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14 January 2008

The SATA-IO announced today that it started working on a new specification that will provide power to eSATA devices without the need for a separate power connection. This Power Over eSATA initiative will maintain compatibility with the existing eSATA connector form factor and retain its 3Gb/s transfer speed.

Serial ATA International Organization (SATA-IO), the consortium dedicated to sustaining the quality, integrity and dissemination of SATA technology, today announced its Power Over eSATA initiative. SATA-IO has begun work on a new specification that will provide power to external SATA (eSATA) devices without the need for a separate power connection. Led by the organization’s Cable and Connector group, the specification is targeted for completion in the second half of 2008.

Today, eSATA devices require an external power adapter to supply the necessary voltage for operation. The new SATA-IO specification will eliminate this requirement by providing power for a single drive directly from the host system using the Power Over eSATA cable. Key benefits will be to maintain compatibility with the existing eSATA connector form factor and retain high performance at the current maximum interface transfer rate of 3Gb/s (gigabits per second). External SATA offers the only 3Gb/s bus optimized for storage performance. Data from IDC shows that eSATA can transfer a two-hour high-definition movie in less than one minute.

Power Over eSATA solutions, such as portable optical drives, are expected to be available as soon as the second half of 2008. More information can be found here. Add a comment

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11 January 2008

CDRLabs finishes up the week with a review of Lite-On's new 20x "Super AllWrite" drive, the DH-20A3H. While affordably priced, the DH-20A3H sports some pretty impressive specs including 20x DVD±R, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, 8x DVD±R DL and 12x DVD-RAM writing speeds and has a maximum DVD read speed of 16x. The drive also has many of the features we've come to expect from Lite-On, along with more advanced ones like SmartWrite. To top it all off, the DH-20A3H includes support for HP's LightScribe Direct Disc Labeling system.

In this review we'll take a look at some of the features found on the LH-20A1L and see how it compares to some of the 18x and 20x DVD±RW drives from the competition. Does the LH-20A1L have what it takes? You'll have to read the review to find out.

Lite-On DH-20A3H 20x Super AllWrite DVD±RW/RAM

If you have any comments or questions about this review or the Lite-On DH-20A3H, please post them in the forum. Add a comment

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11 January 2008

Tree huggers rejoice! Blue Ray Technologies has announced that its plant in Spokane, Washington is the world's first 100% eco-friendly Blu-ray manufacturing facility. The plant, which is located in a recycled historical building, uses underground tanks to cool its production water, solar panels to provide electricity and eco-conscious raw materials and packaging.

With Green the theme for the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, and Blu-ray the hot topic, Blue Ray Technologies has announced the first 100 percent eco-friendly Blu-ray plant in the world. It is designed as a showcase of how cutting edge technology can be profitable while working with earth instead of against it.

"As Blue Ray leads high-definition and consumers into the 21st Century in movies and games, we take seriously the challenge to make manufacturing as clean as the picture on our Blu-ray discs," says Blue Ray Technologies founder Erick Hansen.

For the next-gen company, it's more than just lip service to the Green movement, it's a philosophy built in to every phase of Blue Ray Technologies' operations. Starting with a recycled historical building for its Spokane, Washington, plant, BRT uses underground tanks to cool its production water, solar panels to provide electricity, redirected heat from manufacturing to office space, rainwater collectors, eco-conscious raw materials and packaging plus energy-saving devices everywhere from clean room lighting to the kitchens. Any carbon footprint left is more than zeroed-out by support for tree-planting and methane-recycling programs.

If you'd like to read more, Blue Ray Technnologies' entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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10 January 2008

Matsushita Electric announced today that it will change its company name to 'Panasonic Corporation'. Once approved by the company's shareholders, the name change will go into effect on October 1, 2008.

Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (Matsushita [NYSE symbol: MC]), best known for its Panasonic brand, today announced that the company will change its company name to 'Panasonic Corporation' effective October 1, 2008. The company will also unify its corporate brands to the 'Panasonic' brand across the world.

The change, that was approved at the company's extraordinary board meeting today, will be submitted for and subject to approval at its ordinary general meeting of shareholders to be held in late June this year.

Upon a company name change, the company will undertake its brand name change from the 'National' brand, which is used for home appliances and housing equipment in Japan, to the 'Panasonic' brand by the end of fiscal 2010, ending March 31, 2010. Subsequently, the 'National' brand will be abandoned and the corporate brands in Japan will be unified to the 'Panasonic' Brand.

