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According to DigiTimes, a shortage of blue laser diodes may push back the competition between Blu-ray and HD-DVD until early 2007.
Since manufacturers of blue laser diodes are still unable to improve yield rates, the shortage may result in pushing back the competition between Blu-ray Disc (BD) and HD-DVD optical disc drives in the market to the first quarter of 2007, according to sources at optical disc drive (ODD) manufacturers.

Although several vendors, including Royal Philips Electronics, Hitachi-LG Data Storage (HLDS), Sony, Matsushita Electric, Lite-On IT and BenQ, already announced BD or HD-DVD drives, only Pioneer and Plextor are currently able to maintain actual shipments, according to the sources. Toshiba may soon join them, with volume shipments planned to kick off in September, the sources added.
The article also mentions that Sony has suspended shipments of blue laser diodes to other customers so that they can use them in the PS3. If you'd like to read more, the entire article can be found here. Add a comment

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Optical Storage
Sony has released some details on their new 18x "Super-Multi" drives, the DRU-830A, DRX-830U and DRX-830UL/T. These new drives features 18x DVD±R, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, 8x DVD±R DL and 12x DVD-RAM writing speeds. Here are some of the drives' specs:


Writing Speeds:

DVD+R: 4X CLV, 8X P-CAV, 16X, 18X CAV
DVD+RW: 2.4X, 4X CLV, 6X, 8X Z-CLV
DVD+R DL: 2.4X, 4X, 6X, 8X Z-CLV
DVD-R: 4X CLV, 8X P-CAV, 16X CAV, 18X CAV
DVD-RW: 2X, 4X, CLV, 6X Z-CLV
DVD-R DL: 2X, 4X CLV, 6X, 8X Z-CLV
DVD-RAM: 5X, 6X CLV, 8X, 10X, 12x P-CAV
CD-R: 8X ~16X CLV, 24X ~40X P-CAV, 48X CAV
CD-RW: 4X ~ 16X CLV, 24X ~ 32X Z-CLV

 Read Speeds:

DVD-ROM: 16X Max
CD-ROM: 48X Max

Access Times:

CD-ROM: 130ms
DVD-ROM: 140ms

Buffer Size: 2MB
Judging by their specs, these drives are based on the AD-7170A from Sony NEC Optiarc. While I have not seen any reports of these drives showing up at local stores, they can be purchased through SonyStyle.com. Add a comment

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Software
Here's an interesting bit of news. Corel has announced that it will buy InterVideo for $196 million in cash.
Canadian software company Corel Corp. said Monday it is buying InterVideo Inc., a provider of multimedia DVD software, for about $196 million in cash.

The acquisition values InterVideo at $13 per share. The company's stock closed at $9.60 on Friday, and is up $3.04, or 31.7 percent, to $12.64 in morning trading on the Nasdaq.

Corel said the acquisition gives it access to Asian markets, including China, Taiwan and Japan, that the company had been eyeing for expansion.
While transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of this year. More information can be found here. Add a comment

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Nero sent out a press release this morning, announcing that they have agreed to become Audible's preferred CD burning software provider. As a result, Nero 7 will support the Audible file format for CD burning and playback.
Nero, leaders in digital media technology, announced today an agreement with Audible, Inc. (NASDAQ: ADBL; www.audible.com), the leading provider of spoken entertainment and information on the Internet to become Audible's preferred CD burning software provider. As a result, Nero 7, Nero's flagship digital media software suite, will support the Audible file format for CD burning and playback. Playback of Audible files will be possible with Nero ShowTime, the popular CD and DVD Media player included in Nero 7. In addition, Nero and Audible will enable CD file burning from within AudibleManager using Nero 7 burning capabilities. AudibleManager is a free download available from its website (www.audible.com). Audible will promote Nero as its preferred CD burning software in advertising and marketing materials.
If you'd like to read more, Nero's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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Optical Storage
Plextor America has announced the availability of their first Blu-ray Disc writer, the PX-B900A. Along with support for single and dual layer BD-R/RE media, the PX-B900A is backwards compatible with existing DVD and CD formats.

Plextor(R) Corp., a leading developer and manufacturer of high-performance digital media equipment, today announced the October 2006 release of the PX-B900A Blu-ray Disc drive, the first Plextor burner to support the next generation of optical data storage technology. The new multi-function drive, which carries an MSRP of $999.99 USD, comes bundled with a rewritable 25GB BD-RE media disc and a complete software package, including Ulead VideoStudio 10 and InterVideo WinDVD BD.

