Toshiba launches HD DVD player in Japan
Published by Admin on 31.3.06 at 3/31/2006 09:24:00 AM.
Japanese electronics maker Toshiba Corp. on Friday started rolling out its high definition DVD players in Japan, becoming the first company to offer next-generation optical disc players worldwide.
Toshiba said its new HD DVD machines, which will compete with rival Sony Corp.'s Blu-ray technology, will sell for about 110,000 yen ($940) in Japan.
Toshiba said it would aim to sell 600,000 to 700,000 of the new machines globally in the fiscal year ending in March 2007.
It added that it would aim to launch HD DVD-equipped PCs in the April-June period. Link
Toshiba said its new HD DVD machines, which will compete with rival Sony Corp.'s Blu-ray technology, will sell for about 110,000 yen ($940) in Japan.
Toshiba said it would aim to sell 600,000 to 700,000 of the new machines globally in the fiscal year ending in March 2007.
It added that it would aim to launch HD DVD-equipped PCs in the April-June period. Link
Blu-ray and HD-DVD Alternative; VCDHD
Published by Admin on 30.3.06 at 3/30/2006 09:15:00 PM.
Last week three distinct entities from different parts of the world, Sprout CD of Ukraine, Russia-based Antrop-Studio, and the Dutch firm VDL ODMS, came together to introduce a new high definition format media called VCDHD, or Versatile Compact Disc High Density, which is said to compete with the current DVD standards.
VCDHD holds just as much data as curent single sided DVDs at about 4.7GB, but what the format leaves out is licensing requirements that our good old DVDs hold. According to VCDHD.com the VCDHD media is half the thickness of regular DVDs but are backwards compatible with current DVD players.
Other upsides to VCDHD over DVD, according to VCDHD.com, are the "reduction of errors in the beginning of the information zone" which is possible by an improved manufacturing process and overall improvements in the geometry of the disc. The materials used in manufcturing these discs are also said to not only make the media more reliable, but also to reduce the production time from 6-9 seconds it takes to manufacture a DVD to about 2 seconds to make a VCDHD disc. The rejection level is also decreased to about 1% compared to current processes. Link
VCDHD holds just as much data as curent single sided DVDs at about 4.7GB, but what the format leaves out is licensing requirements that our good old DVDs hold. According to VCDHD.com the VCDHD media is half the thickness of regular DVDs but are backwards compatible with current DVD players.
Other upsides to VCDHD over DVD, according to VCDHD.com, are the "reduction of errors in the beginning of the information zone" which is possible by an improved manufacturing process and overall improvements in the geometry of the disc. The materials used in manufcturing these discs are also said to not only make the media more reliable, but also to reduce the production time from 6-9 seconds it takes to manufacture a DVD to about 2 seconds to make a VCDHD disc. The rejection level is also decreased to about 1% compared to current processes. Link
PH-DVD format claims to bump discs up to 100GB
Published by Admin on at 3/30/2006 09:14:00 PM.
Just when you thought there weren't enough disc formats (HD-DVD, Blu-ray, VMD, EVD, HVD, and you might have missed VCDHD yesterday), here comes one more, PH-DVD. Apparently, by "exploiting the polarization element contained in all current DVD formats", Dr. Oron Zachar, founder of Polarizonics Corp believes he can triple the capacity of DVDs, HD-DVDs and Blu-ray discs, without changing the disc structure, replacing mass reproduction equipment and providing a new layer of protection against piracy. Link
NeoDigits 1080p HDMI DVD Player
Published by Admin on at 3/30/2006 09:13:00 PM.
The Helios HVD2085 is a feature-packed upscaling DVD player which enhances the functionality and performance-level of the current NeuNeo HVD2085.
The Helios HVD2085 is currently the only player in the market with the capacity to upscale standard DVDs to as high as 1080p resolution through component output. The player also has the capacity to upscale to 1080p resolution via HDMI output, and 1280x1024-pixel resolution via VGA output.
To cater to NeoDigits’ growing European market, the player is now able to support 480i and 576i resolutions. With 11 different resolutions to choose from, you have an even greater chance of getting the right match with your high-definition television for quality images with smoother and more pronounced details. Link
The Helios HVD2085 is currently the only player in the market with the capacity to upscale standard DVDs to as high as 1080p resolution through component output. The player also has the capacity to upscale to 1080p resolution via HDMI output, and 1280x1024-pixel resolution via VGA output.
To cater to NeoDigits’ growing European market, the player is now able to support 480i and 576i resolutions. With 11 different resolutions to choose from, you have an even greater chance of getting the right match with your high-definition television for quality images with smoother and more pronounced details. Link
Brainspark buys into new Polar High-definition DVD technology
Published by Admin on at 3/30/2006 09:12:00 PM.
Brainspark has announced that it is investing in Polarizonics Corp. Dr. Oron Zachar, founder of Polarizonics Corp (PL), has developed a method of potentially increasing the data storage capacity and read rate of both red and blue laser DVDs by up to three times, a process described as Polar High-definition DVD (PH-DVD) Technology. This technology exploits the polarization element contained in all current DVD formats which is not being used for the physical encoding of the information on the disc. Polar High-definition will significantly increase both the speed and capacity of DVDs. Applications have been made for patents in respect of this technology.
The PH-DVD format can be applied as a modification to increase the data read rate and capacity of any of the competing blue laser formats (such as Sony Blu-Ray and Toshiba HD-DVD). Moreover, the Polarizonics Technology may provide for a red-laser capability to support HD content. Thus, with the potential for over 100GB discs, this innovation is of particular importance for satisfying the coming demands of increased disc capacity of HD video content of movies and video games. Importantly Polarizonics Technology requires no change in the disc structure itself, and present mass replication equipment can be used without modification or additional costs. Hence, PT can be brought to market within a very short time scale. The PH-DVD format also introduces a new hardware level suppression of the possibility of unlicensed replication piracy.
Francesco Gardin, Brainspark chairman commented: "We believe that Polarizonics Technology, developed by leading scientists, could have a significant impact on the development of high definition DVDs. Nevertheless, the Board is aware that this is a high-risk investment given the highly competitive nature of this market." Link
The PH-DVD format can be applied as a modification to increase the data read rate and capacity of any of the competing blue laser formats (such as Sony Blu-Ray and Toshiba HD-DVD). Moreover, the Polarizonics Technology may provide for a red-laser capability to support HD content. Thus, with the potential for over 100GB discs, this innovation is of particular importance for satisfying the coming demands of increased disc capacity of HD video content of movies and video games. Importantly Polarizonics Technology requires no change in the disc structure itself, and present mass replication equipment can be used without modification or additional costs. Hence, PT can be brought to market within a very short time scale. The PH-DVD format also introduces a new hardware level suppression of the possibility of unlicensed replication piracy.
Francesco Gardin, Brainspark chairman commented: "We believe that Polarizonics Technology, developed by leading scientists, could have a significant impact on the development of high definition DVDs. Nevertheless, the Board is aware that this is a high-risk investment given the highly competitive nature of this market." Link
First 8x DVD-R DL by Mitsubishi Chemicals
Published by Admin on at 3/30/2006 09:12:00 PM.
Mitsubishi Chemicals announced on Thursday that the company's first 8X DVD-R DL will be available at the end of April.
The new dicscs are identified by the various DVD recorders with the MKM 03RD 30 MID code, and they are certified for recording at the 2-8x speeds. Link
The new dicscs are identified by the various DVD recorders with the MKM 03RD 30 MID code, and they are certified for recording at the 2-8x speeds. Link
Double Layer DVD+RW Media Closer to Production
Published by Admin on at 3/30/2006 09:11:00 PM.
With the finalization of the Basic Format Specifications for the Dual Layer DVD+RW discs, the first media should be expected later this year.
