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Home Entertainment
According to one of Microsoft's key representatives to AACS, Blu-ray and HD DVD players will never require a dedicated internet connection to play back an AACS-protected movie. However, if you want to take advantage of features like managed copy, the player will most likely need access to the internet.
As Doherty told us, the first Toshiba HD DVD players to be made available in April, the first Sony Blu-ray players due in May, and models released thereafter under the so-called AACS interim licensing agreement, will not require any kind of Internet connection just to be operable, as some had earlier warned. Under the terms of the interim agreement, however, these manufacturers must agree to abide by whatever the final terms of the AACS specification state, particularly with regard to how they should implement managed copy. It is this provision which will enable users to make limited backups of purchased, licensed media.

"We do expect, in most scenarios, that that managed copy is going to require an Internet transaction to perform the copy," admitted Doherty. However, he added, managed copy will not be a mandatory feature of high-definition players. In other words, not only will playback of AACS-protected content not require an Internet connection, it will never require one.
If you'd like to read the entire article, head on over to TG Daily. Add a comment

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Flash Memory
Earlier today, Verbatim announced their new 16MB FlashDisc. Developed by M-Systems, the FlashDisc is a cost effective way to store and share electronic data.
Verbatim Corporation, the worldwide leader in CD and DVD media, announced today an exciting new storage solution, the Verbatim16MB FlashDisc(TM). The innovative FlashDisc is not only a brand new product, it forms the basis for an entirely new flash-based media category. Developed by M-Systems, the Verbatim FlashDisc will be available in April. With an MSRP of only $19.99 for a 3-pack, the new media is set to revolutionize the way consumers, students and office workers exchange photos, music and other digital data files.

Available in rich, vibrant colors, Verbatim FlashDiscs can be used for cost-effectively exchanging data or as an alternative to leaving behind hardcopy business presentations. Depending upon the file size, each 16MB FlashDisc can hold hundreds of documents, dozens of presentations or photos or a handful of MP3 files.
Verbatim's 16MB FlashDisc will be available in April and will cost $19.99 for a pack of three. More information can be found here. Add a comment

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Optical Storage
For the past few months, Philips has been trying to get Taiwanese disc manufacturers to adopt their new Veeza licensing system. According to an article at DigiTimes, the company hasn't had much luck doing so.
Philips Intellectual Property & Standards (PIPS) has been making efforts to convince Taiwanese makers of CD-R discs to adopt Veeza, Philips' new CD-R patent licensing system, but no targeted makers have accepted yet, according to general manager James Li for the Taiwan office of PIPS at an international seminar on intellectual property held in Taipei on March 20.
Philips has made some headway in Europe where five CD-R manufacturers have agreed to support Veeza. If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes. Add a comment

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Optical Storage
Plextor America sent out a press release this morning, announcing their third-generation Serial ATA drive, the PX-755SA. Along with support for Serial ATA, the PX-755SA features 16x DVD±R and 10x DVD+R DL writing speeds and Plextor's AUTOSTRATEGY technology.

Plextor Corp., a leading developer and manufacturer of high-performance digital media equipment, today announced the immediate availability of the PX-755SA DVD+/-R/RW CD-R/RW optical disc drive. The PX-755SA replaces the PX-716SA, completing Plextor's conversion to drive designs that comply with the European Union's Reduction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) legislation.

The multifunction internal PX-755SA drive is aimed at Value Added Resellers and System Integrators who require Serial ATA (SATA) connectivity, industry leading reliability, and premium recording features. The PX-755SA delivers recording speeds of 16X DVD+/-R on certified 16X DVD+/-R media. Users can burn up to four hours of high-quality MPEG-2/DVD video on a single 8.5 GB disc using 10X DVD+R on Double-Layer media and 6X DVD-R on Dual Layer media. The drive also supports 8X DVD+RW, 6X DVD-RW Rewriting; 16X max DVD-Reading; 48X CD-R Writing, 24X CD-RW Rewriting, and 48X max CD-Reading.
The PX-755SA is shipping now for a suggested retail price of $129.00. If you'd like to read more, Plextor's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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Optical Storage
Lite-On recently unveiled their latest EZ-DUB compatible drive, the SHM-165P6SU. Based on the SHM-165P6S, this external "Super AllWrite" drive is capable of 16x DVD±R, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, 8x DVD+R DL, 4x DVD-R DL and 5x DVD-RAM writing speeds. Here are some of the SHM-165P6SU's specs:


Writing Speeds:

DVD+R: 16x CAV
DVD+RW: 8x CLV
DVD+R DL: 8x Z-CLV
DVD-R: 16x CAV
DVD-RW: 6x CLV
DVD-R DL: 4x CLV
DVD-RAM 5x P-CAV
CD-R: 48x CAV
CD-RW: 24x Z-CLV

 Read Speeds:

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

Access Times:

DVD-ROM: 160ms
CD-ROM: 160ms

Buffer Size: 2MB
Like Lite-On's other drives, the SHM-165P6SU includes features like SMART-BURN, SMART-X and VAS technologies. No word on price or availability yet. As we find out more we'll let you know. Until then, more information can be found here. Add a comment

