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Optical Storage
DigiTimes has reported that Qisda (formerly known as BenQ) plans to introduce two new Blu-ray drives later this year. The low cost BR1000 BD-ROM is capable of reading Blu-ray Discs at 4x and is backwards compatible with CD's and DVD's. For those that need to burn their own Blu-ray Discs, Qisda is offering the DW1001. This new drive features a SATA interface and is capable of 4x BD-R and 2x BD-RE writing speeds.
The BR1000 is intended to target users who just want to enjoy high-definition (HD) BD movie discs, the company pointed out. In terms of price, a BR1000 in combination with a DVD burner is significantly less expensive than a BD Combo drive such as the Pioneer BDC-S02 which sells at US$299. In addition, the after-sale maintenance costs for a BD Combo are higher, Qisda noted. Qisda will not consider offering BD Combo drive models, the company indicated.

BW1001 supports writing in the following formats and speeds: 4x BD-R (recordable, write once), 2x BD-RE (rewritable), 12x DVD+R/-R, 4x DVD+R/-R DL (single-sided double-layer), 8x DVD+RW/-RW, 32x CD-R and 24x CD-RW.
According to Qisda's press release, the BR1000 and BW1001 are priced at 1,699 Yuan ($225US) and 4,999 Yuan ($663US) respectively. More information can also be found at DigiTimes. Add a comment

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Software
ArcSoft has announced that they will be demonstrating ArcSoft Digital Theatre 2 at IFA. This playback software supports HD DVD titles, commercial and homemade DVDs, and a variety of high definition multimedia files.
ArcSoft, Inc. is demonstrating ArcSoft Digital Theatre 2 this week at IFA 2007 in conjunction with the HD DVD Promotion Group. Digital Theatre is a high definition video player that supports playback of HD DVDs, commercial and homemade DVDs, and a variety of high definition multimedia files. The HD DVD Promotion Group is showcasing Digital Theatre as part of its advancement of standards-based implementations of HD DVD playback.

"We are excited to be presenting our high definition solutions at IFA," said Michael Downs, ArcSoft Vice President of Marketing and Business Development. "We have been working closely with the HD DVD Promotion Group, leading graphics chipset companies, and the major Hollywood studios to ensure that we can provide complete, high performance, high quality HD DVD functionality."
While ArcSoft doesn't mention it in their press release, Digital Theatre 2 can also playback Blu-ray movies. If you'd like to read more, ArcSoft's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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Home Entertainment
NME announced today that they've released their latest HD VMD player and discs into the European market. According to their press release, the HD VMD player is expected to cost about euro 179 ($245US).
New Medium Enterprises (NME) releases its latest commercial HD VMD (Versatile Multilayer Disc) Player and discs into the European market, debuting at IFA 2007. HD VMD brings full high definition (HD) 1080i/p, high quality players to consumers for an attractive RRP of euro 179, at soon to be announced stores.

HD VMD is positioning itself as "The New Definition of High Definition" by giving consumers what they have been craving -- an affordable, full HD player and DVD upscaler with superior image playback. Combining the best industrial opto-electronics and disc technologies, HD VMD brings together established DVD red-laser production infrastructure with novel break-through multilayer disc technology to deliver its Full HD picture. Consumers can expect more exciting developments to come, as HD VMD's multilayer disc technology is industrially capable of storing over 30 GB on a single sided disc.
NME also announced that they will be launching into the worldwide market in October/November with a bundle containing a player and 5 HD VMD titles. If you'd like to read more, NME's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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Software
Nero has finally dropped the veil of secrecy surrounding Nero 8. Built with ease of use in mind, the suite gives users the ability to do more in less time. It also offers a number of new features including the ability to create high-def video in both Blu-ray BD-AV and HD DVD video formats and upload videos directly to YouTube, MySpace and My Nero.
Nero, leaders in digital media technology, announced today the upcoming release of Nero 8, the next generation of the company’s award-winning, integrated digital media and home entertainment software solution. Designed with consumer ease of use in mind, Nero 8 extends content beyond the PC, allowing users to easily create and edit, convert and share, rip and burn, backup and protect digital media. With Nero 8, users can enjoy their content at home, on-the-go, and online. Additionally, Nero 8 is built to ensure data integrity and reliability and is optimized for use with the new Windows Vista operating system.