The DVD+RW Alliance announced the establishment of the "DVD+RW DL" format almost two years ago. Philips released the DVD+RW part 2: Dual Layer, volume 1; DVD+RW 8.5 Gbytes, Basic Format Specifications, version 1.0, earlier this month.
The recording speed for DVD+RW DL recording is not expected to reach the current speed available for single layer DVD+R, due to the high power requirements for dual layer recording. The 2.4x is the debut speed for dual recording, expected to reach 4X in one year. Initial media will be write-once, while 8cm discs are also included in the specifications, offering 2.66GB available space per layer.
The DVD+RW DL media use two phase-change layers. The first semi-transparent layer should be formed in a way that it would balance transparency characteristics with efficient laser beam absorption just like it is the case with single layer recordable DVDs.
High transparency could be achieved by using a thinner recording layer, but this would result in a drop of laser absorption, which is insufficient to form and erase marks (recording signal patterns). Link
The DVD+RW Alliance announced the establishment of the "DVD+RW DL" format almost two years ago. Philips released the DVD+RW part 2: Dual Layer, volume 1; DVD+RW 8.5 Gbytes, Basic Format Specifications, version 1.0, earlier this month.
The recording speed for DVD+RW DL recording is not expected to reach the current speed available for single layer DVD+R, due to the high power requirements for dual layer recording. The 2.4x is the debut speed for dual recording, expected to reach 4X in one year. Initial media will be write-once, while 8cm discs are also included in the specifications, offering 2.66GB available space per layer.
The DVD+RW DL media use two phase-change layers. The first semi-transparent layer should be formed in a way that it would balance transparency characteristics with efficient laser beam absorption just like it is the case with single layer recordable DVDs.
High transparency could be achieved by using a thinner recording layer, but this would result in a drop of laser absorption, which is insufficient to form and erase marks (recording signal patterns). Link
Universal won't downsample HD DVD content
Published by Admin on 28.3.06 at 3/28/2006 08:58:00 AM.
Add Universal to the list of studios that won't downsample content for owners of non-HDMI HD sets. The company follows Sony and several others in announcing its decision not to use the Image Constraint Token to force owners of older HD sets to watch their films at 540p instead of the discs' native resolution. The decision mainly affects owners of older analog HD sets, and shows that, at least as far as the studios are concerned, it's important to show some willingness to meet consumers (especially early adopters) half way in order to convince them to upgrade their gear to HD. Link
Samsung does DVD upscaling for a hundie
Published by Admin on at 3/28/2006 08:57:00 AM.
It's not like DVD players with HD upscaling are anything new, and we've seen our fair share of cheapo models, but Samsung is hitting new highs (rather, new lows) with their DVD-HD860 which does 720p/1080i upscaling for a mere $100. Not a lot more to say about it, there's HDMI output along with the usual component and RCA outs, but no HDMI cable is included. Link
Plextor Adds 5X DVD-RAM to 16X DVD+/-R Burners
Published by Admin on at 3/28/2006 08:56:00 AM.
Plextor(R) Corp., a leading developer and manufacturer of high-performance digital media equipment, today announced the immediate availability of the PX-750 family of 16X DVD+/-R/RW CD-R/RW drives. The new product line expands Plextor's family of value-priced CD/DVD drives designed for mainstream computer users who want reliable, lightning fast performance, but don't require professional recording features.
The PX-750 is the first drive from Plextor to support DVD-RAM functionality for removable data storage applications. Unlike other optical media formats, special burning software is not required to write media on a personal computer. A user simply inserts a blank DVD-RAM disc and the system automatically formats the disc and assigns a driver letter. Users can drag-and-drop files, use the "save as" command, and remove the disc, which can then be read in any PC or desktop player with a drive that supports the DVD-RAM format. The DVD-RAM format offers up to 9.4 GB per double-sided disc.
"The new PX-750 series supports one of the features most requested by Plextor customers -- DVD-RAM functionality," said Pete Schwartz, vice president of marketing and business development for Plextor. "On a per gigabyte basis, DVD-RAM is less expensive than removable magnetic media, which makes it a great alternative for everyday data storage."
PX-750 DVD+/-R/RW Drives
The PX-750 family of drives delivers state-of-the-art DVD recording speeds of 16X DVD+/-R on single-layer media, 8X DVD+/-R on Double-Layer and Dual-Layer (DL) media, and 5X DVD-RAM. The drives also support 8X DVD+RW, 6X DVD-RW, 16X max DVD-ROM, 40X CD-R, 24X CD-RW, and 40X max CD-ROM. DVD+/-VR is supported for direct disc recording, while DVD+RW background format eliminates the need to manually format a DVD+RW disc.
Link
The PX-750 is the first drive from Plextor to support DVD-RAM functionality for removable data storage applications. Unlike other optical media formats, special burning software is not required to write media on a personal computer. A user simply inserts a blank DVD-RAM disc and the system automatically formats the disc and assigns a driver letter. Users can drag-and-drop files, use the "save as" command, and remove the disc, which can then be read in any PC or desktop player with a drive that supports the DVD-RAM format. The DVD-RAM format offers up to 9.4 GB per double-sided disc.
"The new PX-750 series supports one of the features most requested by Plextor customers -- DVD-RAM functionality," said Pete Schwartz, vice president of marketing and business development for Plextor. "On a per gigabyte basis, DVD-RAM is less expensive than removable magnetic media, which makes it a great alternative for everyday data storage."
PX-750 DVD+/-R/RW Drives
The PX-750 family of drives delivers state-of-the-art DVD recording speeds of 16X DVD+/-R on single-layer media, 8X DVD+/-R on Double-Layer and Dual-Layer (DL) media, and 5X DVD-RAM. The drives also support 8X DVD+RW, 6X DVD-RW, 16X max DVD-ROM, 40X CD-R, 24X CD-RW, and 40X max CD-ROM. DVD+/-VR is supported for direct disc recording, while DVD+RW background format eliminates the need to manually format a DVD+RW disc.
Link
Portable DVD-RAM Burner from Logitec
Published by Admin on at 3/28/2006 08:54:00 AM.
Logitec introduced on Monday a new protable DVD drive, the LDR-PMA8U2 with 5X speed DVD-RAM.
The new slot-loading type drive from the Japanese company is produced (OEM) by Pioneer. It delivers a 4X DVD±DL, an 8X DVD±R, an 8X DVD+RW, a 6X DVD-RW and a 24X CD-R/RW. Like mentionned previoulsy the DVD-RAM recording runs at a 5X speed. Link
The new slot-loading type drive from the Japanese company is produced (OEM) by Pioneer. It delivers a 4X DVD±DL, an 8X DVD±R, an 8X DVD+RW, a 6X DVD-RW and a 24X CD-R/RW. Like mentionned previoulsy the DVD-RAM recording runs at a 5X speed. Link
Vista, PS3 and HD-DVD Delayed - Who got Hurt Most?
Published by Admin on 26.3.06 at 3/26/2006 10:41:00 AM.
The last couple of days three major delays hit us early adopters. But who is hurt more? We or have the companies hurt themselves even more?
We all are waiting emotionally for the next big thing. It hurts of course every time when a company is breaking its promised delivery date and announces a delay of the product we heard so much about and imagined how cool it will be once we get our hands on one.
The last days we had to dodge three blows: Sony delayed officially the PS3, Microsoft delayed the Consumer release of Windows Vista and Toshiba delayed their HD-DVD player launch. How do you feel? Have you fully recovered? Looking at those three delays now, they are actually less painful then when they have hit us. Link
We all are waiting emotionally for the next big thing. It hurts of course every time when a company is breaking its promised delivery date and announces a delay of the product we heard so much about and imagined how cool it will be once we get our hands on one.