Offering up to 10 times more data storage capacity than DVD, Blu-ray Disc (BD) has the support of more than 170 companies, including the top film studios and consumer electronics manufacturers. The Plextor PX-B900A Blu-ray Disc drive is capable of burning more than 9 hours of high-definition (HD) video, or approximately 23 hours of standard-definition (SD) video, on a dual-layer 50GB disc. The drive is backwards compatible with existing DVD and CD media formats, including DVD-RAM, Dual Layer DVD, Double Layer DVD, DVD+/-R/RW, and CD-R/RW. Designed for easy compatibility with Microsoft(R) Windows(R)-based personal computers, the drive features an ATA (ATAPI) interface.
The PX-B900A is expected to hit store shelves in October for a suggested retail price of $999.99. If you'd like to read more, Plextor's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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Nero released a new version of Nero 7 this morning. There is no change log yet. However, this new update brings the version count up to 7.2.7.0. If you'd like to check it out, the update can be downloaded here or via BitTorrent. As usual, feel free to share your experiences in our forum. Add a comment

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Optical Storage
Lite-On Europe has announced an external Blu-ray Disc writer, the LX-2B1U. Based on the LH-2B1S, the LX-2B1U supports both single and dual layer BD media and is capable of 12x DVD±R, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW and 4x DVD±R DL writing speeds.

Besides the previously announced LH-2B1S, Lite-On IT will also launch an external version of their external drive, the LX-2B1U. Both are triple writers and therefore backwards compatible with DVD and CD formats as well.

The new drives use the revolutionary blue laser technology instead of red laser existing in today's optical drives. The new technology provides much precise laser focus and greatly increases storage capacity. LH-2B1S and LX-2B1U can store up to 50GB of data on a double-layer BD disc, equivalent to 9 hours High-Definition (HD) video, 23 hours of standard definition content or 72 CDs on a single disc.
No word on pricing or availability. As we find out more, we'll let you know. In the mean time, more information, including a list of specs, can be found here. Add a comment

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Optical Storage
According to DigiTimes, Ricoh has filed lawsuits against Quanta Storage and Asustek, claiming that the two companies have infringed on four of its disc patents.
Japan-based Ricoh on August 24 filed legal proceedings at a US District Court in Wisconsin against Quanta Storage and Asustek Computer, two leading makers of optical disc drives (ODDs) in Taiwan, for infringing on four of its patents related to CD-RW and DVD+RW formats, according to industry sources in Taiwan.

In response, both Quanta Storage and Asustek indicated they have not received notification about the lawsuit and therefore could not make an assessment. Quanta Storage is the largest slim-type ODD maker in Taiwan, while Asustek is a large producer of PCs.
If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes. Add a comment

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During a recent Windows Vista presentation, Microsoft Senior Program Manager, Steve Riley, dropped a bombshell on the audience, stating that "next-generation high definition content will not play in x32 at all." If you want to play back HD-DVD or Blu-ray movies, you will need the 64-bit version of the OS.
The surprising disclosure was made by Senior Program Manager Steve Riley during a presentation on Windows Vista security at Tech.Ed 2006 Sydney today.

"Any next-generation high definition content will not play in x32 at all," said Riley.

"This is a decision that the Media Player folks made because there are just too many ways right now for unsigned kernel mode code [to compromise content protection]. The media companies asked us to do this and said they don't want any of their high definition content to play in x32 at all, because of all of the unsigned malware that runs in kernel mode can get around content protection, so we had to do this," he said.
If you'd like to read more, the entire article can be found here. As usual, feel free to leave your comments in our forum.

Update: APC has followed up with another article claiming that the statement made by Riley was only partially correct. According to a recent blog post, it is up to the software vendor as to whether or not you'll need a 64-bit CPU to play High Definition content. Add a comment

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Optical Storage
DigiTimes has reported that Sony NEC Optiarc will be manufacturing its own drives at first. However, in the future, they are expected to place orders for its ODD products at Lite-On IT.
Sony NEC Optiarc, a joint venture (JV) that combines Sony's and NEC's optical disc drive (ODD) businesses, will launch its first product, a 18x DVD burner (called the AD-7170A), next month, and the company will manufacture it at its own plant in Malaysia, according to industry sources in Taiwan. The sources also expect that in the future, the company will place OEM/ODM orders for its ODD products at Lite-On IT.
The Sony NEC Optiarc AD-7173A and AD-7170A have already started to show up in some parts of the world. Unfortunately, the US isn't one of them. If you'd like to read more, the entire article can be found here. Add a comment

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