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Home Entertainment

10 August 2007

Onkyo has announced that they will be launching their own HD DVD player this fall. Designed to partner with Onkyo’s A/V receivers, the DV-HD805 features 1080p/24 output, support for HDMI 1.3a and is capable of streaming high-bit-rate audio.

ONKYO USA has announced the launch of its first HD-DVD player, the DV-HD805. This player has been introduced to realize the potential of high-definition HD DVD content. It is also one of the first HD DVD players to take advantage of high-bit-rate audio streaming via HDMI version 1.3a. The DV-HD805 will be available in the fall of 2007.

The DV-HD805 is designed to partner with Onkyo’s 2007 A/V receiver line-up. Both the HD DVD player and the A/V receivers feature HDMI version 1.3a connections, making the combination of these components the perfect platform for high-definition 1080p video images. It also nicely complements Onkyo’s A/V receivers by streaming of the new lossless surround sound formats, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio, as well as two “lossy” formats, Dolby Digital Plus and DTS-HD High Resolution Audio.

According to Onkyo's press release, the DV-HD805 will be priced at $899. This is pretty expensive, considering its reportedly based on the Toshiba HD-XA2 which is priced at only $499. Full details can be found here. Add a comment

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09 August 2007

LTB Audio Q-Bass 2.1 Stereo Wireless Headset @I4U
NZXT Precision Power 1000 Watt Power Supply @Futurelooks
Samsung K5 4GB MP3 Player w/Built-In Speakers @BCCHardware
Sapphire HD 2400XT Videocard @HardwareLogic
Sony VAIO VGN-TZ18GN Notebook @Hardware Zone
Ultra Products X3 1000W Modular Power Supply @PC Apex
X-Arcade Tankstick @OCModShop
XtremeMac HDMI Switcher @The TechZone

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Optical Storage

09 August 2007

CyberLink sent out a press release today, announcing that their BD Solution suite is being shipped with Pioneer's new Blu-ray Disc writer, the BDR-202, Blu-ray Disc combo drive, the BDC-S02.

CyberLink Corp. (5203.TW), a leader in digital home solutions, announced today cooperation with Pioneer Europe NV to include CyberLink BD Suite with Pioneer's Blu-ray Disc writer, the BDR-202, and Combo Blu-ray Disc drive/DVD burner, the BDC-S02.

With the rapidly expanding range of Hollywood movies available on Blu-ray Discs, as well as the increasing demand for storage of high-definition home movies, CyberLink BD Suite provides users with key tools for burning and enjoying content on their home PCs.

If you'd like to read more, CyberLink's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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Optical Storage

09 August 2007

For the last few years, the market has been plagued with "fake" DVD media. Produced by second or third tier manufacturers, these discs use a MID code, or M-Code, from better known brands. TDK, Imation and Verbatim have finally decided to do something about this. According to DigiTimes, they plan to ask Japanese authorities to ban the import of blank DVD media with pirated MID codes.

International brands of optical discs in the Japan market, including TDK, Imation and Verbatim, plan to ask Japanese authorities to ban the import of blank DVD+R/-R discs that pirate their M-Codes, which would affect some second-tier makers of optical discs in Taiwan because they are producers of a large portion of such DVD+R/-R discs, according to industry sources in Taiwan.

The M-Code is a manufacturer identification code built into an optical disc to allow burners to read the parameters expressed in the code so as to automatically adjust writing speeds and power use to reach optimal recording, the sources explained. Each brand has its own M-Code and only its OEM makers are licensed to use its identification code, the sources pointed out.

While CMC and Ritek have already responded, stating that they are using fully licensed M-Codes, the ban is expected to have a negative impact on two or three of Taiwan's other manufacturers. If you'd like to read more, the entire article an be found here. Add a comment

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08 August 2007

Blue Ray Technologies announced today that they've opened the first independent U.S. Blu-ray plant in Spokane, WA. Once it gets up to speed, this $12 million facility will be able to turn out more than 100,000 discs a day.

Blue Ray Technologies has completed its $12 million plant in downtown Spokane, WA, and produced the first run of true indie Blu-ray discs in the U.S. following an arrangement with GE Plastics. The advanced, eco-friendly plant may also be the first of its kind in the world.

"We are very proud that Blue Ray Technologies has produced the first American-made single layer Blu-ray disc with GE Plastic's products and technical support," said Charles Crew, president of GE Plastics.

Washington-based Blue Ray Technologies Inc. new environmentally sound plant to manufacture and distribute Blu-ray discs is now the first U.S.-owned-and-operated producer of Blu-ray discs. The plant will run nonstop and will eventually surpass 100,000 discs a day.

