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Optical Storage
Pioneer Electronics announced two new 20x DVD writers this week. The DVR-116D (PATA) and DVR-216D (SATA) are capable of 20x DVD±R and 12x DVD±R DL writing speeds and offer support for Pioneer's new Optimal Write Speed function. Pioneer has also redesigned the drives’ internal mechanisms to reduce noise and protect against dust.
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Aliph Jawbone Bluetooth Headset @BlueTomorrow.com
ASUS Lion Square CPU Cooler @Virtual-Hideout
Cyber Snipa Stinger Mouse @BCCHardware
GeForce 9600 GT Round-Up: PNY, MSI, ASUS @HotHardware.com
MSI RX3870-T2D512E OC Videocard @HardwareLogic
Samsung SC-MX10 Digital Camcorder @ThinkComputers.org
Thermaltake ProWater 850i Liquid Cooler @TweakTown
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Apevia X-Jupiter G-Type Case @Virtual-Hideout
ASRock K10N750SLI-WiFi Motherboard @BCCHardware
DFI LanParty LT X48-T2R Motherboard @InsideHW
E-Power Thunder 550-watt Power Supply @High Tech Reviews
Hiper Type-M 780W Power Supply @Phoronix
Inno3D GeForce 9600GT iChill Hurricane @TweakTown
LapLogic Aerogel Extreme LapDesks @BCCHardware
Zalman Reserator XT External Water Cooling System @ThinkComputers.org
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Optical Storage
According to DigiTimes, Taiwan's second-tier disc makers are facing a shortage of TFP (tetrafluoro-propanol). In preparation for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, the Chinese government is attempting to reduce air polution by asking the country's three TFP makers to cut or stop production for 100 days. As a result, second-tier disc makers have been forced to reduce or temporarily halt production.
In preparation for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, the China government in April 2008 asked the three TFP makers and other chemical producers to cut or stop production for 100 days in an attempt to reduce air pollution, the sources pointed out. In addition, the China government placed a temporary ban on the transportation of dangerous goods, including TFP for export, beginning June 2008, the sources indicated.

The situation has resulted in a short supply of TFP for second-tier disc makers, the sources pointed out. CMC Magnetics and Ritek, the top-two Taiwan-based makers of blank optical discs, have not been substantially affected by the shortages because they have supplies guaranteed by long-term contracts, the sources indicated.
This comes at a bad time as the third quarter is traditionally the peak period for blank optical discs. The decreased production could push up OEM quotes for the quarter. If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes. Add a comment

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Home Entertainment
While Blu-ray got off to a slow start this year, things are looking up for the format. Singulus announced this week that it received orders for 21 Blu-ray dual-layer machines during the first quarter of this year. This already exceedsthe number of machines the company sold when the DVD was introduced 11 years ago.
Singulus received orders for 21 Blu-ray dual-layer machines in the first quarter and said on Monday the figure showed the new technology was being adopted faster than its predecessor, DVD, 11 years ago.

"This means that the orders for Blu-ray in the first year of the dual layer technology already by far exceeded the volume at the start of the DVD eleven years ago with 17 machines," Chief Financial Officer Stefan Baustert said.
If you'd like to read more, the entire article can be found here. Add a comment

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NEC Electronics announced today that it has setup a software development center in Taiwan. The new center, named Taiwan Storage Technologies and Solutions, will develop firmware for drives equipped with the NEC's LSI chips. It will also offer technical support services and handle the marketing of its optical disc business in Asia. Here's part of their press release, translated from Japanese:
NEC Electronics today announced the sale of 100 percent subsidiary of NEC Electronics Taiwan (President: Shiniti Kubo, Headquarters: Taipei City) in the drive for optical storage device embedded firmware development and support to become the center of "Taiwan optical storage and Development Center (hereinafter Development Center) "to open.

