MadZ Software has announced the release of their new DVD backup software, Clone DVD Pro 1.0. Here's part of their press release:
MadZ Software announces the release of version 1.0 of its Clone DVD Pro software. Clone DVD Pro 1.0 makes backup copies of your favorite DVDs.

With Clone DVD Pro, you can quickly and easily copy almost all DVDs including original DVDs, DVD copies, even downloaded DVDs. You can choose which titles and chapters are copied and even preview them prior to copying. Also, you can rip DVDs to create DVD Video_TS folders or DVD ISO/UDF image files on your computer hard drive, and you can burn existing Video_TS folders or ISO/UDF image files from your hard drive to DVDs.
It's going to be interesting to see who sues MadZ Software first. The name Clone DVD Pro is a bit too similar to Slysoft's CloneDVD software. And, with its ability to backup CSS protected discs, the MPAA probably won't be too happy either. If you'd like to read more, MadZ Software's entire announcement can be found here. Add a comment
NCH Swift Sound has announced a new version of its ExpressBurn software. According to their press release, ExpressBurn v3.00 supports Blu-ray and HD-DVD and is Windows Vista compatible.
NCH Swift Sound, specialists in business and audio software, announced the release of ExpressBurn v3.00 with Blu-ray and HD-DVD support.

"We have made the leap into Blu-ray technology even though it is still emerging and pricing for hardware is currently restrictive for the average consumer," said Stephanie Lee, sales manager for the Canberra based company. "The data storage capacity that Blu-ray allows for was the main reason to support it now rather than later. It compliments our range of applications such as our PC based call and radio logging application, VRS, because of the ability to archive an enormous amount of audio recordings on the one disk."

ExpressBurn v3.00 supports both single and duel layer disks with write and re-write capabilities (BD-R, BD-RE, BD-R DL, BD-RE DL) as well as Data HD-DVD, DVD and Audio/Data CDs. Using proprietary optimizing systems it is one of the fastest CD/DVD/Blu-ray writing programs in the world.
ExpressBurn v3.00 is available now and can be purchased directly from NCH for $27US. More information can be found here. Add a comment
Advanced Media has announced they will be adding Solid State Disk (SSD) flash memory to its RIDATA line. Available in capacities of 16GB and 32GB, the RIDATA Flash SSD can fully replace the hard drive in a notebook or portable device.

Advanced Media, Inc., manufacturer and marketer of the popular RIDATA brand of recordable CD and DVD media, electronic storage products, and digital media accessories, is set to add a non-volatile Flash Solid State Disk (SSD) storage medium to its RIDATA line. It is available in 16 GB and 32GB capacities. It will be on display in the Advanced Media 2007 International CES booth, South Hall 3 (Upper Level, S3) Booth 31573.

"Based on flash-memory technology, our new RIDATA Flash SSD offers highly reliable data storage and rugged, high-performance," remarked Harvey Liu, Advanced Media president. "When compared to a traditional HDD, the RIDATA SSD requires less power, weighs less than half as much, offers faster boot and access times, and operates at a lower temperature and no mechanical movement part. It is the perfect HDD replacement for any notebook, sub-notebook, or tablet PC."

Since it has no moving parts, the RIDATA Flash SSD produces virtually no noise, no heat generation, and no vibration, while offering more reliable temperature and humidity that assures long-lasting storage. It is engineered with semiconductor components and uses NAND flash memory. Importantly, it also has the same host interface as a hard disk drive, so there is no issues with compatibility or upgrading. It simply plugs into a device's IDE slot.
The RIDATA Flash Solid State Disk will be available around the middle of December for a suggested retail price of $169. More information can be found here. Add a comment
Sharp announced on Tuesday that it has started started the commercial production of blue laser diodes. According to an article at Digit Magazine, the company will initially produce 150,000 units a month, with plans to boost capacity to 500,000 units by late 2007.
Sharp has begun mass production of blue-laser diodes at a new factory in Japan -- a move that should help reduce the cost of Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD players.

The company kicked off production at a new line at its factory in Mihama, Hiroshima prefecture, at an initial level of 150,000 per month, said Miyuki Nakayama, a spokeswoman for Sharp in Tokyo.

