Sony has announced that they're working with Sandisk to develop the "Memory Stick PRO-HG" format. With a maximum data transfer speed of 480Mbps, "Memory Stick PRO-HG" is three times as fast as "Memory Stick PRO" media.
"Memory Stick PRO-HG" media offers high performance to meet the stringent demands of end users. This new media format uses an enhanced, 8-bit parallel interface in addition to a conventional serial and 4-bit parallel interface. The interface clock frequency also increases to 60MHz from 40MHz. This means that maximum data transfer speed increases up to 480Mbps, or 60MB/s (theoretical value), three times as fast as that of "Memory Stick PRO" media. The minimum write speed at 8-bit parallel transfer is 120 Mbps, or 15MB/s. These enhancements allow large data amounts of up to several gigabytes to be quickly transferred, as well as the real-time recording of high-resolution video and still images.

Since "Memory Stick PRO-HG" is an extended format of the "Memory Stick PRO" format, "Memory Stick PRO-HG" compliant host devices support the conventional "Memory Stick PRO" media as well as "Memory Stick PRO-HG" media. In addition, the "Memory Stick PRO-HG" media can be used conventional "Memory Stick PRO" compliant host devices as well as "Memory Stick PRO-HG" compliant host devices.
Licensing for the development of "Memory Stick PRO-HG" compliant devices is scheduled to begin in January 2007. More information on the format can be found here. Add a comment
It appears that Dell is finally jumping on the Blu-ray bandwagon. Earlier today, the company announced that they will be offering a Blu-ray Disc drive as an option on their XPS M1710 notebook computer.
Dell today introduced Blu-ray Disc technology into its product line, offering the next-generation optical disc format as an option on the extreme-performance XPSTM M1710 consumer notebook computer.

This enhancement furthers Dell's strategy to offer customers PCs that can function as a single platform for a compelling digital entertainment throughout the home.

Blu-ray Disc technology offers significant advancements for customers requiring high-definition content and storage for archiving large amounts of data and digital content. For instance, a Blu-ray Disc supports playback of high-definition feature-length films and offers the highest optical disc capacity -- up to 50GB, -- or more than five times the capacity of a dual-layer DVD.

Configured with Blu-ray technology, the XPS M1710 supports read/write capabilities across CD, DVD and Blu-ray Disc media. Using Blu-ray Disc technology, M1710 users can burn up to 50GB of data or author up to 50GB of theater-quality video on a single piece of media.
The XPS M1710 doesn't come cheap. Equipped with a Blu-ray drive, the computer will set you back at least $3,699. If you'd like to read more, Dell's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
DigiTimes has reported that Lite-On has launched its first Blu-ray disc burner in Japan. According to the article, the LH-2B1S currently goes for 70,000 Yen, or $600US.
Lite-On IT recently launched its LH-2B1S serial ATA Blu-ray Disc (BD) Triple Writer, the company's first BD burner, in Japan at a retail price of 70,000 yen (US$600), with the price significantly lower than BD burners offered by other vendors, according to industry sources in Taiwan.

Although not launched in Taiwan yet, the Japanese retail price of the LH-2B1S is lower than the NT$29,900-32,990 (US$920-1,014) for BD burners currently on sale in the Taiwan market, the sources indicated.
The LH-2B1S is also available in the US and can be picked up at places like Newegg for about $600. More information can be found here. Add a comment
A new study done by the market influence analytics company Cymfony shows that consumers prefer HD DVD over Blu-ray. By monitoring discussons on various websites, they also found a lack of consumer trust in Sony and that gamers did not like that Blu-ray was included on the PS3.
Among 2,000 posts randomly selected for more analysis, the company found 2.5 times more posts being impressed with HD DVD than Blu-ray, and 70 percent more posts discussing the advantages of the format over those doing the same for Blu-ray.

