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Following an announcement by NEC of chips supporting both the HD DVD and Blu-ray formats, Taiwan-based optical disc drive (ODD) makers said they are not considering launching dual-standard drive models for the two disc standards..If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes. Add a comment
..Although NEC claims the new dual-standard chips can help reduce costs by 20-30%, Taiwan-based ODD firms said the overall production cost of ODDs using the chip may not be less than that of disc drives using chips that support a single DVD standard since overall costs are determined by other factors, such as the cost of the optical pick-up head (PUH) and yields.
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Among makers of optical discs in Taiwan, only CMC Magnetics, Ritek, Prodisc Technology, Daxon Technology and Lead Data are currently capable of producing 16x DVD+R/-R discs, while second-tier and smaller makers produce 4x and/or 8x discs, the sources indicated.If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes. Add a comment
As demand for 16x DVD+R/-R discs grows with the increasing use of 16x and 18x DVD burners, some makers have mislabeled their discs with higher speeds in order to grab profits, the sources pointed out, noting that there have been reported cases of counterfeited TDK 8x and 16x DVD+R/-R discs made by small makers in Taiwan.
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In a major break through for Moser Baer, the second largest optical media manufacturer in the world, its in-house developed and patented technology has been considered as one of the four standard media to be included in the Blu-ray disc specifications by the Blu-ray Disc Association in the recently concluded meeting in Newport Beach, California, USA. Moser Baer played a very vital role in developing the next generation optical media (Blu-ray disc) as a contributing member to the world body. The company is now amongst a select few like Mitsubishi Kagaku Media Co Ltd, Fuji Photo Film Co Ltd, and Taiyo Yuden of Japan to have its technology approved by the prestigious Blu-ray Disc Association.If you'd like to read more, Moser Baer's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
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No word on price yet. However, the PX-755UF is expected to be available in November 2006. More information can be found here. Add a comment
Plextor today announces a new addition to their Premium range of DVD-ReWriter drives - the external PX-755UF, capable of 16x DVD+/-R and 10x DVD+R DL burning speeds. The PX-755UF comes with a comprehensive package of high-end features to give the professional user full recording control. Building on the success of the internal PX-755A-range of drives, the external PX-755UF is housed within a stylish matt black chassis - and offers the extra flexibility and convenience of dual connectivity: USB2.0 and IEEE 1394 FireWire.
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Toshiba will demonstrate the new drive at CEATEC JAPAN 2006 and plans to send sample shipments by the end of the year. More information, including a full list of specs, can be found here. Add a comment
SD-L902A integrates a blue-violet laser diode that can read and write to HD DVD-R discs and that offers support for high-density HD DVD-ROM discs, including high definition movie and video images. The drive also offers the functionality of a super multi-drive, with high performance, high-speed read and write to all flavors of standard DVD and CD discs.
At only 12.7 millimeters in height, SD-L902A meets the stringent space specifications for slim drives integrated into highly portable notebook PCs. This is due in part to HD DVD discs having the physical structure as standard DVD, allowing use of an optical pick-up head with only a single objective lens. The result is a space-saving solution, and a drive able to read and write to HD DVD-R discs, to read HD DVD-ROM discs, and to read and write to standard DVD and CD discs.
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Although advanced technology attachment packet interface (ATAPI) is the mainstream interface standard for optical disc drives (ODDs) currently, serial ATA (SATA) stands a chance of replacing the former in the second half of 2007, according to sources in Taiwan's ODD manufacturing industry.We've had an early sample of the Sony AW-Q160S in the 'Labs for a couple weeks now and while it works fairly well with newer motherboards, there are still issues with older chipsets. If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes. Add a comment
SATA has been adopted for several DVD-burner models, such as the Sony AW-Q160S, Asustek DRW-1814BLT and DVD-E616A3T, the sources indicated. Samsung, Pioneer and the Taiwan-based Lite-On IT and BenQ will launch SATA DVD burners this quarter, the sources noted.
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HP High Definition DVD-ROM Drive -- which provides the superior picture quality of high-def movies(5) in a portable device for use with widescreen notebooks. The external drive offers advanced interactivity; for example, users can access the Internet(6) and chat while watching a movie, or play games that are seamlessly integrated into a movie. Backwards compatible, the drive not only supports new HD DVDs, but also regular CDs and DVDs.We have not heard when the HD100 will ship or how much it will be. However, you can expect to see it on store shelves in time for the holiday shopping season. If you'd like to read more, HP's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
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The fact that Quanta Storage is looking to obtain a license from another company suggests that it will not continue licensing ODD patents from Philips, industry sources indicated. This is may be due to Philips charging higher royalty fees than companies such as Sony, Matsushita Electric Industrial (Panasonic) and Pioneer, the sources noted. For Quanta Storage, Sony would be the best partner among Japan-based candidates because Sony NEC Optiarc, an ODD joint venture between Sony and NEC, is very likely to release ODM/OEM orders to Quanta Storage if it becomes a licensee of Sony, the sources pointed out.The article also hints that Quanta's decision may also be due to Lite-On's use of Philips' patents. If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes. Add a comment
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Royal Philips Electronics' promotion of Veeza, its new licensing system for its essential CD-R disc patents, in Taiwan has scored initial points by successfully persuading Ritek to an agreement, but the effort has been frustrated in China because makers of CD-R discs there have consistently boycotted Veeza and none have signed up for it, according to industry sources in Taiwan.The article also points out that with most Chinese manufactured CD-R discs ending up on the domestic market, companies in that country do not feel pressured to compromise with Philips. If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes. Add a comment
While Philips' promotion of Veeza in Taiwan is through separate talks with each of the target CD-R disc makers, fellow makers in China have authorized the China Audio & Video Association (CAVA) to negotiate with Philips on behalf of them, the sources pointed out. CAVA thinks the Veeza royalty is too high to be acceptable, the sources indicated.
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Lite-On IT, the largest maker of optical disc drives in Taiwan, recently began volume production of an 18x Super Multi LightScribe DVD burner, model LH-18A1H, for OEM clients and will launch the model for own-brand sale in the Taiwan market at a recommended retail price of about NT$2,100 (US$64) in the middle of next month, according to the company.If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes. Otherwise, more information on the LH-18A1H can be found here. Add a comment
