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- Optical Storage
Lite-On IT, the largest Taiwan-based maker of optical disc drives (ODDs), on October 25 reported its financial results for the third quarter of this year, posting a very small net earnings per share (EPS) of NT$0.033. The company also announced it has decided to stop production of consumer ODDs, mainly DVD recorders, to be sold under its Liteon brand in the global market, while keeping OEM/ODM production of such products.It really isn't clear whether this includes all of Lite-On's ODD products or just their DVD recorders. If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes.
Lite-On IT's average gross margin dropped from 16.7% in the first half of this year to 13.2% last quarter. Three main reasons for this were the following: the ongoing integration of Lite-On IT's own operating resources with those of BenQ's ODD business unit (acquired by Lite-On IT in April 2006); delays in R&D works on Blu-ray Disc drives, slim-type ODDs and Xbox ODDs; losses due to consumer returns of own-brand DVD recorders sold through the Wal-Mart chain, according to company CEO Danny Liao.
Update - Thanks to the Dutch website, Tweakers.net, we've learned that this only applies to Lite-On's standalone DVD recorders. Here's a translation (thanks RJW):
A moment ago Dutch Lite-On IT have communicated us that the source article of DigiTimes contained an incorrect reproduction of the facts. The brand Lite-On is still alive. Lite-On will definatly not stop with selling dvd - and cd-burners under its own brand, thus spokesman Maarten Souren. Only the standalone dvd-recorders that are sold under the lite on brand, will be removed from the Lite-On-catalog according to him.So there you have it. Lite-On will continue to produce PC-based CD and DVD writers. Add a comment
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- Software
Sonic Solutions (NASDAQ:SNIC), the leader in digital media software, announced today that AuthorScript, the company's proven formatting and burning engine, has been selected to enable a range of DVD and CD recording features in Windows Vista. The built-in AuthorScript engine provides features within Windows Vista that help users archive digital memories to CDs and DVDs, create custom music discs, and perform important data backup functions. Sonic is also working with Microsoft to develop digital media applications that will optimize and enhance consumers' experience with Windows Vista. Certified for Windows Vista applications will include a range of applications within Sonic's Roxio product lines such as Roxio Easy Media Creator 9, the company's flagship digital media software suite of CD and DVD authoring, burning, photo, video, and music tools. As part of the Windows Vista launch program agreement between Microsoft and Sonic, Microsoft will showcase Roxio Easy Media Creator 9 in a range of venues and programs as it prepares for the launch of Windows Vista.Easy Media Creator 9 is expected to be certified for Windows Vista by the time the OS is launched. If you'd like to read more, the entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
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Two versions of "Imation: Into the Blue" are available: a 5 minute streaming video clip and a 14 minute video podcast. If you have the bandwidth and the time, I highly recommend the podcast as it includes some great footage of the manufacturing process. Add a comment
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- Duplicators
The ADL-MAX Disc Autoloader is available now for a suggested retail price of $1995. More information can be found on Primera's website. Add a comment
Primera Technology, Inc., the world's leading developer and manufacturer of CD/DVD duplication and printing equipment, today announced its new ADL-MAX Disc Autoloader.
The ADL-MAX Disc Autoloader easily attaches to any of Primera's best-selling Bravo II or BravoPro Disc Publishers. It uses advanced robotics to transport discs from the four integrated input bins into and out of the burning and printing mechanisms of the Bravo II or BravoPro. With ADL-MAX, Bravo II's capacity increases from 50 discs to 325 discs. BravoPro's capacity increases from 100 discs to 350 discs.
