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Compared to a standard DVD, Blu-ray's 50GB of storage capacity seems fairly large. Nevertheless, companies have continued to look for ways to squeeze more data onto a single disc. Along with the multi-layer discs developed by Pioneer, Hitachi and TDK, companies are now looking at partial response maximum likelihood (PRML) signal processing as a possible way to store up to 33.4GB of data per single layer. Thanks to Sony and Panasonic, PRML is one step closer to becoming a reality. The two companies recently announced that they've developed a new evaluation technique known as i-MLSE (Maximum Likelihood Sequence Estimation) that can be used to judge the optical quality when reading and writing to 33.4GB media.
Sony and Panasonic Corp. resolved this by developing the i-MLSE (Maximum Likelihood Sequence Estimation) evaluation index. Details of i-MLSE were announced at International Symposium on Optical Memory 2009 (ISOM '09), held in October 2009. The first of the two key characteristics is that i-MLSE has a strong correlation with the error rate (Fig. 1) even in read/write at 33.4 GB using PRML. The second, according to Sony, is that "i-MLSE exhibits the same relationship to signal quality as conventional jitter." In other words, it will be relatively simple to estimate the read error rate from the i-MLSE, just as can be done now with jitter.
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According to DigiTimes, CMC and Ritek recently signed new licensing contracts with Philips that are effective for the next 10 years. In return, Philips reduced the royalty rate for CD-RW, DVD+R, DVD-R, DVD+RW and DVD-RW media by more than 70% from US$0.035-0.036 per disc to US$0.01.
Royal Philips Electronics has reduced royalty charges for CD-RW, DVD+R, DVD-R, DVD+RW and DVD-RW optical disc formats by 71.4-72.2% from US$0.035-0.036 per disc originally to US$0.01 for CMC Magnetics and Ritek, Taiwan's two largest optical disc makers. The new licensing contracts are effective for 10 years from December 31, 2009 to December 30, 2019, according to industry sources in Taiwan. Both CMC and Ritek confirmed the new licensing but did not confirm the rates.
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Pioneer Japan sent out a press release this morning, announcing its latest 20x DVD writer, the DVR-S17J. Along with support for LabelFlash and Pioneer's PowerRead and PureRead2 technologies, the drive features 20x DVD±R, 12x DVD±R DL, 12x DVD-RAM, 8x DVD+RW and 6x DVD-RW writing speeds and a maximum DVD read speed of 16x. To improve the recording accuracy, Pioneer has also developed a new servo actuator and spindle motor. The DVR-S17J is scheduled to ship in mid-December and is expected to cost about 9,000 Yen ($101US).
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Riding on the success of its 8X slim portable CD/DVD writer, Transcend Information, Ins. (Transcend®), a worldwide leader in storage and multimedia products, today announced a black version to join the current white edition. With a brand new gloss black casing, compact dimension and versatile functions, the CD/DVD writer is perfect for thin-and-light laptops—or even netbooks—for diverse entertainment and enhanced productivity.
As notebook computers become increasingly smaller and lighter, built-in CD or DVD drives and writers are often not included. Transcend’s 8X slim portable CD/DVD writer was created specifically for use with compact notebooks, and features an ultra-thin and sleek design, making it stylish, compact and easy to carry around. No external power adapter is needed, as the CD/DVD writer is entirely USB powered, drawing its electric power directly from the computer’s USB ports. Whether relaxing at home or traveling abroad, notebook users now have the freedom to enjoy DVD movies, install essential software or create data backup discs anytime, anywhere.
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I-O DATA Japan has announced a new portable 6x Blu-ray Disc writer based on the Sony Optiarc BD-5730S. The BRP-US6 is capable of 6x BD-R, 6x BD-R LTH, 4x BD-R DL, 2x BD-RE and 2x BD-RE DL writing speeds and a maximum BD read speed of 6x. The drive is also backwards compatible with all DVD and CD formats and can be powered off a computer's USB bus or the included AC adapter. The BRP-US6 is expected to ship in the middle of December for a suggested retail price of 29,600 Yen ($342US).
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Buffalo Japan sent out a press release this morning, announcing its new external 12x Blu-ray Disc writer, the BR-X1216U3. Based on the Pioneer BDR-205, this USB 3.0 equipped drive is capable of 12x BD-R, 12x BD-R DL, 6x BD-R LTH, 2x BD-RE and 2x BD-RE DL writing speeds and a maximum BD-ROM read speed of 8x. The BR-X1216U3 is also backwards compatible with USB 2.0. However, as Buffalo is quick to point out, its BD-R writing speed is limited to 7x. The BR-X1216U3 comes bundled with CyberLink's Blu-ray Disc Suite and will cost 39,100 Yen ($451US) when it hits stores in December.
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At CeBIT 2009 Lite-On announced the introduction of LabelTag, a new feature to label discs in a fast and convenient way. Now, with the introduction of the iHAS524, Lite-On presents its first DVD writer with LabelTag.
Using LabelTag means a convenient and cost-effective way for labeling any DVD±R single layer or CD-R discs without using additional software. LabelTag is a patented new feature that allows users to create a circular label on the data discs. When creating the disc, users can add text and/or images printed on the same side of the disc where the data is stored. There is no need to use markers, stickers, or even the hassle of flipping the disc. There is no special media required and the disc remains fully compatible with other playback devices. LabelTag is an ideal solution for archiving and managing your back-ups.
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After more than three years, the patent lawsuit between Ricoh and Quanta has finally reached a verdict. According to DigiTimes, a US Court in Wisconsin has ordered Quanta to pay Ricoh $14.5 million for infringing on their patents.
A US Court in Wisconsin on November 20 made a judgment that Quanta Storage, the largest Taiwan-based ODM/OEM maker of slim-type optical disc drives, should pay US$14.5 million to compensate Japan-based Ricoh for infringement of the latter's patents, according to a Quanta Storage filing with the Taiwan Stock Exchange on November 23.
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Lite-On, a global leader of optical storage solutions, announces the eHAU424 external 24X DVD/CD writer. Incorporating a USB 2.0 connection, the eHAU424 allows for greater flexibility when using the drive across different computer systems.
Along with Lite-On’s internal 24X DVD writers, the eHAU424 offers the fastest DVD recording available. The eHAU424 also features both LightScribe and SmartErase technologies designed for true power users who are concerned with more than just writing speeds.
“PLDS is excited to bring the extremely fast 24X writing speeds to an external unit,” said Christine Hsing, Marketing Manager at PLDS. “With features like LightScribe and SmartErase included, the drive is both high-quality and convenient to meet any user’s needs.”
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At this year’s MEDICA, the world’s largest medical trade show that is being held in Düsseldorf, Germany (November 18 – 21), visitors to the Panasonic booth can have a closer look at the Advanced Disc for Archive. This new type of optical disc with a cassette-type shell case is an ideal solution for archiving data of pictures in the medical field.
The volume of archive data in the medical field has been drastically increasing due to the introduction of advanced modalities that generate higher definition or larger numbers of scanned pictures. In order to meet the requirements to archive these amounts of data securely, Panasonic has developed “Advanced Disc for Archive” (ADA). The storage medium is based on Panasonic’s advanced Blu-ray Disc technology and is thus an ideal successor for DVD-RAM with cartridge, which has been highly successful in the medical field.