The most common reason for the negativity towards Sony's format was what was considered a general dislike, accounting for 24 percent of the selected posts, doubting the company's ability to launch a successful format, and it's image as an arrogant company.
I always have a hard time believing studies like this but after the rootkit fiasco, there does seem to be an anti-Sony vibe on many websites. If you'd like to read more about Cymfony's study, BetaNews has a great article about it. Also, feel free to discuss it in our forum. Add a comment
With first tier manufacturers like Ritek raising CD-R disc prices, a number of second tier manufacturers have followed suit. DigiTimes has reported that Prodisc Technology, Gigastorage and Lead Data have raised prices by 3-8%, bringing OEM quotes up to US$0.11-0.12.
Following price increases by first-tier optical disc makers in Taiwan, second-tier makers including Prodisc Technology, Gigastorage and Lead Data all raised prices of their CD-R discs by 3-8% since the beginning of this month, according to sources.

In November, Ritek, the second largest producer of optical discs in Taiwan, announced it will be raising its prices for CD-R discs to US$0.12, up from US$0.11, according to company vice general manager Chang Yu-Kun, (transliterated from Chinese).

Second-tier optical disc makers raised CD-R disc OEM quotes from US$0.1-0.11 to US$0.11-0.12, the sources said.
If you've been waiting to buy CD-R media, you might want to stock up now as prices are only going to go up in the future. For the full story, head on over to DigiTimes. Add a comment

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Panasonic has announced that they will be releasing dual-layer 8cm DVD-R discs next spring in the US. Aimed at camcorder users, these discs can store 2.6GB of data or 40 minutes worth of HD quality video.
Panasonic, the leading brand of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., announced today that the company will release single-sided dual layer 8cm (3-inch) DVD-R discs next spring in the United States. The discs feature 2.6GB capacity, which enables approximately 40 minutes'* of continual recording with the AVCHD High Definition camcorder format. Thanks to specially developed hard coat technology, the surface of the disc is extremely scratch resistant, allowing the disc to be handled easily and safely.
These new discs aren't exactly cheap. Expect to pay $14.99 for a single disc or $29.99 for a pack of two. If you'd like to read more, Panasonic's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
Samsung Electronics has officially announced their new 18X Serial ATA DVD writer, the WriteMaster SH-S183L. According to their press release, the SH-S183L is the first Serial ATA drive to feature both 12x DVD-RAM writing speeds and LightScribe technology.
With most PCs today shifting to Serial ATA (SATA) hard disk drive interfaces, Samsung Electronics Ltd., the worldwide digital consumer electronics and information technology leader, announces the next breakthrough drive with the introduction of the new WriteMaster(TM) SH-S183L: The first 18X Serial ATA DVD burner on the market today. With its SATA interface, the SH-S183L eliminates the need for Master/Slave jumper settings and provides thinner data cables, improving airflow and cable routing. The SH-S183L offers transfer rates of 150MB/s, 300MB/s and 600MB/s, making it one of the fastest drives on the market today. The SH-S183L is shipping nationwide with an Estimated Street Price of $89.99.

Designed for consumers looking for a super-fast DVD burner with advanced technology, the SH-S183L offers 12X DVD-RAM recording, and 8X double layer DVD+R and DVD-R recording. LightScribe technology is also embedded in the DVD drive, letting users engrave labels, photos, and designs right onto the CD and DVD discs with no hassle at all. The SH-S183L is the ideal drive for home users as well as IT professionals for use in enterprise and network storage applications.
The SH-S183L is available now for a suggested retail price of $89.99. If you'd like to read more, Samsung's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
The guys at CD Freaks have put together a review of Lite-On's first Blu-ray Disc writer, the LH-2B1S. Here's a sample of what they had to say:
Belonging to the first generation of Blu-ray writers, the device seems to operate very well and also the write quality on the supported media types is very good.

The Lite-On LH-2B1S should be one of the first Blu-Ray drives that are equipped with a Serial-ATA interface.

The 12x writing speed on DVD±R media is also a feature that is most welcome.
While CD Freaks didn't test the LH-2B1S with dual layer BD-R media, it should be noted that the drive's reading and writing speed is limited to only 1x. This means it will take nearly 3 hours to write an entire 50GB disc. Hopefully Lite-On can increase this to 2x when they boost the drive's single layer BD-R writing speed to 4x. If you'd like to read more, CD Freaks entire review can be found here. Add a comment

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