The last days we had to dodge three blows: Sony delayed officially the PS3, Microsoft delayed the Consumer release of Windows Vista and Toshiba delayed their HD-DVD player launch. How do you feel? Have you fully recovered? Looking at those three delays now, they are actually less painful then when they have hit us. Link
Next-gen HDTVs may hide first-gen HD DVD limits, says Microsoft
Published by Admin on at 3/26/2006 10:39:00 AM.
As Toshiba continues its multi-city promotional tour of North America for HD DVD, demonstrating its capabilities for patrons of Fry's Electronics and other stores from which they cannot yet purchase HD DVD players until at least April, one of the key remaining points of contention among would-be early adopters has been news that the first generation of HD DVD players, including Toshiba's HD-A1 and HD-XA1 models, are not capable of producing the best possible resolution for today's HDTV displays.
On Wednesday, a representative of the AACS Licensing Administrator body responsible for the principal copy protection mechanism for both HD DVD and Blu-ray players - who is also a Microsoft senior manager - told TG Daily that the fact that first-generation HD DVD players will only produce 1080 vertical lines of interlaced resolution (1080i) as opposed to progressive resolution (1080p) is immaterial, since owners of high-definition displays capable of rendering 1080 lines at 72 frames per second will be able to digitally reconstruct the 1080p image from the 1080i signal. Link
On Wednesday, a representative of the AACS Licensing Administrator body responsible for the principal copy protection mechanism for both HD DVD and Blu-ray players - who is also a Microsoft senior manager - told TG Daily that the fact that first-generation HD DVD players will only produce 1080 vertical lines of interlaced resolution (1080i) as opposed to progressive resolution (1080p) is immaterial, since owners of high-definition displays capable of rendering 1080 lines at 72 frames per second will be able to digitally reconstruct the 1080p image from the 1080i signal. Link
360 Dashboard to get upgrades and HD-DVD drive
Published by Admin on at 3/26/2006 10:38:00 AM.
Scott Henson of Microsoft has said that a group of people are considering on how to improve the Xbox 360 dashboard using some of the ideas from the Xbox 360 community.
Some of the upgrades looked at include a way to download content off the Xbox live marketplace in the background, upgrades to the music player and being able to do media playback from your PC without the use of the Windows Media Centre. Link
Some of the upgrades looked at include a way to download content off the Xbox live marketplace in the background, upgrades to the music player and being able to do media playback from your PC without the use of the Windows Media Centre. Link
Hitachi LG Delivers 8x DVD±R Burner For Notebooks
Published by Admin on 22.3.06 at 3/22/2006 10:35:00 AM.
Hitachi LD Data Storage developed the GSA-4080M, a new slim-type DVD burner for notebooks that suports 8x DVD±R recording.
The GSA-4080M uses a new slot-in loading mechanism, especially developed by HLDS to fit into the slim (9.5mm) drive case.
Along with the 8x writing for DVD±R, the drive is capable of 2.4x DVD+R DL, 6x for DVD±RW, 24x/10x for CD-R/RW and 5x for DVD-RAM. Link
The GSA-4080M uses a new slot-in loading mechanism, especially developed by HLDS to fit into the slim (9.5mm) drive case.
Along with the 8x writing for DVD±R, the drive is capable of 2.4x DVD+R DL, 6x for DVD±RW, 24x/10x for CD-R/RW and 5x for DVD-RAM. Link
Toshiba delays release of HD DVD players, Netflix jumps the gun
Published by Admin on at 3/22/2006 10:34:00 AM.
Toshiba, one of the companies promoting the HD DVD standard, showed their first round of players (the HD-A1 and HD-XA1) at the Consumer Electronics Show in January. At the time, the company planned to release these models some time in March. However, Toshiba has now announced that they will not appear until at least the middle of April, in order to coincide with the release of the first batch of HD DVD movies:
"Toshiba is currently working with major studios and major retailers to finalize sales dates of our players," the company stated. "In order to ensure maximum launch of HD DVD, we intend to synchronize launch of players with title releases from Hollywood studios."
The earliest possible date for the release of the players would thus be April 18, which is when Warner Home Video plans to release the titles Million Dollar Baby, The Last Samurai, and The Phantom of the Opera in HD DVD format. Link
"Toshiba is currently working with major studios and major retailers to finalize sales dates of our players," the company stated. "In order to ensure maximum launch of HD DVD, we intend to synchronize launch of players with title releases from Hollywood studios."
The earliest possible date for the release of the players would thus be April 18, which is when Warner Home Video plans to release the titles Million Dollar Baby, The Last Samurai, and The Phantom of the Opera in HD DVD format. Link
Goodmans GDVDR305 DVBT DVD Recorder
Published by Admin on at 3/22/2006 10:29:00 AM.
Despite being one of the cheapest DVD recorders available, Goodmans has crammed a digital TV tuner into this machine. This makes it a cinch to record shows – you just pick what you want from the seven-day Electronic Programme Guide (EPG).
Reception from the digital tuner is good, but this is badly let down by its recording quality. Despite being recorded at the deck’s highest quality setting, the sharp edges of the CGI stuff in an episode of Doctor Who looked smudgy.
The unit is also slow to respond to remote control commands, and has a tendency to seize up when performing certain functions, while the digital tuner is sluggish when it comes to switching channels and using interactive services. Link
Reception from the digital tuner is good, but this is badly let down by its recording quality. Despite being recorded at the deck’s highest quality setting, the sharp edges of the CGI stuff in an episode of Doctor Who looked smudgy.
The unit is also slow to respond to remote control commands, and has a tendency to seize up when performing certain functions, while the digital tuner is sluggish when it comes to switching channels and using interactive services. Link
Vista HD DVD support confirmed
Published by Admin on 21.3.06 at 3/21/2006 04:56:00 PM.
Clarifying Microsoft’s occasionally murky position when it comes to HD DVD, it has been revealed that the latest Windows OS, Vista, will be coming with native HD DVD support. Well obviously you’ll need things like an HD DVD drive, HDCP compliant graphics card and monitor to match but other than that its all ready to go. Link
Toshiba may delay HD DVD players rollout to coincide with movie releases
Published by Admin on at 3/21/2006 04:54:00 PM.
"Toshiba is currently working with major studios and major retailers to finalize sales dates of our players," the company stated. "In order to ensure maximum launch of HD DVD, we intend to synchronize launch of players with title releases from Hollywood studios."
However, the company also indicated that its rollout tour of HD DVD in major retail outlets across the US is continuing, "to make pre-sale HD DVD demonstrations in 40 major cities." As an impromptu poll of some retailers slated to serve as tour destinations, conducted by members of the AV Science Forum, indicated, not only did all participating retailers respond that they expect the HD DVD tour to continue as scheduled, but some also stated they were expecting to have players available prior to 18 April, and to sell some of them even if movies had yet to be made available.
It was going to be difficult enough for some tour sites to demonstrate HD DVD without movies. Now, some may have to manage doing so without players - at least, without merchandise beyond the scale of prototype models that Toshiba displayed to the public last January.
The cause for the delay of HD DVD movies, as we've reported here, appears to concern how studios intend to implement key features of Advanced Access Copy System (AACS) copy protection. Although most studios had been believed to be key proponents of a function of AACS that would automatically reduce the resolution of output to analog devices, in order to serve against them being used as piracy vehicles, Disney and Paramount recently joined 20th Century-Fox and Sony in their opposition to the Image Constraint Token (ICT). Universal currently appears to continue to support ICT, but Warner - which had the earliest slated HD DVD releases prior to its announcement of the 18 April delay - may now find itself on the fence. Warner Home Video has yet to issue a response to TG Daily regarding its current stand on AACS, although the company continues to communicate with us on other matters. Link
However, the company also indicated that its rollout tour of HD DVD in major retail outlets across the US is continuing, "to make pre-sale HD DVD demonstrations in 40 major cities." As an impromptu poll of some retailers slated to serve as tour destinations, conducted by members of the AV Science Forum, indicated, not only did all participating retailers respond that they expect the HD DVD tour to continue as scheduled, but some also stated they were expecting to have players available prior to 18 April, and to sell some of them even if movies had yet to be made available.
