On behalf of everyone here at CDRLabs, I just wanted to wish all of our U.S. readers a happy Independance Day.



I know that many consider July 4th to be another day off and one more excuse to cook out, drink beer and blow things up. Just remember to take a few minutes to think about what this day is really about.

CDRLabs finishes up the week with a review of Lite-On's new EZ-DUB enabled DVD writer, the DX-20A4PU. While affordably priced, this external drive sports some pretty impressive specs including 20x DVD±R, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, 8x DVD±R DL and 12x DVD-RAM writing speeds and a maximum DVD read speed of 16x. The DX-20A4PU also features many of the technologies we've come to expect from Lite-On including more advanced ones like SmartWrite and OverSpeed. More importantly, its EZ-DUB technology makes copying discs and backing up data a quick and easy process.

In this review we'll take a look at the features found on the DX-20A4PU and see how it compares to some of the 20x DVD±RW drives from the competition. Does the DX-20A4PU have what it takes? You'll have to read the review to find out.

Lite-On DX-20A4PU 20x EZ-DUB DVD±RW/RAM

If you have any comments or questions about this review or the Lite-On DX-20A4PU, please post them in the forum.

Pioneer has reportedly received OEM orders from HP for BD combo drives. According to DigiTimes' sources, shipments are expected to begin some time in July.

Pioneer has landed OEM orders for Blu-ray Disc (BD) Combo drives from Hewlett-Packard (HP) with shipments to begin in July 2008, according to industry sources in Taiwan.

International PC vendors originally preferred BD-ROM drives to BD Combo drives because of much lower costs, the sources indicated. But, recent OEM quotes for BD-ROM and BD Combo drives have slipped to US$95 and US$110-120 respectively, the sources noted. As a result vendors are beginning to use BD-ROM drives in entry-level models, BD Combo drives in mid-range models, and the much more expensive BD burners in high-end models, the sources pointed out.

If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes.

Blockbuster announced this week that it has joined forces with the USO to send movies and games to U.S. service men and women stationed across the globe. Until July 14th, the public can donate new or previously viewed DVDs and games at designated USO drop boxes located in participating Blockbuster stores. The retailer will also be matching all donations with up to 20,000 DVDs and plans to raise $100,000 for the USO by selling American Flag Antenna Ball/Pencil Toppers.

Blockbuster Inc. and the USO are teaming up to bring much deserved entertainment to our service members and their families. Through July 14, the American public can show their support for the troops by donating DVDs and games at designated USO drop boxes in participating BLOCKBUSTER(R) stores. The entertainment retailer will match all donations with up to 20,000 DVDs.

To participate, customers can purchase new or previously viewed DVDs and games at participating BLOCKBUSTER stores, then drop them in convenient USO drop boxes on site. Donated DVDs and games will be enjoyed by troops at USO centers and Mobile USO units worldwide and also will be placed in USO 2 Go program boxes for delivery to troops in remote locations. To ensure product quality and content the USO can only accept DVDs and games originating from participating BLOCKBUSTER stores.

I'm sure many of you have DVD's that you don't watch anymore. In the spirit of July 4th, I urge you to head to your local Blockbuster and donate them to the troops. You'll probably make a service person very happy by doing so. If you'd like to read more about the program, Blockbuster's entire press release can be found here.

ASRock K10N780SLIX3-WiFi nForce 780a SLI Motherboard @ ThinkComputers.org
Gateway P-6831FX Gaming Notebook @ HotHardware.com
iMetal iP-HS2 Isolation Headset for iPhone @ I4U
Lubix UBHS-NC1 Stereo Bluetooth Headset @ ASE Labs
Samsung SC-HMX20C High Definition Digital Camcorder @ Futurelooks
Sapphire 1024MB Radeon HD3850 Graphics Card @ Bigbruin.com
ThermalTake ProWater 850i Liquid Cooling System @ Virtual-Hideout
Thermaltake XaserVI Mx Case @ Rbmods
Toshiba Satellite U300 Notebook @ InsideHW

SentrySafe has announced the launch of its second-generation FIRE-SAFE/Waterproof Hard Drive. Based on the Maxtor OneTouch 4 Mini, this 250GB drive is encased in a SentrySafe FIRE-SAFE/Waterproof enclosure which protects your data from both fire and water.

Sentry®Safe, the world leader in residential and small office security-storage containers, today announced its next generation 250GB FIRE-SAFE/Waterproof Hard Drive to protect data from fire and water disasters and computer crashes. SentrySafe has again partnered with Maxtor® Storage Solutions to develop the innovative, award-winning hard drive that enables back-up of critical data.

"SentrySafe is always looking to introduce new products to meet the needs of consumers. With the new 250GB fire-resistant and waterproof hard drive, SentrySafe is putting the 'hard' in hard drive," said Sondra McFarlane, director of customer development for SentrySafe.

The SentrySafe FIRE-SAFE/Waterproof 250GB Hard Drive is available now for a suggested retail price of $399.99. Full details can be found here.

OCZ Technology recently announced its new OCZ Core Series SATA II 2.5” Solid State Drives (SSDs). The OCZ Core Series SSDs are available in capacities up to 128GB and is capable of 120-143 MB/s read and 80-93 MB/s write speeds. Best of all, they are priced 50% less than comparable high performance SSDs.

