The results are in and our readers have chosen the Pioneer DVR-111/A11 as the top DVD writer for the month of September. Here are the top drives:
  1. Pioneer DVR-111/A11
  2. BenQ DW1650/1655
  3. LG GSA-H10N/H10L/H10A
  4. (tied) Lite-On SHM-165H6S/165P6S and Plextor PX-760A/760SA
Your favorite drive didn't make it onto the list? Then go and vote for October's top DVD writer. Add a comment
Microboard has announced that they've started shipping their new Blu-ray duplicator, the CopyWriter Blu-Ray. Here's part of their press release:
The first Multi-Drive Blu-Ray system with both duplication and recording functionality began shipping today from Microboards Technology, LLC. Called CopyWriter Blu-Ray, the system will be used for recording and duplicating stored multimedia and data content.

CopyWriter Blu-Ray systems can be used in a standalone mode for duplication, or can be connected to a PC or Mac via a USB 2.0 connection for accessing one of the Blu-Ray drives.

Besides traditional large data storage applications and video footage archival, Microboards Blu-Ray towers have garnered the interest of a wide range of industries, from video game developers to medical imaging and patient records.
As you can imagine, Microboards' new duplicator is not cheap. If you want to go all out and get the ten-recorder system, expect to pay nearly $20,000 for it. More information can be found here. Add a comment
HP recently announced three new products based on the HD DVD digital media format. Along with HD DVD equipped notebook and media center PC's, the company unveiled the world's first external USB 2.0 HD-DVD drive, the HD100.
HP High Definition DVD-ROM Drive -- which provides the superior picture quality of high-def movies(5) in a portable device for use with widescreen notebooks. The external drive offers advanced interactivity; for example, users can access the Internet(6) and chat while watching a movie, or play games that are seamlessly integrated into a movie. Backwards compatible, the drive not only supports new HD DVDs, but also regular CDs and DVDs.
We have not heard when the HD100 will ship or how much it will be. However, you can expect to see it on store shelves in time for the holiday shopping season. If you'd like to read more, HP's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
DigiTimes has reported that the licensing agreement between Quanta Storage and Philips will expire in October. According to their article, Quanta is currently in negotiations with a number of companies, and will most likely partner with Sony for their ODD patents.
The fact that Quanta Storage is looking to obtain a license from another company suggests that it will not continue licensing ODD patents from Philips, industry sources indicated. This is may be due to Philips charging higher royalty fees than companies such as Sony, Matsushita Electric Industrial (Panasonic) and Pioneer, the sources noted. For Quanta Storage, Sony would be the best partner among Japan-based candidates because Sony NEC Optiarc, an ODD joint venture between Sony and NEC, is very likely to release ODM/OEM orders to Quanta Storage if it becomes a licensee of Sony, the sources pointed out.
The article also hints that Quanta's decision may also be due to Lite-On's use of Philips' patents. If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes. Add a comment
We've completed the move to the new server. While DNS updates, going to www.cdrlabs.com should redirect you to www2.cdrlabs.com (and similarly, www2.cdrlabs.com/phpBB/). Keep an eye out for weird problems, and let us know in this forum thread.
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DivX Labs has released beta 1 of the DivX 6.4 Codec. Along with a new 1080HD encoding mode, this new version of the DivX Codec includes features like faster multipass encoding, high efficiency resize filters and adaptive noise reduction.
DivX Codec now includes a 1080HD encoding mode allowing you to create full size 1920 x 1080 resolution video in high quality DivX format. Videos encoded using this new setting are suitable for playback on fast desktop computers and are more likely to play on future hardware devices than videos encoded using unconstrained mode, and unlike unconstrained mode, 1080HD encoding will be available for free in the DivX Community Codec. Both 1080i and 1080p encoding is supported.
More information on the DivX 6.4 Codec can be found here. That page also has a download link if you want to try the beta out. Feel free to share your experiences in our forum. Add a comment
While Philips is making headway in Taiwan, DigiTimes has reported that they're still having problems getting Chinese manufacturers to accept their Veeza licensing program.
Royal Philips Electronics' promotion of Veeza, its new licensing system for its essential CD-R disc patents, in Taiwan has scored initial points by successfully persuading Ritek to an agreement, but the effort has been frustrated in China because makers of CD-R discs there have consistently boycotted Veeza and none have signed up for it, according to industry sources in Taiwan.

While Philips' promotion of Veeza in Taiwan is through separate talks with each of the target CD-R disc makers, fellow makers in China have authorized the China Audio & Video Association (CAVA) to negotiate with Philips on behalf of them, the sources pointed out. CAVA thinks the Veeza royalty is too high to be acceptable, the sources indicated.
The article also points out that with most Chinese manufactured CD-R discs ending up on the domestic market, companies in that country do not feel pressured to compromise with Philips. If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes. Add a comment
We are currently in the process of moving CDRLabs to a new server. Once the data has been moved over, we'll switch the DNS to the new host and re-enable the forums. If all goes well, this will be some time today. Thanks for your patience. Add a comment
Earlier today, Microsoft announced the availability and pricing of its Xbox 360 HD DVD Player. The player will hit U.S. stores in mid-November for a cool $199.99.
The Xbox 360 HD DVD Player, arriving at retailers in North America, the U.K., France, and Germany in mid-November 2006, will retail for $199.99 in North America (ESRP) and €199.99/£129.99 (ESRP) in the U.K., France, and Germany. The Xbox 360 HD DVD Player comes with both the Universal Pictures blockbuster Peter Jackson's King Kong on HD DVD (for a limited time) and the Xbox 360 Universal Media Remote.
Between this and upcoming games like Halo Wars, its becoming harder and harder to resist picking up an Xbox 360. If you'd like to read more, Microsoft's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
According to DigiTimes, Lite-On has started volume production of its new LightScribe capable "Super Multi" drive, the LH-18A1H. The company plans to launch the LH-18A1H in the Taiwan market in mid-October.
Lite-On IT, the largest maker of optical disc drives in Taiwan, recently began volume production of an 18x Super Multi LightScribe DVD burner, model LH-18A1H, for OEM clients and will launch the model for own-brand sale in the Taiwan market at a recommended retail price of about NT$2,100 (US$64) in the middle of next month, according to the company.
If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes. Otherwise, more information on the LH-18A1H can be found here. Add a comment