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» Blu-ray Touching DVD PCs

      Although Blu-ray expected receive a strong sales boost due a cheaper Sony PlayStation 3 PS3 Slim launch research group iSuppli says Blu-ray still far popular in PCs notebooks.

» Rhapsody Hopes Appear iPhones

      RealNetworks submitted Rhapsody music subscription service Apple App Store week currently waiting approval.

» Apple's First HDTV Due 2011

      There a rumour going round t'interweb Apple entering HDTV market in 2011.

» Windows 7 Activation Hacked

      Chinese hackers reportedly managed crack Windows 7.

» Panasonic Blu-ray Gets Amazon Downloads

      Time again we wonder whether online video undermine Blu-ray so Panasonic covering bases a player handles both.

» DVD2SVCD http://dvd2svcd.doom9.net/

    Free in one DVD SVCD program A truly noteworthy program does ripping cutting mixing cd image creation.

» SmartRipper http://www.afterdawn.com/software/video_software/dvd_rippers/smartripper.cfm

    SmartRipper a DVD VOB file extractor (so called "DVD ripper"). program loaded nice features per-chapter splitting VOB files angle processing etc. also displays statistics length size max/min/average bitrate every chapter active selection. Highly recommended.

» RipItAll http://www.ripitall.be.tf/

    A simple efficient program includes every tool need convert DVD DivX.

» Backup DVD http://www.burnworld.com/software/dvdburning/backupdvd/backupdvd.htm

    A powerful tool COPY DVD movies VCD/SVCD just one click PC!

» DvD Ripp http://www.dvd-ripp.org/

    DVD-RIPP an automatic DVD-to-CD/DivX backup tool available in English French version Windows 9x/Me 2000 XP.

» 8x DVD-R RCP 1 & 12x Rip Patch

      This firmware makes drive RPC1 region free removes 2x rip speed limitation DVD-VIDEO enables 8 speed burning any DVD-R media.

» UndercoverXP

      UnderCoverXP a free program easily print CD covers. supports JPEG Gif PNG Bmp formats can automatically scale front covers back covers front + inside inlays DVD Boxes Playstation covers Pressit / CoolBela LD001 CD labels correct sizes.

» Media Player Classic v6.4.6.9 Win 2K & XP

      This tool can play video files can also an audio player. Media Player Classic example support DVD playback Ogg audio RealMedia Quicktime video. It's only one standalone .EXE file don't need install anything. Just launch .EXE file you're good go.

» Media Player Classic v6.4.6.9 Win 98 & ME

      This tool can play video files can also an audio player. Media Player Classic example support DVD playback Ogg audio RealMedia Quicktime video. It's only one standalone .EXE file don't need install anything. Just launch .EXE file you're good go.

» DivX 5.1.1

      DivX an implementation popular low-bitrate MPEG-4 standard. means basically need software installed in computer want watch encode DivX ;-) 3 DivX4 movies. version latest version codec gives best picture quality. compiled Windows codec version implementation. handles compression decompression so can start making own DivX videos straight away. DivX v5.1.1 according DivXNetworks "the most significant improvement in DivX ever".

» RiDisc RiSafe CD/DVD Library

Link:

