Sony Optiarc has launched a new 12x Blu-ray Disc writer. The BWU-500S is designed for all PC users who appreciate high image quality. Whether you are movie fan, amateur video maker or hobby photographer – if you have a passion for images and need a lot of memory, the BWU-500S from Sony Optiarc offers you practically unlimited possibilities. The drive writes high-resolution TV images and personal memories in optimum quality to Blu-ray Discs or DVDs. It is also ideal as a playback unit for HD flat screens or HD computer projectors. The BWU-500S is also equipped for future movie, TV and gaming applications – and it plays back 3D movies perfectly.

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The new Blu-ray Disc drive from Sony Optiarc is distinguished by its versatility. The BD writer not only delivers excellent image recording and playback quality, it is also suitable for back-ups and the long-term archiving of large volumes of data. The BWU-500S organises personal movie, photo and movie collections, preserves irreplaceable memories for the future and frees up space on your hard disc. Blu-ray Discs have a very long lifespan, which means they can store valuable content for long periods of time. Thanks to the device’s downward compatibility you can also continue to use your existing CDs and DVDs. The BWU-500S ensures that valuable digital content doesn’t get lost and it transforms a games or work PC into a comprehensive media centre that is fully equipped for future movie and TV applications.

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Buffalo Japan sent out a press release this morning, announcing its new portable, 3D-enabled Blu-ray Disc writer.  The the BP3D-PI6U2-BK is capable of 6x BD-R, 6x BD-R DL, 4x BD-R LTH, 2x BD-RE and 2x BD-RE DL writing speeds and a maximum BD-ROM read speed of 6x. The drive also supports Pioneer's PureREAD and PowerRead technologies and can be powered off a computer's USB bus or the included AC adapter. Last but not least, the BP3D-PI6U2-BK comes bundled with CyberLink's PowerDVD 9 software which enables Blu-ray 3D playback as well as 2D to 3D conversion of DVD movies.

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The BP3D-PI6U2-BK is scheduled to ship in early September and is expected to cost about 28,500 Yen ($338US).

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The new Extreme Slim External DVD-RW from ASUS combines attractive aesthetics with the advanced optical media features demanded by portable PC users in a single slim, USB-powered package.

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Marking a departure from the bulky and bland appearance of typical external optical drives, the Extreme Slim External DVD-RW continues the emphasis placed by ASUS on innovative design. The extremely thin and compact squared form factor offers a refreshing take on this class of accessory, revitalizing the work and play spaces of PC users with a fun, easy to carry device.

It makes optical media accessible and effortless, fitting easily into any bag. The Extreme Slim External DVD-RW offers a high degree of portability, with its 14mm profile and lightweight construction. This extends full DVD read and write data and content handling to any Windows PC, being particularly helpful to users of netbooks, as those computers often do not have a built-in optical drive.

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Apricorn today released the EZ Writer II, an ultra-portable Dual Layer DVD burner with integrated USB cable offering a portable, all-inclusive solution for burning and playing DVDs and CDs that is ideal for notebooks and netbooks. Weighing just 11.7 oz, with a black gloss finish and sleek, slim-line design, EZ Writer II makes the perfect traveling companion. It's affordable too, with pricing for Back-to-School starting at just $54 (after a $25 mail-in rebate).

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"With the growing popularity of sub-miniature notebooks which ship without integrated optical drives, combined with the increased functionality of slim-line DVDs, demand for portable DVD drives is growing," said Mike McCandless, Apricorn's VP of Sales and Marketing. "With EZ Writer II's state-of-the-art design, low power circuit and a convenient integrated cable, it is really just a better mousetrap.

Truly portable, the EZ Writer II's bus powered design and handy integrated USB cable eliminates the need for an AC adapter and bulky cords. The built-in USB cable fits securely in a concealed groove when not in use, making it easy to transport in your notebook bag.

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TEAC Europe recently unveiled its new slim external DVD writer, the DV-W28PUK-T. While measuring a mere 142×142×20mm, this USB bus powered drive is capable of 8x DVD±R, 6x DVD±R DL, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW and 5x DVD-RAM writing speeds and a maximum DVD read speed of 8x. The DV-W28PUK-T also comes bundled with Nero software and is available directly from TEAC for 64,90 EUR.

