Biostar P35 T Series TP35D3-A2 Deluxe Motherboard @TweakTown
OCZ Technology 4GB PC2-5400 Vista Upgrade Edition DDR2 @Bigbruin.com
Thermaltake DuOrb VGA Cooler @NGOHQ.com
XFX Geforce 8800 GTS 320 Fatal1ty Video Card @Madshrimps
VIZIO 52" GV52L 1080p LCD TV @I4U
Zerotherm Nirvana NV120 Intel/AMD CPU Cooler @Tweaknews.net
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While not optical storage related, its worth mentioning that Toshiba has introduced a 250GB version of its USB 2.0 portable external hard drive. This pocket sized hard drive features a special shock mounting system and can be powered off a computer's USB bus.

Toshiba Storage Device Division (SDD), the industry pioneer in small form factor hard disk drives (HDDs), today added a 250GB USB 2.0 Portable External Hard Drive - the highest capacity available in this form factor - to its lineup of personal storage devices and introduced a new line of internal notebook HDDs for mobile PCs to meet the growing demand for personal storage solutions.

Addressing the explosion in digital video, music, photos and information content, the new 250GB 2.5-inch portable external hard drive is capable of storing up to either 71,000 digital photos, 65,000 MP3 music files, 110 hours of DVD videos or 29 hours of high-definition videos. Toshiba's click-free, switch-free and button-free backup solution is bundled with the award-winning NTI Shadow software, enabling even digital novices to easily embrace data backup and enjoy peace-of-mind in knowing critical and cherished digital files are protected.
Toshiba's USB 2.0 portable external hard drives are available in capacities ranging from 120GB to 250GB and cost anywhere from $109.99 to $189.99. More information is available on Toshiba's website. Add a comment
Earlier this week, Blu-ray backers held an event in Hollywood to help promote the format. At the event Dan Silverberg, VP of high-definition media for Warner Home Video, stated that the company may be changing its strategy. Instead of releasing titles on both Blu-ray and HD DVD, Silverbreg hinted that they may support Blu-ray exclusively.
Also there was Dan Silverberg, VP of high-definition media for Warner Home Video, which since Paramount’s move to the HD DVD camp is the only studio to support both next-generation formats.

That may not be for long, Silverberg said. “One thing that may be changing is our strategy,” he said. “When both formats launched and hardware prices were high, we made a decision to support both formats and let the consumer decide. But now that hardware pricing is affordable for both Blu-ray and HD DVD, it appears consumers no longer want to decide — so the notion of staying in two formats for the duration is something we are re-evaluating now that we are in the fourth quarter.”

Silverberg noted that Warner has the top-selling Blu-ray title of all time with 300 and is consistently No. 1 or No. 2 in both Blu-ray sales market share and in number of Blu-ray titles in the market.
While Silverberg may just be saying what Blu-ray backers want to hear, it's possible that Warner is ready to choose a side in the battle between Blu-ray and HD DVD. Let's just hope they choose a side soon so it can come to an end. If you'd like to read more, the entire article can be found here. Add a comment

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Logitech G15 (Revision 2) Keyboard @Virtual-Hideout
NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT 512MB @Hardware Zone,HotHardware.com,ChileHardware
Razer Pro|Click Mobile Notebook Mouse @I4U
SOLIO Classic Universal Hybrid Solar Charger @Futurelooks
Tagan TG1300-U33 In The Zone Series 1300W Power Supply @Bigbruin.com
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CDRLabs kicks off the week with a review of Plextor's new external 18x DVD writer, the "TurboPlex" PX-810UF. Based on the LG GSA-H44N, the PX-810UF is capable of 18x DVD±R, 10x DVD±R DL, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW and 12x DVD-RAM writing speeds and a maximum DVD read speed of 16x. Plextor's new drive also features 48x CD reading and writing speeds, 32x rewriting speeds and support for both FireWire and USB 2.0.

In this review we'll take a look at some of the features found on the PX-810UF and see how it compares to some of the 18x DVD±RW drives from the competition. Does Plextor's external writer have what it takes? You'll have to read the review to find out.


Plextor PX-810UF 18x FireWire/USB 2.0 DVD±RW/RAM
If you have any comments or questions about this review or the Plextor PX-810UF, please post them in the forum. Add a comment
Samsung Electronics has announced their latest DVD writer, the SH-S203N. This Serial ATA equipped drive features support for LightScribe and is capable of 20x DVD±R, 16x DVD+R DL, 12x DVD-R DL and 12x DVD-RAM writing speeds.

Samsung Electronics Ltd., the worldwide digital consumer electronics and information technology leader, announces the world’s fastest DVD burner with 16X dual layer recording and LightScribe technology, the Super-WriteMaster SH-S203N. The SH-S203N is a 20X Serial ATA (SATA) DVD burner offering 16X dual layer recording, and support for all CD/DVD discs including DVD-RAM. The SH-S203N can back up 8.4GB of data or video to a disc. The industry recording standard is 10- to 12X and Samsung’s new SH-S203N dual layer recording speed offers a 30-40 percent improvement recording time for dual layer drives.

