Details
Optical Storage
According to DigiTimes, Philips is currently working on a new licensing scheme for DVD drives and players. Once it is completed, this DVD patent LSCD (Licensed Status Confirmation Document) system will be imposed on electronics manufacturers. As with Philips' Veeza licensing scheme, the LSCD system will prevent unlicensed products from entering the US, European and Japanese markets.
Royal Philips Electronics plans to extend its patent licensing scheme for blank optical discs - such as Veeza for CD-R discs -to DVD drives as well as any consumer electronic DVD device, such as players and recorders, through imposing its DVD patent LSCD (Licensed Status Confirmation Document) system on such makers, with the system being drawn up and possibly coming into force soon, according to the Taiwan Office of Philips Intellectual Property & Standards.

Philips' LSCD system will not substantially influence Lite-On IT and Quanta Storage, the largest Taiwan-based makers of half-height DVD burners and slim-type DVD burners, respectively, according to industry sources in Taiwan. This is because Lite-On IT and Philips have set up the joint venture Philips Lite-On Digital Solutions (PLDS) in Taiwan and Quanta Storage has a shelter from the patent claim through its cross-licensing with Sony which, along with Philips, is among the members of the DVD 3C Patent Group, the sources pointed out.
The LSCD system is expected to have a negative impact on second-tier manufacturers in China and Taiwan, as many of them have not obtained licensing from the 3C DVD or DVD 6C patent groups. If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes. Add a comment

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Hard Disks
Plextor Europe recently announced a new range of external hard disk drives. In addition to a USB interface, the PX-PH120US, PX-PH160US and PX-PH250US feature a eSATA (external Serial ATA) connection which allows them to reach speeds of 200 Mb a second.

Plextor Europe (www.plextor-europe.com) announces the launch of its new range of external hard disk drives: PX-PH120US, PX-PH160US and PX-PH250US. The digits in these product models refer to the disk capacity in gigabytes. In addition to a USB interface, users benefit from an eSATA (external Serial ATA) connection to boost the speed of these external drives. They are still as small and lightweight as the highly successful range of previous PX-PH08U2, PX-PH12U2 and PX-PH16U2 hard disks. Good news all round.

PCs are generally fitted with a Serial ATA interface to connect their internal hard disk drives to the motherboard. We are now extending this connection to external hard disks to deliver the same performance as with internal hard disks. Rudy De Meirsman, Sales & Marketing Manager for Plextor Europe, gives the details: “Hard disks using the USB 2.0 interface typically operate at 33 Mb a second. With the eSATA interface, we can reach speeds of 200 Mb a second. As users are becoming far more mobile, they need a larger capacity external disk so they can carry their office without their PC. I’m convinced this is the way forward!”
No word on price yet. However, the PX-PH120US, PX-PH160US and PX-PH250US will be available in Europe at the end of November. Full details can be found here. Add a comment

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Other

Antec Nine Hundred Case And Trio 650w Power Supply @NGOHQ.com
Antec TruePower Quattro 1000 Watt Power Supply @hi-techreviews.com
Intel Core 2 QX9650 45nm Penryn @TweakTown
Meizu M6 Mini Player @ThinkComputers.org
Microsoft Webcam And Mouse Mobility Pack @Futurelooks
MSI RX2600XT Diamond Plus @HotHardware.com
Mushkin XP2-6400 2GB kit DDR2-800/PC2-6400 (996523) Memory @Redaktion ocinside.de
PC Power and Cooling Silencer 610 PSU @HardwareLogic
Plantronics Voyager 520 Bluetooth Headset @BlueTomorrow.com
QNAP TS-109 Pro All-in-one NAS Server @ThinkComputers.org
Sony VAIO VGP-XL1B3 Media Changer @OCModShop
SteelSeries Siberia Full-Sized Headset @BCCHardware
Super Talent PC3-14400 DDR3 1800MHz W1800UX2GP @Benchmark Reviews
Thecus N5200 Pro NAS Device @TweakTown
Vantec NBA-100U 5.1 Channel USB Audio Adapter @Bigbruin.com
Zalman Z-Machine GT1000 High End Gaming Enclosure @Tweaknews.net
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Other
CDRLabs has taken an in depth look at Sony's new 20x "Super Multi" drive, the DRU-840A. Sporting some pretty impressive specs, this Samsung based drive is capable of 20x DVD±R, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW and 12x DVD-RAM writing speeds and a maximum DVD read speed of 16x. More importantly, the DRU-840A is one of the first drives with the ability to write to both DVD+R DL and DVD-R DL media at 12x.

In this review we'll take a look at some of the features found on the DRU-840A and see how it compares to some of the 20x DVD±RW drives from the competition. Does Sony's new drive have what it takes? You'll have to read the review to find out.


Sony DRU-840A 20x DVD±RW/RAM
If you have any comments or questions about this review or the Sony DRU-840A, please post them in the forum. Add a comment

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Software
CyberLink sent out a press release this morning, announcing that its software now supports the Advanced Video Codec High Definition (AVCHD)format for video editing, disc authoring and playback.
CyberLink Corp. (5203.TW), a leader in digital home solutions, today announced support for the Advanced Video Codec High Definition Standard (AVCHD) across its complete range of leading consumer software products.

Following certification of AVCHD support in high-definition movie player software PowerDVD earlier this year, CyberLink has now received certification from the Sony Test Center for disc authoring software PowerProducer.