discs I test always create me problems identifying disc being able lay my hands correct disc quickly so when RiDisc kindly supplied me new Disc Library storage system was answer my prayers.
Product features:
  • Each unit stores protects retrieves up 150 most 12 cm discs including data CDs DVDs music game discs.
  • The RiSafe DC-300's CD Library's fully motorized disc insert eject helps protect valuable discs.
  • The RiSafe DC-300's CD Library simple up linking computer via a single USB cable data connectivity - supplied.
  • Stack units up five high create a tower holds up 750 discs without any extra cabling rebooting computer.
  • Daisy chain machines USB control over 120 machines (that's over 19,000 discs) a single computer.
  • Use bundled content management software capture disc content.
  • Search RiSafe DC-300's database stored discs title keyword directory file name find eject any disc seconds.
  • The RiSafe DC-300's software so simple use storing managing protecting discs in time.
  • You can use RiSafe DC300 a standalone machine don't access a computer.
  • The RiSafe DC300 CD Library a key pad easy access stored disc's.
  • Database software works Apple Macs PC's
  • Scan / import disc covers.
  • Barcode function need facility.
  • The database software self expands plug in units via USB.
can download a full spec sheet here (pdf format - 200k).
unit a stylish solid structure enhance any PC home movie setup. take up 150 120mm discs CD DVD comprises a front loading carousel a lockable sliding door security. There a keypad front easy access any discs inside. operation unlike a mechanical juke box carousel spinning selected numbered disc ejecting it.
units available in two colours traditional PC cream dark grey. can stacked top other up a recommended a maximum 5 units per tower coinciding maximum 5 in USB daisy chain see diagram.
unit contains own internal USB hub can (in theory least) connect 127 DC-300s one computer a total 19050 discs any one PC You're certainly going able daisy-chaining a single port a computer a couple extra USB hubs a couple extra USB controller cards well should trouble running least a few dozen DC-300s.
units physically stackable bottom moulded plastic feet locating fixings top so wouldn't want too tall a totem pole without a solid attachment method web states a maximum 5 units stacked top other in manual suggests a maximum 3 without any securing probably maximum stability I Velcro sticky pads an ideal way securing top other a tower 5 secured way quite stable providing total weight 750 discs taken consideration.
unit comes own 9v DC power supply enabling operated independent PC via own keypad just selection location number 1 150.
When connected PC via USB DC-300 true plug & play generic Windows drivers recognising a "USB Human Interface Device" once installed Disc management software can easily catalogue entire disc collection easy retrieval. disc given a unique location ID Disc library number & carousel location a double click location starts carousel in he appropriate unit rotating in less 5 seconds front flap drops down disc ejected.
core CD Library system software. Unless reverse-engineer weird communication protocol being won't able hook CD Libraries any database one come with. You've got multiple categories one-click file indexing (you put disc indexed in PC CD/DVD-ROM drive course) comment fields vaguely useable picture index thing optional password protection. it's a 120mm disc should able index it. keep index safe prying eyes matters you.
Usability-wise CD Library 3.5 software remains something a blast past. gets job done interface isn't hideously clunky it's got online help error messages cryptic doesn't quite meet Windows interface standards (closing windows instead clicking OK nasty old Win3.1 file requesters...) it's got one manuals seems written programmers documented features less in order in implemented one particular gripe mine cannot update database saving program had exit updated database saved.
Once get hang way CD Library software works - create an entry a library ID (connect multiple libraries one own ID number) slot number category title then populate rest fields manually automatically - goes pretty quickly. There's a simple spreadsheet-looking data adding interface when want add multiple entries in one session; still manually enter unit slot IDs then type in category rather pick a drop-down list works well enough.
There also little frills ability select multiple discs ejection. ask one disc appropriate Library go first one pop out wait an advertised "3 5 seconds" - gives enough time grab disc - then head next one. want index audio CDs software features a "Get CDDB" button actually connects freedb.org get track listings. can attach CD artwork scans listings well only accepts BMP images create own thumbnails a choice jpg gif & png an asset.
can also back up transfer databases machines time-honoured copy-all-the-data-files-by-hand method software works under properly USB-aware Windows versions - Win98SE Win2000 WinXP WinME - under unspecified Mac OS versions well. I haven't played Mac OS software manual shows Mac OS X screenshots; I don't know whether previous USB-capable Mac OS versions work.
Overall
If just need a lot storage in one place a bunch 120mm optical discs probably best option. plummeting price commodity hard disk storage turned previously popular storage options including CD/DVD jukeboxes niche products. 150 700Mb CDs 105,000 megabytes a lot data print out then carry somewhere isn't impressive standards current hard drives. 150 4700Mb DVD-ROMs a rather imposing 705,000Mb single drive can yet touch - a RAID 5 array six 200Gb drives give around 800,000Mb spectacularly superior seek speed. a bunch 120mm discs need indexing though - DVDs VCDs PC console game CDs backups whatever - then CD Library II a good solution.
Conclusion
These stylish Disc Libraries look part Ideal storage easy access my discs especially DVD movies fast access (up 5 seconds) ability without PC interface makes a definite my collection
DC-300 also sold under DATASAFE & DataWrite brand names

» Plextor YUDEN000-T03 16x DVD+R

Link:


