Nexcopy And TrusCont have announced the release of the world's first USB duplicator with copy protection. When used with TrusCont's copy protection software, the USB200PC duplicator can create copy protected devices, CD-ROM partitioned drives or Read Only partitioned drives. It also offers advanced features such as anti-copy, anti-rip, time limits and password protection.
Nexcopy Inc., a leading manufacturer in USB Duplicator equipment and TrusCont Ltd. a leader in copy protection and Digital Rights Management solutions, announced the release of the world's first USB duplicator with copy protection capability.

Based on TrusCont security technology, Nexcopy offers the TSFD Publisher Kits for on-site customer creation of USB copy protect flash drives with advanced functions such as USB CD-ROM emulation and USB Read Only partitions. The Nexcopy TSFD Publisher Kits bundle TrusCont Secure Flash Drives, TSFD Copy Protection software and Nexcopy's 20 port USB duplicator.

With increased popularity of USB flash drives as a means for document distribution, software publishing and other digital content distribution the need for companies to secure their intellectual property on USB drives are becoming more prevalent and critical. With TrusCont Secure Flash Drives and Nexcopy's USB200PC USB duplicator, companies now have an in-house, turn-key hardware and software security solution for USB sticks.
Nexcopy TSFD Publisher Kits are available now and include the TSFD Copy Protection software, the USB200PC duplicator and TSFD drives in quantities of 100, 300 and 500 units. More information is available on Nexcopy's website. Add a comment
During the first half of 2008, the price of blank DVD+R/-R DL media dropped by about 50% to around $1 a disc. These price drops have resulted in an increased demand, which both Ritek and CMC are reportedly benefiting from.
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.

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.
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

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OCZ 800w EliteXStream Power Supply @Virtual-Hideout
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X-Spice Kira 530w Power Supply @High Tech Reviews
Zalman Reserator XT Liquid Cooling System @HardwareLogic
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With 6x Blu-ray Disc writers hitting the market, media manufacturers have begun to produce BD-R discs capable of these speeds. DigiTimes is reporting that both CMC and Ritek are in the process of getting their 6x BD-R media certfied and plan to begin volume production later this year.
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.

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.
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
Sony Creative Software recently announced a new version of its Vegas Movie Studio video production software. Vegas Movie Studio 9 offers a number of new features including direct publishing to YouTube, Blu-ray Disc burning, Cinescore Studio soundtrack creation and enhanced project wizards.
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.

“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.”
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

Antec Fusion Black 430 HTPC Case @High Tech Reviews
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Nyko Frontman Wireless Guitars for Wii and PS3 @Futurelooks
SoundCast OutCast Wireless Speaker System @I4U
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Bluraymods.com is advertising a completely region free Panasonic DMP-BD30. The modified player will automatically play DVD's from all regions and Blu-ray Discs from regions A, B and C using a manual switch. Bluraymods.com also claims that the player will continue to work with future firmware updates.

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
At a recent Tokyo news conference, Sony CEO, Howard Stringer, unveiled the company's new corporate strategy. Sony plans to raise its return on equity to 10 percent in three years which would bring its profitability closer to levels at Samsung. To do so, the company will improve the operations of its TV business and expand its PC, Blu-ray Disc-related products and component/semiconductor businesses. Sony also expects its game division to become profitable by the end of the fiscal year and will be launching a video distribution service on its PlayStation Network this summer.
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:
  • 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.
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
Back in January, Matsushita Electric announced that it would be changing its company name to 'Panasonic Corporation'. The name change has now been approved by the company's shareholders and will go into effect on October 1, 2008.
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.

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.
If you'd like to read more, Panasonic's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
Imation sent out a press release this morning, announcing the availability of its new paperclip-sized Atom Flash Drive. The ultimate in data storage portability, the Atom measures less than 1.5 inches long and .5 inches wide, and weighs in at less than an ounce.

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.
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