The versatile drive also features powerful LightScribe technology that lets users engrave labels, photos, and designs right onto the CD and DVD discs with no hassle at all. The result is a professional look with no worries about labels falling off or sloppy marker smudges. The drive’s label making software is pre-loaded with an array of designs and labels for users who choose not to create their own label.
The SH-S203N is shipping now for a suggested retail price of $79.99. Full details can be found here. Add a comment
Aleratec sent out a press release this morning, announcing a new version of its 1:2 Desktop LightScribe Publishing system. The Aleratec 1:2 DVD/CD Copy Cruiser LS, High Speed Edition comes equipped with two 20x DVD writers, giving users the ability to burn or label two discs at once.

Aleratec Inc., leading developer and manufacturer of "Prosumers' Choice" solutions for the Blu-ray, DVD/CD, USB duplicating, and DVD/CD publishing markets, announces the next generation of its 1:2 Desktop LightScribe Publishing system, the innovative new Aleratec 1:2 DVD/CD Copy Cruiser LS, High Speed Edition. When connected to a PC via USB 2.0, the Aleratec 1:2 DVD/CD Copy Cruiser LS, High Speed Edition, is a 1:2 DVD/CD Duplicator that enables small and medium businesses to simply, conveniently and affordably burn or LightScribe label two CDs or DVDs at once. The new DVD/CD recorders are the fastest available, burning DVDs at up to 20x write speeds.
The Aleratec 1:2 DVD/CD Copy Cruiser LS, High Speed Edition is available now for an estimated retail price of $329. More information can be found on Alera's website. Add a comment
SlySoft sent out a press release over the weekend, announcing that AnyDVD 6.1.9.3 can defeat the latest version of AACS. At the moment, AnyDVD works with a small number of MKBv4 discs. However, SlySoft will be adding support for all MKBv4 discs in a future release. The company also claims to have cracked BD+, the copy protection found on some new Blu-ray titles.
SlySoft was recently honoured by AACS-LA, being declared as publicenemy number one in the ongoing battle for copyright protection.

To prove them right and to take on the challenge, SlySoft has justreleased the latest AnyDVD version which beats the latest 4th generationHD-DVD and BluRay copy protection MKBv4, which was expected to beunbreakable.

All that AACS-LA has to offer now is BD+, but even that is on the vergeof being circumvented and a release is expected by the end of this year.James Wong, Head of development at SlySoft: "We already found a wayto crack BD+ and we have just turned to fine-tuning. I should reallythink about hiring a bodyguard now, since this product won't pleaseeverybody."

Giancarlo Bettini, CEO of SlySoft: "One could start feeling sorryfor the poor movie industry guys, but in the end, it saves their jobsand ours. Actually, they could be grateful and show a little bit moreappreciation.Beating AACS-LA's protection was a challenge that we acceptedpassionately, since winning feels a lot better if the opponent is almostas strong as we are. However, I wonder when people will understand that more restrictions, pressure and protections that prevent things from working won't generate more but less revenue. Microsoft's revenue in the 90ies prove us right and even Apple recently released a DRM-free iTunes version."
If you want to check out the latest version of AnyDVD, it can be downloaded here. Otherwise, more information can be found on SlySoft's website. Add a comment
PNY Technologies and Ironkey have announced that they've partnered together to deliver IronKey’s Secure USB Flash Drive to retailers. Offering the same features as the IronKey Standard Edition, the PNY 4GB IronKey includes military-grade hardware-encryption, an onboard web browser and internet authentication software to protect online accounts and passwords.
With concerns about identity theft on the rise among consumers nationwide, PNY Technologies, Inc. and IronKey have partnered to deliver IronKey’s Secure USB Flash Drive through retail channels. The IronKey has been designed with military-grade standards for hardware-encryption and tamper-resistant durability. It provides an unprecedented level of data security and protection of online passwords, critical documents, files, and images to consumers. The relationship between PNY and IronKey gives retail shoppers access, for the first time, to a secure USB flash drive that meets the requirements of the nation’s most demanding security experts...

...The IronKey Secure USB Flash Drive, which has a high-speed data transfer rate (up to 20MB/sec. write, up to 30MB/sec. read), is housed in a rugged metal casing that is filled with an epoxy-based potting compound, making it both waterproof (MIL-STD-810F compliant) and tamperproof.
The PNY 4GB IronKey is shipping now and retails for about $149.99. Full details can be found here. Add a comment

abit AN-M2HD Motherboard @Virtual-Hideout
D-Link DIR-655 Xtreme N Gigabit Router @Futurelooks
ECS G31T-M Motherboard @TweakTown
Gigabyte Triton 180 Case @Tweaknews.net
Hades H1 3200dpi Gaming Mouse @OCModShop
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