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International retail prices of blank 4-6x DVD+R/-R DL discs have dropped by about 50% during the first half of 2008 to around US$1, spurring a fast growth in global demand. As the only two Taiwan-based makers of such discs, Ritek and CMC Magnetics are benefiting from the market surge, according to industry sources in Taiwan.With blank Blu-ray Discs being relatively expensive, the demand for DVD+R/-R DL media is expected to double in 2009. If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes. Add a comment
Japan-based Mitsubishi Kagaku Media (MKM) and Hitachi Maxell originally dominated the global production of such discs with relatively high OEM quotes, but Ritek, CMC and India-based Moser Baer India (MBI) entered the segment bringing price-cut competition, the sources indicated. As a result, OEM quotes have continually fallen and so have retail prices.
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ASRock K10N78hSLI-WiFi Motherboard @BCCHardware
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Zalman Reserator XT Liquid Cooling System @HardwareLogic
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CMC Magnetics and Ritek have 6x Blu-ray Disc (BD)-R discs in the process of certification by potential clients and plan to kick off volume production in August and some time in the third quarter, respectively, according to the two companies.The article also points out that 6x BD-R discs are expected to be relatively expensive and that discs rated at 2x and 4x will remain the mainstream standard. If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes. Add a comment
Japan-based Matsushita Electric Industrial (Panasonic) last week became the world's first vendor to unveil 6x BD-R discs and will launch single- and double-layer versions for sale in Japan next month, according to industry sources in Taiwan. The BD Association approved the 6x BD-R specification in March defining a maximum write speed of 216Mbps, 20-25% faster than that of 16x DVD+R/-R, the sources noted.
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Sony Creative Software, a leading worldwide provider of professional video and audio production applications, today announced new versions of its award-winning Vegas Movie Studio consumer video production software. Vegas Movie Studio 9, Vegas Movie Studio 9 Platinum Edition and Vegas Movie Studio 9 Platinum Pro Pack for the PC will be available in stores and online this August. Sony Creative Software is also introducing Vegas Movie Studio 9 and Vegas Movie Studio 9 Platinum Edition at new lower prices.Vegas Movie Studio 9 Platinum Pro Pack, Vegas Movie Studio 9 Platinum Edition and Vegas Movie Studio 9 will be available in August and are priced at $129.95, $99.95 and $69.95, respectively. Full details can be found here. Add a comment
“As video has become a popular medium for all age groups to enjoy and share on the Internet, the Vegas Movie Studio 9 line of products was designed to address customer demand for simple, end-to-end video production at home that works seamlessly from the camcorder, to the software and ultimately to a variety of destinations for sharing,” said Dave Chaimson, vice president of global marketing for Sony Creative Software. Whether it’s a camera full of still photos, or footage from your cell phone, our products provide the best solution for creating the perfect montage from all of your media in one, easy-to-use, reliable application.”
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Bluraymods.com wants €499 ($781US) for a premodified unit. This is pretty steep, considering the DMP-BD30 normally lists for only $499. However, you can save some money by modifying your player yourself as the mod kit costs only €69 ($109US) by itself. Bluraymods.com also has mod kits for other players, including the Sony BDP-S300, Samsung BD-P1400 and Pioneer LX-BD70. Add a comment
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Sony today presented a series of new initiatives designed to build on its previous three-year revitalization plan and to position the company as the leading global provider of networked consumer electronics and entertainment. In particular, the company will focus on strengthening core businesses, enhancing network initiatives and leveraging international growth opportunities to build for the future and drive further growth and profits. In addition, Sony announced the following key mid-term goals:It will be interesting to see if Sony can pull all of this off. If you'd like to read more, Sony's entire announcement can be found here. Add a comment
- Expand our PC, Blu-ray Disc-related products and component/semiconductor businesses into “trillion yen businesses,” joining LCD TVs, digital imaging (digital cameras and camcorders), game and mobile phones and raising the total number of “trillion yen businesses” to seven.
- Ensure that 90% of our electronics product categories are network-enabled and wireless-capable by the fiscal year ending March 31, 2011 (“FY2010”).
- Roll out video services across key Sony products by FY2010, starting with the summer 2008 launch on the PLAYSTATION®Network.
- Double annual revenue from BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, China) countries to 2 trillion yen by FY2010.
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Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (Matsushita [NYSE symbol: MC]), best known for its Panasonic brand products, today announced its shareholders approved a proposal to change the company's name to "Panasonic Corporation" at its 101st Annial Shareholders Meeting that was held today. The change will become effective from October 1, 2008. The name change will also take effect for some of the group companies currently using the names Matsushita or National. The shareholders of each of these companies approved that this move would also become effective from October 1, 2008. In addition, Matsushita announced its ticker symbol change on the New York Stock Exchange from "MC" to "PC" as of October 1, 2008.If you'd like to read more, Panasonic's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
The brand changeover from National to Panasonic to be phased-in across Japan commencing October 1, 2008 has started earlier than the original plan, expected to complete within fiscal year 2010 ending March 2010. Currently, the National brand is used for home appliances and housing equipments in Japan.
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The Imation Atom Flash Drive is available now in 1GB, 2GB, 4GB and 8GB capacities. Prices range from $17.99 to $99.99, based on capacity. If you'd like to read more, Imation's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
Imation Corp. (NYSE: IMN), a worldwide leader in removable data storage, continues to deliver the ultimate in flash drive technology and design with the availability of its smallest USB flash drive in the United States, the Imation Atom Flash Drive. Featuring a unique ultra-compact design, performance and high storage capacities, combined with password protection, partitioning software, and Windows(R) Vista ReadyBoost compatibility, the Atom Flash Drive is an essential and secure portable storage accessory for those transporting their digital life.
Roughly the size of a paperclip, the Atom Flash Drive is the smallest among Imation's flash drives, measuring less than 1.5 inches long and .5 inches wide, and weighing less than an ounce. The ultra-compact and unique design allows users to attach the drive directly to other mobile devices making it easy to manage and transfer digital files. A sleek black and aluminum finish make it a stylish and professional choice for professionals on the go.
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Corel Corporation (NASDAQ:CREL; TSX:CRE), a leading developer of graphics, productivity and digital media software, today announced that Corel® WinDVD® and DVD MovieFactory® are bundled with Lenovo’s new consumer line of IdeaCentre Blu-ray Disc® desktop computers.If you'd like to read more, Corel's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
With Corel’s award-winning WinDVD and DVD MovieFactory, the IdeaCentre can now author and play back Blu-ray Disc movies and video with the latest high-definition effects including Dolby® Digital and DTS® Surround Sound.
“We are pleased Lenovo has selected WinDVD and DVD MovieFactory for its new consumer desktop series,” said James Carrington, Senior Director, OEM and Strategic Product Marketing at Corel. “An increasing number of consumers are making the switch to HD, and with Lenovo’s IdeaCentre Blu-ray Disc desktop computers, users will find a superior HD authoring and playback experience for their home movies, as well as state-of-the-art viewing for the latest Hollywood releases.”