It was going to be difficult enough for some tour sites to demonstrate HD DVD without movies. Now, some may have to manage doing so without players - at least, without merchandise beyond the scale of prototype models that Toshiba displayed to the public last January.
The cause for the delay of HD DVD movies, as we've reported here, appears to concern how studios intend to implement key features of Advanced Access Copy System (AACS) copy protection. Although most studios had been believed to be key proponents of a function of AACS that would automatically reduce the resolution of output to analog devices, in order to serve against them being used as piracy vehicles, Disney and Paramount recently joined 20th Century-Fox and Sony in their opposition to the Image Constraint Token (ICT). Universal currently appears to continue to support ICT, but Warner - which had the earliest slated HD DVD releases prior to its announcement of the 18 April delay - may now find itself on the fence. Warner Home Video has yet to issue a response to TG Daily regarding its current stand on AACS, although the company continues to communicate with us on other matters. Link
XBox 360 DVD Firmware Hacked
Published by Admin on 20.3.06 at 3/20/2006 05:43:00 PM.
It was bound to happen sooner or later, a team of hackers lead by “TheSpecialist” have cracked the 360’s DVD drive firmware which allowed them to run a backup of Project Gotham Racing 3. Unfortunately, the modified firmware will not be publicly released for download. Video clip after the jump. Link
HD-DVD, Blu-ray Disc Drives Coming Soon
Published by Admin on 18.3.06 at 3/18/2006 05:05:00 PM.
Launch timing for the HD-DVD and Blu-ray Disc optical disc formats became clearer on Friday with the disclosure by two companies of their initial sales plans.
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The two formats are vying to replace current DVDs for high-definition content, such as movies, and have pitted industry giants against each other. The main backers of HD-DVD include Toshiba, NEC, and Intel, while those backing Blu-ray Disc include Sony, Panasonic, and Samsung Electronics.
Sony said its first Blu-ray Disc player, the BDP-S1, will be available in the U.S. from July at about $1000. The company had previously committed to an "early summer" launch. Samsung plans to put a Blu-ray Disc player on sale in April. Link
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The two formats are vying to replace current DVDs for high-definition content, such as movies, and have pitted industry giants against each other. The main backers of HD-DVD include Toshiba, NEC, and Intel, while those backing Blu-ray Disc include Sony, Panasonic, and Samsung Electronics.
Sony said its first Blu-ray Disc player, the BDP-S1, will be available in the U.S. from July at about $1000. The company had previously committed to an "early summer" launch. Samsung plans to put a Blu-ray Disc player on sale in April. Link
Vista May Not Support HD DVD at Launch
Published by Admin on at 3/18/2006 05:04:00 PM.
It seems as if the next version of Windows known as Vista won't support HD DVD at its launch. The software architecture will recognize both Blu-ray and HD-DVD next generation formats but we may need to wait for third party drivers. Link
After Years Of Talk, High-Def DVD Era Set For Soft Launch
Published by Admin on at 3/18/2006 05:02:00 PM.
Sony's (SNE) rival Blu-ray Disc is expected to follow two months later. Then it will be up to consumers to pick a winner. The face-off of HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc promises to be the biggest format war since VHS beat Betamax in the videocassette market in the 1980s.
Analysts say consumers' choice likely will come down to content. Hollywood movie studios are split on the two formats, but more side with Blu-ray.
Still, HD DVD has some big studios in its camp. They include Time Warner's (TWX) Warner Home Video, Viacom's (VIA) Paramount Pictures Home Entertainment and General Electric's (GE) majority owned Universal Pictures.
Studios backing Blu-ray include News Corp.'s (NWS) 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, Sony's Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and Walt Disney's (DIS) Buena Vista Home Entertainment.
Some studios that first backed HD DVD have decided to support both formats. Paramount and Warner said earlier this year they'd release movies on Blu-ray Disc as well as HD DVD. Link
Analysts say consumers' choice likely will come down to content. Hollywood movie studios are split on the two formats, but more side with Blu-ray.
Still, HD DVD has some big studios in its camp. They include Time Warner's (TWX) Warner Home Video, Viacom's (VIA) Paramount Pictures Home Entertainment and General Electric's (GE) majority owned Universal Pictures.
Studios backing Blu-ray include News Corp.'s (NWS) 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment, Sony's Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and Walt Disney's (DIS) Buena Vista Home Entertainment.
Some studios that first backed HD DVD have decided to support both formats. Paramount and Warner said earlier this year they'd release movies on Blu-ray Disc as well as HD DVD. Link
HD-DVD players to launch without titles
Published by Admin on at 3/18/2006 05:00:00 PM.
The studio also has scaled back its launch to just three titles: "Million Dollar Baby," "The Phantom of the Opera" and "The Last Samurai."
Stephen Nickerson, the studio's senior VP market management, attributed the delay to technical issues.
"Everything we do is new," he said. "We're using new copy protection, new compression, new codecs, and we want to make sure the product that goes out is flawless."
The remaining 17 titles in the first wave of Warner's HD-DVD launch -- the total also has been scaled back from the 24 announced at the Consumer Electronics Show in January to 20 -- will be released in subsequent weeks, he said. These include "Batman Begins," "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and "The Matrix." Link
Stephen Nickerson, the studio's senior VP market management, attributed the delay to technical issues.
"Everything we do is new," he said. "We're using new copy protection, new compression, new codecs, and we want to make sure the product that goes out is flawless."
The remaining 17 titles in the first wave of Warner's HD-DVD launch -- the total also has been scaled back from the 24 announced at the Consumer Electronics Show in January to 20 -- will be released in subsequent weeks, he said. These include "Batman Begins," "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and "The Matrix." Link
Sony RDR-GX210 DVD recorder
Published by Admin on at 3/18/2006 05:00:00 PM.
Sony’s recorder is a versatile beast, working with DVD+R/RW and DVD-R/RW discs – that’s four of the five main recordable formats.
Feed this unit a decent source, such as a Freeview signal, and it’ll give you primo recordings. On its highest definition setting, the lavish colours and details in a recording of Rome are almost identical to the original, but even in lower quality modes a good performance is assured. Link
Feed this unit a decent source, such as a Freeview signal, and it’ll give you primo recordings. On its highest definition setting, the lavish colours and details in a recording of Rome are almost identical to the original, but even in lower quality modes a good performance is assured. Link
HD DVD and Blu-ray get launch dates
Published by Admin on at 3/18/2006 04:59:00 PM.
Toshiba has announced a March launch for its HD DVD format player, making it first to market in the new format. However, this date may be put back to April coincide with the first films to appear on HD DVD.
Warner Home Video said it will release three HD DVD films on April 18th: Million Dollar Baby, The Last Samurai and The Phantom of the Opera. Warner will follow those up with 17 other titles, including Batman Begins, Constantine, Training Day and The Matrix.
The rival Blu-ray format is set to have its first working DVD player in the shops in April. Samsung will launch its player that month, although Sony won't have its first model available until July. Sony said its BDP-S1 Blu-ray player will cost around $1,000 (£570).
However, the launch of the Blu-ray players may also be delayed until content for that platform is available. The earliest Blu-ray titles won't be released until May 23rd.
In a move that will please consumers not wanting to back a doomed format, LG is creating a player that handles discs from both systems. Link
Warner Home Video said it will release three HD DVD films on April 18th: Million Dollar Baby, The Last Samurai and The Phantom of the Opera. Warner will follow those up with 17 other titles, including Batman Begins, Constantine, Training Day and The Matrix.
The rival Blu-ray format is set to have its first working DVD player in the shops in April. Samsung will launch its player that month, although Sony won't have its first model available until July. Sony said its BDP-S1 Blu-ray player will cost around $1,000 (£570).