The development center is built-in system LSI chips for optical storage and firmware development support and marketing activities with the goal established by the original staff of 10 local technology, new products to LSI device built into the drive The firmware development and marketing of optical disc business activities in Asia.
If you'd like to read more, NEC's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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Software
LaCie recently announced the release of its new Remote Burn software. Using Remote Burn, Mac owners can share their DVD writer with other computers or burn data to multiple drives across a network.
LaCie today announced LaCie Remote Burn software for both its Portable DVD±RW with LightScribe, Design by Sam Hecht and d2 DVD±RW with LightScribe drives for FireWire that also include Toast Titanium. With LaCie Remote Burn, users can take full advantage of the LaCie DVD±RW burners' fast write speeds from any Macintosh located on the local network. Exclusively available to LaCie, Remote Burn can easily burn files with simple drag and drop, while automatically calculating the type of DVD/CD needed. When ready to burn, the software sends data across the network to selected computers with attached LaCie burners.

“LaCie Remote Burn is a complete solution for easily sharing multiple burners plugged into a Macintosh at home or in the office,” said Christelle Dexet, LaCie Product Manager. “With three clicks of a mouse, one can burn their data to a remote LaCie DVD±RW drive or duplicate a custom DVD/CD using multiple burners over the network. In addition to our drives' stylish design, LightScribe Direct Disc Labeling technology and the bundling of a complete version of Toast Titanium, LaCie continues to offer the most advanced burning solution for Macintosh users.”
LaCie's Remote Burn software is available now and comes bundled with its Portable DVD±RW with LightScribe, Design by Sam Hecht and d2 DVD±RW with LightScribe drives for FireWire. More information about Remote Burn can be found on LaCie's website. Add a comment

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As usual, ASUS unveiled a slew of new products at this year's Computex. Along with the usual assortment of motherboards and videocards, the company introduced the world's first HDMI 1.3a compliant sound card. Designed next generation home theater PCs, the Xonar HDAV1.3 is capable of decoding Blu-ray movies and takes full advantage of lossless digital audio formats such as Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio.

ASUS, a leading name in high quality computer components and solutions, announces the world's first HDMI 1.3a compliant audio/video enhancement combo card - the Xonar HDAV1.3. Capable of outputting uncompressed multichannel high definition audio from Blu-ray movies, the Xonar HDAV 1.3 also enhances video with an onboard Splendid HD processor - providing ultimate multimedia enjoyment.

The Xonar HDAV 1.3 features Protected Audio Playback Systems (PAPS) and full Advanced Access Content System (AACS) certification. Without both of these certifications, typical PCs will need to downsample Blu-ray audio to DVD quality (48K/16bit). By closely working with ArcSoft's Total Media Theater, ASUS' Xonar HDAV1.3 is capable of decoding Blu-ray movies and takes full advantage of lossless digital audio formats such as Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio for professional, high-fidelity sounds at 24bit, 96-192Khz. The PCI Express based Xonar HDAV1.3 is designed from the ground up for next generation home theater PCs (HTPC); and is equipped with the proprietary AV200 audio processor and HDMI1.3a certified Splendid HD video processor - making it capable of delivering the highest quality 7.1 channel 192K linear pulse code modulation (LPCM) audio and high definition video through the HDMI port.
No word yet on pricing or availability. With all this though, the Xonar HDAV1.3 probably won't be cheap. If you'd like to read more, ASUS' entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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Optical Storage
As most of you know, Computex is going on this week. While most of the press seems to be drooling over the latest motherboards and notebook computers, you'll be happy to know that a number of new optical drives were unveiled at the show. Thanks to the folks at Engadget China, we've been given a peek at some of Lite-On's upcoming drives.


The eSAU108 is the latest addition to Lite-On's line of slim external DVD writers. This USB powered drive is capable of 8x DVD±R, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW and 5x DVD-RAM writing speeds and will be available in both black and white. According to unconfirmed sources, the eSAU108 is expected to ship some time in July.

Also on display was Lite-On's new series of 22x DVD writers, the iHAP622 (PATA) and iHAS622 (SATA). Along with 22x DVD±R, 12x DVD-RAM, 8x DVD+RW and 6x DVD-RW writing speeds, the drives will offer support for Nero's SecurDisc and Lite-On's SmartErase technologies. As we reported in the past, Lite-On's 22x DVD writers are scheduled to ship in the 3Q of 2008.

Last but not least, Lite-On unveiled its new 6x BD combo drive. The iHES106 reads single layer Blu-ray discs at 6x and is capable of 16x DVD±R, 8x DVD±R DL, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW and 12x DVD-RAM writing speeds. According to DigiTimes, the drive's chipset is supplied by Mediatek and the BD pickup-head is from Sanyo Electric. Add a comment

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