OCZ Technology Group, Inc., a worldwide leader in innovative, ultra-high performance and high reliability memory and computer components, today unveiled the OCZ Core Series SATA II 2.5” Solid State Drives (SSDs). OCZ has gained momentum in this pioneering technology, which uses NAND flash instead of rotating platters as the storage medium, and is a high-performance, highly reliable and energy-efficient alternative to conventional hard disc drives.

The OCZ Core Series delivers the performance and reliability of the latest SSDs at a 50% less price per gigabyte than other high speed offerings currently on the market. For the first time, OCZ is putting SSD technology within reach of the average consumer, and delivering on the promise of SSDs as an alternative to traditional hard drives in consumer targeted mobile applications.

OCZ has not announced when then the Core Series will ship. However, they have stated that the 32GB, 64GB and 128GB versions will be priced at $169, $259 and $479, respectively, at the time of launch. If you'd like to read more, OCZ's entire press release can be found here.

ONKYO announced today that it will be shipping its first Blu-ray Disc Player in late 2008. While there aren't a lot of details, ONKYO has stated that the player is designed to work with their high-definition A/V receivers and will offer Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio decoding.

ONKYO Corporation has announced that it will release its first Blu-ray Disc Player for the international market in late 2008. This player is designed to partner Onkyo’s high-definition A/V receivers equipped with full HDMI processing of 1080p video and decoding of Dolby® TrueHD and DTS-HD™ Master Audio surround sound formats.

Onkyo was among the first home theater manufacturers to offer full audio and video processing capabilities for HD formats such as Blu-ray Disc. The company’s A/V receivers deliver a complete high-definition experience with onboard decoding of Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio codecs. The release of this Blu-ray Disc player will be timely given that the second-generation of high-definition-capable Onkyo A/V receivers is now available.

No word yet on price but knowing ONKYO, their new Blu-ray Disc player won't be cheap. If you'd like to read more, ONKYO's entire press release can be found here.

A few weeks ago, ProAction Media unveiled its Flex-Lite DVD media. Constructed of an eco-friendly material, these discs use 50% less plastic than regular DVDs and are 100% recyclable. According to new information from ProAction Media, the Flex-Lite Disc also costs considerably less to ship due to its light weight and flexible nature.

The new DVD Media allows companies to experience significant savings in postage: A lighter DVD, combined with reduced weight to the actual printed piece can result in savings of up to $0.30 in shipping costs alone something literally unheard-of in the industry.

While one would expect a lighter DVD material and a lower-priced shipping package to result in substantial disadvantages where durability and reliability are concerned, the Flex-Lite Disc packs another surprise: The DVD's flexible nature makes it possible to ship in a standard envelope, or an adhesive vinyl sleeve. All of this comes while providing a much higher level of protection than the average DVD mailed in heavy cardstock, which unfortunately still risks breakage.

If you'd like to read more, ProAction Media's entire press release can be found here.

Nexcopy And TrusCont have announced the release of the world's first USB duplicator with copy protection. When used with TrusCont's copy protection software, the USB200PC duplicator can create copy protected devices, CD-ROM partitioned drives or Read Only partitioned drives. It also offers advanced features such as anti-copy, anti-rip, time limits and password protection.

Nexcopy Inc., a leading manufacturer in USB Duplicator equipment and TrusCont Ltd. a leader in copy protection and Digital Rights Management solutions, announced the release of the world's first USB duplicator with copy protection capability.

Based on TrusCont security technology, Nexcopy offers the TSFD Publisher Kits for on-site customer creation of USB copy protect flash drives with advanced functions such as USB CD-ROM emulation and USB Read Only partitions. The Nexcopy TSFD Publisher Kits bundle TrusCont Secure Flash Drives, TSFD Copy Protection software and Nexcopy's 20 port USB duplicator.

With increased popularity of USB flash drives as a means for document distribution, software publishing and other digital content distribution the need for companies to secure their intellectual property on USB drives are becoming more prevalent and critical. With TrusCont Secure Flash Drives and Nexcopy's USB200PC USB duplicator, companies now have an in-house, turn-key hardware and software security solution for USB sticks.

Nexcopy TSFD Publisher Kits are available now and include the TSFD Copy Protection software, the USB200PC duplicator and TSFD drives in quantities of 100, 300 and 500 units. More information is available on Nexcopy's website.

During the first half of 2008, the price of blank DVD+R/-R DL media dropped by about 50% to around $1 a disc. These price drops have resulted in an increased demand, which both Ritek and CMC are reportedly benefiting from.

International retail prices of blank 4-6x DVD+R/-R DL discs have dropped by about 50% during the first half of 2008 to around US$1, spurring a fast growth in global demand. As the only two Taiwan-based makers of such discs, Ritek and CMC Magnetics are benefiting from the market surge, according to industry sources in Taiwan.

Japan-based Mitsubishi Kagaku Media (MKM) and Hitachi Maxell originally dominated the global production of such discs with relatively high OEM quotes, but Ritek, CMC and India-based Moser Baer India (MBI) entered the segment bringing price-cut competition, the sources indicated. As a result, OEM quotes have continually fallen and so have retail prices.

With blank Blu-ray Discs being relatively expensive, the demand for DVD+R/-R DL media is expected to double in 2009. If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes.