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01 February 2006

LG recently announced a new external LightScribe capable Super-Multi drive, the GSA-5168B. While the drive's specs are otherwise very similar to the GSA-4166B, the GSA-5168B lets you capture and copy video to disc using its "One Touch" system. Here are some of the GSA-5168B's specs.

Writing Speeds: DVD±R: 16x DVD+RW: 8x DVD-RW: 6x DVD±R DL: 8x DVD-RAM: 5x CD-R: 48x CD-RW: 32x

Read Speeds: DVD-ROM: 16x Max CD-R/ROM: 48x Max

You gotta love it when a company uses cute women to promote a new product. We have not heard if or when the GSA-5168D will be available in the US. As we find out more, we'll let you know. In the mean time, LG's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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31 January 2006

The RAM Promotion Group sent out a press release yesterday announcing that the DVD-RAM format made a strong showing at this year's International CES.

The RAM Promotion Group (RAMPRG), an industry organization formed to promote the awareness and adoption of the DVD-RAM format, today announced that DVD-RAM made a strong push into 2006, as evidenced by over 50 DVD-RAM compatible products debuted at this year's International CES. RAMPRG member companies including Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi-LG Data Storage, Inc., Hitachi Maxell, Ltd., LG Electronics Inc., Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (Panasonic), Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., TEAC Corporation, Toshiba Corporation and Victor Company of Japan, Limited (JVC), all announced or exhibited innovative product lines featuring DVD-RAM compatible recorders, camcorders, players, PC drives and media.

If you'd like to read more, the RAMPRG's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment

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Optical Storage

26 January 2006

Ritek has posted a warning on their website, letting consumers know that counterfeit DVD media has shown up on the Japanese market.

Recently there are piracy products in Japan market and below picture is to help you verify the product you bought. Please contact authorized distributor for the Ritek trade mark and standard packaging and make sure product is distributed by RITEK Japan Branch-Ritek Japan Incorporation.

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26 January 2006

Pioneer Japan has released yet another set of firmware updates for their latest series of 16x DVD±RW drives, the DVR-110, DVR-110D and DVR-A10XL. Here is the change log for firmware v1.39:

Support New 8x DVD-R Media
( 8x writing:KINGDISC, INFOMEDIA, POSTECH, RITEK, MUST, INTERAXIA, UMEDISC, VANGUARD, TCL, MEGANMEDIA, GIGASTRAGE, INFOSOURCE, INFOSMART, DST )
Support New 16x DVD-R Media
( 12x writing:FUJIFILM, BEALL, LEADDATA, OPTDISC, MBI, AMC, PRODISC, INTERAXIA, GIGASTRAGE, MJC, FTI, PRINCO, KINGDISC, RITEK, CMC, DAXON )
Support New 4x DVD-R DL Media
( 4x writing:CMC )
Support New 6x DVD-RW Media
( 6x writing:TDK )
Support New 8x +R Media
( 8x writing:PHILIPS, INFODISC, UMEDISC, WEALTH FAIR, MAM-E, INTERAXIA, AMC )
Support New 16x +R Media
( 12x writing:MUST TECH, OPTDISC, DAXON, LEADDATA, LGE, GIGASTRAGE, FTI, RITEK )
( 8x writing:E-TOP )
Support New 8x +R DL Media
( 8x writing:Verbatim )
Support New 8x +RW Media
( 8x writing:Verbatim )
( 6x writing:SONY )
DVD-R/+R Writability has improved.
DVD-R/+R DL Writability has improved.
DVD-RW/+RW Writability has improved.
DVD-RAM Writability has improved.
DVD-RAM Readability has improved.
¥Problems which unable to set up some of the CD-Extra media are solved.
¥Format error problem on +RW media combined with specific applications under the conditions Matsushita DVD-RAM driver installed in Windows ME or Windows 2000 are solved.