However, the launch of the Blu-ray players may also be delayed until content for that platform is available. The earliest Blu-ray titles won't be released until May 23rd.
In a move that will please consumers not wanting to back a doomed format, LG is creating a player that handles discs from both systems. Link
Warner Delays HD DVD Disc Launch
Published by Admin on at 3/18/2006 04:58:00 PM.
Bad news for soon-to-be owners of Toshiba's HD DVD players: there will be no high-definition movies to play on those units for at least three weeks. This is due to a delay by Warner Home Video, which was widely expected to provide the first discs.
Blaming the delay on technical issues, the studio said the first titles would not appear until April 18, rather than March 28 as previously announced. Also, its list of launch titles has been scaled back as well to three: "Million Dollar Baby," "The Phantom of the Opera" and "The Last Samurai." Link
Blaming the delay on technical issues, the studio said the first titles would not appear until April 18, rather than March 28 as previously announced. Also, its list of launch titles has been scaled back as well to three: "Million Dollar Baby," "The Phantom of the Opera" and "The Last Samurai." Link
LG's 'ultra-multi' player could launch wave of HD DVD / Blu-ray hybrid components
Published by Admin on 16.3.06 at 3/16/2006 03:31:00 PM.
This news at least partially confirms speculation this week - the sort of thing that generally sweeps over the CeBIT show floor like a virus - that major CE manufacturers are planning rollouts of hybrid high-def disc players, which attendees are calling "ultra-multi" players, for lack of an official term. Such speculation was fueled by announcements from system-on-a-chip (SoC) manufacturers such as Atmel - the chipset producers of the CE world - of single, mass-produced components that could provide all the necessary logic for any kind of DVD player or recorder, high-def or low, blue-laser or red.
The language of such announcements made it clear to CeBIT attendees that the technological differences between Blu-ray and HD DVD players could indeed be so trivial as to make it non-economical for manufacturers to produce players for only one format. When first word of the possibility of hybrid components was leaked to the press last September, manufacturers who were squarely in one camp or the other (HP was a firm Blu-ray supporter at the time) discounted their likelihood. Now, HP has proclaimed its neutrality, as did LG last week. If Atmel's and others' claims prove true, then LG may be the first of a wave of companies to simply take the plunge, proclaim their neutrality, and address the high-def market as a whole. Link
The language of such announcements made it clear to CeBIT attendees that the technological differences between Blu-ray and HD DVD players could indeed be so trivial as to make it non-economical for manufacturers to produce players for only one format. When first word of the possibility of hybrid components was leaked to the press last September, manufacturers who were squarely in one camp or the other (HP was a firm Blu-ray supporter at the time) discounted their likelihood. Now, HP has proclaimed its neutrality, as did LG last week. If Atmel's and others' claims prove true, then LG may be the first of a wave of companies to simply take the plunge, proclaim their neutrality, and address the high-def market as a whole. Link
Sony delay adds twist to DVD format war
Published by Admin on at 3/16/2006 03:30:00 PM.
The battle between competing video games consoles has become inextricably intertwined with the imminent high-definition DVD format war that pits Sony and the backers of the Blu-ray standard against Toshiba's HD-DVD technology. Link
Pioneer DVR-DT100 DVD recorder with 800 GB hard drive
Published by Admin on 14.3.06 at 3/14/2006 01:31:00 PM.
Till now the Sony VGX-XV40S tuner with a storage capacity of 500GB was the largest. Pioneer has taken away Sony's crown with the DVR-DT100 which has a inbuilt 800GB hard drive which can store 92 hours of digital programming. It has an analog and a digital tuner which allow to record analog and digital broadcasts at the same time. The built in DV input terminal allows connecting a DV camera. Link
Toshiba 5.1 Surround Sound DVD Projector
Published by Admin on 13.3.06 at 3/13/2006 10:02:00 PM.
Toshiba has announced the innovative et20 projector with integrated DVD player, 5.1-channel audio system, and an exclusive Super Close Projection lens that will produce a 2-metre (diagonal) image from just 1-metre and a 1.5-metre image from only 70cm away.
The projector will also feature the Realta HQV video processor for delivering what’s acknowledged as the industry’s best image quality. The projector will have a retail price of $1900 (£1100) and will be available in April 2006.
Toshiba’s et20 will use the no-compromise Realta HQV processor, which makes any standard DVD video approach the image quality of HD video. Exclusive HQV features such as pixel-by-pixel noise reduction and advanced multi-cadence detection should ensure that any DVD will deliver outstanding image quality.
Realta ‘HQV Powered by Teranex’ encompasses true 10-bit video processing, full four-field motion- adaptive video deinterlacing for both standard-definition and high-definition signals, pixel-by-pixel temporal-recursive noise reduction, automatic film-mode detection, and pixel-based detail enhancement. It also uses the same video processing power - one trillion operations per second - as the $60000 (£34747) Teranex Xantus box. Link
The projector will also feature the Realta HQV video processor for delivering what’s acknowledged as the industry’s best image quality. The projector will have a retail price of $1900 (£1100) and will be available in April 2006.
Toshiba’s et20 will use the no-compromise Realta HQV processor, which makes any standard DVD video approach the image quality of HD video. Exclusive HQV features such as pixel-by-pixel noise reduction and advanced multi-cadence detection should ensure that any DVD will deliver outstanding image quality.
Realta ‘HQV Powered by Teranex’ encompasses true 10-bit video processing, full four-field motion- adaptive video deinterlacing for both standard-definition and high-definition signals, pixel-by-pixel temporal-recursive noise reduction, automatic film-mode detection, and pixel-based detail enhancement. It also uses the same video processing power - one trillion operations per second - as the $60000 (£34747) Teranex Xantus box. Link
NEC demonstrates HD-DVD R burning
Published by Admin on at 3/13/2006 10:01:00 PM.
NEC is demonstrating at the Cebit trade show in Germany this week a recently developed optical disc drive that can write to HD-DVD discs.
HD-DVD is a new disc format that uses blue lasers to achieve a storage capacity of about three times that of DVD. A single-sided HD-DVD disc can accommodate 15GB of data compared to 4.7GB on a DVD. It's one of two soon-to-be-launched formats that uses blue lasers. The second, Blu-ray Disc, can store 25GB on a single-sided disc but requires a more complex drive mechanism because the disc's physical structure is different than that of DVD and CD.
NEC is demonstrating the drive with media from Mitsubishi Kagaku Media, which is best known by its Verbatim brand name. The company is shooting high-definition video each morning at the show and burning it onto a disc for playback during the day, said Ryoichi Hayatsu, an NEC storage product division manager, in an interview. Link
HD-DVD is a new disc format that uses blue lasers to achieve a storage capacity of about three times that of DVD. A single-sided HD-DVD disc can accommodate 15GB of data compared to 4.7GB on a DVD. It's one of two soon-to-be-launched formats that uses blue lasers. The second, Blu-ray Disc, can store 25GB on a single-sided disc but requires a more complex drive mechanism because the disc's physical structure is different than that of DVD and CD.
NEC is demonstrating the drive with media from Mitsubishi Kagaku Media, which is best known by its Verbatim brand name. The company is shooting high-definition video each morning at the show and burning it onto a disc for playback during the day, said Ryoichi Hayatsu, an NEC storage product division manager, in an interview. Link
Blu-ray backer LG preparing HD-DVD drive
Published by Admin on at 3/13/2006 10:00:00 PM.
LG Electronics, one of the main backers of the Blu-ray Disc format, has started working on a player for the rival HD-DVD format, the company said at the Cebit trade show in Hanover, Germany, on Friday.
Blu-ray Disc and HD-DVD are new optical-disc formats that are being positioned as replacements for DVD for high-definition content. Both formats are planned for launch in the first half of this year. Discs for one won't work on players designed for the other so consumers face a choice between the two or waiting until a clear victor in the battle emerges.