Click Spreadsheet
Plextor YUDEN000-T03
01 02 00 00 A1 0F 02 00 00 03 00 00 00 26 05 3F .............&.
00 00 00 00 00 00 07 59 55 44 45 4E 30 30 30 54 .......YUDEN000T
30 33 00 38 23 54 37 0B 02 5A 71 02 80 6F 0F 0F 03.8#T7..Zq..o..
0A 09 02 02 00 19 1B 0C 0C 0C 0D 00 00 00 00 00 ................
Overview
This tests Plextor branded 16x speed DVD+R media supplied in 25 & 50 cake tubs. top surface a matt metallic gold finish printed text being mirror finish half covered in 0s &1s other half supports Plextor logo media description 3 dotted lines writing discs contents. dye side an even mauve colour without any visible imperfections. disc manufactured Taiyo Yuden so I expect superior quality quoted Plextor
  • Manufactured Taiyo Yuden
  • Outstanding write quality
  • Superior reliability accuracy
  • Suitable DVD+R format (Data Video)
  • Disc surface coating protection against scratches
  • Available in 25 pcs spindle / 50 pcs spindle
Under Microscope
The drives we in our test lab most common ones in general use media tested 12 our drives. A full inventory test lab drives can in Battle_of_the_Burners review individual drive details can selected results pop up window
Click image relevant drive below graph results popup
TESTLAB DRIVES
Conclusion
Most burns achieved maximum burning speed surprisingly Plextor drive only managed achieve a maximum 12x speed out two 2 attempts. scan results very good 11 out 12 drives being only let down latest NEC drive I am sure improved a firmware upgrade. RPM (read Speed) graphs show almost perfect quality score comes out amongst best best
disc looks nice gold finish making look part another quality disc
Rating
  • Compatibility:
  • Burn Quality:
  • Value Money @ 31p
  • Overall:
90%
84%
93%
89%
Detailed Results Spreadsheet


» NEC ND-4551A Labelflash™ Enabled Multi Drive

Link:

The maximum writing speed DVD media almost peak likely go much faster 16x speed due limitations in rotational speed media easily shatter rotates any faster. So drive manufacturers now looking different features enhance products. NEC announced ND-4551A Labelflash™ drive additional support DVD-RAM disc burning
Quote:- "Labelflash™ delivers high image quality in 256 different shades. labelling process can take little seven minutes depending resolution selected. top side data side disc can labelled. burn images top disc requires specialised media. Labelflash™ discs a special top coating 0.6 millimetre-thick ensures image fade. Labelflash™ can burn images data side any standard disc in an area already written data."
I was anxious try out new technology in direct competition Lightscribe Technology & I was able obtain a sample drive before Christmas unfortunately there was Labelflash™ supporting software. I checked around could find any software readily available there reports available until February. software support Labelflash™ integrated a special Nero OEM version 6.6.1.3 was originally shipped bare drives. although an email NEC claimed otherwise
Quote:- "Thank taken time write us yesterday. We fully understand irritations regret gotten a wrong information. NEC Deutschland delivered NEC DVD bulk drives support LabelFlash necessary software burn Labelflash™ disks dealers. software already available drives don't wait until February."
My supplier a different story message was on web site before Christmas
Quote:- "Please Note: NEC yet include any software writing Labelflash™ discs. Customers required find an alternative solution"
technical staff tried hard before Christmas acquire software promised NEC week Christmas & New Year. Although Technical Staff work until week I received a copy Nero OEM software New Years Eve my thanks go putting themselves out me other disappointed Labelflashers.
software CD included Nero Express 6 insisted removing my existing Nero 6 first before installing. install I had lost Nero Burning Rom my LG Lightscribe software only had Nero Express. I then had reinstall Nero OEM LG Lightscribe software followed latest Nero 6.6.0.18 upgrade get my Nero functionality back & then reinstall 6.6.13 OEM Labelflash™ software again finally giving me Lightscribe & Labelflash full Nero Burning Rom
I since out reason when Nero 6.6.1.3 NEC software installed only installs Nero Express version because bungled OEM serial number Nero Express started "1A20" use full Nero Ultra Edition original serial number (which now removed registry) serial number begins "1A23" course own full Nero Ultra Edition use can upgrade Nero Site
reported users current version Nero 7 support Labelflash my experience allow writing burn side disc in fear overprinting data area thus rendering disc unusable. Nero 6.6.1.3 NEC Labelflash limits printable area unused portion disc prohibits printing over data area.

Eventually I got up running in absence Labelflash™ media I burnt a few test graphics underside blank DVD discs. time taken inscribe full disc graphics was 45 minutes best quality even was poor up my expectations. examining inscribed images I realised black areas had inscribed best contrast was in white area I did inscriptions time I images negative results came out much better.
images negatives I produce DVD



DVD was burnt an ISO a 8mm demo disc then Labelflash™ software produce graphics around outside. software automatically selected burn area unused space disc allowed enough margins around burn time was 30 minutes highest quality.

