CyberLink announced today that ASUS has chosen to bundle CyberLink DVD Suite with its notebook PCs. The all-in-one suite includes applications such as PowerDVD, PowerDirector, Power2Go, PowerProducer, Medi@Show and LabelPrint.
CyberLink Corp. (5203.TW), innovative solutions provider for the connected digital lifestyle, announced today the expansion of its cooperation with Asustek, to include CyberLink DVD Suite with ASUS notebook PCs.

CyberLink DVD Suite integrates powerful yet easy-to-use applications for working with all types of media content. Leading playback software PowerDVD gives advanced multimedia playback functions; PowerDirector allows users to create stylish home videos with magic video tools; PowerProducer provides disc production and personalized menus with ease; Power2Go allows quick burning of data and media files to DVDs. Medi@show enables the professional creation of multimedia slideshow, while LabelPrint creates personalized disc labels with LightScribe technology. With one intuitive interface, users can easily access to each of the applications in this creativity and burning suite.
If you'd like to read more, CyberLink's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
IOGEAR sent out a press release today, announcing the availability of the USB Net ShareStation. This new device allows users to access any flash drive, hard drive, printer, speaker or Webcam on their network as if they were connected directly to their computer.

Workers can use the product to access external hard drives to save files that are readily accessible to other employees on the network. They can print, scan or fax from any connected computer, as the USB Net ShareStation supports Mutli-Function Printer sharing. Connecting the product to a wireless router also allows users to wirelessly share USB devices, while reducing cable clutter.

IOGEAR's USB Net ShareStation lets audio enthusiasts access USB speakers connected to the network and stream audio throughout the home or office. The product provides high throughput rates, ensuring that the sound transfers in optimal quality. Individuals can also use the device to access a connected Webcam as a low-cost surveillance solution if they want to monitor activity in an alternative room.
IOGEAR's USB Net ShareStation is available now for a suggested retail price of $79.95. Full details can be found here. Add a comment

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Good news for Plextor fans. Shinano Kenshi announced today that it will begin shipping two new Plextor brand 20x DVD writers by the end of May. The PX-820A (PATA) and PX-820SA (SATA) are capable of 20x DVD±R, 12x DVD-R DL, 8x DVD+R DL, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW and 12x DVD-RAM writing speeds and a maximum DVD read speed of 16x. The two drives also feature 48x CD reading and writing speeds, 32x rewriting speeds, a 2MB buffer and support for CPRM.


At this point, it is not clear whether or not the PX-820A and PX-820SA are original Plextor designs. However, going by the lack of advanced features, I'd have to say that they are most likely based on designs from another company such as Pioneer, NEC or LG.

Shinano Kenshi has not announced a price. However, AV Watch expects the PX-820A and PX-820SA to be priced at about 7,000 Yen ($67US) and about 7,500 Yen ($72US) respectively. Add a comment

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Lite-On DX-401S USB 2.0 Blu-ray Drive -TweakTown
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Seagate Barracuda ES.2 1TB SAS Hard Drive @HotHardware.com
Vantec NexStar eSata/USB Hard Drive Dock @Futurelooks
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Western Digital recently introduced the My DVR Expander USB Edition. This new 500GB external drive increase the recording capacity of DISH Network's ViP Series HD DVRs by storing up to 300 hours of standard-definition or up to 60 hours of high-definition television programming.

Just in time to make a perfect Father's Day gift, WD (NYSE: WDC) today introduced its new My DVR Expander USB Edition external hard drives that are verified compatible with DISH Network Corporation's (NASDAQ: DISH) ViP Series HD DVRs (digital video recorders). The new 500 GB external drive increases the recording capacity of the DISH HD DVRs by storing up to 300 hours of digital standard-definition (SD) or up to 60 hours of high-definition (HD) television programming1. Users can instantly increase2 their recording storage capacity by simply attaching the My DVR Expander USB Edition drive to their DISH Network ViP Series HD DVRs.

"WD's My DVR Expander provides an ideal complement to the innovative archiving feature of DISH Network's award-winning line of ViP HD DVRs," said Jessica Insalaco, senior vice president and chief marketing officer for DISH Network. "Combined with the already industry-leading storage capacity of our DVRs, DISH Network customers can create and control their own on-demand programming - reinforcing DISH Network's leadership in digital entertainment."
WD's My DVR Expander USB Edition external hard drive is available now for a suggested retail price of $149.99. Full details can be found here. Add a comment
Verbatim Europe sent out a press today, announcing two new USB drives. Along with an updated version of the standard Store ´n´ Go, Verbatim has introduced a new drive aimed at business users. The Store ‘n' Go Executive features 128-bit AES encryption and is capable of 30 Mbyte/s read and 12 Mbyte/s write speeds.