CyberLink has provided an update for existing users of PowerDirector 6 (retail and isales versions only), allowing consumers to download from the CyberLink website to enable the importing of AVCHD content.
If you'd like to read more, CyberLink's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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Home Entertainment
The European HD DVD Promotional Group has released the latest attach rate figures for the UK, France, Germany, Spain, Italy and the Benelux countries. According to the independent research group GfK, European HD DVD player owners in the bought an average of 3.8 movies while only 0.6 movies were sold per Blu-ray player.
The European HD DVD Promotional Group has announced that European HD DVD player owners have already bought an average of 3.8 movies each, compared to 0.6 movies sold per Blu-ray player.

The figures were collated by independent research group GfK and analyse the number of movies sold for all HD players (standalone players and consoles) across the UK, France, Germany, Spain Italy and Benelux countries.

The overall attach rate is highest in Spain, where HD DVD owners have bought an average of 5.7 movies per player, which is over 14 times the attach rate for Blu ray (at 0.4 per player).
Take note that these figures are for all HD players which, in this case, includes both standalone players and consoles. Considering how many PS3 owners aren't using the console to watch Blu-ray movies, it shouldn't be too surprising that the numbers are skewed in HD DVD's favor. If you'd like to read more, the entire article can be found here. Add a comment

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Optical Storage
Maxell has announced that they will be releasing their new inkjet printable 4x BD-R media to the Japanese market on November 26th. The company also plans to ship their double layer 50GB BD-RE media at this time. Here's part of their press release, translated from Japanese:

This time Maxell will release a recordable BD-R discs, 4x speed record corresponds to a disk to move to significantly reduce the time. Additional label, the ink jet printer compatible with the printing layer and label printer that can print directly, as well as water-based ink pens HAJIKAZU also can be hand-painted. In particular, the "super-whitening HIROBIRO label," The adoption of BD-R discs, the disk around the parts of the color Merat, wide can be printed, recorded, as well as from the original library building have fun MASU.

The simultaneous release of the corresponding single-sided double layer recording rewritable BD-RE DL disc (50 GB), as is the quality of high-definition video in 260 minutes that long recording, and the VHS videotape sensation, KURISHI recording can be.
While Maxell has not announced any prices, AV Watch expects their inkjet printable 4x BD-R discs to cost about 1,700-1,800 Yen ($15.50-$16.40US) and their 50GB BD-R media to cost about 5,500 Yen ($50US). More information can be found here. Add a comment

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Other

Cooler Master CM 690 ATX Enclosure @Virtual-Hideout
Delphi NAV300 Portable GPS Navigation System @Futurelooks
EnzoTech Sapphire CPU Water Block @Virtual-Hideout
Foxconn X38A Digital Life Motherboard @InsideHW.com
Microsoft Mobile Memory Mouse 8000 @Everything USB
MSI GX600 Gaming Notebook @Hardware Zone
SimpleTech SimpleDrivePS 160 GB Portable HDD @HardwareLogic
Synology Disk Station DS-207+ SATA Gigabit NAS @Benchmark Reviews
ViewSonic VA1930WM 19-inch Widescreen LCD Monitor @ThinkComputers.org
VIZO Master Panel II Expansion Interface @Benchmark Reviews
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Home Entertainment
With Paramount deciding to endorse HD DVD back in August, the number of Blu-ray titles dropped by 29, giving HD DVD the advantage in regards to the total number of available high-def titles. According to Home Media Magazine, Blu-ray regained its lead over HD DVD in early November with 332 available titles.
When Paramount Home Entertainment and DreamWorks Animation SKG Blu-ray Disc titles were taken out of the picture in August, Blu-ray lost 29 titles in its repertoire. That doesn’t include three titles that had been announced, but not released.

HD DVD’s stint as leader in terms of high-def releases proved short-lived, however, as in the first week of November Blu-ray regained its lead in terms of total titles available to consumers.

According to figures from The DVD Release Report, total Blu-ray titles available at retail passed HD DVD for the first time since the Paramount/DreamWorks decision, 332 to 328, the week ended Oct. 31. Companies that support Blu-ray also have 66 titles in the pipeline, compared to 42 for HD DVD backers. Those numbers include four HD DVD and 11 Blu-ray titles released Nov. 6.
While Blu-ray's lead is small, it doesn't look like HD DVD will catch up any time soon. If you'd like to read more, the entire article can be found here. Add a comment

Details
Optical Storage
Pioneer Australia has leaked some details on their 20x DVD writer, the DVR-115D. This new drive features 20x DVD±R, 10x DVD±R DL, 8x DVD+RW and 6x DVD-RW writing speeds. Here are some of the specs for the DVR-115D:



Writing Speeds:
DVD+R: 20x, 18x, 16x, 12x, 8x, 6x, 4x. 2.4x
DVD-R: 20x, 18x, 16x, 12x, 8x, 6x, 4x, 2x, 1x
DVD+R DL: 10x, 8x, 6x, 4x, 2.4x
DVD-R DL: 10x, 8x, 6x, 4x, 2x
DVD+RW: 8x, 6x, 4x, 2.4x
DVD-RW: 6x, 4x, 2x, 1x
CD-R: 40x, 32x, 24x, 16x, 10x
CD-RW: 32x, 24x, 20x, 16x, 10x, 4x

Read Speeds:
DVD-ROM (Single): 16x Max
DVD-ROM (Dual): 12x Max
DVD±R: 12x Max
DVD±RW: 8x Max
DVD±R DL: 8x Max
DVD-RAM: 5x Max
DVD-Video: 5x Max
CD-ROM/CD-R: 40x Max
CD-RW: 32x Max
While the DVR-115D lacks DVD-RAM writing capabilities, it would not be surprising if Pioneer released similar models with support this feature as well as Serial ATA. No word yet on availability. As we find out more, we'll let you know. In the mean time, more information can be found here. Add a comment

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