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Optical Storage

25 March 2008

With the price of DVD writers reaching new lows, LG and Samsung have announced that they will be launching 22x DVD writers later this year. While many enthusiasts are looking forward to 4.5 minute burn times, the higher price tag associated with these drives and the lack of compatible media is expected to prevent them from going mainstream.

While Samsung Electronics launched its Super-WriteMaster SH-S223 22x DVD burner in early March 2008 and LG Electronics will follow suit to launch its latest Super Multi series GH22, in the second quarter of 2008, 18x and 20x are still the mainstream burning speed levels, according to industry sources in Taiwan.

22x DVD burners take 4.5 minutes to burn a 4.7GB 16x DVD+R/-R disc, faster than 6-8 minutes using an 18x or 20x model, the sources pointed out. However, the highest write speed of blank DVD+R/-R discs currently available is 20x, and 22x DVD burners are significantly more expensive, the sources indicated. Therefore, 22x is unable to replace 18x and 20x to become the mainstream DVD burning speed, the sources noted.

The article also states that Sony is expected to introduce a 22x DVD writer later this year. If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes. Add a comment

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Optical Storage

24 March 2008

Plextor LLC sent out a press release this morning, announcing it new combination Blu-ray/HD DVD drives. The PX-B920SA and PX-B300SA are capable of playing both Blu-ray and HD DVD movies and offer support for LightScribe technology. The PX-B920SA ups the ante even further with 4x BD-R writing speeds.

The internal PX-B920SA drive features 4X BD-R write speed and a Serial ATA (SATA) interface for fast data throughput, up to 150 Mbits/sec. This drive is ideal for PC OEMs, systems integrators, enterprises, professionals, and high-end consumer markets where people want HD DVD playback along with Blu-Ray recording and playback.

The new PX-B920SA is a Blu-Ray burner that also plays HD DVD discs and supports high-speed reading and recording of DVD and CD media formats, including DVD-RAM, Dual Layer DVD, Double Layer DVD, DVD±R/RW, and CD-R/RW.

The new PX-B300SA multifunction drive is capable of playing both Blu-Ray and HD DVD media. The internal drive also reads and records DVD and CD media formats with recording speeds of 16X DVD±R, 24X CD-RW, and 40X CD-R. The PX-B300SA, which includes a SATA interface for high performance, is designed for PC OEMs, systems integrators, enterprises, professionals, and mid-market consumers who want to playback both Blu-Ray and HD DVD discs and record on DVD and CD media.

The PX-B920SA and PX-B300SA will ship in late March and are priced at $599.99 and $499.99 respectively. If you'd like to read more, Plextor's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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Optical Storage

19 March 2008

AOpen sent out a press release this morning, announcing its first Blu-ray Disc drive. The BDR0412SA is capable of reading BD media at 4x and is backwards compatible with most existing CD and DVD formats.

For your best video and storage experience, AOpen announces the first Blu-ray Disc drive BDR0412SA. It can read Blu-ray Disc at 4X (17,844KB per sec.), DVD-ROM at 12X, DVD+/-R at 12X, DVD-RAM at 5X and CD at 32X; and gives you an all in one optical reading option for multimedia entertainment.

Blu-ray Disc (BD) is an optical disc storage media format using blue-violet laser with shorter wavelength. Blu-ray Disc was developed by the Blu-ray Disc Association, a group of leading electronic companies: Sony, Matsushita, Pioneer, Philips, Thomson, LG Electronics, Hitachi, Sharp, and Samsung. It has the same dimensions as a standard DVD or CD but can hold 25GB (single layer) and 50GB (dual layer).

No word yet on pricing or availability. As we find out more, we'll let you know. In the mean time, AOpen's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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Optical Storage

19 March 2008

LG has officially announced its new 22x "Super-Multi" drive, the GH22. Along with support for SecurDisc and LightScribe, the drive features 22x DVD±R, 16x DVD+R DL, 12x DVD-R DL and 12x DVD-RAM writing speeds. Here are some of the GH22's specs:

Writing Speeds: DVD+R: 22x DVD+RW: 8x DVD+R DL: 16x DVD-R: 22x DVD-RW: 6x DVD-R DL: 12x DVD-RAM: 12x CD-R: 48x CD-RW: 32x

Read Speeds: DVD-ROM: 16x Max CD-ROM: 48x Max Buffer Size: 2MB

According to LG's press release, the GH22 can burn an entire DVD±R disc in about 4 minutes and 30 seconds. This is pretty impressive.. if the drive can deliver on these claims. The GH22 is expected to ship in the second half of 2008 and will be priced at about 30,000 won (~$30US). Full details can be found here. Add a comment

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Optical Storage

10 March 2008

Last week, Maxell announced that it was shutting down its media manufacturing business at the end of March and would be outsourcing production to other companies. DigiTimes is now reporting that Maxell is likely to place OEM orders with one of Taiwan's media manufacturers.

