According to a new report by Global Industry Analysts, Inc., the world DVD players & DVD recorders market is projected to reach 264.7 million units by the year 2010. Much of this growth is due to the DVD recorders market, which is expected to grow exponentially over the next few years.
World DVD players & DVD recorders market stands enthused by the growing consumer desire for superior movie viewing experience at home. In regions where cable TV penetration is relatively low i.e. Europe, demand for DVD players and recorders is projected to grow in the upcoming years. Future demand for DVD players, which are essentially commoditized products, is expected to stem largely from developing markets, where household penetration of DVD continues to be small. China, over the last few years, has emerged into a major, lucrative market for DVD players. The country is forecast to drive growth in Asia-Pacific in the upcoming years. Growth in the premium priced DVD recorders market is expected to stem from developed countries, with Japan the world's most technology savvy country, driving gains in the world market. In addition to Japan, Western Europe is also expected to fuel growth in the DVD recorders markets, while Eastern Europe is expected to drive market opportunities in the DVD players market.

As stated by the recent report published by Global Industry Analysts, Inc., world market for DVD players & DVD recorders is dominated by Europe, and Asia-Pacific with a combined 75.4% share estimated in the year 2007. Strong growth is expected stem from Asia-Pacific, with sales of both DVD players and recorders in the region expected to rise by 26.3 million units between the period 2007 to 2012. In Japan, sales of the same are projected to reach 23.1 million units by the year 2012. In the world DVD players market, Asia-Pacific is expected to record robust CAGR of 23.06% over the analysis period of 2003 to 2012, while United States, and Japan are expected to witness declining demand.
If you'd like to read more, Global Industry Analysts' entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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HD VMD is finally making its way to the US. New Medium Enterprises (NME) announced this week that US electronics distributor PC Rush has placed an order for 10,000 HD VMD Multilayer players. These players will be sold through PCRush.com and distributed to retail outlets by PC Rush's sister company, Distenex.
New Medium Enterprises,Inc. (NME) (OTC Bulletin Board: NMEN), provider of the affordable,high-quality HD VMD (Versatile Multilayer Disc) format, announced todaythat leading US electronics distributor PC Rush has placed its order for10,000 Multilayer Players. Starting from December, PC Rush will be sellingNME's 1080p HD VMD Multilayer Players through their E-commerce site, andwill distribute to retail outlets in the United States through associatecompany Distenex. Additionally, the order will complement HD VMD filmcontent currently available in the US.

Fred Bokhoor, PC Rush CEO states, "We are very excited about stockingthis unique product, one which we feel can make High Definition accessibleto a whole new segment of the home entertainment market."
No word yet on when PC Rush will get these players in stock. If you want one in time for the holidays, they can be ordered directly from NME for about $200. Both models are expected to ship in mid-December. If you'd like to read more, NME's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
Despite Toshiba's attempts to increase HD DVD's market share, Blu-ray has continued to dominate high-def movie sales. According to the latest Nielsen VideoScan data, 72.6% of high-def discs purchased during the Thanksgiving week were Blu-ray and just 27.4% were HD DVD. As Home Media Magazine reports:
The high-definition format war tilted even more heavily in favor of Blu-ray Disc, despite a rash of cheap HD DVD players sold through Wal-Mart and other discount retailers in recent weeks. Nielsen VideoScan data for the week shows 72.6% of HD discs purchased by consumers were Blu-ray, and just 27.4% were HD DVD. HD DVD players have been selling for as little as $98, one-fourth the lowest street price for a Blu-ray player.
Much of this is due to the release of ten major Blu-ray titles including Live Free or Die Hard which sold nearly 100,000 copies by itself. If you'd like to read more, the entire article can be found here. Add a comment
Corel sent out a press release this morning, announcing that WinDVD is the world’s first Blu-ray Disc playback software to receive BD-Video Profile 1.1 certification. With support for BD-Video Profile 1.1, WinDVD owners will be able to use the picture-in-picture functionality found on upcoming Blu-ray Disc titles.
Corel Corporation (NASDAQ:CREL) (TSX:CRE), a leading developer of graphics, productivity and digital media software, today announced that WinDVD is the world’s first Blu-ray Disc playback software to receive BD-Video Profile 1.1 certification.

