format, higher than the 4-6x of other Super Multi models, the sources indicated. Japan-based Plextor launched a 18x DVD Dual burner in February of this year. Lite-On IT, Taiwan's largest ODD maker, is poised to begin volume production of 18x DVD burners next quarter.
If you'd like to read the entire article, head on over to DigiTimes. Add a comment
PC World has reported that BenQ unveiled a prototype of their new Blu-ray Disc burner at Computex. According to the article, they plan to introduce the drive later this year.
"We have a prototype ready and we are going to ship [the product] before the end of the year," BenQ Chairman KY Lee said in an interview. The prototype drive was unveiled at a Taipei news conference the same day. It is a standard "half-height" drive designed for use in desktop computers, and can also write DVDs and CDs.

Blu-ray Disc is one of two new optical-disc formats vying to replace DVD for high-definition content. Blu-ray Disc and the competing HD DVD format aren't compatible, so consumers face a choice between the two or waiting until a clear victor emerges. BenQ has put its weight behind Blu-ray Disc, but Lee said its support isn't necessarily exclusive.
BenQ did not specify a price. However, if its like other Blu-ray drives, it won't be cheap. If you'd like to read more, the entire article can be found here. Add a comment
NEC has announced that they've developed a new DVD writer chipset offering 18x DVD±R and 16x DVD-RAM writing speeds. Here's part of their press release, translated from Japanese:

NEC Electronics developed a new product that was able to construct record type DVD drive economically by paying the function that had been distributed to two LSI to one package as a product lineup expansion of system LSI series "SCOMBO(R)" (Escombo) for record type DVD drive so far, and decided to begin the sample shipment of the name of "MC-10041" on June 1. Moreover, a new product enables the record and the reproduction by 18 X speed that becomes the highest level in the industry in two standards named DVD-R and DVD+R.
According to NEC's press release, the MC-10041 will be adopted by both Pioneer and Sony NEC Optiarc. More information can be found here. Add a comment