"We are still behind Blu-ray Disc," said Annegees van Ligne, a spokeswoman for the company, "but we are preparing an HD-DVD player."
The move makes LG the latest Blu-ray Disc supporter to shift position. In late 2005 Hewlett-Packard said it would also support HD-DVD. LG stressed that its main support still lies with Blu-ray Disc, but that it's working on an HD-DVD player in case that format proves popular. Link
Blu-ray Disc and HD-DVD are new optical-disc formats that are being positioned as replacements for DVD for high-definition content. Both formats are planned for launch in the first half of this year. Discs for one won't work on players designed for the other so consumers face a choice between the two or waiting until a clear victor in the battle emerges.
"We are still behind Blu-ray Disc," said Annegees van Ligne, a spokeswoman for the company, "but we are preparing an HD-DVD player."
The move makes LG the latest Blu-ray Disc supporter to shift position. In late 2005 Hewlett-Packard said it would also support HD-DVD. LG stressed that its main support still lies with Blu-ray Disc, but that it's working on an HD-DVD player in case that format proves popular. Link
Fujitsu Siemens to do both HD-DVD and Blu-ray
Published by Admin on 11.3.06 at 3/11/2006 07:35:00 PM.
Following LG's lead, Fujitsu-Siemens has announced that it too will avoid taking sides in the Blu-ray/HD-DVD war, and will support both platforms. "We don't take a stand in that fight, and actually we're very sorry that fight is happening," a Fujitsu-Siemens exec told Reuters. The move isn't exactly a shock: Fujitsu has already declared its neutrality, and Siemens has never endorsed either platform. Link
China disk format to tackle Blu-ray, HD-DVD
Published by Admin on 10.3.06 at 3/10/2006 01:49:00 PM.
WITH ALL THE FUSS going on between the Blu-ray and HD-DVD camps, here in Hangover, news of the third way, EVD, is starting to emerge.
London-based firm, New Medium Enterprises, got together with Beijing-based E-World Technology, to define a standard which now has a support from around 10 other companies, mostly located in mainland China.
The Enhanced Versatile Disc is a new High Density standard with a far more reasonable price expectation for both media and players. EVD media has less capacity than either Blu-ray or HD DVD - but it's cheaper and has already become the optical disc standard in China. It is expected to become a major player across developing markets. Link
London-based firm, New Medium Enterprises, got together with Beijing-based E-World Technology, to define a standard which now has a support from around 10 other companies, mostly located in mainland China.
The Enhanced Versatile Disc is a new High Density standard with a far more reasonable price expectation for both media and players. EVD media has less capacity than either Blu-ray or HD DVD - but it's cheaper and has already become the optical disc standard in China. It is expected to become a major player across developing markets. Link
Toshiba et20 Projector with Built-in DVD Player
Published by Admin on at 3/10/2006 01:48:00 PM.
One innovative feature helps this Toshiba et20 projector stand out from the crowd. That is the built-in DVD player with “Realta HQV” technology which enhances picture quality to HD levels. When it comes to projection, the et20 can produce a six-foot image from a distance of three feet. It goes on sale in April at the price of $1900 USD. Link
Amazon considers DVD download service
Published by Admin on at 3/10/2006 01:47:00 PM.
Amazon.com is in talks with three Hollywood studios about starting a service that would allow consumers to download movies and TV shows for a fee and burn them onto DVDs, according to three people briefed on the discussions.
If the advanced negotiations are successfully concluded, Amazon's service would position itself in the media world alongside rivals like Apple Computer's iTunes as a place where people go not just to order goods to be sent by mail, but to instantly enjoy digital wares as well.
So far, Paramount Pictures, Universal Studios and Warner Brothers are engaged in the talks, said one person close to the talks who, like the others, asked not to be identified because the negotiations are continuing. Link
If the advanced negotiations are successfully concluded, Amazon's service would position itself in the media world alongside rivals like Apple Computer's iTunes as a place where people go not just to order goods to be sent by mail, but to instantly enjoy digital wares as well.
So far, Paramount Pictures, Universal Studios and Warner Brothers are engaged in the talks, said one person close to the talks who, like the others, asked not to be identified because the negotiations are continuing. Link
Verbatim/MKM Announces New Archival Grade DVD-R Media; Revolutionary Dual Reflective Layer Extends Verbatim/MKM Leadership in Media Durability and Com
Published by Admin on at 3/10/2006 01:46:00 PM.
Verbatim/MKM), announced today a breakthrough in archival media technology that will provide government agencies, organizations and end users with highly compatible, super long life DVD media for storing critical data and preserving precious memories. The new technology, which has been submitted for patent protection, is based on the company's new Dual Reflective Layer technology. Verbatim will leverage this unique technology to deliver superior 8x speed DVD-R archival-grade media in Q2 2006. Link
When can I buy an HD DVD player?
Published by Admin on 9.3.06 at 3/09/2006 10:02:00 AM.
At the end of next month, but there's a catch: it will be built in to a portable Toshiba Qosmio G30 Core Duo-based PC that costs about £2,000. Nice, if you can afford it. But there's no need to rush, because there aren't any high definition HD DVD movies to play on it.
"This is more of a future-proofing option for the consumer," says Andy Bass, director and general manager of Toshiba Information Systems UK. In other words, G30 buyers will be HD DVD-ready when films are released, with the first ones appearing "in the April/May time-frame".
The first films might even be launched alongside a consumer-style HD DVD player, but if so, that's a different part of Toshiba and not Bass's problem.
Either way, the G30 shows that you can put an HD DVD drive in a laptop, if anyone seriously doubted it. It shows you can run movies via its HDMI interface on an external HDTV screen, as well as on its own better-than-HD-quality 1920 x 1200 pixel LCD screen, with Dolby home theatre sound. And the picture quality is impressive, being identical to Sony Blu-ray movies. (Both systems use the same sound and video codecs.) Link
"This is more of a future-proofing option for the consumer," says Andy Bass, director and general manager of Toshiba Information Systems UK. In other words, G30 buyers will be HD DVD-ready when films are released, with the first ones appearing "in the April/May time-frame".
The first films might even be launched alongside a consumer-style HD DVD player, but if so, that's a different part of Toshiba and not Bass's problem.
Either way, the G30 shows that you can put an HD DVD drive in a laptop, if anyone seriously doubted it. It shows you can run movies via its HDMI interface on an external HDTV screen, as well as on its own better-than-HD-quality 1920 x 1200 pixel LCD screen, with Dolby home theatre sound. And the picture quality is impressive, being identical to Sony Blu-ray movies. (Both systems use the same sound and video codecs.) Link
LG Elec to join HD DVD camp as well as Blu-ray
Published by Admin on 8.3.06 at 3/08/2006 06:41:00 PM.
Until now LG Electronics was firmly in the Blu-ray camp, together with most of the other big consumer electronics firms such as Sony Corp, Philips, Dell and Matsushita's Panasonic.
LG is the second high-profile Blu-ray supporter to change position after Hewlett-Packard, the world's second biggest PC maker, decided last month to also support HD DVD alongside Blu-ray.
LG expects to announce the first product later this year, its European president James Kim told Reuters on the fringes of the world's top electronics trade fair CeBIT.
"We will do both," Kim said.
HD DVD is a format supported by Toshiba and NEC.
Both formats offer more storage capacity than the current DVD format. This is needed to store high definition movies whose increased picture detail means they contain four to five times more digital bits of information. Link
LG is the second high-profile Blu-ray supporter to change position after Hewlett-Packard, the world's second biggest PC maker, decided last month to also support HD DVD alongside Blu-ray.
LG expects to announce the first product later this year, its European president James Kim told Reuters on the fringes of the world's top electronics trade fair CeBIT.
