Corel recently announced that Ulead DVD MovieFactory Plus has received BD-R 1.1 and BD-RE 2.1 certification. With support for BD-R 1.1 and BD-RE 2.1, DVD MovieFactory Plus users will be able to create movies using the BDAV format.
Corel Corporation (NASDAQ:CREL) (TSX:CRE), a leading developer of graphics, productivity and digital media software, today announced that Ulead DVD MovieFactory Plus received BD-R 1.1 and BD-RE 2.1 certification for BDAV files. Corel's Ulead DVD MovieFactory Plus now provides high-definition BDAV recording of BD-R and BD-RE discs.

By receiving certification for BD-R 1.1 and BD-RE 2.1, DVD MovieFactory Plus has passed the stringent standards and guidelines set by the Blu-ray Disc Association to ensure the best possible user experience. DVD MovieFactory 6 Plus has already been certified for AVCHD and BDMV.
DVD MovieFactory Plus with BD-R 1.1 and BD-RE 2.1 support is currently available to OEM customers. A retail version will be available in late 2008. Full details can be found here. Add a comment
Vinpower Digital has announced the release of the industry's first standalone LightScribe publishing system. According to their press release, the SharkCopier LS can duplicate discs and burn LightScribe labels without being connected to a computer.
The SharkCopier LS can be used as a publishing system by first creating the disc image art on a computer, then loading the image onto the standalone duplicator for disc label duplication. LightScribe offers a free LightScribe Template Labeler at www.lightscribe.com that supports a fast creative process and a robust suite of label template options. The duplicator can be used anywhere there is a suitable electrical outlet without being tied to a computer with these simple steps:

1) Load the LightScribe capable CDs or DVDs into the drives
         a. Put the label side face down to print
2) The duplicator will laser-inscribe the programmed image onto the discs
3) Flip the disc over in the same drive onto the data duplicating side
4) The duplicator will copy the selected data
5) The duplicated discs will now have a label design and the specified data content

The LightScribe labeling process offers the ability to print and burn in one standalone system, no longer tying the user to a PC or limiting them to a mere 2 or 4 drive maximum capacity. The SharkCopier LS is available in various sizes and prints all discs simultaneously from 1-to-1 up to 1-to-15 to fit the needs of even the most demanding duplication job.
If you'd like to read more, Vinpower Digital's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
Kodak Media Products has also announced the availability of its Professional Grade CD-R and DVD-R media. These new discs offer quality recording and an archival life of up to 100 years.
New KODAK Professional Grade CD-Rs and DVD-Rs are now available for the growing number of photographers, music studios, and other businesses and professionals who want higher quality discs that will safely store their images, videos and data for up to 100 years.

“We are introducing these new, professional grade discs for those who can’t take a chance on short-lived silver CD-Rs.,” said Steve Mizelle, President of KMP Media. The firm operates under trademark license from Eastman Kodak Company.

The new 100-year CDs and DVDs are designed for professionals such as photographers, musicians, physicians, law enforcement officers and administrators who store their work on discs. The discs combine superior recording quality with durability that will protect images, sound and data for 100 years. Only archival KODAK 24K Gold Preservation CDs last longer.
If you'd like to read more, KMP's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
Paramount has reportedly shot down the rumors stating that they will drop HD DVD in favor of Blu-ray. In an email to Bloomberg.com, a Paramount spokesperson has stated that the company plans to continue to support the HD DVD format.
Viacom Inc.'s Paramount Pictures denied a newspaper report that the studio is poised to follow Time Warner Inc. in abandoning Toshiba Corp.'s HD DVD technology.

``Paramount's current plan is to continue to support the HD DVD format,'' Brenda Ciccone, a spokeswoman for Paramount, said in an e-mail today.
There always seems to be some truth to these rumors. While Paramount may be continuing to support HD DVD, it would not surprise me if they were at least considering Blu-ray. If you'd like to read more, the entire article can be found here. Add a comment
Kodak Media Products has announced a new line of "self-burning" CD-R media. Similar in concept to Memorex's SimpleSave DVDs, these new hybrid CD-R discs come with built-in software.
New KODAK AutoMagic self-burning CDs make it easy even for computer novices to burn sound, images and data onto a CD-R. The disc has built-in software for copying digital content onto the CD.

“This is great news for all the people who want to store images, music or data on a CD but lack the computer skills,” said Jim Gordon, Sr. Vice President of Marketing for KMP Media. “Now they can avoid the hassle of downloading, installing and learning how to use a more complex software package.”

