ASUS P5Q3 Deluxe (Intel P45) Motherboard @ Hardware Zone ASUS Xonar DX PCI Express 7.1 Audio Card @ HotHardware.com AV LABS AVL337 Bluetooth Speakers @ tkArena Canon IXUS 80 IS Digital Camera @ InsideHW CoolerMaster Hyper Z600 @ CHW CoolIT Systems PURE CPU Cooler @ TweakTown Lian Li Armorsuit Series @ TweakPC Razer Destructor Professional Gaming Mat @ ThinkComputers.org Samsung U900 Soul @ Hardware Zone
Continuing its longstanding tradition of delivering superior performance with no sacrifices required, Hitachi Global Storage Technologies (Hitachi GST) today began shipment of its fourth-generation 7,200 RPM mobile hard drive, the Travelstar™ 7K320. The new drive delivers 60 percent higher capacity than its predecessor, while improving application performance by 12 percent and power consumption by 22 percent. The drive’s quiet acoustics improve the experience of watching movies or listening to music on a notebook PC. The 2.5-inch drive is offered with optional Bulk Data Encryption for users wanting increased data security. Hitachi also plans to ship enhanced-availability (EA) models, designed to provide high-capacity storage for low-duty-cycle, 24x7 applications. The performance attributes of the Travelstar 7K320 allow consumers to opt for a full-featured notebook or compact desktop model, while still achieving all the capacity and performance typically associated with a more traditional desktop PC. The new drives bring forth a number of essential features that are in strong demand from manufacturers of notebooks, compact desktops, gaming systems, blade servers and video surveillance systems. Some of these attributes include best-in-class operating shock protection of 400Gs, 5,400 RPM-equivalent power consumption and quiet acoustics.
With Samsung Electronics and LG Electronics having already launched 22x DVD burners, Sony and BenQ plan to launch competing products in July and the third quarter of 2008, respectively, according to industry sources in Taiwan. BenQ will have Lite-On IT, the largest Taiwan-based maker of half-height optical disc drives, undertake ODM production of its 22x DVD burners, while Sony's will be produced by either Sony NEC Optiarc, a joint venture of Sony and NEC, or an ODM/OEM maker in Taiwan or South Korea, the sources indicated.
LG GGW-H20L Blu-ray Rewriter & HD DVD-ROM @ Hardware Zone NZXT Tempest ATX Mid Tower Enclosure @ TweakTown OCZ ReaperX HPC DDR3-1333 2GB Memory Kit @ ThinkComputers.org S3 Chrome 430 GT Graphics Card @ TweakTown Sans Digital MobileSTOR MS2UTN+ RAID Enclosure @ ASE Labs SuperTalent 8GB Pico Flash Drive @ BCCHardware VL System M-Play Blast LCD Case Display & Remote Control @ Tweaknews.net Xigmatek Achilles S1284 HDT CPU Cooler @ Benchmark Reviews
Elevating the high definition experience in home theaters, Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. today announces the Elite® BDP-05FD and Pioneer® BDP-51FD BonusView Blu-ray Disc® players that exceed the capabilities of current players in the market with support of next generation high resolution audio and video formats that fulfill the emotional experience of high end entertainment. Featuring picture-in-picture interactivity and a redesigned platform that significantly improves overall performance, the new players work in tandem with Pioneer’s KURO displays and A/V receivers to provide film enthusiasts the most true-to-life reproduction of HD feature films. “Our new Blu-ray Disc players continue to demonstrate Pioneer’s unwavering commitment to delivering an immersive seeing and hearing experience for those who want the absolute best in form and function,” said Chris Walker, senior manager of marketing and product planning for Blu-ray Disc at Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. “In offering a full line of players, we are solidifying Pioneer’s reputation as a brand that is continually meeting the needs of consumers who are designing or upgrading their home theaters.”
The DH-4B1S can write BD-R media at 4X, a 50% speed increase and time saving compared to its predecessor. The DH-4B1S uses a Constant Linear Velocity (CLV) writing strategy for writing BD-R media, which means that the data transfer rate is constant at 4X (18 MB per second) during the whole writing session. Another common writing strategy, used by some 6X BD writers on the market, is Constant Angular Velocity (CAV). This writing strategy starts at a lower speed and gradually speeds up to a maximum of 6X only at the end of the writing session. Many users don’t use the full capacity of a disc when they make a back-up. “If you use only 75-80% of the disc capacity, a 4X CLV writing strategy will be a quicker solution then a 6X CAV strategy,” says Marketing Manager Jelmer Veldman. “We see a growing market acceptance for Blu-ray as the format of choice for High Definition content playback and for high volume archiving. With this 4X BD writer Lite-On delivers a faster solution for backing-up data on Blu-ray Discs.”