By receiving certification for BD-Video Profile 1.1, WinDVD has passed the stringent standards and guidelines set by the Blu-ray Disc Association to ensure the best possible user experience.

With BD-Video Profile 1.1 support, WinDVD users can now use picture-in-picture functionality to playback a smaller high-definition video in the corner of their screen while watching the high-definition movie on the background main screen. With this enhanced functionality, movie fans can now watch the director’s commentary as an overlay to the action on screen.
WinDVD with BD-Video Profile 1.1 support will be available beginning in early 2008. Full details can be found here. Add a comment
As promised, Venturer shipped their new HD DVD player to North American retailers in time for the holidays. While HD DVD fans in the UK won't see a SHD7000 under their Christmas tree, they will be able to order one before the end of the year. Venturer announced today that the SHD7000 will debut in the UK on December 29th and be sold exclusively through the home shopping channel, QVC.
The new SHD7001 standalone High Definition DVD player from Venturer celebrates the next generation of DVD format, offering the High Definition sound and vision dream at an incredible price. Delivering 1080i video output via a direct, pure digital HDMI connection to your HD ready TV the result is a striking, unrivalled picture in staggering HD quality.

The SHD7001 delivers incredible three-dimensionality for all the latest HD movies with a sharp and stable picture quality and a rich colour palette. Far surpassing the picture quality delivered by the standard DVD format, the SHD7001 HD DVD player displays colours that are sublime and contrast rich, while motion, such as in sports action or high action films, which can quite often blur, is handled with ease delivering imperfection free visuals every time...

...The SHD7001 will initially be available to buy in the UK exclusively from QVC TV Home Shopping Channel from the 29th December, when it will be the featured product of the day (Today’s Special Value).
The SHD7001 will come as part of a special package that includes an HDMI cable and two HD DVD movies: Hulk and Troy. If you'd like to read more, Venturer's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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Nero has announced that they have entered into an agreement with TiVo to develop a software solution that will bring TiVo features to the personal computer.
Nero, leaders in digital media technology, and TiVo Inc. (NASDAQ: TIVO), the creator of and a leader in television services for digital video recorders (DVRs), today announced that they have entered into an agreement to further enable the connected digital home by integrating TiVo's television user experience with Nero's next generation of PC software.

"The partnership with TiVo extends the TV experience for the connected digital home, enabling easy access anytime, anywhere to the most extensive TV content," said Richard Lesser, CEO, Nero AG. "Our core technology enables the creation of new categories in consumer electronics, changing the way that users interact with both hardware and software. Our proven technology adds media functionality to the world's leading consumer electronics, personal computing and software products."
Nero has not announced when this new feature will be available or how it will be licensed. As we find out more, we'll let you know. In the mean time, Nero's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
LightScribe Direct Disc Labeling sent out a press release this morning, announcing the availability of the LightScribe Template Labeler. This new software expands expands the capability of the Simple Labeler while retaining its fast and easy user interface.
LightScribe Direct Disc Labeling today announced the immediate availability of the LightScribe Template Labeler, labeling software designed to simplify and enhance customers' CD and DVD labeling. The Template Labeler complements the capability of the LightScribe Simple Labeler, launched in February 2007. The Template Labeler allows customers to create full label designs with its easy user interface. The new labeling software is available immediately for free download on LightScribe's website.

Anyone owning a LightScribe-enabled computer or external CD or DVD burner can download the LightScribe Template Labeler and immediately create professional-looking full disc designs - complete with personalized photos and text - in a few simple steps:

1) Insert a LightScribe disc label-side down into the drive;
2) Choose a template design, then simply drag and drop in photos and add personalized text to the label design;
3) Preview the design against a choice of six LightScribe disc background colors and burn the label.

Six LightScribe template packs of new label designs are available for the Template Labeler: LightScribe Art Pack, LightScribe Holiday Pack, LightScribe Weddings Pack, LightScribe Special Occasions Pack, LightScribe Sports Pack and LightScribe Business Pack.
If you'd like to check it out, the LightScribe Template Labeler can be downloaded for free from the LightScribe website. More information can also be found here. Add a comment

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