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Home Entertainment
As we reported yesterday, Paramount and DreamWorks Animation have decided release their titles exclusively on HD DVD. While both studios claimed that the format's lower costs made it the better choice for consumers, the true motivator appears to be a "promotional considerations" paid by HD DVD backers. According to a blog post at Deadline Hollywood Daily, Paramount and DreamWorks Animation received a total of $150 million to drop support for Blu-ray.
I've learned there will be two new developments announced later this week today in the ongoing Blu-ray vs HD-DVD format war: separate HD-DVD deals with Paramount and DreamWorks Animation that involve major millions of dollars. I've got a confidential report from Pali Research managing director Richard S. Greenfield, a media analyst for entertainment and cable, that discussed the deals (see below), spinning them as "the format war is now set to intensify". But sources have given me updated details which show the HD-DVD side is paying through the nose -- I'm told $50 million to Paramount, and $100 million to DreamWorks Animation -- to try to show the strength of what we all know is a dying format.
If you'd like to read more, the entire blog post can be found here. Also, feel free to join the ongoing discussion in our forum. Add a comment

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Eagle Tech Consus W-Series 3.5" USB External HDD Enclosure @Madshrimps
ePower Technology EP-1200P10 xScale 1200W PSU @Benchmark Reviews
Foxconn GeForce 8600GTS @ChileHardware
Hitachi P50S601 1080p Plasma HDTV @I4U
iON EC-2 Aluminum ATX Media Center/HTPC Desktop Case @Madshrimps
Kingston DDR3-1066MHz @InsideHW.com
Logitech diNovo Edge Ultra Slim Bluetooth Keyboard @Futurelooks
Logitech X-240 2.1 Speaker System @ThinkComputers.org
Vantec USB External 5.1 Audio Adapter @Virtual-Hideout
Zalman Z-Machine GT1000 Case @BCCHardware
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Duplicators
Aleratec recently announced they've started shipping the 1:8 DVD/CD Tower Publisher HLX. When connected to a PC via eSATA, this new publishing tower can copy or label up to 8 discs at once.

Aleratec, Inc., leading developer and manufacturer of Aleratec Award Winning "Prosumers' Choice" solutions for the Blu-ray, DVD/CD, USB duplicating, and DVD/CD publishing markets is now shipping its new 1:8 DVD/CD Tower Publisher HLX that can simultaneously produce up to 8 DVD/CD copies, recordings, or 8 clearly labeled LightScribe DVDs or CDs with high performance SATA data rates. The 1:8 DVD/CD Tower Publisher HLX, another disc publishing first only from Aleratec, incorporates the latest high speed DVD/CD recording technology and can make DVD copies at up to 20x or CD copies at up to 48x. The recorders also support DVD-RAM and 8.5GB Double Layer technologies. The 1:8 DVD/CD Tower Publisher has eSATA connections to your computer for the most stable duplicating process. For those that do not have eSATA ports on their computer, a dual channel eSATA host adapter is included FREE with purchase. The powerful Aleratec Disc Publishing software suite is the ideal all in one package for music, photos, video, data, and backup has Windows Vista support and is also included FREE with purchase.
The 1:8 DVD/CD Tower Publisher HLX is available now for an estimated retail price of $1269. More information can be found on Alera's website. Add a comment

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Other
CDRLabs kicks off the week with an in depth look at Lite-On's new Serial ATA equipped "Super AllWrite" drive, the LH-20A1L. While affordably priced, the drive features some of the fastest reading and writing speeds available. The LH-20A1H is capable of 20x DVD±R, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, 8x DVD±R DL and 12x DVD-RAM writing speeds and has a maximum DVD read speed of 16x. Along with support for HP's LightScribe Direct Disc Labeling system, the LH-20A1L also features many of the technologies we've come to expect from Lite-On, including more advanced ones like SmartWrite and OverSpeed.

In this review we'll take a look at some of the features found on the LH-20A1L and see how it compares to some of the 18x and 20x DVD±RW drives from the competition. Does the LH-20A1L have what it takes? You'll have to read the review to find out.


Lite-On LH-20A1L 20x Super AllWrite DVD±RW/RAM
If you have any comments or questions about this review or the Lite-On LH-20A1L, please post them in the forum. Add a comment

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Home Entertainment
Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks Animation SKG announced today that they will be releasing their movies exclusively on HD DVD. After evaulating both Blu-ray and HD DVD, the two companies have decided that HD DVD's market-ready technology and lower manufacturing costs make it the better of the two formats.
Paramount Pictures, aunit of Viacom Inc. (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B) and DreamWorks Animation SKG(NYSE: DWA), each announced today that they will exclusively support thenext-generation HD DVD format on a worldwide basis. The exclusive HD DVDcommitment will include all movies distributed by Paramount Pictures,DreamWorks Pictures, Paramount Vantage, Nickelodeon Movies and MTV Films,as well as movies from DreamWorks Animation, which are distributedexclusively by Paramount Home Entertainment.