"We will do both," Kim said.
HD DVD is a format supported by Toshiba and NEC.
Both formats offer more storage capacity than the current DVD format. This is needed to store high definition movies whose increased picture detail means they contain four to five times more digital bits of information. Link
TDK to end CD, DVD manufacturing, shut Luxembourg plant
Published by Admin on at 3/08/2006 06:40:00 PM.
TDK, a key member of a global industry group formed to push standardization of the next-generation Blu-ray DVD specifications, will marshal its business resources behind Blu-ray and other highly value-added products segments, the company said.
TDK will dismiss the 400 workers at the Luxembourg plant, it said.
Retirement benefits and other costs associated with the plant closure will force it to book a smaller-than-expected group operating profit of 60 billion yen in the current year to March 31, compared with the earlier estimate of 68 billion yen.
TDK said the prices of DVDs, a key computer data storage medium, dived 38 percent in just the one year, while material costs for the large data-capacity disk shot up 35 percent during the same 12-month period. Link
TDK will dismiss the 400 workers at the Luxembourg plant, it said.
Retirement benefits and other costs associated with the plant closure will force it to book a smaller-than-expected group operating profit of 60 billion yen in the current year to March 31, compared with the earlier estimate of 68 billion yen.
TDK said the prices of DVDs, a key computer data storage medium, dived 38 percent in just the one year, while material costs for the large data-capacity disk shot up 35 percent during the same 12-month period. Link
Toshiba Announce M100 Series And Qosmio G30 HD-DVD Laptops
Published by Admin on at 3/08/2006 06:39:00 PM.
Toshiba is rolling out its first Satellite models with Intel Core Duo and Core Solo processors.
The new M100 series includes a 14.1-inch display, CD, DVD or DVD SuperMulti Double Layer drive, hard drives running from 40GB to 120GB, maximum memory of 2GB, WiFi and a 5-in-1 memory card reader.
A handy Express Media Player lets users access DVDs or CDs without the palaver of booting up Windows. Link
The new M100 series includes a 14.1-inch display, CD, DVD or DVD SuperMulti Double Layer drive, hard drives running from 40GB to 120GB, maximum memory of 2GB, WiFi and a 5-in-1 memory card reader.
A handy Express Media Player lets users access DVDs or CDs without the palaver of booting up Windows. Link
Toshiba Debuts Laptop With HD DVD-ROM
Published by Admin on 7.3.06 at 3/07/2006 04:56:00 PM.
After months of posturing it’s about time we saw actual products emerging from the next generation media battle and Toshiba has obliged today by releasing the first laptop we’ve seen with an HD DVD-ROM drive and it’s a corker…
Called the G30 it fits into the company’s Qosmio range and grabs all the headlines by integrating a front opening HD DVD disc drive which will take 30GB media, enough for feature length high definition movies. Link
Called the G30 it fits into the company’s Qosmio range and grabs all the headlines by integrating a front opening HD DVD disc drive which will take 30GB media, enough for feature length high definition movies. Link
NES DVD Player
Published by Admin on at 3/07/2006 04:55:00 PM.
VintageComputing managed to fit a CyberHome CH-DVD 300 DVD player into an old NES case, complete with retractable DVD tray, infared receiver, functional remote control, and stereo/S-Video/RCA jacks. This almost beats the Mac Mini NES we covered a few day ago. Look for more pics, a feature list, and one video clip after the jump. Link
LG Blu-ray Disc player to support HD DVD too?
Published by Admin on at 3/07/2006 04:54:00 PM.
LG has apparently abandoned plans to ship a Blu-ray DIsc player this Spring, and appears instead to be preparing a dual-mode system that incorporates HD DVD support too. So, at any rate, claims a memo allegedly sent by the company's US sales chief to staff last week.
The memo, cited by consumer electronics industry-watching website CE Pro, says the BD199 Blu-ray Disc player will not ship when originally intended because of "uncertainty in this early stage of the market for pre-recorded high-definition optical discs". Link
The memo, cited by consumer electronics industry-watching website CE Pro, says the BD199 Blu-ray Disc player will not ship when originally intended because of "uncertainty in this early stage of the market for pre-recorded high-definition optical discs". Link
Compare Image quality difference between HD vs DVD
Published by Admin on 4.3.06 at 3/04/2006 05:21:00 PM.
Being amazed at how fantastic the HD transfer of Fellowship of the Ring looked, I decided to compare it to the transfer on the DVD. Now, the DVD transfer is among the best you can find on DVD, so this really is comparing the respective creams of the crops.
I used WinDVD 6 to capture files from the DVD, and Elecard Mpeg2 player to capture from the HD stream. Both were captured directly to BMP files and converted to JPG at very high quality so there should be almost no artifacting introduced (sorry, the BMP files were too large to use).
I used Photoshop to bicubically resample the DVD source images from 852x480 to match the 1920x1080 of the HD images. This page features the HD image sampled down to the DVD's resolution of 852x480. Surprisingly, even at DVD-resolution the HD source features more detail. Link
I used WinDVD 6 to capture files from the DVD, and Elecard Mpeg2 player to capture from the HD stream. Both were captured directly to BMP files and converted to JPG at very high quality so there should be almost no artifacting introduced (sorry, the BMP files were too large to use).
I used Photoshop to bicubically resample the DVD source images from 852x480 to match the 1920x1080 of the HD images. This page features the HD image sampled down to the DVD's resolution of 852x480. Surprisingly, even at DVD-resolution the HD source features more detail. Link
Break-up sale for Rank's DVD division
Published by Admin on at 3/04/2006 05:20:00 PM.
The bingo-to-casino group Rank admitted yesterday it would have to break up its loss-making Deluxe Media division and sell the assets separately after a prospective buyer for the whole business walked away and its book value was slashed.
The leisure group, whose chief executive Mike Smith is leaving this month, also disappointed investors with a 14 per cent fall in annual profits to £85.4m, a lower-than-expected cash return of £200m and a 50 per cent dividend cut. Rank announced a rebasing of its dividend after the recent £430m sale of its Deluxe Film business. Link
The leisure group, whose chief executive Mike Smith is leaving this month, also disappointed investors with a 14 per cent fall in annual profits to £85.4m, a lower-than-expected cash return of £200m and a 50 per cent dividend cut. Rank announced a rebasing of its dividend after the recent £430m sale of its Deluxe Film business. Link
Why Microsoft picked HD-DVD
Published by Admin on 3.3.06 at 3/03/2006 04:36:00 PM.
MS employee lifts the lid on the HD-DVD/Blu-ray debate
Microsoft has outlined prohibitive pricing, faltering industry support and technical troubles as the reasons behind why it has turned its back on the Blu-ray next-generation DVD format for the upcoming external Xbox 360 drive.
Microsoft has long associated itself with the rival HD-DVD format but few reasons have been given why. But now Microsoft PR employee Cesar Menendez has reported on his Gamerscore Blog that the MS big cheeses were reacting to a number of worries about Blu-ray.
Menendez sat down with Microsoft’s next-gen DVD drive boffins and asked the simple question: “Why HD-DVD?” Link
Microsoft has outlined prohibitive pricing, faltering industry support and technical troubles as the reasons behind why it has turned its back on the Blu-ray next-generation DVD format for the upcoming external Xbox 360 drive.
Microsoft has long associated itself with the rival HD-DVD format but few reasons have been given why. But now Microsoft PR employee Cesar Menendez has reported on his Gamerscore Blog that the MS big cheeses were reacting to a number of worries about Blu-ray.
Menendez sat down with Microsoft’s next-gen DVD drive boffins and asked the simple question: “Why HD-DVD?” Link
Sony sets Blu-ray DVD release date
Published by Admin on 2.3.06 at 3/02/2006 10:21:00 AM.
