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HEXUS.lifestyle: But in just raw data storage, Blu-ray is going to be better as it holds more data.At this point, I don't really think warping is an issue. However, as BD reading and writing speeds increase, this might change. If you'd like to read more, head on over to HEXUS.lifestyle. Add a comment
Jim Armour: Looking at the numbers on a bit of paper, you'd think so, but what you need to do is look at the Blu-ray discs and players first, before you make a decision. Let's go back to the disc construction for a second. HD DVD uses a sandwich method which helps to combat disc warping. Blu-ray doesn't. It uses a single plastic substrate layer, then adds on the recording material and then top it all off with a very hard Zircon layer. This means that when the disc expands to get hot, it will warp downwards as that Zircon layer isn't going to budge.
HEXUS.lifestyle: But that's a uniform direction of warping? Surely as long as you're ready for it, it won't make any difference?
Jim Armour: You'd think so, wouldn't you? But now we have to go back to the lens. Blu-ray uses a 0.85 Numerical Aperture and, with their recording layer just 0.1mm below the disc surface, they've got to get the lens very close to the disc surface to be able to focus it tightly enough to give them a 25GB storage capacity. So now you've got a Blu-ray lens sitting somewhere between 0.1 and 0.3 millimetres from a disc coated with a substance almost as tough as diamond which, when it warps, can only warp downwards, towards the lens. Guess what happens when you run Zircon over glass at 2000rpm? Sure, your data will be safe but you're going to need a new Blu-ray lens.
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Roxio, a division of Sonic Solutions (NASDAQ: SNIC), the leader in digital media software, today launched Roxio Easy Media Creator 9, a substantial upgrade to the company's comprehensive suite of CD and DVD authoring, burning, photo, video and music applications. Reaffirming the company's position as market innovator, the latest version is packed with over 100 new features and trend-anticipating capabilities such as mobile entertainment support, Blu-ray Disc (BD) recording, Microsoft Windows Vista compatibility, and high-definition video creation tools. For the first time, Sonic is executing a near simultaneous release of its market-leading suite across multiple channels and regions to fully support its massive global installed base of customers and distribution partners. Roxio Easy Media Creator 9 is available today at www.roxio.com and will be in retail stores throughout North America, Europe, and the Asia Pacific region later this month.Easy Media Creator 9 will be available in stores later this month for a suggested retail price of $99.99. More information can be found on Roxio's website. Add a comment
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Royal Philips Electronics is pressing makers of pre-recorded discs in Taiwan to accept a licensing scheme similar to Veeza, a licensing scheme that was not well received by disc makers, according to industry sources. The new scheme is applicable to pre-recorded CD-R and DVD discs, and so far, only Bestdisc Technology has sign up for it while leading and second-tier makers are still watching developments, the sources said.The article also mentions that Philips is urging vendors not to place orders with unlicensed manufacturers. They're also going as far as to get customs agencies to confiscate discs without a Philips license. If you'd like to read more, the entire article can be found here. Add a comment
To date, there has been no disc makers in Taiwan and China who have accepted the Veeza licensing system, which applies to blank CD-R discs, the sources indicated. Philips is now pushing its new licensing scheme for pre-recorded discs on Taiwan-based makers by attaching it to existing contracts, the sources pointed out.
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As in the US, Toshiba will sell two models in Europe. A €599 model (£400) will be available from November and a €899 (£600) model will go on sale a month later, the company said at the IFA consumer electronics show in Berlin.If you'd like to read more, the entire article can be found here. Add a comment
That means European consumers will be paying a higher price for the entry-level player than their counterparts in the US, where Toshiba sells its HD-A1 for £260.
The Toshiba players have much in common. The HD-E1 and HD-XE1 both play a wide range of optical discs including HD DVD, DVD and CDs. However, only the more expensive HD-XE1 supports video output at full high-definition of 1080 lines and progressive scanning (1080p). The HD-E1 will manage up to 1080i, which almost certainly beats the TV in your living room right now, although it's regarded as slightly inferior to the 1080p format.