Prodisc Technology, a second-tier Taiwan-based maker of blank optical discs, on May 6 announced that a local court in the Taipei area has approved a request by Royal Philips Electronics for the provisional seizure of bank deposits worth up to NT$100 million (US$3.28 million) in total due to its failure to fulfill licensing for CD-R disc patents owned by Philips, according to Prodisc's filing with the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TSE). Prodisc emphasized that its business operation has not been substantially affected by the event and it will protect its rights by launching an interlocutory appeal. The Taiwan office of Philips Intellectual Property & Standards filed the request with the local court in April 2008 in order to protect Philips' CD-R patents and secure fairness to Taiwan-based licensees in terms of market competition, the office explained.
A-Data FP2 USB-Stick Fingerprint @ TweakPC Auzentech X-Fi Prelude 7.1 Sound Card @ TweakTown Cooler Master Real Power Pro 850 Watt Power Supply @ Tweaknews.net NVIDIA nForce 780a SLI Motherboard Round-Up @ HotHardware.com NZXT Alpha Classical Series Mid-Tower Case @ Benchmark Reviews Razer Piranha Gaming Headset @ BCCHardware SanDisk Ducati Extreme @ InsideHW ThermoLab Micro Silencer CPU Cooler @ TweakTown Tyan Thunder n3600M Motherboard @ Phoronix Zalman ZM850-HP 850W Modular Power Supply @ ThinkComputers.org
Corporation of North America, the principal U.S. subsidiary of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (NYSE: MC), announces the introduction of the anticipated DMP-BD50, Panasonic's third generation Blu-ray disc player -- the ultimate playback source for high definition 1080p content. Blu-ray media offers a wide range of functions that foster the transition to HD -- including 1080p image quality, lossless Dolby® TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio™ and versatile Picture-in-Picture applications. The BD50 adds the new BD-Live function, which uses the internet to further enhance the consumer's entertainment experience and employs VIERA Link,™ a technology that allows the consumer to operate VIERA Link equipped home theater components with a single remote. The DMP-BD50 will be available this spring and will have an SRP of $699.95. BD-Live opens up a myriad of interactive possibilities for the consumer. In the future, BD-Live will allow users to connect the DMP-BD50 to the Internet to download such data as images and subtitles, and to join in multi-player interactive games that are linked to bonus movie content contained on Blu-ray discs.
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InfoSmart Group, Inc. ("InfoSmart" or the "Company") (OTCBB: IFSG), a leading recordable digital versatile disc ("DVDR") manufacturer in Hong Kong and Brazil, today announced that on Wednesday, April 30th, 2008 it closed on a $5.0 million commercial secured lending transaction (the "Loan") with two institutional investors. The proceeds of the Loan are marked for the Company's development of Blu-Ray Disc (BD) sales and marketing efforts in their local and international markets. For more detailed information on the Loan referred to in this release, reference is made to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and related exhibits thereto. Parker Seto, CEO of InfoSmart Group, stated: "While our company continues to reap the benefits of traditional DVDR lines in emerging markets like Brazil, we are also preparing for the continued development of media in developed markets such as Asia. The addition of BD production lines to our recent acquisition of our first Anwell unit not only expands our Blu-Ray production capacity, but also adds balance to our product portfolio which now consists of DVDR, Flash Memory and now BD."
CyberLink Corp. (5203.TW), innovative solutions provider for the connected digital lifestyle, today launched the latest version of its video-editing software PowerDirector. Featuring end-to-end high-definition format support, PowerDirector 7 allows users to turn their captured videos into professional-looking movies with ease... " With the wide availability of high-definition camcorders, video enthusiasts are looking for powerful tools that can create the kind of masterpieces they expect for their high-quality video content," said Alice H. Chang, CEO of CyberLink. "CyberLink PowerDirector 7 combines its popular automated editing and video enhancements tools with more advanced editing options, for pro-like results. What's more, by accessing DirectorZone - PowerDirector's website for video effects and DVD menus - users can share their creativity with others, uploading effects and templates they've created and downloading those made by video-editing fans all over the world."
