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New Medium Enterprises (NME) (OTC BB:NMEN.OB - News) and the DaTARIUS Group, today announced that they have signed an agreement, where DaTARIUS becomes the preferred off-line testing equipment provider for the HD VMD optical disc format. NME and DaTARIUS will jointly own the Intellectual Property Rights that emerge from efforts in building testing equipment for the industry.It's good to see HD VMD get support from industry leaders like DaTARIUS. The format is still going to need the blessing of Hollywood, if NME has any hopes of succeeding in markets like the US. If you'd like to read more, NME's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
The agreement represents a major advancement in the global manufacturing and testing process for HD VMD, since many replicators use DaTARIUS' DaTABANK system. The availability of driveCubes for HD VMD on the DaTABANK system is a catalyst for the optical disc industry and promotes the growth of the HD VMD format alongside Blu-ray and HD DVD.
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The PX-608CU is expected to ship to distributors in North and South America in February 2007 for a suggested retail price of $169.00. More information can be found here. Add a comment
Plextor LLC, a leading developer and manufacturer of high-performance digital media equipment, today announced its second-generation ultra-portable DVD±R/RW CD-R/RW multi-drive. Available immediately, the pocket-sized PX-608CU measures 15.9mm high and weighs just 250g (less than nine ounces), which makes it one of the smallest portable DVD writers available in the world. The PX-608CU is ideal for mobile laptop users and others who require a modern, stylish, and compact DVD burner to use anywhere.
Numerous enhancements have been made to the PX-608CU, most notably the addition of USB bus-power for both maximum convenience and true plug-and-play usability. There is generally no need for an external power supply, although the PX-608CU retail package does include an AC-adapter for systems that may not meet USB power requirements. The redesigned clamshell chassis is both portable and stylish. The PX-608CU is also RoHS compliant, satisfying the regulatory requirements of European Union markets.
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The OptiFix Pro is available now for a suggested retail price of $29.99. More information can be found on Memorex's website. Add a comment
When a CD skips or a DVD freezes, the Memorex OptiFix Pro is the best solution on the market for salvaging a disc full of music, photos and memories . With a sleek new design, the automated OptiFix Pro safely and effectively cleans dust, dirt, oil and fingerprints, and repairs scratches on your discs in less than three minutes! It's a quick fix for CDs and DVDs, as well as XBOX, Gamecube and Playstation games. The system comes with an AC adapter, so no batteries are required; and a practical, user-friendly design makes for an easy out-of-the-box experience. Just plug-in, repair, and clean.
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The writers set new performance benchmarks by writing at 18X speed to write once DVD media (DVD-R and +R) and 10X speed to write once Dual Layer / Double Layer (DL) media (DVD-R DL and +R DL).According to Pioneer's press release, prices are expected to start at about €40. I should also point out that the DVR-112D is available in the US. However, it is being sold as the DVR-1810. Add a comment
The writers will be available on an OEM basis in PCs from February 2007 and can also be purchased from our distribution network.
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Royal Philips Electronics (AEX:PHI; NYSE:PHG) announced today that in a patent infringement case between Philips Electronics and CD-Recordable and CD-Re-writable disc manufacturers including Princo and Gigastorage, the U.S. International Trade Commission (ITC) ruled positively in granting a general exclusion order prohibiting the unlicensed importation into the United States of recordable and rewritable compact discs that infringe any of the six patents asserted by Philips. Philips welcomes this positive step in its continuous effort to stop the import of illegal CD-R/RW discs into the US, which creates unfair competition in the recordable disc market.Needless to say, it's good to see this court case finally come to an end. If you'd like to read more, Phillips' entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
Philips filed this case with the ITC in 2002 seeking to prevent unlicensed CD-R and CD-RW discs from entering the United States. The ITC had found in March 2004 that six Philips patents were valid and infringed by the manufacturers, but also determined that the patents were unenforceable because of patent misuse. After Philips appealed the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) held that the ITC's legal analysis was incorrect and remanded the case to the ITC for further proceedings consistent with its opinion.
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Apricorn, (www.apricorn.com) the leader in personal storage, today released its latest product, the EZ Writer DVD LS, an ultra portable optical drive featuring LightScribe Direct Disc Labeling and Dual Layer recording. Weighing just 12 ounces, the EZ Writer DVD LS optical drive offers a sleek, all-inclusive and portable solution for burning, playing and labeling your own DVDs and CDs.The EZ Writer DVD LS is available now for a suggested retail price of $139. More information can be found here. Add a comment
The EZ Writer's new dual layer recording engine enables the user to record up to 8.5GB of data per DVD, virtually doubling data storage capacity on a DVD recordable disc from the single layer recording capacity of 4.7 GBs. This enables users to record four hours of DVD quality video, 16 hours of VHS quality video or up to 8.5GB of files, perfect for storing data, music, movies and MP3s.
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The sale of OM&T is part of Philips' program to divest certain components businesses, which have to that end been placed in its Corporate Investments portfolio. This transaction represents another step Philips is taking to focus on its Healthcare, Lifestyle and Technology activities supported by the strength of the company's brand.According to other sources, Moser Baer hopes that by purchasinging OM&T, they can jump start their Blu-ray media business. More information about the acquisition is available on Philips' website. Add a comment
OM&T employs approximately 50 people in Eindhoven and had turnover in 2006 of approximately EUR 10 million. The transfer of ownership to Moser Baer is effectuated retroactively from January 1, 2007.
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NEC, HLDS (Hitachi-LG Data Storage) and Matsushita Electric Industrial, the top three Japan-based suppliers of slim-type DVD burners for use in notebook PCs, are likely to push back the release of OEM orders to Taiwanese makers, mainly Quanta Storage and Lite-On IT, because the global demand for slim-type next-generation blue-laser burners will not take off this year as originally expected, according to industry sources in Taiwan.If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes. Add a comment
Japanese suppliers of half-height (H/H) DVD burners (for use in desktop PCs) have increasingly focused their self-production on Blu-ray Disc (BD) and/or HD DVD burners and released OEM orders for DVD burners to Taiwanese makers, and the same situation was originally expected to happen to slim-type DVD burners, the sources indicated.
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Although tight supply of CD-R discs has become worse since the second half of 2006, the top two Taiwan-based optical disc makers, CMC Magnetics and Ritek, have still decided to schedule their annual maintenance during the Chinese New Year, with second-tier players Prodisc Technology, Gigastorage and Lead Data expected to continue running their lines during the period.This decision is expected to have a negative effect on the world's already tight supply of CD-R and DVD+R/-R media. For consumers, this probably means more price hikes in the near future. If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes. Add a comment
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No word on pricing, but you can bet that these discs aren't cheap. If you'd like to read more, Fujifilm's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
FUJIFILM U.S.A., Inc. today announced the introduction of Fujifilm PD711 for the XDCAM Professional Disc System, a Blu-ray-based optical recording disc for use with Sony XDCAM and XDCAM HD video systems. The Fujifilm PD711 offers 23.3GB capacity on a single disc, very fast transfer rates of up to 144Mbps and an advanced hard coating.
"New recording technologies and formats are greatly enhancing the creativity and productivity of broadcast and cinematography professionals," said Tom Daly, Director of Marketing, Professional Markets, Recording Media Division, FUJIFILM U.S.A., Inc. "While magnetic tape is still the industry standard, new optical disc recording products offer professionals the benefits of file-based recording and random access capabilities, which result in a streamlined workflow and greater operational efficiencies. The addition of the new PD711 Professional Optical Disc to Fujifilm's extensive line of professional video and data recording media offers customers the most complete product line in the industry today."