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My standard answer to the question "Do Pioneer have any plans to support HD DVD?"This seems to be happening way too often lately. Reporters just don't understand the technologies and are misinterpretting the comments of product managers. Please feel free to join the ongoing discussion in our forum. Add a comment
Is:
"Currently we have no plans to do so..... however, Pioneer will monitor the market situation with other formats and will "consider" to adopt those formats as and where the market is demanding it".
It seems that my comments to some press people at IFA have been taken totally out of context and that it has been concluded by themselves that Pioneer would be introducing HD DVD support into our future models !!!
So, the case still stands that way..... "Currently we have no plans to do so....."
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The first new drive, the BDR-102 will also support CD-R/RW discs, another disc format missing from the company's current product, the BDR-101. The BDR-102 is due to ship early next year, possibly in two versions, one with an IDE interface, the other with a SATA connector. It's not clear at what speeds the BDR-102 will write single- and dual-layer, 25GB and 50GB BD-R and BD-RE discs.Talk about surprising news. If you'd like to read more, the entire article can be found here.
Further out, the BDR-103 will bring on board support for HD DVD, presumably recordable and rewriteable versions of the format as well as pre-recorded discs.
Update: The German website, heise online, has reported that the BDR-103 will only be able to read HD DVD media and not write to it. They also mention that Pioneer plans to ship the drive in October of 2007. Add a comment
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Nero, leaders in digital media technology, unveiled details today of a major worldwide update to its premier Nero 7 digital media software suite. This latest version includes more than 21 applications, with features that enable the efficient transfer of audio and video files to mobile phones and the streaming of live TV and other content to a Windows Media Center Edition PC or Xbox 360(TM). The update will be available at retail stores and online (www.nero.com) in September 2006. Current Nero 7 customers will be able to download the update from the website free of charge at that time.According to sources at Nero, this update should be available for download near the middle of September. Of course, we'll let you know as soon as it is. In the mean time, Nero's entire press releae can be found here. Add a comment
Nero 7 is the industry-leading all-in-one solution for the management of data, audio, video, photo, and TV content. In addition to easily managing their digital files from the comfort of their living rooms, users can now create compelling entertainment experiences that can be enjoyed outside of the house.
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The SPD7000 is expected to ship in September with the MCP8480i being available some time before the end of the year. The BDP9000 will also launch in the US this fall and be available in Europe in early 2007. Complete details on Philips' new Blu-ray Disc products can be found here. Add a comment
Philips, a founding member of the Blu-ray Disc Association is exhibiting its first range of Blu-ray Disc products at IFA 2006, including the Philips Showline Media Center MCP9480i, the Philips TripleWriter SPD7000 multi-format PC drive, the Philips BDP9000 Blu-ray Disc player and a full scope of Blu-ray Disc media, including single-layer BD-R (Recordable) and BD-RE (Recordable and Erasable) discs.
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On average it takes the PlexEraser 3 minutes to destroy a CD or single layer DVD and 6 minutes for a dual layer DVD. No word on price yet. However, the PlexEraser is expected to be available in September 2006. More information can be found here. Add a comment
Plextor today launches the environmentally friendly and high-tech alternative to the disc shredder - PlexEraser PX-OE100E. Designed for security-conscious organisations such as financial institutions, Government departments, the military, research establishments - and any company with commercially sensitive data - it is the first security device in the world which destroys data on a CD/DVD. The PlexEraser enables discs to be destroyed without the organic dye leaking from the disc - something not possible with a disc shredder/manual shattering - and leaves them ready to be recycled without any data being recoverable.
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CD-DVD Speed v4.60 - DownloadMore information can be found on the CD Speed website. Also, feel free to share your experiences in our forum. Add a comment
- New icons
- Improved support for HD DVD
- Improved support for BD-RE and BD-R(E) DL
- Bitsetting: added support for new Asus drives
- Small improvements and bug fixes