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- Optical Storage
The PX-751A is expected to hit the Japanese market in the middle of November for 8,000 Yen. More information can be found on Plextor Japan's website. Add a comment
Writing Speeds: DVD+R: 16x CAV
Access Times:
DVD+RW: 8x Z-CLV
DVD+R DL: 8x Z-CLV
DVD-R: 16x CAV
DVD-RW: 6x CLV
DVD-R DL: 6x Z-CLV
DVD-RAM: 5x CLV
CD-R: 48x CAV
CD-RW: 32x CAVCD-ROM: 130ms
DVD-ROM: 140msRead Speeds: DVD-ROM (Single Layer): 16x Max
Buffer Size: 2MB
DVD-ROM (Dual Layer): 12x Max
DVD±R: 16x Max
DVD±RW: 12x Max
DVD±R DL: 12x Max
DVD-RAM: 5x Max
CD-R/ROM: 48x Max
CD-RW: 40x Max
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Sonic Solutions (NASDAQ: SNIC), the leader in digital media software, announced today that its US Patent 6,944,621 for dynamic content revision has been evaluated as essential to the Blu-ray Disc (BD) specification for BD players and optical media for the purpose of participating in a joint Blu-ray Disc Patent Portfolio License being facilitated by MPEG LA. The Sonic technology covered in the ‘621 patent - one of several the company has related to new high-definition formats - allows for updating or augmenting multimedia content on portable storage media including CD, DVD, UMD, flash memory, and HD DVD. In addition to Sonic's intention to participate in the Blu-ray Disc Patent Portfolio License, the company will continue to license the ‘621 patent directly to content owners, online service providers, software developers, game console manufacturers, consumer electronics companies, in-game advertisers, and other industry partners developing online services and non-BD applications.As much as I'd like to see new content, I can see this technology being used more for advertising. If you'd like to read more, Sonic's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
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- Optical Storage
According to AV Watch, Maxell's 8cm media is expected to cost about 1300 Yen. More information can be found here. Add a comment
Hitachi Maxell, Ltd. (The execution post president: Yoshito Kakuta) will put the series, 8cmDVD-R DL disk, and 8cmDVD+R DL "Easy selection" disk for the DVD video camera with the recording layer in two layers in one side of the disk on the market on November 24.
The market expands to the DVD video camera in the background of convenience that makes the best use of the feature of record type DVD like the height etc. of the random access and the reproduction interchangeability. Needs of "Take a picture for a long time" and "High-resolution taking a picture" expand more than before with the extension of the group of users, and the disk where it answers this is requested in recent years.
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[ Add a comment
Elife Colorful Card USB Drive @ ThinkComputers.org
Thermaltake Big Typhoon VX CPU Cooler @ Futurelooks
Zalman Reserator 2 Water Cooling System @ Tweaknews.net
Crucial Ballistix 1GB Kit DDR2-800/PC2-6400 Memory @ Redaktion ocinside.de
ECS P965T-A Motherboard @ Overclockers Online
Thermaltake MozartTx @ VIA Arena
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- Optical Storage
18X will be the new writing speed standard on HP drives. HP will launch the dvd940i: a new, high-speed internal drive with DVD±R/±RW and DVD-RAM read/write, ±R double-layer capability, and LightScribe direct disc labeling. HP will also introduce an external version of this drive: HPdvd940e.The dvd940i is expected to hit store shelves in November. If you'd like to read more, HP's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
HP's supermulti drive offers high speeds and double-layer recording, and it's LightScribe Version 1.2 - ready for high-contrast labeling. It lets users easily preserve, edit and share up to 8.5 GB of video, photos, and multimedia presentations on one double-layer disc - and quickly store back up and transport files on DVDs and Cds. The dvd940i/e records double-layer DVDs at up to 8X, recordable DVDs at up to 18X, rewritable DVDs at up to 8X and DVD-RAM at up to 12X.
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- Home Entertainment
No word on pricing or availability yet. As we find out more, we'll let you know. In the mean time, Lite-On's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
Lite-On IT Corporation (TWE: 8008), the world's leading optical drive supplier, today announced the launch of its new-generation HDD/DVD recorder, the HD-A970GX, in a move to respond to the growing popularity of high-definition video market and to demonstrate its continuing endeavors in the consumer electronics segment...
...With an advanced HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) output, HD-A970GX offers you hassle-free connection to the new-generation HDTV or HD-ready TV set with a single HDMI cable. Meanwhile, to bridge the current gap between the lower-resolution analog signals and the expanded display capability of HDTV, the HD-A970GX incorporates a video upscaler to enhance the source picture resolution up to 1080p (Progressive mode). This conversion process allows users to enjoy improved, near high-definition images.