The first products are low-power diodes suitable for disc players, but in late 2007 Sharp aims to increase production to around 500,000 diodes per month and also begin making higher power models for use in disc writers, she said.
If you'd like to read more, the entire article can be found here. Add a comment

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CDRLabs kicks off the week with an in depth look at Sony's new Blu-ray Disc writer, the BWU-100A. Offering support for both single and dual layer BD media, the BWU-100A has the ability to store up to 50GB of data or four hours worth of HD video onto a single disc. Sony's new drive is also capable of playing commercial Blu-ray Disc movies and can read and write to all major CD and DVD formats, including DVD-RAM.

In this review we'll take a look at some of the features found on the BWU-100A and see how it compares to the drives from I-O DATA and Pioneer. Does Sony's new Blu-ray Disc writer have what it takes? You'll have to read the review to find out.


Sony BWU-100A Blu-ray Disc Writer
If you have any comments or questions about this review or the Sony BWU-100A, please post them in the forum by clicking the link below. Add a comment
LightScribe Direct Disc Labeling sent out a press release this morning, announcing the widespread U.S. availability of color-background CD's.

LightScribe Direct Disc Labeling announced today widespread U.S. availability of five new vivid color-background CDs for LightScribe images: red, orange, yellow, blue and green. With the five rich and saturated CD background colors, consumers can add even more individuality, creativity and flair to their customized LightScribe CD labels.

The development of LightScribe's color-background CDs was possible through LightScribe's Media Version 1.2 coating technology. With this next-generation LightScribe coating technology, the same precise, silkscreen-quality black text and graphics labels available on gold-background discs can be burned onto the label-side of LightScribe-enabled CDs in stunning, jewel-toned background colors.
According to the press release, CMC Magnetics and Moser Baer are among the initial media manufacturers producing color-background discs. More information can be found here. Add a comment
DigiTimes has reported that Taiwan's CD-R disc manufacturers are booked until the first quarter of 2007. To keep up with demand, manufacturers are thinking about delaying the annual maintenance that is usually done during this time of the year.
Leading producers of CD-R discs in Taiwan are booked full until the first quarter of next year and are considering whether to delay annual maintenance that is scheduled for the usually slow first quarter, according to industry sources.

A significant increase in demand for CD-R discs is expected in China due to the Chinese New Year in late February 2007 and in emerging markets such as Russia, Southeast Asia and Latin America, the sources indicated. However, global output will not increase because almost no makers have expanded production capacity this year, the sources pointed out. As a result, the global supply of CD-R discs for next quarter may be 20-30% short of global demand.
The article also mentions that the global shortage of CD-R discs many cause the price to go up by 5-10% in 2007. If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes. Add a comment
Sonic has announced that they've developed a DVD burning plug-in for SnapStream's Beyond TV software. With this new plug-in, Beyond TV users can now record shows to disc complete with menus, content titles, and chapter points.
Sonic Solutions (NASDAQ: SNIC), the leader in digital media software, today announced that SnapStream, a leading developer of digital home products, has chosen Sonic's comprehensive authoring, encoding, and formatting engine, AuthorScript to bring DVD burning capabilities to Beyond TV, the company's award-winning PC Digital Video Recorder (DVR) application. Available now, the optional DVD-burning plug-in enables Beyond TV owners to author DVDs of saved TV shows for playback on a broad range of set-top DVD players. This latest agreement reinforces the versatility of AuthorScript, which was also selected recently to enable DVD recording features in Windows Vista and high-quality DVD playback in a future version of Nintendo's Wii gaming console.
This plug-in is available now and comes as part of Beyond TV 4.5. If you'd like to read more, Sonic's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
Sony Media Software has announced the availability of DVD Architect Studio. Aimed at consumers, this standalone version of their DVD authoring and creation software offers an intuitive user interface and interactive Show Me How tutorials.
Sony Media Software, a leading provider of professional video and audio editing software applications, announced today the availability of DVD Architect(TM) Studio, a standalone program that addresses the growing consumer demand for a single software application dedicated to DVD authoring for movies, song compilations and pictures slideshows. Previously only available bundled with Sony Vegas Movie Studio+DVD, this new standalone version expands Sony's line of home studio products by offering a robust application with many important features that are critical for creating dynamic and interactive DVDs.

DVD Architect Studio software features the same look and feel of Sony's flagship products, including superior ease-of-use and a simple drag-and-drop interface for quick DVD layout; the ability to create both single and multi-movie DVDs, picture and music compilations; and support for most popular DVD burners today.
DVD Architect Studio is available now for $49.95. If you'd like to try it out before buying it, a demo can be downloaded here. More information is also available on Sony's website. Add a comment