Transcend Information, Inc (Transcend), a global leader in the digital storage industry, proudly introduces its eSATA / USB 2.0 external storage device - StoreJet™ 35 Ultra. Cool, fast and quiet, the StoreJet 35 Ultra is the ultimate way to add an extra SATA hard drive to virtually any computer for downloading, storing, transferring and backing up data. The StoreJet 35 Ultra measures 197.5mm by 127.5mm by 48mm and features a stylishly designed aluminum case designed specifically for modern 3.5-inch SATA hard drives. With two convenient connection options, the StoreJet 35 Ultra not only guarantees the fastest possible hard drive speeds with its 3.0Gb/s eSATA interface, but also assures maximum compatibility with all types of computers via its 480Mb/s USB 2.0 connection interface. While most 3.5-inch external hard drives are prone to data-loss and drive failure due to overheating, Transcend’s StoreJet 35 Ultra features an efficient active cooling system that includes an extra-quiet 80mm high-flow fan to keep its internal drive running cool and stable.
IronKey Inc., maker of the world's most secure flash drive, announced today availability of the 8GB-capacity of its IronKey secure USB devices. IronKey brings unprecedented mobile data convenience and security to individuals and organizations with its rugged, waterproof and tamper resistant USB drives that include always-on hardware encryption, strong authentication, portable applications and ultra-fast memory. IronKey's cross platform capability and remote policy enforcement enable IT to rapidly deploy in heterogeneous environments with complete control. The 8GB model is the latest version in the IronKey product line that currently includes 1GB, 2GB and 4GB options. All IronKey devices are easy to use, and there is no need to install software or drivers. All user data on an IronKey is encrypted with high-speed military-grade hardware encryption. Unlike software-based encryption, this always-on protection cannot be disabled, and is protected against cold-boot and brute force attacks. If a thief tries to break into an IronKey and exceeds a policy-determined number of failed login attempts, the IronKey Cryptochip will lock out the encryption functions and securely erase all the encrypted data with its patent-pending Flash Trash technology.
Pegatron Technology, an OEM subsidiary of Asustek Computer, has secured orders from Microsoft to assemble Xbox 360 consoles equipped with a Blu-ray Disc (BD)-ROM drive, with shipments to begin in the third quarter of 2008, according to the Chinese-language Economic Daily News (EDN) newspaper.
TMPG, Inc., the company that makes digital video easy, is about to make Blu-ray Disc creation easier. TMPGEnc MPEG Editor 3 is an easy to use, frame-level cut video editing software package loaded with many advanced features including the ability to output and burn to the Blu-ray Disc (BDAV) high definition video format. The free trial is currently available for download at www.tmpg-inc.com. The full retail version will be available May 14th at $64.95 per license. A special limited-time discount price of $51.95 will also be available for all registered TMPGEnc product owners. "TMPGEnc MPEG Editor 3 offers state-of-the-art technology to smoothly edit high-definition video, plus a host of Blu-ray Disc oriented features. As more professional and amateur videographers embrace high definition video recording, there will be an increasing demand for good software to edit and write video to Blu-ray Disc," commented TMPG Inc. CEO Kimi Matsuki.
Apple® today announced that new movie releases from major film studios and premier independent studios are available for purchase on the iTunes® Store (www.itunes.com) on the same day as their DVD release. New releases and catalog titles will be available from 20th Century Fox, The Walt Disney Studios, Warner Bros., Paramount Pictures, Universal Studios Home Entertainment, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Lionsgate, Image Entertainment and First Look Studios. Movies purchased from iTunes can be viewed on an iPod® with video, iPhone™, Mac® or PC or on a widescreen TV with Apple TV®, with new releases priced at $14.99 and most catalog titles at $9.99.
Standalone Blu-ray player unit sales dropped 40 percent from January to February in the U.S. and only saw a 2 percent increase from February to March, according to NPD's Retail Tracking Service. HD DVD player unit sales dropped 13 percent from January to February, but as production stopped and inventories dried up, sales spiraled down 65 percent from February to March. "That standalone Blu-ray players haven't picked up significantly from HD DVD's loss shows that few consumers were dissuaded primarily by the 'format war'," said Ross Rubin, director of industry analysis, NPD. "When we surveyed consumers late last year, an overwhelming number of them said they weren't investing in a new next-generation player because their old DVD player worked well and next-generation players were too expensive. It's clear from retail sales that those consumer sentiments are still holding true." One option consumers are embracing to enhance their DVD viewing experience is purchasing up-converting DVD players. According to NPD's Retail Tracking Service, unit sales of up-converting players were up over 5 percent in the first quarter of 2008 compared to 2007, while sales of DVD players without an up-converting feature declined 39 percent.
