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The results are in and our readers have chosen the Pioneer DVR-111/A11 as the top DVD writer for the month of September. Here are the top drives:
  1. Pioneer DVR-111/A11
  2. BenQ DW1650/1655
  3. LG GSA-H10N/H10L/H10A
  4. (tied) Lite-On SHM-165H6S/165P6S and Plextor PX-760A/760SA
Your favorite drive didn't make it onto the list? Then go and vote for October's top DVD writer. Add a comment

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We've completed the move to the new server. While DNS updates, going to www.cdrlabs.com should redirect you to www2.cdrlabs.com (and similarly, www2.cdrlabs.com/phpBB/). Keep an eye out for weird problems, and let us know in this forum thread.
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We are currently in the process of moving CDRLabs to a new server. Once the data has been moved over, we'll switch the DNS to the new host and re-enable the forums. If all goes well, this will be some time today. Thanks for your patience. Add a comment

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BCCHardware has put together a review of LG's new "Super-Multi" drive, the GSA-H10N. Here's what they had to say about it:
Basically at the end of the day, this drive met my expectations. It seems that lately there really haven't been many exciting new technologies when it comes to DVD/CD Burners, and when I started this drive I was pretty sure there wasn't going to be anything that jumped out and surprised me. It really makes giving this drive a final score tough, I couldn't give it a perfect score just since it really didn't blow me away or anything, however it has very solid numbers and therefore scored quite high in the end.
If you'd like to read more, head on over to BCCHardware and check out their review. Want a second opinion? Our review of the GSA-H10N can be found here. Add a comment

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The guys at CD Freaks have taken a look at Samsung's new 18x "Super-Multi" drive, the SH-S182D. Here's a sample of what they had to say:
The total 18x DVD writing times are very good and the quality ok on this Samsung SH-S182D.

The CD-R write quality is excellent with the Samsung SH-S182D, with most tested CD-R media returning impressive results. Write performance was also impressive with many burns well under 3 minutes.
We too have a review of the SH-S182D in the works. In the mean time, head on over to CD Freaks and check out their review. Add a comment

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Today we bring you a review of ASUS's latest "Super-Multi" drive, the DRW-1608P3S. Based on the Pioneer DVR-111, the drive is capable of 16x DVD±R, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, 8x DVD±R DL and 5x DVD-RAM writing speeds and has a maximum DVD read speed of 16x. The DRW-1608P3S also includes features like 40x CD reading and writing speeds, 32x rewriting speeds and support for technologies like FlextraLink and FlextraSpeed.

In this review we'll take a look at some of the features found on the DRW-1608P3S and see how it compares to some of the 16x DVD±RW drives from the competition. Does ASUS's drive have what it takes? You'll have to read the review to find out.


ASUS DRW-1608P3S 16x DVD±RW/RAM
As usual, if you have any comments or questions about this review or the ASUS DRW-1608P3S, please post them in the forum by clicking the link below.
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Miguel at Extreme Mhz has taken a look at Samsung's new LightScribe capable 18x DVD±RW, the SH-S182M. Here's a sample of what he had to say about it:
The Samsung SH-S182M was a sheer pleasure to review and had the potential of being on of the best drives you can buy. In fact, the only reason this drive failed to earn my highest recommendation was due to the poor ripping performance. Also, the DVD double layer write performance is questionable as it seemed to struggle quite a bit with the +R format, even when using the highest quality media available.
If you'd like to read more, head on over to Extreme Mhz and check out their review. Also, make sure you enter their latest contest as they are giving away a few 12x DVD-RAM discs. Add a comment

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Here's an interesting bit of news. According to an article at vnunet.com, companies like Ritek and U-Tech are working on a way to embed RFID chips into DVD's. These chips would then be used to track the discs as they make their way to store shelves as well as a way to prevent illegal copying.
DVDs will soon be tracked with embedded radio transmitter chips to prevent copying and piracy, according to the company which makes movie discs for Warner, Disney, Fox and other major studios.

The technology, which can also be used for Blu-Ray and HD-DVD discs, will allow movie studios to remotely track individual discs as they travel from factories to retail shelves to consumers' homes.

Home DVD players will eventually be able to check on the chip embedded in a disc, and refuse to play discs which are copied or played in the 'wrong' geographical region, the companies behind the technology expect.
While this is a great way to track DVD's, I don't see it as a good way to prevent piracy. RFID chips can be disabled or "zapped" using devices like a modified camera. If you'd like to read more, the entire article can be found here. Add a comment

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The guys at CD Freaks have gotten their hands on an early sample of Plextor's new standalone CD/DVD eraser, the PlexEraser PX-0E100E. Here's what they had to say about it:
Our opinion about this device is that we strongly believe that this product is not in the first line aimed for the private and normal everyday user, but rather for Companies, Organizations, Financial institutions, Hospitals/Medical institutions, Government departments, Military and Research establishments, which wants to destroys sensitive data stored on CD/DVD in an environmentally and friendly way.
If you'd like to read more, CD Freaks' entire review can be found here. Add a comment

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The DVD Forum held their 35th Steering Committee meeting earlier this week. Among other things, the group approved the specifications for DVD-RW DL media. Here are some of the highlights from the meeting:
  • Approval of "DVD Specifications for Recordable Disc for Dual Layer (DVD-R for DL) File System Specifications, Version 3.0"
  • Approval of "Inclusion of 44.1kHz audio family into HD DVD-Video as mandatory"
  • Approval of "DVD Specifications for Re-recordable Disc for Dual Layer (DVD-RW for DL) Physical Specifications, Version 2.0"
  • Approval of "Version-up Information for the following Specifications:
    -DVD Specifications for High Density Rewritable Disc (HD DVD-RAM) Physical Specifications (Version 1.0 to 1.1)
    -DVD Specifications for High Density Recordable Disc (HD DVD-R) Physical Specifications (Version 1.0 to 1.1)
    -DVD Specifications for High Density Recordable Disc for Dual Layer (HD DVD-R for DL) Physical Specifications (Version 2.0 to 2.1)
    -DVD Specifications for High Density Re-recordable Disc (HD DVD-RW) Physical Specifications (Version 1.0 to 1.1)
    -DVD Specifications for High Density Re-recordable Disc for Dual Layer (HD DVD-RW for DL) Physical Specifications (Version 2.0 to 2.1) "
  • Approval of "The following conceptual proposals:
    -HD DVD application format (HD DVD-Video/Video Recording) recording on red laser DVD recordable media
    -Red laser recording function: Type 1 & 2 (provisional approval and details including physical specifications will be decided for Type 2 later)
    -Creation of format specifications by related WGs (WG-1, 3, 5, 6 and 9)"
Some of the proposals are interesting. In particular the ability to record HD DVD video content onto standard DVD media. If you'd like to read more, the Steering Committee's entire list of resolutions can be found here. Add a comment
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