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I-O Data Japan has announced a pair of internal 24x DVD writers based on the Sony Opitarc AD-7260S. The DVR-SN24GE (beige) and DVR-SN24GEB (black) are capable of 24x DVD±R, 12x DVD-RAM, 8x DVD±R DL, 8x DVD+RW and 6x DVD-RW writing speeds and a maximum DVD read speed of 16x. The two drives come bundled with WinDVD and DVD Movie Writer 7 SE from Corel as well as Nero Express 9 Essentials. The DVR-SN24GE and DVR-SN24GEB are expected to ship in the middle of August for a suggested retail price of 5,800 Yen ($67US).

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Verbatim’s new Blu-ray media offers 25GB of storage capacity with a 6x burning rate and a wide printable surface to enable personalisation or labelling of the disc.  It is ideal for recording films in high definition, backing up large amounts of data and long-term archiving of files including photos and videos.  The new Verbatim Blu-ray BD-R 25GB 6x Printable is now available in stores in a 5-pack jewel case and a 10-pack jewel case.

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Blu-ray media is getting more and more attractive to consumers - both for home and professional use - to record and archive data.  Verbatim meets this demand with its new Blu-ray disc BD-R 25GB 6x Printable, which offers up to 5 times the capacity of a DVD-R, guaranteeing reliable and safe long-term storage of files, from home photos and videos to office documents.  With a burning time of less than 15 minutes, it is fully inkjet printable (22 – 117mm) due to its printable surface to the inner ring.

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Plextor, a leading brand of high-performance digital media solutions, announces the new PX-B120U external BD-ROM. The PX-B120U was first introduced at Computex in Taipei, Taiwan in June and is now available for purchase in the U.S.

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The PX-B120U is a USB-powered external Blu-ray Disc playback device that allows users to watch high-definition movies on any Blu-ray capable PC or notebook. The device comes bundled with Cyberlink –high-quality Blu-ray and DVD playback software that provides a full Blu-ray experience in 3D, including the ability to upscale standard videos to HD-like and 3D-like visual quality.

“Blu-ray has become the media player of choice for consumers and we wanted to provide a versatile solution to our customers,” said Christine Hsing, Marketing Manager at Plextor. “The PX-B120U is great for on-the-go viewing and can also serve as the Blu-ray player at home. It’s a great all around solution for anyone’s Blu-ray needs.”

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Sharp Corporation will introduce the VR-100BR1 triple-layer Blu-ray Disc media (write-once) that conforms to the BDXL™ format specification, the new multi-layer recordable Blu-ray Disc format, a world first. These new Blu-ray Discs will be available in Japan beginning July 30, 2010.

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This disc media product conforms to the new BDXL™ format specification that extends the storage capacity of Blu-ray Discs to 100GB, twice the 50GB storage capacity of existing dual-layer discs. This new format enables recording approximately 12 hours of terrestrial digital TV broadcasts or approximately 8.6 hours of BS digital TV broadcasts. It expands the range of applications for Blu-ray Discs to include recording and saving long-duration HDTV programs or multiple episodes of serial dramas onto a single disc with the same high-definition image quality as the original.

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Lite-On, a global leader of optical storage solutions, announces the immediate availability of its iHAS524 internal DVD writer. The iHAS524 delivers a maximum write speed of 24X on select DVD recordable media, which is among the fastest available drives in the in the market.  The iHAS524 features Lite-On’s latest patented LabelTag technology – a unique disc-labeling feature for CDs and DVDs.

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LabelTag is the latest disc-labeling feature that eliminates the need for markers, stickers or other labeling methods, making it a perfect way to label discs without using any special media or tools. With LabelTag, users can use any standard optical storage disc to burn data and create a label in a circular motion in the same session.

LabelTag’s innovative technology makes disc-labeling as easy as burning data by allowing users to continue to add data after a label has been created. The use of this latest innovation makes it a cost-effective and an efficient form of disc-labeling. It also allows users to make creative and professional-looking labels without the hassles.

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