The unique, built-in software on each KODAK AutoMagic CD makes it easy. It takes just a few clicks and leaves no software clutter behind when the job is finished. The hybrid CD-R discs are designed for use with Microsoft Windows 2000, XP and Vista operating systems.
The KODAK AutoMagic CD-R is available now and is expected to retail for about $4.99 for a 2-pack. Full details can be found here Add a comment
Erik Deppe has released a new version of Nero CD-DVD Speed. Along with the usual bug fixes and improvements, this version adds jitter support for Liteon 20A3 drives as well as improved support for HD DVD, BD and DVD-RW DL media.
CD-DVD Speed v4.7.7.15 - Download
  • Improved support for HD DVD, BD and DVD-RW DL
  • Moved capture button from title bar to client area
  • BitSetting: improved support for LG and LiteOn drives
  • Disc Quality Test
    • added jitter support for Liteon 20A3 drives
    • improved support for recent Asus drives
  • Small improvements and bug fixes
More information can be found on the CD Speed website. As usual, feel free to share your experiences in our forum. Add a comment
Primera has announced the release of their new PTRip software. With this new software, users of Primera's Bravo-Series Disc Publishers can fill the bin with audio CD's and automatically rip and import them into Apple iTunes or Microsoft Windows Media Player.
PTRip gives users of Primera’s Bravo-Series Disc Publishers the ability to automatically load CDs into their Publishers’ built-in CD/DVD drives for importing audio tracks into Apple iTunes or Microsoft Windows Media Player. The program is simple to use and requires just three steps:
  1. Place CDs into a Bravo-Series Disc Publisher’s input bin,
  2. Launch PTRip,
  3. Click “Load to iTunes” or “Load to Windows Media Player.”
Discs are robotically loaded and tracks imported into iTunes or Windows Media Player. The process continues automatically until the input bin is empty. Once imported, files are ready for playback on portable players including Apple iPod, iPhone and iTouch devices, Microsoft Zune and many other brands and models of MP3 players and cell phones.
While PTRip normally costs $99, Primera is making it available for a limited time at no charge. If you'd like to give it a try, PTRip can be downloaded here. Otherwise, more information is available on Primera's website. Add a comment
With Warner backing Blu-ray, there are numerous rumors stating that Paramount will follow suite and drop HD DVD in favor of the rival format. According to a report by the Financial Times, there is a clause in Paramount's contract with the HD DVD camp that would allow the studio to switch sides in the event of Warner Bros backing Blu-ray.
Paramount is poised to drop its support of HD DVD after Warner Brothers’ recent backing of Sony’s Blu-ray technology, in a move that will sound the death knell of HD DVD and bring the home entertainment format war to a definitive end.

Paramount and DreamWorks Animation, which makes the Shrek films, came out in support of HD DVD last summer, joining General Electric’s Universal Studios as the main backers of the Toshiba format.

However, Paramount, which is owned by Viacom, is understood to have a clause in its contract with the HD DVD camp that would allow it to switch sides in the event of Warner Bros backing Blu-ray, according to people familiar with the situation.
With Blu-ray having a strong showing at CES, it would not surprise me if Paramount switched sides and dropped HD DVD. If you'd like to read more, the entire article can be found here. Add a comment
Kingston introduced a number of new USB flash drives at CES 2008. One of their more interesting new offerings is the DataTraveler 400. This drive comes preloaded with Migo Software, which allows users to keep their documents and settings synchronized across multiple PCs.

Kingston Technology Company, Inc., the independent world leader in memory products, today announced the release of the DataTraveler 400 (DT400), a new USB Flash drive preloaded with MigoSync data synchronization software from Migo Software, Inc., that allows users to work among multiple PCs by directly synchronizing files, email and Internet browser settings onto the drive.

“The DT400 is the perfect solution to keep documents and settings completely up-to-date and in sync,” said Mark Akoubian, Flash memory product manager, Kingston. “Accessing email and keeping sections of the drive secure through password protection make the DT400 a powerful device for anyone to stay safely connected with work or home while on the go.”
The The Kingston DataTraveler 400 is available now in 2GB, 4GB and 8GB capacities. Prices range from $31 to $137, depending on capacity. Full details can be found here. Add a comment
If you get a chance to visit Verbatim's boot at CES, you'll want to check out their new line of Blu-ray media. Along with their 4x BD-R discs, the company will be showcasing their new double-layer 2x BD-R/RE, Mini BD-R/RE and 1-2x BD-R LTH TYPE media.
Decreased Recording Times — With Verbatim’s 25GB 4x BD-R media, users can record an entire disc in approximately 23 min. The higher performance makes the 4x BD-R media suitable not only for recording personal high-definition video, but also for backing up PC data or archiving photo collections.

To achieve 4x recording, Mitsubishi Kagaku Media (MKM), Verbatim’s parent company, fine-tuned the proprietary Metal Ablative Recording Layer (MABL) technology it developed for Verbatim’s first-generation BD-R media. Designed to ensure a wide power margin for stable recording, MKM improved the sensitivity of the MABL to attain the higher-speed recording while ensuring excellent recording compatibility and prolonged archival life. Verbatim will release its 25GB 4x BD-R media in Q1 2008.

Increased Capacity — To meet the capacity requirements of true, high-definition video recording, Verbatim will launch its 2x BD-R DL media in Q2 2008. Verbatim 4x BD-R DL media will be launched later in 2008. With two recording layers on a single side, users can enjoy seamless recording of up to 50GB or about 4 hours of HD-quality video on a single disc without having to flip or change the disc. This makes Verbatim BD-R DL media a compelling storage solution for professional video production, business storage, backup, archiving, radio and television broadcast storage, education, banking, healthcare and government applications. Verbatim is also planning to release 2x BD-RE DL in 2008 as compatible hardware becomes more available.

More Convenience — Measuring three inches (8cm) in diameter, Verbatim’s new 7.5GB Mini BD-R/RW discs combine with a BD-compatible camcorder to provide approximately one hour of continuous video capture time on a single side when high-definition (1920×1080i) is used, With the ability to record priceless memories directly to a Mini BD disc, users can eliminate the time-consuming process of downloading captured video to their computer hard drive. They can also enjoy unlimited capacity by simply removing the disc from the camcorder and adding a new one. The Mini BD-R/RW discs will be available in Q1 2008.

Expanding the Market for Blank Blu-ray Discs — With the availability of LTH Type hardware and firmware from industry leaders such as Sony and Panasonic, the momentum is already building for media that will enable consumers to move up to the more affordable BD media. Verbatim 25GB BD-R LTH Type discs feature a new technically advanced organic dye in the recording layer that can be burned at speeds of 1x and 2x. By switching from the more expensive inorganic layer used with current BD-R to the new organic layer, manufacturing costs can be reduced. Verbatim will release 2x BD-R LTH Type media in the Spring of 2008.
It looks like 2008 will be a good year for Blu-ray media. If you'd like to read more, Verbatim's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment