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
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
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
Lite-On Europe has revealed the company's Blu-ray Disc plans. According to their press release, they plan to introduce their first Blu-ray drive, the LH-2B1S, in August 2006.
Lite-On IT, one of the world's biggest optical disc drive manufacturers, is ready for the next generation of optical disc formats. Lite-On IT announces to start producing BD (Blu-ray Disc) compatible drives in Q3 2006 and to introduce Lite-On branded Blu-ray drives to the market in August 2006.

The LH-2B1S will be the first Lite-On drive with Blu-ray Disc technology. Thanks to the use of the blue-violet laser, it enables users to record, rewrite and playback high-definition video (HD) as well as storing large amounts of data. The Blu-ray Disc format offers more than five times the storage capacity of traditional DVDs and can hold up to 50GB of data on a double layer BD disc and up to 25GB on a single layer BD disc. Naturally, the drive will also be compatible with DVD±R(W) (DL) media and CD-R(W) media.
Lite-On also points out that the LH-2B1S will also feature a Serial ATA (SATA) interface. More information can be found here. Add a comment
PC World has reported that BenQ unveiled a prototype of their new Blu-ray Disc burner at Computex. According to the article, they plan to introduce the drive later this year.
"We have a prototype ready and we are going to ship [the product] before the end of the year," BenQ Chairman KY Lee said in an interview. The prototype drive was unveiled at a Taipei news conference the same day. It is a standard "half-height" drive designed for use in desktop computers, and can also write DVDs and CDs.

Blu-ray Disc is one of two new optical-disc formats vying to replace DVD for high-definition content. Blu-ray Disc and the competing HD DVD format aren't compatible, so consumers face a choice between the two or waiting until a clear victor emerges. BenQ has put its weight behind Blu-ray Disc, but Lee said its support isn't necessarily exclusive.
BenQ did not specify a price. However, if its like other Blu-ray drives, it won't be cheap. If you'd like to read more, the entire article can be found here. Add a comment
According to DigiTimes, Taiwanese drive manufacturers are expecting 18x DVD burner sales to catch up with 16x models in 2007.
Demand is increasing for 18x DVD burners with sales volume in 2007 expected to catch up with that of 16x models, currently the mainstream writing speed, according to sources in Taiwan's optical disc drive (ODD) industry.

Toshiba-Samsung Storage Technology (TSST) this month will launch its 18x Super Multi DVD burners, which have a writing speed of 12x for the DVD-RAM format, higher than the 4-6x of other Super Multi models, the sources indicated. Japan-based Plextor launched a 18x DVD Dual burner in February of this year. Lite-On IT, Taiwan's largest ODD maker, is poised to begin volume production of 18x DVD burners next quarter.
If you'd like to read the entire article, head on over to DigiTimes. Add a comment
NEC has announced that they've developed a new DVD writer chipset offering 18x DVD±R and 16x DVD-RAM writing speeds. Here's part of their press release, translated from Japanese:

NEC Electronics developed a new product that was able to construct record type DVD drive economically by paying the function that had been distributed to two LSI to one package as a product lineup expansion of system LSI series "SCOMBO(R)" (Escombo) for record type DVD drive so far, and decided to begin the sample shipment of the name of "MC-10041" on June 1. Moreover, a new product enables the record and the reproduction by 18 X speed that becomes the highest level in the industry in two standards named DVD-R and DVD+R.
According to NEC's press release, the MC-10041 will be adopted by both Pioneer and Sony NEC Optiarc. More information can be found here. Add a comment
According to an article at DigiTimes, CMC Magnetics plans to raise CD-R disc prices by as much as 10% in June. This price hike is due in part to tight global supply for CD-R discs.
As second-tier makers in Taiwan and smaller makers in China have given up production of CD-R discs due to intense competition and leading Taiwanese makers switch CD-R production capacity to making DVD discs, the global supply of CD-R discs is 20% short of demand this quarter, Wong indicated. The gap may expand to 30% next quarter and if so, CMC may further raise its quotes by another 5-10%, Wong noted.
With CMC raising their prices, you can expect smaller manufacturers to do the same. If you'd like to read more, head on over to DigiTimes. Add a comment
Lite-On released a few new firmware updates today including ones for the SHM-165H6S, SHW-160H6S and SHW-160P6S. You can download them directly using the links below.
SHM-165H6S HS0D
SHW-160H6S CS07
SHW-160P6S PS0A
SOHC-5236V R$0G
As usual, the only description given for for these updates is that they "Match More Media". Please feel free to share your experiences with this new firmware in our forum. Add a comment
LG Germany has officially announced their new Blu-ray drive, the GBW-H10N. Along with support for all DVD formats, the GBW-H10N features 4x BD-R and 2x BD-RE writing speeds. Here's part of LG's press release, translated from German:

LG Electronics, market leader with optical memory drive assemblies, brings its first Blu ray burner to GBW-H10N with the model on the market. With burning speeds of 4x with BD-R and 2x with BD-RH-media the youngest member of the LG super multi-family stands out clearly against the competition. The new internal model is besides fully downward-compatibly and thus able, also CDs and DVDs, inclusive DVD-RAM (5x), to burn. The innovative drive assembly concept super Multi Blue guarantees that no user must do without the used fuel comfort. The GBW-H10N comes in the middle of June on the German market. The noncommittal price recommendation is with 799, - euro.

DVD Writing Speeds:
BD-R (SL): 2x, 4x CLV
BD-RE (SL): 2x CLV
DVD+R: 2.4x, 4x CLV, 8x Z-CLV, 12x P-CAV
DVD+RW: 2.4x, 4x, 6x, 8x Z-CLV
DVD+R DL: 2.4x, 4x CLV
DVD-R: 2x, 4x CLV, 8x, 12x P-CAV
DVD-RW: 1x, 2x, 4x, 6x CLV
DVD-R DL: 2x, 4x CLV
DVD-RAM: 2x, 3x Z-CLV, 5x P-CAV
CD-R: 4x, 8x CLV
CD-RW: 4x, 8x, 10x CLV

Read Speeds:
BD-ROM (SL): 4.8x Max
BD-ROM (DL): 4x Max
BD-R (SL): 4.8x Max
BD-RE (SL): 2x Max
DVD-ROM (SL): 16x Max
DVD-ROM (DL): 8x Max
DVD-RAM: 2x, 3x, 5x P-CAV
DVD-Video: 8x Max
DVD±R/RW: 10x Max
DVD±R DL: 8x Max
CD-R/RW/ROM: 40x Max
CD-DA (DAE): 40x Max

While we have not heard if or when the GBW-H10N will be available in the US, it is expected to hit the European market in June for a whopping 799 Euros ($1020US). More information can be found here. Add a comment