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CyberLink has announced that their BD Solution software is being bundled with Panasonic's new Blu-ray Disc writer, the LF-MB121JD . Here's part of their press release:
CyberLink Corp. (TSE:5203.TW - News), a world leader in digital home solutions, and a contributing member of the Blu-ray Disc Association, will begin bundling CyberLink BD Solution software with Panasonic's Blu-ray Disc burner, the LF-MB121JD series, from June in Japan.

CyberLink's applications enable the burning of Blu-ray Discs via data burning software Power2Go, packet-writing software InstantBurn, and archiving software PowerBackup. PowerDVD provides playback functionality and PowerProducer enables authoring.
If you'd like to read more, CyberLink's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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The results are in and our readers have chosen the BenQ DW1655 as the top DVD writer for the month of May. Here are the top four drives:
  1. BenQ DW1650/1655
  2. BenQ DW1640
  3. Pioneer DVR-111/A11
  4. NEC ND-4550A/4551A
Your favorite drive didn't make it onto the list? Then go and vote for June's top DVD writer. Add a comment

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Software
TMPG, Inc. sent out a press release, announcing TMPGEnc 4.0 XPress. This new version of their advanced video-encoding software features a number of new functions and advancements, including the ability to import multiple files instantaneously.
TMPG, Inc. (www.tmpg-inc.com), the company that makes digital video easy, is introducing the latest version of its advanced, high-quality video encoding software: TMPGEnc 4.0 XPress. The new version is twice as powerful than previous versions and includes a host of new functions and advancements. The release date for the English and German languages are scheduled for Tuesday, June 13 (PST), the French release is scheduled for late July.

"TMPGEnc 4.0 XPress gives video aficionados the power to take virtually any video file and encode it to any number of today's most popular file formats," stated Kimi Matsuki, TMPG CEO. "The powerful software upgrade also includes an array of features from frame-level cut-editing tools to advanced multiple video filters and effects. 4.0 XPress encoding also provides mobile support for PSP, iPod, and PDA's for on-the-go video viewing."
TMPGEnc 4.0 XPress will be available for purchase through TMPG's website on June 13th for $99.99. More information can be found here. Add a comment

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Optical Storage
Verbatim has also announced that they will be shipping the world's first HD DVD-R media. According to their press release, their 15GB DVD-R discs will hit the Japanese market in early July.
Verbatim Corporation and its parent company, Mitsubishi Kagaku Media (Verbatim/MKM) announced today that retailers in Japan will receive shipments of the industry's first 15GB HD DVD-R media early in July. Production of 30GB dual layer HD DVD-R media will begin in June. Shipments to other parts of the world will begin when hardware products supporting these recordable formats become available. Verbatim/MKM is also expected to be first to market with HD DVD-RW rewriteable media, as soon as the official specification is released.

The HD DVD-R media is produced at MKM's technically advanced Singapore factory. Widely recognized as the leading facility for producing new CD/DVD technologies, the Singapore factory also developed and now manufactures the world's premier dual layer DVD media.
If you'd like to read more, the entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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Optical Storage
Verbatim sent out a press release this morning, announcing that they will begin shipping Blu-ray write-once (BD-R) and rewriteable (BD-RE) media in July.
Verbatim Corporation joined its parent company, Mitsubishi Kagaku Media (Verbatim/MKM), today in announcing that it will begin shipping 2X speed Blu-ray write-once (BD-R) and rewriteable (BD-RE) media in July. Verbatim's new BD media products are produced in the same familiar bare disc form as a standard DVD disc. With capacity of 25GB on a single layer, the next-generation BD media provides five times the capacity of a standard single layer DVD.

Verbatim BD media is produced to the highest quality standards at MKM's optical disc manufacturing facility in Mizushima, Japan. The Mizushima factory is known for its expertise in producing 30GB Ultra Density Optical (UDO) discs. The UDO media, which is also based on blue laser technology, is widely used in mission-critical optical libraries for legal, financial, healthcare and government applications.
No word on price. However, if its like other Blu-ray media, it won't be cheap. If you'd like to read more, Verbatim's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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This morning, NVIDIA announced their new PureVideo HD technology. Combining high definition features with HDCP support, PureVideo HP promises to provide cinematic-quality Blu-ray and HD DVD movie playback on a PC.
NVIDIA Corporation (Nasdaq: NVDA) today unveiled PureVideo HD technology, which delivers outstanding HD DVD and Blu-ray movie playback on PCs. PureVideo HD combines hardware acceleration from an NVIDIA graphics processing unit, high definition movie player integration and HDCP feature support to make it easy for manufacturers and consumers to build powerhouse PCs that can play HD DVD or Blu-ray movies. As a result, consumers will be able to enjoy a stunning high-definition movie experience on their PCs.
If you'd like to read more, NVIDIA's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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Optical Storage
Primera and Taiyo Yuden have announced the world's first, glossy water-resistent media. Utilizing their new TuffCoat with WaterShield surface, these discs are resistant to both water and smearing.
Primera Technology, Inc., the world's leading developer and manufacturer of CD/DVD duplication and printing equipment, today announced its new TuffCoat with WaterShield CD-R and TuffCoat with WaterShield DVD-R Media.

