- Details
- Home Entertainment
Yamaha, the innovator in home theater and digital audio and video reproduction, today introduced the DVD-S1800 universal DVD player and the DVD-C961 Super Audio CD/DVD-Audio Changer. Both feature a host of advanced features and capabilities designed to maximize the performance of high-end home theater installations. Ideal for those who demand the ultimate in video and audio realism, the DVD-S1800 and DVD-C961 not only offer 1080p video output via HDMI, but also support DVD-Audio and Super Audio CD playback. Both units will be on exhibit at Yamaha's CEDIA 2007 booth (#450).The DVD-S1800 and DVD-C961 will be available in August for a suggested retail price of $449.95 each. Full details can be found here. Add a comment
The DVD-S1800 DVD player and DVD-C961 changer both utilize industry-leading video processing technologies to deliver remarkable performance. In addition to upconverting video to 1080p, the units can also output 480p, 576p, 720p and 1080i signals, all over a pure digital HDMI connection. To ensure the highest possible video quality even through their analog outputs, the models also feature a 216MHz/12-bit high-performance video DAC. Noise Shaped Video(TM) technology from Analog Devices uses oversampling and sophisticated techniques such as multi-bit sigma-delta processing and bit-shuffling to relocate converter noise to a part of the spectrum where it can be removed by an analog filter. This improves signal accuracy, allowing signals to be displayed at much higher resolutions.
- Details
- Home Entertainment
At Ultimate Electronics and Abt Electronics, Toshiba’s second-generation players are still the best-selling individual models, but collectively, Blu-ray players have been outselling HD DVD Toshiba models in recent weeks.The article also points out that set-top Blu-ray player sales could be even higher, but manufacturers are having a hard time meeting demand. If you'd like to read more, the entire article can be found here. Add a comment
At Ultimate, the shift began in June when Sony rolled out Blu-ray’s cheapest set-top player to date, the $499 BDP-S300. Ultimate also carries second-generation Samsung and Pioneer Blu-ray models.
“It’s a slight lead, not a huge margin, but we expected this to happen as [Ultimate] is selling three HD DVD players, versus five Blu-ray players. There is a depth point of view now,” said Matt Duda, Ultimate director of merchandising for video. “But there is no single Blu-ray player overtaking Toshiba’s models.”
- Details
- Other
Add a comment
Alienware Area-51 7500 Desktop System @ThinkComputers.org
Antec NP-100 Notebook Power Adapter @DV Hardware
Asus Blitz Formula and Blitz Extreme @HotHardware.com
eVGA 650i Ultra Motherboard @HardwareLogic
Insignia NS-LCD37 37-inch LCD HDTV @I4U
- Details
- Software
CD-DVD Speed v4.7.7.3 - DownloadMore information can be found on the CD Speed website. Also, feel free to share your experiences in our forum. Add a comment
- Disc Quality Test: added support for blu-ray testing with Mediatek based drives
- Added preliminary support for HD DVD-RW SL/DL
- Small improvements and bug fixes
- Details
- Home Entertainment
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.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
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.
- Details
- Other
Add a comment
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
- Details
- Optical Storage
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.If you'd like to read more, CyberLink's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
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.
- Details
- Optical Storage
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.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
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.
- Details
- Other
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.If you'd like to read more, Blue Ray Technologies' entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
"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.
- Details
- Optical Storage
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 commentThe 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.