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Software
Erik Deppe released new versions CD-DVD Speed and InfoTool earlier today. As usual, he's made a number of changes and improvements to both programs.
CD-DVD Speed v4.50 - Download
  • Added seperate Create Disc function with following improvements
    • buffer level display, both graphically and numerically
    • CPU usage display, both graphically and numerically
  • Added option to set priority
  • Added options button on main screen
  • Greatly improved image burning engine
  • Added menu shortcuts for burning image file
  • Improved erase function
  • Disc Quality Test
    • Added 1x, 2x, 4x, 6x CLV and 8x P-CAV speed settings for BenQ drives.
    • Enabled support for Pioneer drives
  • Small improvements and bug fixes

InfoTool v4.03 - Download

  • Added support for LabelFlash
More information on CD-DVD Speed and InfoTool, can be found on the CD Speed website. Please feel free to share your experiences in our forum. Add a comment

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Home Entertainment
While Warner originally intended to launch their first HD DVD titles on March 28th, the company has announced that they will instead be released on April 18th.
Warner Home Video (WHV), which distributes the largest film library of any studio, today announced that it will launch its first titles on HD DVD. Clint Eastwood's four-time Academy Award winning, Best Picture of 2004, "Million Dollar Baby"; the visually stunning, four-time Oscar nominated epic, "The Last Samurai" starring Tom Cruise and "The Phantom of the Opera," Joel Schumacher's vibrant movie adaptation of Broadway's longest running show will all be released on April 18. Each of these titles will be available for $28.99 SRP.
Unfortunately, this means that there is still a three week gap between Toshiba's HD DVD player launch and the release of the first HD DVD titles. If you'd like to read more, Warner's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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Optical Storage
Sony sent out a press release this afternoon, announcing their upcoming Blu-ray Disc based products. Along with their first Blu-ray Disc player, the BDP-S1, Sony plans to offer both desktop and notebook computers equipped with Blu-ray Disc drives. Sony has also provided some information on their new internal Blu-ray writer, the BWU-100A.

The BWU-100A, an aftermarket internal Blu-ray Disc drive for computer use, will support recording of 25GB and 50GB BD-R (write once) or BD-RE (rewritable) discs at 2X max speed. It is capable of burning a full 25GB disc in about 30 minutes. The drive will also support recording of standard single layer 4.7GB DVD+R/+RW, Double/Dual Layer 8.5GB DVD+R, DVD-RAM and CD-R/-RW media, making it a true all-in-one "tri-mode" recorder/reader.

The new drive can be installed in a standard half-height computer bay with a parallel ATAPI (P-ATA) interface. Comprehensive authoring software will be included for capturing, editing, and burning high-definition personal content captured by an HDV format camcorder, keeping the video in native 1080i HD format for playback on a Blu-ray Disc player. Video can also be "down-converted" to standard-definition (SD) resolution for burning onto a DVD disc.
While Sony plans to ship the BDP-S1 Blu-ray Disc player and the VAIO RC desktop computer in July, we have not heard when the BWU-100A will be available or how much it will cost. As we find out more, we'll let you know. In the mean time, Sony's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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Optical Storage
For the second year in a row, Verbatim has been named the "leading supplier of recordable CD and DVD media worldwide" by the Santa Clara Consulting Group.
Verbatim Corporation announced today that for the second year in a row it has been named the leading supplier of recordable CD and DVD media worldwide by the Santa Clara Consulting Group (SCCG). The Group's 2005 CD and DVD reports show that Verbatim and its parent company, Mitsubishi Kagaku Media (MKM), not only maintained the Number One position worldwide but also increased global market share of recordable CDs and DVDs. Their worldwide dominance in the DVD media markets was evident in the report's Unit Shipments section, which lists Verbatim/MKM shipments of recordable DVD media in 2005 as 531.249 million—23.3 percent more than its nearest competitor.

Of the five DVD formats tracked in the report, DVD-R was the most significant DVD format in 2005 with 59 percent of DVD recordable disc sales. Verbatim/MKM leads the global DVD-R market with a 17.01 percent market share for all of 2005.
While I'm a big fan of Verbatim's media, I must admit that I am a little surprised by some of these numbers. I kind of expected Ritek to be top supplier of media as they are one of the largest manufacturers. In any case, Verbatim's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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Optical Storage
Ciba sent out a press release late yesterday, announcing that they've filed a lawsuit against RiTEK and its European subsidiaries. The lawsuit claims that RiTEK's CD-R media infringes upon Ciba's patented CD-R dye technology.
Ciba Specialty Chemicals has filed a patent infringement suit in Germany and the Netherlands against RiTEK Corporation and its European subsidiaries Conrexx Technology B.V. (also known as Traxdata), RME Manufacturing GmbH, RiTEK Media Europe, and PrimeDisc Technologies GmbH. Ciba claims that RiTEK and its named subsidiaries import and sell RiTEK-manufactured CD-R which infringe Ciba's patented CD-R dye technology. Ciba IRGAPHOR Ultragreen is globally recognized by the industry as the optical dye of choice for CD-R manufacturing known for high quality and consistency. "We will not tolerate that our technology is illegally copied and counterfeit products are spread in the market. Therefore we are carefully and continuously monitoring the media market. We are prepared to vigorously defend our intellectual property and will not hesitate to take legal action against infringers", a Ciba spokesperson said.
It's going to be interesting to see what happens. If you'd like to read more, Ciba's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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