DVR-A10XL v1.39 - Download

DVR-110 v1.39 - Download

DVR-110D v1.39 - Download

Pioneer has also updated their list of supported media to reflect the changes in the new 1.39 firmware. If you have any comments or questions, feel free to leave them in our forum. Add a comment

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25 January 2006

The Japanese company Buffalo has announced a new series of drives based on Pioneer's upcoming 16x DVD±RW, the DVR-111D. Here are some of the specs for Buffalo's new DVM-RXG16 series:

DVD Writing Speeds: DVD+R: 16x DVD+RW: 8x DVD+R DL: 8x DVD-R: 16x DVD-RW: 6x DVD-R DL: 8x CD-R: 40x CD-RW: 32x

Read Speeds: DVD-ROM (Single Layer): 16x Max DVD-ROM (Dual Layer): 12x Max DVD±R: 12x Max DVD±RW: 8x Max DVD±R DL: 8x Max DVD-Video: 5x Max DVD-RAM: 5X Max CD-ROM: 40x Max

While the case, or chassis, has gone through some changes, the specs are very similar to the DVR-110D. We have not heard when Pioneer plans to ship the DVR-111D. However, Buffalo's new drives should hit store shelves by the middle of February. More information can be found here. Add a comment

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25 January 2006

DigiTimes has reported that Ritek recently received certification from Philips for their 8x DVD+R DL discs. According to the article, they are only the third manufacturer to do so.

Ritek, one of the top two makers of optical discs in Taiwan, on January 24 announced it obtained certification for 8x DVD+R DL (single-sided double-layer) discs from Royal Philips Electronics last week, becoming the only the third company to receive such certification.

Mitsubishi Kagaku Media (MKM, a subsidiary of Mitsubishi Chemical) and Ricoh in Japan are the only other two companies to have received the certification.

I could have sworn that Ritek got their 8x DVD+R DL discs certified back in October but I guess that wasn't the case. If you'd like to read more, the entire article can be found here. Add a comment

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24 January 2006

According to an article at DigiTimes, the Taiwanese media manufacturer Postech has decided to stop production of DVD+R/-R discs.

Postech, a second-tier producer of optical discs in Taiwan, has decided to stop production of DVD+R/-R discs in the first half of this year and shift to other products, according to industry sources. Postech declined to comment on the report.

Postech made the decision because its 8x DVD+R/-R discs are not competitive and the company has had difficulties upgrading to production of 16x DVD+R/-R or 8x DVD+R/-R DL (single-sided double-layer) discs, the sources pointed out.

I don't think many will be saddened by this as Postech had a very small market share, especially here in North America. If you'd like to read more, the entire article can be found here. Add a comment

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19 January 2006

Samsung sent out a press release today, announcing that they've completed the technical development of its Blu Ray Disc Drives.

TSST Korea (Toshiba Samsung Storage Technology Corporation) announced today that it has completed the technical development of its Blu Ray Disc Drives. These revolutionary products for the Optical Disc Drive market offer a massive storage capacity up to 25GB at a single layer disc.

"As a global technology leader, Samsung is always on the forefront of cutting-edge technologies, working to provide consumers with best-of-breed products," said Albert Kim, national sales manger, Storage Systems for Samsung SSI. "Samsung's announcement of the completion of its Blu Ray disc drive is a major step ahead in the ODD technology battleground."

According to Samsung's press release, the company plans to simultaneously launch both internal and external Blu Ray drives later this year. More information can be found here. Add a comment

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18 January 2006

Philips has announced a new way to license CD-R disc patents. Using their new Veeza system, traders and retailers will have a much easier time recognizing unlicensed discs. Here's part of Philips' press release:

Veeza makes it simple for everyone involved in the trade of CD-R discs to recognize unlicensed goods. With traditional patent licensing methods traders and retail companies tend to have difficulty in verifying that the goods they have purchased, are licensed and royalties have been paid. Veeza will make it easier to sell licensed CD-R discs and more difficult to sell unlicensed discs. Discs distributed under a Veeza-license can easily be traced and recognized by three clear marks: a logo that is embedded in the disc, a serial number on each package carton and an authenticity document, called Licensed Status Confirmation Document (LSCD). These three marks provide simple proof that a shipment with CD-R discs is licensed under Philips' patents.

To help promote their Veeza system, Philips will be reducing the royalty costs for Veeza-compliant companies by 44%. If you'd like to read more, additional information on Veeza can be found here. Add a comment