The companies each said that the decision to distribute exclusively inthe HD DVD format resulted from an extensive evaluation of current marketofferings, which confirmed the clear benefits of HD DVD, particularly itsmarket-ready technology and lower manufacturing costs. Paramount HomeEntertainment will launch its exclusive HD DVD program with the release ofthe blockbuster comedy hit "Blades of Glory" on August 28th and follow withtwo of the biggest grossing movies of the year "Transformers" and "Shrekthe Third". These three titles alone represent more than $1.5 billion inbox office ticket sales worldwide.
If you'd like to read more, the entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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Antec EarthWatts 500Watt Power Supply @OCModShop
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Logitech MX Air Rechargeable Cordless Air Mouse @I4U
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Home Entertainment
Sony has announced that they are launching a new marketing campaign to promote their high definition DNA, or "HDNA." The campaign will feature Peyton Manning and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. and will focus on high definition products across multiple categories.
Sony Electronics launched its largestintegrated marketing campaign in the U.S., centering on its high definitionDNA known as "HDNA."

The campaign, featuring Super Bowl MVP Peyton Manning of theIndianapolis Colts and NASCAR's Dale Earnhardt, Jr., focuses on how Sony'shigh-definition technology in a variety of product categories comestogether to bring consumers unparalleled HD entertainment experiences.

From its professional cameras and projectors used by televisionnetworks and Hollywood studios, to BRAVIA high-definition televisions,Blu-ray players, camcorders, digital cameras and notebook computers, noother company in the consumer electronics industry has the amount or degreeof high-definition expertise that can be shared across so many productlines. In addition, Sony's "HDNA" extends to high-definition entertainmentcontent produced and distributed by its sister companies in the motionpicture, television, music and videogame arenas.
Keep in mind that this marketing campaign isn't focusing solely on Blu-ray. However, with the holiday shopping season on the way, the format will probably be the focus of many of their ads. Full details on Sony's new marketing campaign can be found here. Add a comment

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Optical Storage
Believe it or not, its been 25 years since the first Compact Disc was manufactured at a Philips factory near Hanover, Germany. Since then, more than 200 billion discs have been sold, enough to circle the earth six times. The CD has also helped pave the way for other digital technologies including the DVD and Blu-ray.
Exactly 25 years ago tomorrow, on August 17, 1982, Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE:PHG, AEX:PHI) manufactured the world’s first Compact Disc at a Philips factory in Langenhagen, just outside of Hanover, Germany. The invention of the CD ushered in a technological revolution in the music industry as CDs - with their superior sound quality and scratch free durability - marked the beginning of the shift from analogue to digital music technology. The CD became a catalyst for further innovation in digital entertainment, helping pave the way for the launch of DVD and the current introduction of Blu-ray optical media. Having played a key role in the innovation of digital music, at home and on the move, consumers continue to witness huge advances in entertainment and lifestyle technologies.
I don't know about you, but this news makes me feel especially old as I grew up listening to music on vinyl and cassette. If you'd like to read more about the history of the Compact Disc, head on over to Philips' website. Add a comment

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ASUS P5K3 Premium Black Pearl Edition Motherboard @Hardware Zone
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GIGABYTE P35T-DQ6 Motherboard @TweakTown
Ideazon Fang Gamepad @PC Apex
Intel Pentium Dual-Core E2160 @Hardware Zone
In Win Mt. Jade BK623 Case @HardwareLogic
Jetway 966PDAG-PB Budget S775 Motherboard @Madshrimps
Noctua NC-U6 Chipset Cooler @OCModShop
Sunbeam Freezing Storm PC Case @ThinkComputers.org
Thermaltake Toughpower 1000W PSU @DV Hardware
Thermaltake WingRS 101 Mid Tower Computer Case @Tweaknews.net
Ultra ChillTEC Thermo Electric CPU Cooler @Futurelooks andBenchmark Reviews
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Flash Memory
Corsair sent out a press release today, announcing their "Flash Padlock” family of USB flash drives. These affordable drives feature a hardware-enabled auto-lock function that can be disabled by entering a user customizable PIN.

Corsair www.corsair.com, a worldwide leader in high performance computer and flash memory products, today launched the "Flash Padlock” family of affordable USB 2.0 drives, the safest way to secure your data while on the go. Priced starting at only $29.99, the Flash Padlock line of affordable USB 2.0 flash drives address the need for secure data storage through hardware technology, rather than software. Flash Padlock features "Auto-Locking," so the user doesn’t need to remember to enable the protective feature -- It will automatically lock and protect itself after removal from the computer.

With its simple touch-pad security PIN entry system, Flash Padlock can be unlocked quickly and confidentially for use as a standard USB flash data drive. Flash Padlock is impervious to “brute force” hacks or keystroke loggers that would defeat a software secured USB flash drive.
The Flash Padlock is available now in 1GB and 2GB capacities. Full details can be found here. Add a comment

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