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12 May 2006

According to DigiTimes, Lite-On has scrapped their own Blu-ray drive designs and will instead use those developed by BenQ. Like many of BenQ's other drives, these will be based on Philips technology.

Lite-On IT plans to start volume production in July of this year of half-height (H/H) Blu-ray Disc (BD) optical disc drives (ODDs) based on technology from Royal Philips Electronics as a result of the company taking over BenQ's ODD unit, according to industry sources.

The H/H BD drive models had been originally developed by BenQ's ODD unit and Lite-On IT has taken over the development, including the use of technology from Philips that was licensed to BenQ, the sources pointed out. Lite-On IT is expected to take control of BenQ's ODD business in June of this year.

If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes. Add a comment

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11 May 2006

Plextor Europe has officially announced the Serial ATA version of the PX-760A, the PX-760SA. The company also announced the launch of their new 52/32/52 CD-RW, the PlexWriter Premium2.

Following on from the recent successful launch of Plextor's PX-760A ATAPI/IDE DVD-RW drive into the market, the company today announces the Serial-ATA version - PX-760SA. This 18x drive is the World's fastest Serial-ATA DVD-ReWriter on the market, capable of 18x DVD+R and 10x DVD+R DL speeds, and is designed to take advantage of the latest motherboard connections within modern PCs.

Separately, Plextor is also launching the next model in its Premium range - PlexWriter Premium2. This fast drive not only offers 52x read/write and 32x re-writing speeds, but also includes a large 8MB buffer which is useful when multi-tasking to ensure there is no data interruption

The PX-760SA and PlexWriter Premium2 will ship in June. More information on both drives can be found here. Add a comment

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Optical Storage

11 May 2006

BenQ Japan sent out a press release earlier today, announcing their new "Super-Multi" drive, the DW1670. Here's part of their press release, translated from Japanese:

BenQ Japan Ltd. will put "BenQ DW1670" that becomes a new model of the storage product on the market in the middle of May. "BenQ DW1670" is made by the Philips BenQ Digital Storage company that is a joint enterprise of BenQ and the Philips Co.. That can correspond also to DVD-RAM Valuable data can be recorded in DVD and CD without reserve as the kind of the media format doesn't worry in record type DVD drive corresponding to the CD/DVD all formats. DVD±R The record speed of DVD±R DL media was improved besides a high-speed record of 16 X speed or less was achieved at 88.64Mbit or less/second (eight X speed). Moreover, BenQ original air cooling function【Dual Cooling System(DCS)】 high-speed to record, and to emanate heat that reads and generates high speed in Toki is installed, generation of heat in the drive is suppressed to effective, and deterioration in the record quality can be prevented.

While the bulk, or OEM, version of the drive will hit store shelves on May 12th, the retail version won't ship until June. More information, including a list of specs, can be found here. Add a comment

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11 May 2006

According to an article at DigiTimes, CMC has begun shipping single-layer 15GB HD DVD-R discs and is planning to produce dual-layer 30GB media in the 3Q of this year.

Already having started production of HD DVD-R discs in May, CMC Magnetics stated it is preparing for volume production of 30GB single-sided dual-layer HD DVD-R discs in the third quarter, according to the company.

The company is already volume shipping single-sided single-layer 15GB HD DVD-R discs, and CMC plans to volume ship the 30GB discs in the third quarter, according to the company.

If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes. Add a comment

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10 May 2006

Imation has announced that they've started shipping printable CD and DVD media with their new AquaGuard technology. With AquaGuard, images and text are permanently locked into the disc's surface, making them resistent to both water and smudging.

Print images with lasting impact on the new Inkjet Printable CDs and DVDs with AquaGuard(TM) surface from Imation Corp (NYSE: IMN) -- available in mid-May through Imation authorized distributors. Thanks to the first-of-its kind AquaGuard nanoparticle technology, the new discs feature a whiter, brighter surface that provides a better canvas on which to print vibrant, lasting impressions. Printed images and text are also permanently locked into the disc's surface -- even when handled immediately after printing or when exposed to water.