If you'd like to read more, Panasonic's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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07 January 2008

Maxell has introduced a new lens cleaning solution for HD DVD and Blu-ray players. The cleaner features Maxell's Wind Funnel Cleaning System which allows it to remove dust and dirt without using chemicals and brushes.

Maxell Corporation of America hasintroduced an innovative lens cleaning solution ideal for the activeBlu-Ray & HD DVD users as well as PLAYSTATION(R)3 and X-box 360 gamers.Designed specifically for Blu-Ray/HD DVD players, the Blu-Ray/HD DVD LensCleaner features a patented Wind Funnel Cleaning System held exclusively byMaxell that enables the disc cleaner to remove dust and dirt from thesensitive systems without using chemicals and brushes.

"As technology expands, proper care is needed to prolong the life andquality of products that consumers have invested in," said GordonTetreault, director of sales and marketing for Maxell's accessory products."The new Blu-Ray Lens Cleaner will ensure you can enjoy the very best yourmedia has to offer by delicately removing excessive build up and residuewhich can tarnish the viewing experience and even damage a playercompletely."

Maxell's new Blu-Ray/HD DVD Lens Cleaner will be available in March 2008 for a suggested retail price of $24.99. Full details can be found here. Add a comment

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03 January 2008

BFG Tech 800 Watt Power Supply @HardwareLogic.com
GeForce 8800 GT Round-Up: Asus, EVGA, MSI @HotHardware.com
GlacialTech IGLOO 5610 Series CPU Cooler @TweakTown
High Speed PC Top Deck Tech Station @BCCHardware
Razer Mako 2.1 Advanced Desktop Audio Gaming Speakers @I4U

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27 December 2007

Toshiba announced today that they've filed a lawsuit against the Italian DVD maker, ACME S.p.A. According to Toshiba's press release, ACME is infringing on their patents by manufacturing DVD video discs without a licensing agreement.

Toshiba Corporation announced today that the Company filed a lawsuit in Italy against an Italian disc replicator of DVD discs on December 27, 2007. The suit was brought to the District Court of Milan - Specialised IP Chamber against ACME S.p.A. (ACME), as a means to halt infringement a Toshiba’s DVD patent. Toshiba seeks injunctive relief and declaration that ACME is liable for damages resulting from its infringement of Toshiba’s DVD patent.

Toshiba licenses patents essential for meeting DVD format specifications.1 ACME has not entered into license agreements with Toshiba or the DVD6C Licensing Group2, and has engaged in the manufacture and sales of DVD video discs in Italy without permission. Toshiba contends that ACME’s infringement of Toshiba’s patent has damaged Toshiba’s DVD-related business, and also caused damage to the legitimate and licensed DVD product manufacturing and distribution business as a whole. In filing the lawsuit, Toshiba prepares to recover monetary damages, and to secure an agreement from ACME to respect Toshiba’s intellectual property rights in future.

If you'd like to read more, Toshiba's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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26 December 2007

ASUS Blitz Formula Special Edition @InsideHW.com
bGears b-Tarantula 650W Modular Power Supply @Virtual-Hideout
Icebox 5.25 UV Blue Dual Bay Reservoir @Virtual-Hideout
Raidmax Aztec Gaming Case @ThinkComputers.org
Saitek Notebook Optical Mouse & Mini Hub @ThinkComputers.org
Seagate Barracuda 1TB 7200.11 Hard Drive @TweakTown
Tagan BZ-1100 1100 Watt Power Supply @Hi-Techreviews.com
TerraTec NOXON iRadio Network Music Player @Madshrimps
Thermaltake Armor+ VH6000 Case @Hardware Zone
Ultra Power Partner 5.25" Bay PSU @BCCHardware
XFX Geforce 8500GT Fatal1ty Video Card @Madshrimps

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22 December 2007

I just wanted to remind everyone that CDRLabs is offering an ad-free subscription-based service. For a low monthly or yearly fee, CDRLabs.com can be viewed without any ads. This subscription service also gives members access to a special "members only" section of the forum and benefits like a larger attachment quota. As part of your subscription, you will also get a vanity CDRLabs email address. Powered by Google, this email account comes with a 5GB quota.

As our introductory price, we will be offering the following subscription options:

$1/month subscription, with the option of auto-renewing

$10/year subscription, with the option of auto-renewing

For instructions on how to subscribe, please see this forum thread. Add a comment