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Plextor also announced a new slot loading DVD writer, the PX-608AL, that is designed to be built into laptops. Both the PX-608CU and PX-608AL will be available in October of this year. More information can be found here. Add a comment
Plextor today announces its new shape ultra-portable DVD writer - the smallest available in the world. Measuring just 15.9mm high and weighing 250g, the pocket-sized PX-608CU is ideal for mobile laptop users and those requiring a modern, stylish and compact unit to use anywhere.
The newly-designed clamshell chassis is the latest innovation from Plextor and not only provides a highly portable ergonomic unit for improved ease of use, but it also incorporates high reliability and durability for long term operation.
It is USB 2.0 bus-powered for both maximum convenience and true plug-and-play usability (no need for an external power supply) - very handy for the mobile executive to burn CDs and DVDs on the move, or for home users to burn and back-up important data from multiple computers.
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Microsoft Taiwan, in response to questions raised by Taiwan-based developers of on-line, PC and console games, has confirmed that the HD-DVD drive to be used with its Xbox 360 game console is to merely play back HD-DVD movies and not to support games on HD-DVD, according to industry sources.The article also mentions that Microsoft is concerned that by putting games on HD DVD it may increase costs and decrease the stability of the software. If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes. Add a comment
Taiwan-based game developers think blue-laser support for games is key for the Xbox 360 to be competitive with the Sony PlayStation 3 (PS3) which will have a built-in Blu-ray Disc (BD) drive, the sources pointed out. These developers are disappointed that the external drive will not support games and feel unwelcomed by the HD-DVD interest group, the sources indicated.
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According to our contacts at Lite-On, the LH-2B1S has a suggested retail price of $649.00. While not exactly cheap, this is a good $350 less than the drives from the competition. If you'd like to read more, Lite-On's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
LiteOn IT, the world's leader in optical storage solution proudly announces the LH-2B1S, the company's first Blu-ray Disc (BD) triple writer. The LH-2B1S uses the revolutionary blue laser technology instead of red laser existing in today's optical drives. The new technology provides an extremely precise laser focus and greatly increases storage capacity. LH-2B1S can store up to 50GB of data on a double-layer BD disc, equivalent to 9 hours High-Definition (HD) video or 23 hours of standard definition content or 72 CDs on a single disc. The new LH-2B1S triple writer will be available in September 2006.
The new LH-2B1S is ideal for professionals who have a growing need of archiving large files and content on a single disc. Commercial advertising, studio and catalog photographers, movie makers, and IT managers will greatly benefit from this technology as it plays back High-Definition (HD) content and archive massive data to reduce physical storage space.
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Imation Corp (NYSE: IMN - News), a worldwide leader in removable data storage media, today announced the availability of its first recordable HD DVD media. Now, Imation HD DVD and Imation Blu-ray media, which was announced last month, provide businesses of all sizes with a high-capacity solution for managing their growing quantity of critical data storage. Available in single-layer, Imation HD DVD can store up to 15GB of digital files -- three times the capacity of standard DVDs -- and are ideal for reliable data and image storage, including medical and government imaging, photography, videography, as well as high definition video recording.With no HD DVD writers on the market, it makes you wonder who exactly they expect to buy this media. In any case, Imation's single layer HD DVD discs are available now for a suggested retail price of $19.99. More information can be found here. Add a comment
"Imation understands the ever-growing storage needs of today's businesses and the need for a wide-range of innovative solutions to meet those needs," said Jim Milligan, general manager, Imation Commercial and OEM Division. "Today's release of Imation HD DVD provides businesses with a format choice for their high definition recording needs and demonstrates Imation's continued commitment to offer a variety of quality options to store and transfer critical data."
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Lite-On IT, the largest maker of optical disc drives in Taiwan, on August 18 announced it is developing half-height (H/H) HD-DVD burners, with a volume production target set for March 2007.If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes. Add a comment
Although the company has scheduled production of H/H HD-DVD burners, Lite-On IT appears to retain a neutral attitude between Blu-ray Disc (BD) and HD-DVD.
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Blu-ray Disc players and movies expected on sale later this year in Japan and the US will share the same region code, Sony said Thursday.If you'd like to read more, the entire article can be found here. Add a comment
Current DVD discs and players on sale in the two countries use different region codes so that software bought in one country will not work on players purchased in the other country. The system was designed to allow content producers to better manage release and sale of content around the world.
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Sonic Solutions (NASDAQ: SNIC), the leader in digital media software, today announced that its Roxio¯ digital media software for Blu-ray Disc (BD) has been selected by Sony to power BD data-burning capabilities for two new VAIO¯ computers - the AR notebook and RC desktop. The Roxio BD software will allow users to archive of up to 50GB of data, including rich media on a double layer BD-R (recordable) or BD-RE (rewritable) disc.If you'd like to read more, Sonic's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
"Sonic continues to leverage its pioneering work with studios and the professional creative community to advance the adoption of high definition and interactive content formats across the entire HD value chain," said Richard Doherty, Research Director for The Envisioneering Group. "Sonic's format expertise and reputation positions them well to take advantage of the near-simultaneous rollout of HD-capable hardware and content in industries such as home video, consumer electronics, and personal computing."
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Lite-On IT is ready for the High Definition era and will show their next generation products for the first time in Europe at IFA 2006. Lite-On will show a Blu-ray Disc (BD) playback device as well as a Blu-ray Disc compatible optical drive at IFA 2006 in Berlin, from 1-6 September. The company can be found in Hall 26, at booth 103, just like last year.More information can be found on Lite-On Europe's website. Add a comment
On this year's IFA there will be an important role for High Definition and its related products, like the successors of DVD. Lite-On IT will show their first BD-player, a product for the home entertainment market that will be launched in Europe in 2007. Also, the company will show their next generation HDD / DVD-recorders, with HDMI-output.
Of course Lite-On will also present their latest Optical Disk Drives (ODD) at IFA. Also in this market Lite-On is ready for the next generation of optical storage formats. The first Lite-On Blu-ray writer, LH-2B1S, is ready to hit the market and will be shown on IFA for the first time. Other technologies in ODD that will be presented at the Lite-On stand are LightScribe for direct disc labeling and EZ-DUB for easy copying.
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Leading manufacturers of optical discs and optical disc drives in Taiwan, in an attempt to promote the Taiwan-developed DVD format FVD (forward versatile disc), are developing PC-use FVD burners and FVD-R (write once) discs through cooperation with fellow makers in China, with volume production to begin next quarter at the earliest, according to Taiwan industry sources.If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes. Add a comment
Taiwan makers have offered FVD players and recorders (for movies mainly), and the next step to boost FVD is to offer PC-use burners and corresponding recordable discs, said chairman Der-ray Huang for the Taiwan Information Storage Association.
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Expect to pay a premium for Sony's dual layer BD-R media. With a suggested retail price of $48, they're more twice the price of single layer BD-R discs ($20). If you'd like to read more, Sony's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
Sony Electronics has begun U.S. shipments of 50GB dual layer Blu-ray Disc recordable (write-once) media with AccuCORE technology.
The company also confirmed that it plans to start shipping 50GB dual layer rewritable BD media later this year.
"The arrival of 50GB Blu-ray Disc media is an important milestone in the evolution of this new format," said Mike Lucas, director of marketing for Sony Electronics' Media and Application Solutions Division. "The capacity represents more than four hours of HD quality video, at a 24 Mbps transfer rate, allowing users to take full advantage of Sony's Blu-ray Disc burners and VAIO desktop and notebook computers."