discs RiDisc Xtreme 16x DVD-R dark Purple Ritek dye I give best contrast in my images
According software burn time inscribe full area disc highest quality 46 mins can customised can take anywhere less 10 minutes 156 minutes. I doubt a seven minute inscription any use burn side. So far I unable obtain any Labelflash™ media print onto label side disc expect add review soon I obtain some
drive now part my Test Lab in future media reviews so watch out burning results
I received email requests me supply LabelFlash software should supplied NEC drive
Labelflash software can only supplied NEC should supplied bare drive according NEC
Here Two official statements I received NEC
This first one was Received before Christmas
Thank taken time write us yesterday. We fully understand irritations regret gotten a wrong information. NEC Deutschland delivered NEC DVD bulk drives support LabelFlash necessary software burn LabelFlash disks dealers. software already available drives don`t wait until February.
second reply received 12 Jan Christmas break
labelflash (retail-) burners distributed directly NEC Germany contain a bundled software CD included also labelflash function. A short "howto" manual can here: http://www.de.nec.de/productoverview.php/id/1340 (It linked page I actually HERE) receive any software CD when buying burner should contact immediate dealer suplier. standalone versions Nero shortly an update labelflash possible. (release)questions pls. contact customer support of Nero: http://www.de.nec.de/productoverview.php/id/1340

» RiDisc 16x RITEKF1 Silver & White Printable DVD-R

Link:

RiDisc
RiDisc
Overview
This pair discs printable versions popular RiDisc 16x speed DVD-R. silver faced pintables white faced pintables. MID code RITEKF1 performance DVD media similar difference being in actual top printable surface. silver finish a dull metallic grey when printed gives a 3D effect print engraved. white topped discs a mat white surface ideal printing in high contrast colours producing excellent results. Personally I prefer silver pintables subtle finish. discs MID come source I am just producing one tests cover types
Under Microscope
The drives we tests most common ones generally in use
If sure drive try buy a sample disc pack one online retailers ask local shop sell individual samples just sure. test results in review entered my newly developed Media Quality Spreadsheet totals analysed together current market price media value money calculated.
My algorithms incorporated testing software I use DVDInfoPro now integrated LightningUK's Imgburn burning data produce newly developed burn speed graph DVDInfoPro.
A recording drives Imgburn ISO burn mode then tested DVDInfoPro testing software.
Thee new features incorporated in latest releases software can downloaded site HERE
If click image relevant drive below graphs come up in a popup window.
TESTLAB DRIVES

Conclusion
Here again we seeing varied results very good very bad typical current 16x speed media. 12 months production still seems drive manufacturers quite got together when comes burning high speed media an exception most drives recognising 16x speed media only burning 12x less. Burning a lower speed maximum rated speed generally produce a better quality burn my tests I attempted burn discs maximum available speed.
The results my spreadsheet varied producing an overall rating 79% a value money 85% £26 per 100
Rating  
  • Compatibility:
  • Burn Quality:
  • Value Money:
  • Overall:
 70%
75%
85%
79%
Detailed Results Spreadsheet


» DataWrite Classic Yellow vs. DataWrite General Purpose Grey 16x DVD-R

Link:


DataWrite
Classic Yellow
DataWrite
General Purpose Grey

Overview
This next tests covers two popular Datawrite mid-range brands Classic Yellow the TTH02 mid General Purpose Grey PRODISCF02 mid. Yellows available in 25 cake tubs whilst greys can purchased in 50 piece cake tubs
Under Microscope
The drives we in test most common ones generally in use
If sure drive try buy a sample disc pack one online retailers ask local shop sell individual samples just sure.
test results in review entered my newly developed Media_Quality_Spreadsheet totals analysed together current market price media value money calculated.
My algorithms incorporated testing software I use DVDInfoPro which now integrated LightningUK's Imgburn burning data produce newly developed burn speed graph DVDInfoPro.
A recording drives Imgburn ISO burn mode then tested DVDInfoPro testing software.
Thee new features incorporated in latest releases software can downloaded site HERE

If click image relevant drive below graphs come up in a popup window.
TESTLAB DRIVES

Conclusion
These mid range discs results vary tests drives Yellows being less favourable newer Pioneer drives producing good results other drives. Greys produce good results Pioneer drives poorer quality burns LG & NEC drives. medias compare in average qualities value money being 2% other suitability depend DVD burner intend use in.
Rating
Classic Yellow General Purpose Grey
  • Compatibility:
  • Burn Quality:
  • Value Money @ 22p
  • Overall:
65%
75%
84%
77%
  • Compatibility:
  • Burn Quality:
  • Value Money @ 24p
  • Overall:
70%
73%
86%
79%
Detailed Results Spreadsheet Detailed Results Spreadsheet


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