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Optical Storage

12 December 2006

Pioneer Japan has officially announced its new 18x DVD writer, the DVR-A12J. Along with support for Labelflash, the DVR-A12J features 18x DVD±R, 12x DVD-RAM and 10x DVD±R DL writing speeds. Here's part of their press release, translated from Japanese:

"The DVR-A12J" series, 18 time speed of DVD±R, DVD-RAM actualizing the high-speed record of 12 time speed of 2 anew. New design "air induction slit" was adopted on the disk tray, by the fact that it continues adopts this corporation individual "disk resonance stabilizer", the record precision which is stabilized even in these high-speed record times the quiet sound conversion which it is thorough was actualized simultaneously in the frame.

　As for this product, as for record playback of various record types DVD and record type CD of course, high-speed record of single sided 2 layer media Dual Layer DVD-R and DVD+R Double Layer (the maximum of 10 time speed) it corresponds anew.

　In addition, with the laser for the data logging which is loaded onto the substance, drawing is possible to the label surface of the private disk which corresponds, you adopted for the first time "Labelflash (the label flash) technology" as a product of this corporation brand.

While Pioneer has not announced a price, AV Watch expects the DVR-A12J to cost about 10,000 Yen ($85US). If you live in Japan, expect to see it on store shelves about mid-December. More information, including a full list of specs, can be found here. Add a comment

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Optical Storage

12 December 2006

Verbatim Europe sent out a press release today, announcing their new archival grade DVD-R media. Featuring a gold and silver reflective layer, these discs provide both good reflectivity and resistance to oxidation.

Verbatim has unveiled a breakthrough in archival media technology with a new type of DVD. The new Archival Grade DVD-R 8x features a gold and silver reflective layer. This dual reflective technology has two advantages when compared to media with a simple reflective layer. The first benefit is that the gold layer provides a good resistance against atmospheric influences such as oxidation - which is one of the primary causes of CD and DVD degradation. The second benefit is that the silver layer provides good reflectivity for precise reading and writing of data by the laser. As a result, the new Verbatim media shows significant improvements over conventional disks in terms of both longevity and compatibility. The product is now available as a 5 pack jewel case and as a 25 spindle pack.

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

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Flash Memory

12 December 2006

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

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Other

11 December 2006

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

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Optical Storage

11 December 2006

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

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Home Entertainment

08 December 2006

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

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Optical Storage

08 December 2006

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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Other

07 December 2006

Logitech G25 Racing Wheel @ I4U
VIZO Orbiter Hard Drive Cooler @ Futurelooks
GeCube Dual GPU Radeon X1650XT @ TweakTown
CoolerMaster Mars @ Overclockers Online
Ultra Grid ATX Case @ ThinkComputers.org

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