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Paramount is poised to drop its support of HD DVD after Warner Brothers’ recent backing of Sony’s Blu-ray technology, in a move that will sound the death knell of HD DVD and bring the home entertainment format war to a definitive end.With Blu-ray having a strong showing at CES, it would not surprise me if Paramount switched sides and dropped HD DVD. If you'd like to read more, the entire article can be found here. Add a comment
Paramount and DreamWorks Animation, which makes the Shrek films, came out in support of HD DVD last summer, joining General Electric’s Universal Studios as the main backers of the Toshiba format.
However, Paramount, which is owned by Viacom, is understood to have a clause in its contract with the HD DVD camp that would allow it to switch sides in the event of Warner Bros backing Blu-ray, according to people familiar with the situation.
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The The Kingston DataTraveler 400 is available now in 2GB, 4GB and 8GB capacities. Prices range from $31 to $137, depending on capacity. Full details can be found here. Add a comment
Kingston Technology Company, Inc., the independent world leader in memory products, today announced the release of the DataTraveler 400 (DT400), a new USB Flash drive preloaded with MigoSync data synchronization software from Migo Software, Inc., that allows users to work among multiple PCs by directly synchronizing files, email and Internet browser settings onto the drive.
“The DT400 is the perfect solution to keep documents and settings completely up-to-date and in sync,” said Mark Akoubian, Flash memory product manager, Kingston. “Accessing email and keeping sections of the drive secure through password protection make the DT400 a powerful device for anyone to stay safely connected with work or home while on the go.”
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Decreased Recording Times — With Verbatim’s 25GB 4x BD-R media, users can record an entire disc in approximately 23 min. The higher performance makes the 4x BD-R media suitable not only for recording personal high-definition video, but also for backing up PC data or archiving photo collections.It looks like 2008 will be a good year for Blu-ray media. If you'd like to read more, Verbatim's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
To achieve 4x recording, Mitsubishi Kagaku Media (MKM), Verbatim’s parent company, fine-tuned the proprietary Metal Ablative Recording Layer (MABL) technology it developed for Verbatim’s first-generation BD-R media. Designed to ensure a wide power margin for stable recording, MKM improved the sensitivity of the MABL to attain the higher-speed recording while ensuring excellent recording compatibility and prolonged archival life. Verbatim will release its 25GB 4x BD-R media in Q1 2008.
Increased Capacity — To meet the capacity requirements of true, high-definition video recording, Verbatim will launch its 2x BD-R DL media in Q2 2008. Verbatim 4x BD-R DL media will be launched later in 2008. With two recording layers on a single side, users can enjoy seamless recording of up to 50GB or about 4 hours of HD-quality video on a single disc without having to flip or change the disc. This makes Verbatim BD-R DL media a compelling storage solution for professional video production, business storage, backup, archiving, radio and television broadcast storage, education, banking, healthcare and government applications. Verbatim is also planning to release 2x BD-RE DL in 2008 as compatible hardware becomes more available.
More Convenience — Measuring three inches (8cm) in diameter, Verbatim’s new 7.5GB Mini BD-R/RW discs combine with a BD-compatible camcorder to provide approximately one hour of continuous video capture time on a single side when high-definition (1920×1080i) is used, With the ability to record priceless memories directly to a Mini BD disc, users can eliminate the time-consuming process of downloading captured video to their computer hard drive. They can also enjoy unlimited capacity by simply removing the disc from the camcorder and adding a new one. The Mini BD-R/RW discs will be available in Q1 2008.
Expanding the Market for Blank Blu-ray Discs — With the availability of LTH Type hardware and firmware from industry leaders such as Sony and Panasonic, the momentum is already building for media that will enable consumers to move up to the more affordable BD media. Verbatim 25GB BD-R LTH Type discs feature a new technically advanced organic dye in the recording layer that can be burned at speeds of 1x and 2x. By switching from the more expensive inorganic layer used with current BD-R to the new organic layer, manufacturing costs can be reduced. Verbatim will release 2x BD-R LTH Type media in the Spring of 2008.
