Earlier this week, CyberLink announced support for the AVCHD standard. According to their press release, PowerDVD Ultra already supports AVCHD playback and disc authoring will be added to PowerProducer later this year.
CyberLink Corp. (5203.TW), a world leader in digital home solutions, today announced support for the Advanced Video Codec High Definition Standard (AVCHD) for video playback and authoring. CyberLink has already incorporated AVCHD support in high-definition disc player software PowerDVD Ultra, and will launch support for disc authoring software PowerProducer mid-year.

"The AVCHD format offers exceptional quality for the recording, storage and playback of high-definition video content," said Alice H. Chang, CEO of CyberLink. "With our expertise in developing leading playback and authoring products, CyberLink's support of the AVCHD format delivers greater flexibility for our hardware partners and even more choice for consumers."
If you'd like to read more, CyberLink's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
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 7.8.5.0. 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
Global Technologies Group, Inc. (GTGI) has announced the release of SecureDisc Standalone. According to their press release, this new software gives you the ability to password protect the data on your CDs and DVDs using AES 256-bit encryption. Best of all, it works with most current recorders and does not require specialized media.
Global Technologies Group, Inc. (GTGI) announces the release of their SecureDisc Standalone encryption software, for encryption of data written to DVD and CD. SecureDisc Standalone is an easy to use, drag-and-drop disc encryption recording application and does not require specialized media.

SecureDisc Standalone utilizes the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) 256-bit algorithm for on-the-fly encryption. The only way to access encrypted data is with an assigned password and SecureDisc decryption software, which is available at no additional charge.
SecureDisc Standalone is available now for $249. If you'd like to read more, GTGI's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
Nero has announced that Nero Linux 3 will be unveiled at CeBIT. This new version of the program features an improved graphical user interface, native support for 64-bit operating systems and data recording for Blu-ray and HD DVD.
Nero, leaders in digital media technology, announced today that Nero Linux 3 will be unveiled at CeBIT. The new version of the definitive burning application for Linux operating systems will feature Blu-ray and HD DVD data recording support as well as an improved graphical user interface that is similar to the look and feel of the current Nero Burning ROM 7 edition.

"Nero has long recognized the importance of including the Linux community in our broad user base," said Udo Eberlein, Chief Operating Officer, Nero AG. "By ensuring that the functionalities of our most popular application are available to users of the Linux operating systems, we are also ensuring that Nero's cutting-edge burning technology is enjoyed by users all over the world."

In addition to Blu-ray and HD DVD burning capabilities, Nero Linux 3 will also natively support 64-bit systems, as well as Unicode in all languages currently supported by Nero's flagship product, Nero 7.
A beta version of Nero Linux 3 is expected to be available at the end of March. More information can be found here. Add a comment
Slysoft recently announced that AnyDVD will now let consumers play back discs protected with "Protect DVD-Video" on computers running Windows MCE 2005. Without AnyDVD, these discs aren't playable at all.
With the help of today released AnyDVD, discs protected with "Protect DVD-Video" can now be played on Windows MCE 2005, with Windows Media player or Zoom Player. WITHOUT ANYDVD RUNNING, THESE DISCS CANNOT BE PLAYED!Examples: "Wer früher stirbt..." and "Perfume", both R2, German

Giancarlo Bettini, SlySoft CEO: "Shame on the makers of this really bad protection. They don't do their customers a favour, if they cannot watch the original disc! We really hope that they get these discs slapped in their faces by their (ex)customers."
If you'd like to try it out, a demo version of AnyDVD can be downloaded here. Otherwise, more information is available on Slysoft's website. Add a comment
Roxio sent out a press release earlier today, announcing the launch of Roxio Copy & Convert 3. With this new software, consumers can make copies of their CD's and DVD's or convert their music and videos so that it can played back on portable devices.
Roxio, a division of Sonic Solutions­ (NASDAQ: SNIC), the leader in digital media software, today launched Roxio Copy & Convert 3, the ultimate solution for quickly and easily managing, transferring, and enjoying digital entertainment on PCs, set-top players, or mobile devices. In addition to making high-quality copies of personal CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray Discs, this next generation edition of Roxio's Easy DVD Copy program now enables consumers to move their favorite movies and music to portable devices such as iPods, PSPs, and mobile phones. Roxio Copy & Convert 3 also adds greater file support, batch conversion capabilities, automatic music cataloging, and the ability to backup iPod music to any PC.
Roxio Copy & Convert 3 is available now and can be purchased directly from Roxio for $49.99. More information can be found on Roxio's website. Add a comment
ArcSoft isn't the only company demonstrating new software at CeBIT. CyberLink has announced that they will be showcasing their Digital Lifestyle Solutions. The company plans to have live demos of their TV and media servers as well as their high-definition movie creating and playback software.
CyberLink Corp. (5203.TW), a world leader in digital home solutions, today demonstrated its range of entertainment software for Today's Digital Lifestyle, in Hall 21, booth C02 at CeBIT 2007, Germany.

"As a key entertainment enabler within the digital home, CyberLink software covers a full spectrum of activities, from high-definition movie playback and premium TV sharing over the home network, to media creation and disc burning on Blu-ray Discs and HD DVDs," said Alice H. Chang, CEO of CyberLink. "We're pleased to be in Germany to attend the world's largest IT fair, showcasing our strengths in the digital home with easy-to-use products for consumers and our OEM partners alike."
More information, including a full list of products, is avialable on CyberLink's website. Add a comment
ArcSoft has announced that they will be demonstrating ArcSoft Digital Theatre 2 at CeBIT. This new playback software supports HD DVD titles as well as commercial and homemade DVD movies.
ArcSoft, Inc. is demonstrating its High Definition solutions this week at CeBIT, where ArcSoft Digital Theatre 2 is featured at the HD DVD Promotion Group booth (Hall 1, Stand L59). The new player supports HD DVD playback, as well as commercial and homemade DVD movies and a variety of multimedia files on Windows XP and Windows Vista systems.

"We're very pleased to be showcasing our high definition solutions, which are among the best performing in the industry," said Michael Downs, ArcSoft Vice President of Marketing and Business Development. "We've been working closely with the HD DVD Promotion Group, leading graphics chipset companies, and the major Hollywood studios to ensure that we can effectively provide the complete spectrum of HD DVD functionality to our customers."
Whiel ArcSoft doesn't mention it in their press release, Digital Theatre 2 can also playback Blu-ray movies. If you'd like to read more, ArcSoft's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
Nero has announced that they will be releasing a new version of Nero 7 in April that will add a copy protection feature to their SecurDisc technology. Here's part of their press release:
Nero, leaders in digital media technology, announced today that the April update of the Nero 7 digital multimedia suite will include a new feature of SecurDisc technology. Now users can benefit from an innovative copy protection feature designed to prevent duplication of PDF documents saved on DVDs created with SecurDisc.

SecurDisc is a technology that offers a full feature set of security-related functions through a combined hardware/software solution and additionally offers encryption with password protection, digital signature, and higher data reliability through data storage redundancy and defect management.
From what we've seen, SecurDisc works quite well. Unfortunately, its only supported by a few drives at the moment. If you'd like to read more, Nero's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
It's been more than a year, but Nero has released an update for Nero 6.6. While there is no change log, Nero mentions on their website that they've "improved the interaction between Nero and the Lightscribe.api". If you'd like to check it out, the update can be downloaded here. As usual, feel free to share your experiences in our forum. Add a comment