As Hitachi Maxell, one of the global top-five vendors of blank optical discs, has decided to stop self-production of blank CD-R, DVD+R/-R and blue-laser optical discs in March 2008 but outsource production and maintain own-brand marketing, leading Taiwan-based makers are likely to obtain OEM orders from the Japan-based client, according to industry sources in Taiwan.

Although makers of optical discs in China can offer lower prices, Taiwan-based makers have the upper hand in competition for Hitachi Maxell's OEM orders because of the higher quality of their products, the sources pointed out. Among Taiwan-based makers, CMC Magnetics, Ritek and Daxon Technology stand a better chance than others of obtaining orders, the sources indicated.

Most of the media sold in the US under Maxell brand is manufactured by Ritek. It would not surprise me if the company used them for the Japanese market as well. If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes. Add a comment

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06 March 2008

Contrary to earlier reports, CMC Magnetics is holding off on commercial production of BD-R and BD-RE media. According to company chairman, Robert Wong, the company will invest in BD R&D until the demand for blank BD media justifies the high cost of equipment and royalties.

CMC Magnetics will not start commercial production of blank Blu-ray Disc (BD) discs until the global BD market emerges to some extent, and will instead invest in BD R&D to cultivate its technological capabilities in the interim, according to company chairman, Robert Wong.

Since as many as 21 owners of BD patents plan to claim royalty charges, there are many problems that need to be solved while charge rates are expected to be high, Wong pointed out. In addition, production equipment for BD discs is currently very expensive. The cost of equipment and royalties, together with the small demand render BD investment unfeasible at the moment, which is why CMC will not to step into production of BD-R (recordable, write once) and BD-RE (rewritable) discs for the time being, Wong explained.

Wong also predicts that, due partly to high royalty rates, the BD market will not take off for another 2 to 3 years. If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes. Add a comment

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Optical Storage

04 March 2008

CDRLabs has taken a long overdue look at LG's second generation Super Multi Blue drive, the GGC-H20L. While lacking BD writing capabilities, the drive sports specs similar to its more expensive sibling, the GGW-H20L. The GGC-H20L is capable of 16x DVD±R, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, 4x DVD±R DL and 5x DVD-RAM writing speeds and a maximum DVD read speed of 16x. On top of that, it can read HD DVD's at 3x and Blu-ray Discs at speeds as high as 6x.

In this review we'll take a look at some of the features found on the GGC-H20L and see how it compares to some of the Blu-ray Disc drives from the competition. Does the GGC-H20L have what it takes? You'll have to read the review to find out.

LG GGC-H20L Super Multi Blue Blu-ray Disc & HD DVD-ROM

If you have any comments or questions about this review or the LG GGC-H20L, please post them in the forum. Add a comment

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04 March 2008

LG Germany has announced its first external "Super Multi Blue" drive, the BE06LU. Like its internal counterpart, the GGW-H20L, the BE06LU supports both Blu-ray and HD DVD and features 6x BD-R and 4x BD-R DL writing speeds. supports both Blu-ray and HD DVD and features 6x BD-R and 4x BD-R DL writing speeds.

LG completes its market-leading hybrid burner team with the external LG BE06LU smarter in black-and-white look. Equipped with the latest Blu-ray technology, the device also burns BD-R discs (single-layer) in 6-fold and BD-RE discs 2-fold speed. Of course, reads the new LG burner also HD-DVD discs.

As usual, LGs recent addition to Renner Brenner HD media are all popular DVD and CD formats. For professional design of the appropriate blanks, the LG BE06LU the latest LightScribe technology on board.

The BE06LU is available in Europe now for 399 Euros. The drive will also be available at US retailers like Best Buy in the near future. More information, including a full list of specs, can be found here. Add a comment

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Optical Storage

28 February 2008

Following Toshiba's recent decision to drop HD DVD, Mitsubishi Kagaku Media (MKM) is reportedly stepping up production of blank Blu-ray media. The company plans to install a new production line at its plant in Singapore which is expected to produce 500,000 discs a month.

The Mitsubishi Kagaku Media Co. is stepping up production of Blu-ray Discs, anticipating higher demand since Toshiba Corp.'s (TSE:6502) decision to exit the HD DVD business has left Blu-ray as the sole next-generation DVD format.

At its Singapore plant, the firm will install a production line for recordable Blu-ray Discs used for recording television programs and storing personal computer data.

The new line is slated to be in service in July or August and is expected to produce 500,000 units a month.

MKM is also looking to outsource some production to foreign manufacturers. If you'd like to read more, the entire article can be found here. Add a comment