Nero 8 introduces the newly-designed Nero StartSmart user interface, which maximizes user efficiency with a one-stop solution for creating and managing digital media projects. With this new interface, prime functions like burning and ripping audio and data discs can now be accessed directly, letting users complete projects with one-click functions. Nero 8 also supports a number of next-generation formats with editing, playback, and burning features. In addition, Nero 8 lets users edit photo slide shows and create High Definition video in both Blu-ray BD-AV and HD DVD video formats.
Nero 8 will be available worldwide on October 1st for a suggested retail price of $99.99. Current Nero owners will also be able to upgrade at a special discounted price. Full details can be found here. Add a comment

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Home Entertainment
Sunplus has announced the launch of their new DVD player platform, the SPHE8203A. According to their press release, the SPHE8203A is the first system-on-a-chip (SoC) to support playback of DivX HD content.
Sunplus Technology Co., Ltd. (TSE:2401) (LSE:SUPD), the world’s leading consumer IC design company, today launched its new generation DVD player platform - SPHE8203A, which is the world’s first SoC solution to support DivX high definition content playback. Sunplus will demonstrate SPHE8203A and its reference design at IFA 2007 (Stand 116, Hall 26) during Aug. 31-Sep. 5.

Sunplus’ SPHE8203A DVD turnkey solution has plenty multimedia added-on features, such as DVD servo control, MPEG1/2/4 video decode, MP3/AAC/PCM audio decode, USB and card reader functions, DVB transport stream demultiplexing, and HDMI 1.2 compliant transmitter. The superior compression and performance of DivX HD enables consumers to enjoy true HD A/V entertainment with legacy DVD-9 discs on SPHE8203A-inside DVD players, at a price point which is much more cost-effective than next-generation blue-laser players.
If you'd like to read more, Sunplus' entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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Software
Corel announced at IFA that Ulead DVD MovieFactory 6 and Ulead VideoStudio 11 are the world’s first DVD editing and authoring programs to be certified for both Blu-ray Disc Movie Video (BDMV) and Advanced Video Codec High Definition Standard (AVCHD) formats. Here's part of their press release:
Corel Corporation (NASDAQ:CREL) (TSX:CRE), a leading developer of graphics, productivity and digital media software, today announced its Ulead DVD MovieFactory and Ulead VideoStudio are the world’s first DVD editing and authoring software programs to achieve certified support of both Blu-ray Disc Movie Video (BDMV) and Advanced Video Codec High Definition Standard (AVCHD) formats. The announcement was made at IFA in Berlin, Germany. IFA runs August 31 to September 5, 2007 at the Messe Berlin. Corel is located in Hall 6.2a, Stand 104 with the Blu-ray Disc Association and in Hall 21a, Stand 104 with the HD DVD Promotion Group.

By receiving certification for BDMV and AVCHD, Ulead DVD MovieFactory 6 and Ulead VideoStudio 11 have passed the stringent quality standards and guidelines set by the Blu-ray Disc Association and AVCHD Testing Center to ensure the best user experience. Users can now produce fun and creative DVD projects with a professional-looking feel in BDMV, AVCHD or standard DVD formats.
While Ulead VideoStudio 11 Plus users will be able to download a free update, users of Ulead DVD MovieFactory 6 Plus will have to pay $19.99 to get support for BDMV, AVCHD and HD DVD Advanced Content formats. Full details can be found here. Add a comment

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Optical Storage
ASUS has officially announced their new 20x "Super Multi" drive, the DRW-2014L1T. Along with support for LightScribe and Serial ATA, the DRW-2014L1T features 20x DVD±R, 8x DVD±R DL and 14x DVD-RAM writing speeds.

ASUS, provider of high-performance optical drives, today introduced the DRW-2014 L1T internal DVD rewriter with LightScribe direct disc labeling technology. This innovative DVD RW drive provides a high speed of 20X DVD±R write, 8X DVD±R (DL) and 14X DVD-RAM reading capabilities. In addition, users can expect to enjoy five times faster data transfer rates than the current DMA33 standards with the SATA interface...

...Besides boasting an exceedingly fast speed of 20X for DVDs, the innovative LightScribe technology is also able to provide users with customized disc labeling. The LightScribe technology is comprised of three parts: the DRW-2014 L1T Drive, LightScribe-compatible colored discs and LightScribe enabled burning software. After the data has been burnt onto the disc, users only have to flip the disc over to write the graphic and text on the label side - providing professional-grade labels.
Like ASUS's other drives, the DRW-2014L1T also features their QuieTrack, FlextraLink and FlextraSpeed technologies. No word yet on when the drive will hit the US or how much it will be. As we find out more, we'll let you know. Until then, head on over to ASUS's website. Add a comment

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Optical Storage
Earlier this year, we reported that Plextor's parent company, Shinano Kenshi Co., Ltd., was going through a reorganization. At the time, they planned to reduce Plextor's optical drive business to about 10% of what it was at its peak.

According to a post on Plextor Japan's website, the company has now transferred its entire drive manufacturing and sales business to Shinano Kenshi. While the Plextor brand will continue to be used, Shinano Kenshi will handle the development, design, manufacturing, sales and support of their drives.

This will probably have little, to no, effect on Plextor's American and European subsidiaries. If anything, we may see some new designs coming out of Shinano Kenshi instead of the rebadged drives Plextor is currently offering. Add a comment

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