I-O DATA Japan has announced a new external 18x "Super-Multi" drive based on the LG GSA-H42N. Along with 18x DVD±R and 12x DVD-RAM writing speeds, the DVR-UH18GT can write to DVD±R DL media at 10x.



Writing Speeds:
DVD±R: 18x
DVD±R DL: 10x
DVD+RW: 8x
DVD-RW: 6x
DVD-RAM: 12x
CD-R: 48x
CD-RW: 32x

Read Speeds:
DVD-ROM (Single): 16x Max
DVD-ROM (Dual): 12x Max
DVD±R: 16x Max
DVD±RW: 13x Max
DVD±R DL: 12x Max
DVD-RAM: 12X Max
CD-ROM/CD-R: 48x Max
CD-RW: 40x Max


The DVR-UH18GT should hit store shelves in mid January for 12,500 Yen ($106US). More information can be found here. Add a comment
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
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
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
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
Panasonic has announced that they will be releasing dual-layer 8cm DVD-R discs next spring in the US. Aimed at camcorder users, these discs can store 2.6GB of data or 40 minutes worth of HD quality video.
Panasonic, the leading brand of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., announced today that the company will release single-sided dual layer 8cm (3-inch) DVD-R discs next spring in the United States. The discs feature 2.6GB capacity, which enables approximately 40 minutes'* of continual recording with the AVCHD High Definition camcorder format. Thanks to specially developed hard coat technology, the surface of the disc is extremely scratch resistant, allowing the disc to be handled easily and safely.
These new discs aren't exactly cheap. Expect to pay $14.99 for a single disc or $29.99 for a pack of two. If you'd like to read more, Panasonic's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
Samsung Electronics has officially announced their new 18X Serial ATA DVD writer, the WriteMaster SH-S183L. According to their press release, the SH-S183L is the first Serial ATA drive to feature both 12x DVD-RAM writing speeds and LightScribe technology.
With most PCs today shifting to Serial ATA (SATA) hard disk drive interfaces, Samsung Electronics Ltd., the worldwide digital consumer electronics and information technology leader, announces the next breakthrough drive with the introduction of the new WriteMaster(TM) SH-S183L: The first 18X Serial ATA DVD burner on the market today. With its SATA interface, the SH-S183L eliminates the need for Master/Slave jumper settings and provides thinner data cables, improving airflow and cable routing. The SH-S183L offers transfer rates of 150MB/s, 300MB/s and 600MB/s, making it one of the fastest drives on the market today. The SH-S183L is shipping nationwide with an Estimated Street Price of $89.99.

Designed for consumers looking for a super-fast DVD burner with advanced technology, the SH-S183L offers 12X DVD-RAM recording, and 8X double layer DVD+R and DVD-R recording. LightScribe technology is also embedded in the DVD drive, letting users engrave labels, photos, and designs right onto the CD and DVD discs with no hassle at all. The SH-S183L is the ideal drive for home users as well as IT professionals for use in enterprise and network storage applications.
The SH-S183L is available now for a suggested retail price of $89.99. If you'd like to read more, Samsung's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
Advanced Media has announced that they plan to start shipping RIDATA brand Blu-ray Disc media in the first quarter of 2007. Here's part of their press release:

Advanced Media, Inc., manufacturer and marketer of the popular RIDATA brand of recordable CD and DVD media, electronic storage products, and digital media accessories, is among the first optical disc manufacturers to introduce the new Blu-Ray media in the United States. The company is now shipping the blue laser format RIDATA HD DVD-R media and Blu Ray disc availability is scheduled for the first quarter of 2007. A Blu-Ray disc holds up to five times the storage of a normal DVD with 25GB of capacity on a single-layer. It also has three times the transfer rate of a normal DVD for fast recording of large amounts of data.

To truly imagine the capacity of a Blu-Ray disc consider that it can store 25 million pages of text that is approximately 83,000 300-page books. It has more than five times the capacity of a current red laser DVD. A Blu-Ray disc will store over 4.5 hours of high-definition (HD) video or about 11.5 hours of standard-definition (SD) video on a 25GB disc. Blu-Ray technology will begin offering multi-layer discs, which should allow the storage capacity to be increased to 50GB (25GB per layer) in the fourth quarter of 2007 simply by adding more layers to the discs.
According to their press release, Advanced Media also plans to introduce 50GB dual-layer Blu-ray Disc media by the fourth quarter of 2007. More information can be found here. Add a comment
The Japanese company, Buffalo, has announced what they call the world's first HD DVD-ROM drive for the PC. Based on the Toshiba SD-H802A, the HDV-ROM2.4FB can read HD DVD-ROM and HD DVD-R discs at 2.4x and is backwards compatible with most DVD and CD media. Here's part of their press release, translated from Japanese:

"HDV-ROM2.4FB" 30GB (HD DVD-ROM) is the HD DVD drive for PC which corresponds to the playback of the next generation optical disk "HD DVD" which actualizes bulk at single sided 2 layer in place of DVD which presently has spread. Adopting TOSHIBA corporation make HD DVD drive "SD-H802A" to drive. HD DVD-ROM of HD DVD Disc (it reads and private 1 layer /2 layer), HD DVD-R ([raitowansu] and 1 layer) corresponds to lead/read 2 type. Respectively, it corresponds to reading 2.4 time speed, * 2. DVD (DVD±R, RW and ±R2 layer, DVD-ROM)/it corresponds to the playback of CD-R, RW and ROM other than HD DVD. It can correspond HD DVD of the next generation at 1 units without also the DVD/CD contents which already you have of course making wasteful.
The HDV-ROM2.4FB comes with CyberLink PowerDVD HD DVD Edition and is expected to hit store shelves at the end of December for 37,000 Yen ($322US). More information can be found here. Add a comment
A few months ago we reported that counterfeit BenQ and Plextor DVD burners were found on the Chinese market. Sony doesn't seem to be immune to counterfeiting either. According to DigiTimes, counterfeit versions of the Sony DW-G120A were recently found in Beijing.
Counterfeit versions of Sony's DW-G120A, a 16x Super Multi DVD burner, have been found in Beijing, according to industry sources in Taiwan. In response, Sony Taiwan indicated that no such knockoffs of Sony DVD burners have been found in the Taiwan market.

LiFU is the China sales agent for Sony optical storage product lines, the sources indicated. Samsung, BenQ and Asus, the top three brands for DVD burners in the China market, are concerned about the news, the sources pointed out.
It's unlikely that these counterfeit drives will show up in the US. However, keep it in mind in case that DVD burner on eBay seems to be too good of a deal. If you'd like to read more, the entire article can be found here. Add a comment