The development is significant because the major studios, led by Blu-ray creator Sony, control most of the world's production of Blue-ray discs -- mainly in Asian plants. Mini-majors, Indie studios, TV companies and record labels would have to stand in line and pay high costs to get Blu-ray product out for the rapidly-growing market.

If you'd like to read more, Blue Ray Technologies' entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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Optical Storage

07 August 2007

Sony America announced three new multi-format DVD writers today. Along with the slim external DRX-S70U, Sony unveiled two new desktop models, the DRU-840A and DRX-840U. These two drives feature 20x DVD±R, 12x DVD±R DL, 12x DVD+RW and 12x DVD-RAM writing speeds.

The 840 series of drives is Sony’s latest crop of multi-format DVD burners that support 20X DVD±R recording speeds, delivering a full 4.7 GB disc of video, data, music or images on standard 16X DVD+R media in about five minutes. In addition, the drives can record on 8.5GB DVD+R Double/Dual layer and 4.7GB DVD+RW discs at 12X speed.

The internal DRU-840A drive and external DRX-840U burner come bundled with the Nero 7 Express DVD/CD mastering software. The new DRX-S70U burner has a slim design to compliment a notebook or desktop PC, supports 8X DVD±R recording speeds, and comes with a full version of the Nero 7 software suite. All three burners support both dual and double layer formats, as well as CD-R/RW recording.

The DRU-840A is available now for about $70. The DRX-840U and DRX-S70U is expected to ship next month and are priced at $110 and $130 respectively. Full details can be found here. Add a comment

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Home Entertainment

07 August 2007

Warner Home Video announced today that they've broken another sales record with the high definition version of "300." Since July 31st, more than 250,000 copies of the movie have been sold on HD DVD and Blu-ray, making it the fastest and highest-selling high definition title to date.

Today Warner Home Video (WHV) announced that it has the fastest and highest-selling high definition title in the market with the epic action-adventure, “300.” Since July 31, 2007, “300” has sold more than 250,000 copies to consumers on HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc.

“300” provides another high definition milestone for Warner Home Video which was the first studio to break the 100K sold mark with “The Departed.” Overall WHV has six of the top 10 selling high definition titles with “300,” “The Departed,” “Superman Returns,” “Planet Earth - The Complete Collection,” “Batman Begins,” and “Happy Feet.” Warner also has the highest grossing high definition title with the dual-format release of “Planet Earth.”

“‘300’ is an amazing film, and the high definition sales we are seeing underscores the positive business benefits of supporting both HD DVD and Blu-ray,” said Ron Sanders, President of Warner Home Video. “This phenomenal response to ‘300’ is the latest proof that our approach makes the most sense in today’s market and has enabled Warner Home Video to continue to lead the market in high definition sales.”

While a notable achievement, this is still a drop in the bucket compared to standard DVD sales. If you'd like to read more, Warner's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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Optical Storage

07 August 2007

While HD DVD writers are few and far between, this hasn't stopped Ritek from developing media for them. The company received certification for their 1x HD DVD-R and 1x HD DVD-RW media back in May and, according to a report by DigiTimes, recently obtained certification for their new 2x HD DVD-R discs.

Ritek, the second largest Taiwan-based maker of optical discs, has secured certification for blank 2x HD DVD-R (recordable, write once) discs, according to industry sources in Taiwan. The company had already achieved certification for its 1x HD DVD-R and 1x HD DVD-RW (rewritable) discs in May 2007.

In addition to the HD DVD format, Ritek has obtained certification for blank BD (Blu-ray Disc)-R discs, while CMC Magnetics, the largest Taiwan-based maker, received the same certification earlier in late April of this year, the sources indicated. Japan-based Mitsubishi Kagaku Media (MKM), Matsushita Electric Industrial (with Panasonic as brand name) and TDK were the first three recipients of such BD-R disc certification, the sources noted.

If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes. Add a comment

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Other

06 August 2007

CoolIT MTEC Control Center Module @BCCHardware
Flexiglow Cyber Snipa PC Gamepad 2 @HardwareLogic
Gigabyte V-Power Videocard Heatpipe Cooler @Tweaknews.net
Logitech Alto Notebook Keyboard Dock @The TechZone
Logitech Cordless Mediaboard @I4U
Revoltec Zirconium RT-101 ATX Case @Madshrimps
XtremeMac ExtremeHD HDMI Switcher @Futurelooks

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