The newly developed Store ´n´ Go generation comes in the colour blue. It combines functionality with a smart design. The Retractable System is the perfect alternative to the tiresome cap of the past. “The Retractable System protects the USB interface and is more convenient for our clients”, explains Hans Christoph Kaiser, Business Development Manager Flash and USB Memory Verbatim EUMEA. Software for secure data encryption and a blue LED-light are part of the package which is all rounded off with a free European Hotline Support telephone number. The support of Microsoft ReadyBoost enables Windows Vista users to work faster. The USB drive is available with capacities from 1GB to 16GB. Weighing just 10 grams, it can read data at a speed of 11 Mbyte/s and write data at 8 Mbyte/s.

The Store ‘n' Go Executive USB drive is the star of the Verbatim USB Range. For business users and professionals who need access to large volumes of data, its 4GB to 16GB storage capacity offers the perfect solution. The Store 'n' Go Executive delivers first-class read and write speeds of up to 200x (30 Mbyte/s) and 80x (12 Mbyte/s). The stylish, silver-colored design with its protective rubber coating looks perfect with any model of laptop or PC. Confidential data is secured to the satisfaction of all professional users thanks to 128-bit AES encryption. With the special design of this Store 'n' Go product range, the USB connection is protected by simply sliding the jack in, making the protective cap obsolete here too.
The Store ´n´ Go Standard and Enterprise are available now in capacities up to 16GB. More information on both drives can be found here. Add a comment
As we reported a few weeks ago, sales of standalone Blu-ray players have been down since January. To find out why, Harris Interactive surveyed 2,529 U.S. adults and found that only 9% owned a Blu-ray player or Playstation 3. Of the rest, only 9% planned on buying a Blu-ray disc player within the next year.
While many people expected sales of Blu-ray disc players to spike when Toshiba decided to drop out of the high-definition HD DVD market in February 2008, according to a new Harris Poll, it seems that the recently resolved high definition format war is not motivating consumers to purchase the advanced DVD players any time soon. The Harris Poll of 2,529 U.S. adults surveyed online between April 7 and 15, 2008 by Harris Interactive found that:

  • Ownership of standard DVD players is practically ubiquitous (87%);
  • Few report owning Blu-ray disc players (4%), Sony PlayStation 3 (5%), HD DVD players (6%) and the HD-DVD drive for the Xbox 360 (1% have external drive while 9% have an Xbox 360);
  • Only nine percent of non-Blu-ray player owners report being likely to purchase a Blu-ray disc player within the next year, even when made fully aware that Blu-ray is considered to be the definitive technology for high definition DVD players going forward;
  • Two-thirds of consumers are familiar with the recently resolved high-definition format war (67%) and seven in ten of them have heard that Blu-ray is the unofficial winner (69%);
  • Nearly a quarter (23%) of those aware of the format war report that they had been waiting for the rivalry to play itself out before purchasing a high definition player, but by April they had yet to do so;
While research groups can forecast all they want, surveys like this show that its going to be some time before Blu-ray replaces the DVD. If you'd like to read more, Harris Interactive entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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IDC has released a new study, analyizing the optical storage market for 2005-2007 and providing a forcast for 2008-2012. According to their findings, Blu-ray adoption will gain momentum 2009. However, DVD burners will continue to dominate the market until 2012.
Overall PC market growth, driven by portable PCs, will give the worldwide CD/DVD market a moderately positive outlook in 2008 and lead to increased demand for slim drives. Despite the ramp of Blu-ray drives, DVD burners will continue to be the leading volume product until 2012. However, as the PC market's adoption of DVD burners becomes saturated and increasingly commoditized, Blu-ray adoption will accelerate in 2009 and Blu-ray drives will become the majority of the total market value in 2012.

"DVD burners will remain the bread-and-butter business for ODD vendors," said Wolfgang Schlichting, research director, Removable Storage at IDC. "Despite Blu-ray's win over HDD in the format war, Blu-ray drive adoption will be limited in 2008 because of their high price and only moderate consumer interest."
If you'd like to read more, the IDC's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment