Topic: News

Competition in the optical-disc drive (ODD) market is heating up, with HLDS (Hitachi-LG Data Storage), TSST (Toshiba-Samsung Storage Technology), NEC and Philips planning to offer additional ODD lines next year. Market competition is expected to become more intense than in 2004.

Philips will be revealing its prototype all-in-one PC writer that reads and writes CD, DVD and Blu-ray Discs. The demonstration will be held on the Philips booth #9004 at the CES 2005 exhibition. The introduction of this unique all-in-one PC writer is scheduled for the second half of 2005.

DVD guru Flash has received an unexpected Christmas present from Datawrite and CMC. He managed to talk them into giving him some 16 speed DVD-R to test. You can read Flash's review of the disc which will be branded the new 16x Datawrite Titanium and the Datawrite press release on The Titanium 8X DVD-R. There is also our full review on the Datawrite Titanium.

Mitsubishi Kagaku Media Co., Ltd. (MKM), announced commercial production of Japan's first UDOTM (Ultra Density Optical) disc with 30GB capacity. This new exiting product have been available in Japan starting in December 28.

Press Release: Gigabyte have unveiled its latest model of internal DVD Dual Drives - the GO-W1616C. It supports both 16X DVD+/-R writing, and 4X DVD+R Double Layer writing technology.

Ultima Electronics, a Taiwan-based manufacturer of optical disc drives (ODDs), on announced on December 27th a downward adjustment of its 2004 financial forecast for a second time, anticipating a net loss per share of NT$3.33.

Rumours are proliferating in several Internet discussion forums that Datawrite are to launch a full Face printable version of their best selling <a href="http://www.dvd-recordable.org/Article1695-nocomments-order0-threshold0.phtml"_blank">Datawrite Titanium DVD-R. Even Flash seems to have got in on the act with the following post on the famous <a href="http://www.disqworld.net"_blank">disQworld Media Discussion forum.

The festive season is in full swing at the Tate Modern and true to its name the decorations at the museum provide a modern twist on the traditional Christmas and New Year festivities.

The Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) announced that Bandai Visual, a worldwide visual production company, has joined the consortium that is currently almost 100 members strong and comprised of consumer electronics and PC manufacturers and content developers. With this announcement, consumers can expect to enjoy a rich high-definition library of Japanese animation, or Anime, and movies on a Blu-ray Disc.

InterActual have announced that New Line Home Entertainment's "The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King Special Extended DVD Edition" is shipping with an embedded virtual key that unlocks a special website filled with exclusive online features.

Ritek, the 2nd largest producer of blank optical discs in Taiwan, announced that its US subsidiary, MRT Technology, sold its entire 20% stake in Deluxe Global Media Service (DGMS), a joint venture with Deluxe, at US$16.204 million for a capital gain of US$800,310.

Philips India, a subsidiary of Netherlands-based Royal Philips Electronics, has increased its share in the digital video disc (DVD) market to 52% in 04 on the back of its recent price-cut strategy.

Online movie rental war in the United States is heating up between the world's largest movie rental chain Blockbuster and the number one online movie rental service, Netflix. The race has been in the works for years now, but the last few months have been interesting, as both companies have discounted heavily their subscription prices.

DVD Guru Flash managed to tear himself way from stuffing turkeys and wrapping presents for grandchildren to do a review of the Datawrite Titanium, which certainly seems to be the most talked about DVD-R disc in the market, judging by the amount of requests we have have had for his latest review to be published.

NEC Corporation announced this week that it has completed the development of technology capable of playing back HD DVDs, DVDs, and CDs with a single optical head, enabling creation of the world's first half height size drive suitable for desktop computer installation.

Daxon Technology, a second tier manufacturer of optical discs in Taiwan, recently secured certification for 16x DVD+R discs from Philips, the second manufacturer in Taiwan to receive certification. With CMC Magnetics being the first.

We have all been waiting with baited breath for <a href="http://www.dvd-recordable.org/Article1695-nocomments-order0-threshold0.phtml "_blank">Flash’s review on the Datawrite Titanium. Initial feedback from other sites on the net suggests a very favourable response.

Sony Electronics announced a new development in recordable DVD media with the introduction of AccuCORE technology, delivering an enhanced level of recording accuracy, compatibility and reliability.

Chrismas shoppers were being urged to hand over pirate DVDs during an amnesty in Glasgow city centre today. As an incentive, the first 50 people to hand over an illegal movie were being given a free copy of the genuine film.

Ultima Electronics and Protop Innotech, two manufacturers of optical disc drives (ODDs) in Taiwan, recently obtained certification from Philips to become additional OEM producers for them, according to other Taiwan ODD makers.