TuffCoat with WaterShield is the world's first water-resistant and smear-resistant inkjet-printable CD-R and DVD-R media with a glossy, photo-quality surface. The WaterShield surface, developed by TAIYO YUDEN and optimized for use with Primera's inkjet CD/DVD printers, has a host of benefits, including:

  • Water and smear resistance. TuffCoat with WaterShield discs employ a special, high-performance coating that is bonded to the surface of the disc during manufacturing. The discs are resistant to smearing and color bleed when exposed to water and humidity.
  • Glossy, photo-quality finish. With its glossy surface, TuffCoat with WaterShield provides the contrast and illumination needed for better color reproduction, more accurate color matching and a glossier disc surface than other inkjet printable discs.
  • Faster and more cost-effective. Other methods of protecting a recordable CD or DVD against water, such as lamination and expensive reverse thermal transfer printers, are no longer required. This allows businesses and consumers of all types to use much lower cost disc printers and duplication equipment. Production is faster since no additional steps are required to receive professional-quality, robust and highly water-resistant results.
Primera's new TuffCoat with WaterShield CD-R media is available now and can be purchased at www.primerastore.com. DVD media will be available in August. More information can be found here. Add a comment

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Optical Storage
According to the DVD+RW Alliance representatives at Computex, volume production of 8cm DVD+R/+RW DL discs is expected to begin in the 4Q of this year.
International vendors of optical discs, in light of growing demand for 8cm single-sided single-layer DVD+R and DVD+RW discs, are expected to begin volume production of 8cm DL (single-sided double-layer) DVD+R and DVD+RW discs in the fourth quarter of this year, according to DVD+RW Alliance representatives attending the ongoing Computex Taipei 2006.

Global demand for 8cm DVD discs of all standards is estimated to increase to 120 million discs this year, according to the representatives. Mainly due to fast growing demand for higher storage capacities for use in portable digital video camcorders and DVD recorders, 8cm DVD+R/+RW DL discs will be in more demand beginning next year, the representatives indicated. The DVD+RW Alliance finished the technological specification for the 8cm DVD+RW DL format in March of this year, paving the way for its volume production.
Considering we still haven't seen 12cm DVD+RW DL media, I have a hard time believing that they will begin volume production of 8cm discs by the end of this year. Then again, they could prove me wrong. If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes. Add a comment

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Optical Storage
Philips has announced that they are showcasing their new Blu-ray Disc drive and media at Computex 2006. Here's part of their press release:

The new Philips TripleWriter (SPD7000) showcases Philips' ability to integrate PC products and technologies into the consumer electronics realm. The drive features recording and playback capabilities of all popular optical storage formats including CD, DVD and Blu-ray, which allows users to select their media of choice depending on the preferred application. Philips' TripleWriter features a 2x (72 Mb/s continuous data-rate) read and write speed on BD-ROM, BD-R and BD-RE media. The drive reads and writes a variety of legacy media including CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD+R, DVD+R DL, DVD-R, DVD-R DL, DVD+RW and DVD-RW.

For further convenience, Philips introduces four robust and easy-to-use disc types: 25 and 50 GB versions of BD-R and BD-RE. The Blu-ray has a revolutionary protective cover layer utilizing an advanced hard coating technology, offering superior robustness, better than CD and DVD. This coating prevents fingerprints and scratches and makes the Blu-ray disc easy to clean.
The TripleWriter (SPD7000) is expected to ship in August of 2006. More information can be found here. Add a comment

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Optical Storage
Nero has announced that ASUS has selected Nero 7 Essentials to demonstrate their new LightScribe capable DVD writer, the DRW-1612BL, at Computex 2006. Here's part of their press release:
Nero, leaders in digital media technology, today announced that its Nero 7 Essentials digital media software suite has been selected by ASUSTek Computer Inc. (ASUS) as the digital media software to power demonstrations of its new DRW-1612BL LightScribe DVDRW drive at Computex 2006. The demonstrations will allow users to experience with the formidable hardware and software solutions working together to burn audio, video and data discs.
For those wondering, the DRW-1612BL features 16x DVD±R, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, 8x DVD±R DL and 12x DVD-RAM writing speeds. More information can be found here. Add a comment

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