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The MediaStation Blu-ray HD DVD will be available Q1 2008 at an estimated street price of $649. More information is available on Buffalo's website. Add a comment
Buffalo Technology, a global leader in the design, development and manufacturing of wired and wireless networking, storage and memory solutions today announced the MediaStation Blu-ray HD DVD (BRHC-6316U2), the market’s first external Blu-ray and HD DVD player. It is the first device of its kind on the market that allows users to both read and write Blu-ray content. It provides the ability to save high-definition content, giving users an all-in-one solution to meet their entertainment needs. Users can also connect the player to a notebook or other mobile device via USB and view their favorite video content while on-the-go. In addition the player allows for playback of HD DVD content.
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Sonic Solutions (NASDAQ: SNIC), the leader in digital media software, announced today that RITEK Corporation, the leading global manufacturer of optical media, has signed a Qflix technology and IP licensing agreement. RITEK is now taking orders on specialized DVDs that will enable the on-demand recording of digitally distributed entertainment with CSS encryption (Content Scramble System) - the same protection found on commercially mass-produced titles. The Qflix DVDs will be used by duplication system operators providing custom DVD publishing services to Internet retailers and in movie kiosks that will offer retail customers touch-screen access to a vast virtual inventory of rich content. The Qflix media will also be available for consumer use in the home as a way to legally record premium entertainment downloaded from the Internet. Demonstrations of Qflix solutions are available by appointment in Sonic's private meeting room at the Renaissance Hotel (Copa Conference Suite A and B) during the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), January 7th to the 12th, Las Vegas, NV.If you'd like to read more, Sonic's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
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Maxell's new designer CD-R discs have a capacityof 700MB and are rated at 48x. More information can be found here. Add a comment
Maxell Corporation of America hasextended its line-up of CD-Recordable products to include an energetic andvisually appealing, designer series. Featuring extreme sports-themed discs,the series will differentiate Maxell products from competing brands andincrease retail presence by adding eye-catching value. The first set of newCD-R Xtreme Series 50-Pack Spindle will feature 10 sets of five extremesports designs.
Also being introduced is Maxell's Blow-Away Guy designer series,offering three different designs on CD-R discs in plain color papersleeves.
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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
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."
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If you'd like to read more, Pansonic's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
Panasonic, a leader in High Definition technology, today announced the development of the world’s first* 32 Gigabyte (GB) SD High Capacity (SDHC)** Memory Card with Class 6 speed specification, perfect for recording High Definition video. With the ability to store up to eight hours of High Definition video, the 32GB SDHC Memory Card prototype will be showcased at the 2008 International CES in Las Vegas from January 7-10 at the Panasonic booth #9405.
The newly developed card, featuring a massive 32GB of capacity is ideal for AVCHD High Definition video recording, which is experiencing growing demand with the recent expansion of High Definition SD Camcorders. With double the storage capacity of the current 16GB card, the 32GB card is able to record approximately eight hours of 1440 x 1080i High Definition video and approximately five hours and 20 minutes of 1920 x 1080i full High Definition video. With the Class 6 speed specification and maximum data transfer speeds up to 20MB/s, the 32GB card allows users to enjoy superb performance and high-quality recording.
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The BD-UP5500 will be available in the second-half of 2008 and is expected to retail for about $599. If you'd like to read more, Samsung's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
Samsung Electronics, a market leader and award-winning innovator in consumer electronics, introduces a new Duo HD disc player offering the ideal solution for those consumers new to the world of HD home entertainment. In addition to the Blu-ray and HD DVD playback capability found in the CES 2008 Innovation Award Honoree BD-UP5000, the next-generation BD-UP5500 is a fully functioning Blu-ray Bonus View player packaged in a slim and sleek cabinet design. Opening access to both HD formats for a wider consumer audience with this new Duo HD player, Samsung continues its commitment to developing products that make life simpler through its breadth of innovative technologies. Both the Samsung BD-UP5000 and BD-UP5500 Duo HD Players will be on display at booth #11033 during the International Consumer Electronics Show, held at the Las Vegas Convention Center, January 7 through 10.
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The BDP7200 will be available in April fpr a suggested retail price of $349. Full details can be found here. Add a comment
Philips is making the best even better as it showcases its latest Blu-ray Disc (BD) player - the BDP7200 - at the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show. Building on the successful BDP9000, the BDP7200 is Philips' first BonusView compliant BD player, optimizing the complete HD experience and allowing viewers to enjoy the latest movie applications and features. This new BD player boasts a stylish design with unbeatable sound and picture quality that takes Blu-ray Disc interactivity to a new dimension.