Inkjet disc printing -- as part of the fast-growing printable media market -- is an efficient and cost-effective solution for duplicators who create CDs or DVDs, and the businesses or consumers they serve. Imation's Inkjet Printable Media with AquaGuard surface, the world's first water-resistant and smudge-resistant inkjet printable media, alleviates traditional concerns about the appearance and smudging of inkjet disc printing compared to more expensive thermal disc printing. A white paper about AquaGuard technology is available at http://www.imation.com/aquaguard.

Imation's Inkjet Printable Media with AquaGuard surface will hit store shelves in mid-May. More information, including pricing, can be found here . Add a comment

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10 May 2006

Memorex has announced that they've added 16x DVD+R discs to their line of LightScribe media. These new discs also support LightScribe 1.2 technology, allowing for faster label creation speeds.

Memorex, the leading brand of optical media at U.S. retail and a division of Imation Corp. (NYSE: IMN), expands its LightScribe recordable media offerings to include the newest and fastest LightScribe technology. New Memorex 16X DVD+R LightScribe media allows for stunning, laser-etched designs right on the disc surface, giving consumers a no-hassle way to burn silkscreen-quality disc prints. Featuring LightScribe Media Version 1.2 technology, the new discs produce disc designs even faster than the previous version.

With Memorex LightScribe media and a LightScribe-enabled computer drive, consumers can create custom labels using photos, graphics and text, and then inscribe the designs directly onto the specially coated, scratch-resistant discs. Memorex's new 16X DVD+R discs with LightScribe Media Version 1.2 offer maximum data recording speeds and faster label creation than first generation LightScribe DVDs. Memorex was one of the very first media brands to offer LightScribe CD and DVD recording media at North American retail.

Memorex's 16x DVD+R LightScribe media is available now in packs of 10. More information can be found here. Add a comment

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09 May 2006

DigiTimes has reported that Gigastorage and Lead Data are planning to form a joint venture in Paraguay to produce optical discs.

Gigastorage and Lead Data, two second-tier makers of optical discs in Taiwan, plan to establish a joint venture to produce optical discs in Paraguay in a bid to tap the market in Latin America, according to industry sources.

According to the article, Latin American countries impose very high customs tariffs on optical discs. By moving the factory to the area, they can cut down on some of these costs. If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes. Add a comment

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09 May 2006

Hitachi Maxell has announced that their CPRM compatible 8x DVD-R DL media will be available in Japan on June 8th. Here's part of their press release, translated from Japanese:

Will Hitachi Maxell, Ltd.'s (The execution post president: Yoshito Kakuta)*1 sale of the DVD-R DL(DUAL LAYER) disk for recording for eight-X speed standard record that can be recorded for long time of 215 minutes in the world on June 8 for the first time. It corresponds to copyright technology CPRM protection, and "It is possible to record only once" digital broadcasting program * can record two.

A further making to a large capacity is needed to record the DVD disk in the main current of present wholly by a standard image quality of the program that exceeds 120 minutes like the soccer program etc. though ..standard.. 120 minutes can be recorded. Moreover, a high-speed record to shorten the record time to the record of mass data is requested. The principle and "It is possible to record only once" copy control signal have been added to digital broadcasting though the environment that can receive digital broadcasting is in order on the other hand. The DVD disk corresponding to copyright technology CPRM(Content Protection for Recordable Media) protection and the DVD video recorder corresponding to the disk are necessary to record these programs on the DVD disk.

According to AV Watch, Maxell's 8x DVD-R DL media is expected to cost about 1300 Yen. More information can be found here. AV Watch. Add a comment

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Optical Storage

08 May 2006

Plextor Eruope released a number of new firmware updates today including ones for the PX-712A, PX-708A and Premium . You can download them directly using the links below.

PX-712A/SA/UF	V1.09
PX-708A2/UF2	V1.09
PX-708A/UF	V1.12
PX-W4012TS	V1.06
PX-W4012TA	V1.07
PX-W4824TA/TU	V1.07
PX-W5224TA	V1.04
Plextor Premium	V1.07

According to Plextor's website, these updates improve "writing quality on TDK CD-R media." Please feel free to share your experiences with this new firmware in our forum. Add a comment