With the battle between rival formats HD-DVD and Blu-Ray continuing, it's good to know that the Blu-ray camp has finally set a date when media for its forthcoming players will be available. Sony Pictures announced that 8 Blu-ray DVDs will be available on May 23rd across North America, with a second batch of 8 set for release during June.
The titles will come from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and MGM Home Entertainment, and will include such well known titles as "The Fifth Element" and "House of Flying Daggers." The discs are expected to cost 15-20% more than current DVDs. Link
The titles will come from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and MGM Home Entertainment, and will include such well known titles as "The Fifth Element" and "House of Flying Daggers." The discs are expected to cost 15-20% more than current DVDs. Link
Samsung 16x LightScribe DVD Burner
Published by Admin on 1.3.06 at 3/01/2006 09:38:00 AM.
Samsung has officially announced its new DVD±R DL burner, the SH-W162L (£35). Not only is the drive super speedy at 16x, but it’s equipped with LightScribe (Disc Labelling) technology.
The maximum speed for +R DL has been increased to 8x, while -R DL writing speed remains at 4x. In addition, the drive offers 8x DVD+RW and 6x DVD-RW media burning speed. It can also write +R and -R media at the maximum speed of 16x.
LightScribe is an optical disc recording technology that utilises specially coated recordable CD and DVD media to produce laser-etched labels. LightScribe was invented by Hewlett-Packard and licensed to numerous hardware manufacturers, media manufacturers and software developers.
Although currently limited to PC DVD/CD drives, HP has ambitions to make LightScribe present in consumer electronics products such as stereo-component CD recording decks and set-top DVD recorders.
The surface of a LightScribe disc is coated with a reactive dye that changes colour when it absorbs 780nm infrared laser light. The etched label lasts approximately 9 months under indoor lighting without fading, but optical media should always be stored in the dark, so the label should last longer than 9 months in real-world application. Link
The maximum speed for +R DL has been increased to 8x, while -R DL writing speed remains at 4x. In addition, the drive offers 8x DVD+RW and 6x DVD-RW media burning speed. It can also write +R and -R media at the maximum speed of 16x.
LightScribe is an optical disc recording technology that utilises specially coated recordable CD and DVD media to produce laser-etched labels. LightScribe was invented by Hewlett-Packard and licensed to numerous hardware manufacturers, media manufacturers and software developers.
Although currently limited to PC DVD/CD drives, HP has ambitions to make LightScribe present in consumer electronics products such as stereo-component CD recording decks and set-top DVD recorders.
The surface of a LightScribe disc is coated with a reactive dye that changes colour when it absorbs 780nm infrared laser light. The etched label lasts approximately 9 months under indoor lighting without fading, but optical media should always be stored in the dark, so the label should last longer than 9 months in real-world application. Link
New DVD format on the horizon
Published by Admin on at 3/01/2006 09:37:00 AM.
Sony Pictures said Tuesday it aims to deliver its new Blu-ray DVD format to U.S. stores May 23 to coincide with the entry of compatible disc players, a new step in an industry war for control of home movie viewing.
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and MGM Home Entertainment will first release eight Blu-ray titles, followed by another eight in mid-June. The first movie titles include "50 First Dates," "The Fifth Element," "Hitch" and "House of Flying Daggers."
Blu-ray is locked in a multibillion-dollar standards war against a rival DVD format known as HD DVD. The technology companies supporting HD DVD, championed by Toshiba Corp., plan to start rolling out movie titles and disc players in March.
Each side hopes to reignite a sagging $24 billion home video market with new players and discs that offer greater capacity and interactive features. Link
Sony Pictures Home Entertainment and MGM Home Entertainment will first release eight Blu-ray titles, followed by another eight in mid-June. The first movie titles include "50 First Dates," "The Fifth Element," "Hitch" and "House of Flying Daggers."
Blu-ray is locked in a multibillion-dollar standards war against a rival DVD format known as HD DVD. The technology companies supporting HD DVD, championed by Toshiba Corp., plan to start rolling out movie titles and disc players in March.
Each side hopes to reignite a sagging $24 billion home video market with new players and discs that offer greater capacity and interactive features. Link
Sony to acquire HD-DVD know-how through joint-venture with NEC
Published by Admin on at 3/01/2006 09:36:00 AM.
Sony's announcement comes just about a month after we learned that Toshiba, the main proponent behind HD-DVD could have access to Blu-ray through a joint-venture with Samsung: TSST (Toshiba Samsung Storage Technology) is currently developing a Blu-ray drive for Samsung, which is scheduled to announce the device in the US sometime in Q2 of this year. Link
Samsung intros Lightscribe DVD burner
Published by Admin on at 3/01/2006 09:36:00 AM.
Samsung today announced a 16x single-layer and 8x dual-layer DVD burner that includes Lightscribe technology, which lets users engrave labels, photos, and designs right onto the CD and DVD discs. Link
Matsushita Confident of Winning Next-Gen DVD Battle
Published by Admin on at 3/01/2006 09:35:00 AM.
Matsushita Electric Industrial's newly appointed president Fumio Otsubo expressed confidence that the company and its partners would win the battle for dominance in next-generation DVD players.
Otsubo said he would uphold his predecessor's policy of promoting the Blu-Ray standard.
Supporters of the Blu-Ray format, led by Matsushita and Sony, are waging a fierce battle against a rival HD DVD format being pushed by Toshiba and NEC, with the two sides vying to set the common standard in the lucrative market.
The Blu-Ray disc is expected to have greater storage capacity than the HD DVD but is also expected to be more expensive to make, at least in the short-term.
Otsubo said the Blu-Ray format is more suitable for use in large, flat screen television sets, now a rapidly growing market.
"We are confident that when high-quality content is observed through a large display, a big storage capacity is a strong point," Otubo told a news conference in Tokyo. Link
Otsubo said he would uphold his predecessor's policy of promoting the Blu-Ray standard.
Supporters of the Blu-Ray format, led by Matsushita and Sony, are waging a fierce battle against a rival HD DVD format being pushed by Toshiba and NEC, with the two sides vying to set the common standard in the lucrative market.
The Blu-Ray disc is expected to have greater storage capacity than the HD DVD but is also expected to be more expensive to make, at least in the short-term.
Otsubo said the Blu-Ray format is more suitable for use in large, flat screen television sets, now a rapidly growing market.
"We are confident that when high-quality content is observed through a large display, a big storage capacity is a strong point," Otubo told a news conference in Tokyo. Link
JVC delivers new DVD deck able to play jiggered DVDs!
Published by Admin on at 3/01/2006 09:34:00 AM.
JVC has announced that it intends to launch just one new DVD player in the near future – but this deck does at least have a quite interesting claim to fame: it’s the first we’ve seen from JVC to boast a Turbo Play, track adjustment system that lets it successfully play discs too worn to play on other DVD decks. Link
Toshiba SD-P2800 portable DVD player
Published by Admin on at 3/01/2006 09:29:00 AM.
Although the market is definitely shifting to the smaller (and often more portable) hard disk media players, there's still a demand for more traditional portable DVD players that can play a cross-section of media formats on a decent-sized screen, which is the case with Toshiba's latest portable DVD player - the SD-P2800.
The SD-P2800 features a 9 inch widescreen LCD panel with a 800 x 480 picture resolution, a generous 170 degree viewing angle, thanks to the innovative IPS projection system and three modes for audio playback, including 3D surropund sound. The 4.5 hour battery life should get you through the longest movie epic, with the unit back to full charge in just one hour using the rapid charge function. Link
The SD-P2800 features a 9 inch widescreen LCD panel with a 800 x 480 picture resolution, a generous 170 degree viewing angle, thanks to the innovative IPS projection system and three modes for audio playback, including 3D surropund sound. The 4.5 hour battery life should get you through the longest movie epic, with the unit back to full charge in just one hour using the rapid charge function. Link