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» Google's Chrome Becomes Netbook OS

      Google releasing an operating system laptops desktops in a direct challenge Microsoft's money-making core business.

» Yahoo's Search Pad

      Yahoo today announced Search Pad beta a Yahoo Search feature lets people capture organize save share information find researching online.

» Sony Debuts Netbook

      If word "netbook" describes a tiny computer cheap components a weak processor Sony's Vaio P Vaio TT computers don't really qualify small are.

» CrunchPad Gets Green Light

      The CrunchPad a simple touch-screen computer Web-browsing only nearing reality a company formed oversee manufacture.

» Next LG Chocolate Screen 21:9

      Rumour next-generation Chocolate phone sport a unique aspect ratio 21:9.

» Verbatim http://www.verbatim.com/

    Verbatim's homepage

» Bulkpaq Media http://www.bulkpaq.co.uk

    Manufacturers bulkpaq dvd-r cd-r

» Whitelabel Media http://www.whitelabel-media.com

    White label media manufacturers generation 4 dvd media high speed cd-r dvd-r.

» Datasafe Media http://www.datasafe-media.com

    Datasafe Media manufacturers cd-r dvd-r media.

» DirectX Official Version 9.0b

      DirectX 9.0b an updated version DirectX 9.0 runtime includes bug fixes improves performance in graphics networking components. There new modified APIs in release.

» NEC 1300 Official v1.06

      This allows NEC 1300 burn PRINCO discs 4X 2X correctly. Official release firmware 1.06 NEC.

» Pioneer A06 Official v1.06

      Pioneer Official Firmware Upgrade Ver. 1.06. yet Pioneer give caveat: Caution Once drive updated version drive able restored an earlier firmware version. watch space.

» Sony DRU-510A Upgrade Version 1.0c

      The latest firmware 1.0c enables 4x writing Princo media Sony DRU-510A. upgrade compatible Sony DRU-500A.

» Easy CD-DA Extractor v6.0.0

      All-In-One music software; CD-Ripper CD-Burner Music File Format Converter. Shareware download: trial version registration $23.45/€19.95/£14.25

» RiDisc Inkjet Cartriges

Link: Foreward
This an independent test newest ink market long awaited RiDisc ink RiDisc time one market leaders in producing high grade low cost media now expanding ink industry. It's time good reliable compatible ink came onto market a price anyone can afford. Official Epson ink R200 can cost much £76 5 colours 1 black expensive buying printer in first place
an unofficial test a home rig results may differ slightly user user. findings can compared against my other ink tests a baseline should required.
Set-up
The R200 connected PC via USB. I am Windows XP's print facility (right click file choose print) print my images. printer driver I selected highest quality prints possible lower quality settings yield prints.
test see how long takes run one carts out then resetting cart see how long last reset. I SSC Service utility (v3.71) reset ink levels failing an ink resetting hardware tool.
papers are:-
  • Double sided Kodak picture paper glossy 190g/m2.
  • 6x4 paper 190g/m2 glossy photo paper Canon
Printing tips Different software applications can give a wide variety results. Printing picture in Photoshop Paintshop Pro Windows Print can give 3 totally different results due way prints pictures. Printing XP right clicking choosing prints default provide very dark images. can tweak settings give a much brighter normal print should desire. prints coming out how you'd expect probably printer likely way printing.
Different papers drastically affect how image also print. I a very wide range papers am amazed how can produce prints ends scales. One cheapest papers I (about 10p a sheet 210gsm paper) absorb ink quickly enough inks bleed other giving a blurred effect best similar someone smudging dropping water paper fresh print. other end scale I paper produces results third party inks give a quality matches a lot professional photographers.
Another issue I had low grade paper ink fully stick paper. can cause thin layer ink peel off printing slightly block damage print heads printer. can pictures look streaky put fine lines print. can take nearly a third ink carts installed try flush problem away even then it's guaranteed work.
In short buy low grade paper!
The carts

carts packaged in a clean environment securely transportation. packaging good any other replacement cart install without any problems printer. point did printer flag genuine Epson carts never gave me any issues printing. Once installing carts I flushed nozzles once (installing gives an initial partial flush primes heads) ensure ink was flowing freely.
I tested 5 complete sets RiDisc ink results below an average 5 tests. note I grade paper pictures throughout fairness.
Costs
Prices 65p per cart £3.90 a set
prices extremely low knock stuffing out any high street prices. Jet-Tec known biggest UK in ink Jet-Tec carts setting back around £3 a cart can RiDisc a true rival offering performance quality a price that's sensible
Results Part 1 - Output
The results below show how pictures printed before first cart ran out ink. a very good indication show value money can indicate pretty quickly how fast use specific colours type usage. In instance was purely photographs text was printed.
  • 6x4 prints = 63
  • Half paged (A4) border = 42
  • Borderless (A4) = 3
  • Bordered full sized A4 = 56
  • Black ink remaining = 81%
  • Cyan ink remaining = 69%
  • Light cyan ink remaining = 34%
  • Yellow ink remaining = 33%
  • Magenta ink remaining = 58%
  • Light magenta ink remaining = EMPTY
Results Part 2 - colour
The ink performs well any other market beats lesser known carts. colour balance compared original extremely close brighter colours being very vibrant losing darker shades either.
Results Part 3 - resetting
In my previous tests I tried reset carts get extra prints out. Although worked 30% time unless carts a facility themselves (i.e. Jet-Tec) then I feel price paying carts worth trying reset them. Running a cart dry can damage print heads cause overheat neither very good. minimal prints get far outweighed fact other 5 carts lose ink doing a nozzle clean (automatic when change any cart any brand). price per full page A4 it's really worth potential hazard.
Bang buck
This ink one 3 cheapest inks currently market definitely lives up RiDisc performance absolutely outstanding reflected very high output pictures before one carts ran out. Seeing how much ink was left in black example indicate able print out a lot pages text £3.90 a set.
first results above approximately 100 A4 photographs highest quality settings in drivers equivalent 2.75 carts worth ink remaining in other set. mean get approximately 190 A4 sized prints colours equally balanced meaning full A4 sheet printed cost 2p 3p.
Summary
The carts yield a higher output Jet-Tec (previously tested myself) anything I believe colours closer original RiDisc ink. price far favorable so I can only wish RiDisc very best luck superb ink!
F.A.Q.
  • I hear cheap ink clogs wrecks printer
    • The inks in RiDisc carts (and others Datasafe Datawrite Smartjet etc) include cleaning agents required emulsifiers keep heads clean prevent blocking
  • I want use my ink print good pictures. printers use a pigment ink R200 cart does yet. Does yours
    • The OEM carts R300 C42 C62 etc dye based (so pigment). Pigment ink generally archival documents cost a lot standard carts.
  • Surely less ink retail carts
    • The cartridges full containing an amount equal greater OEM.
Check out Page 2 "Flash's" contribution review

Thank Meg excellent review confirms my findings excellent printer ink. I also carried out a few tests cartridges in my Epson Stylus PHOTO R200 printer. cartridges easily fitted my printer although a slightly looser fit originals. printer recognized there was warning originals.
My first test was a duration test see how full color images I could print a full cartridges I printed 10 full page A4 full color prints 5 different pictures had amount remaining ink

  • Black 80%
  • Cyan 61%
  • Magenta 69%
  • Yellow 54%
  • LT Cyan 48%
  • Lt Magenta 47%
I then continued print prints until ink ran out was 102 full A4 full color prints highest quality had ink left
  • Black 58%
  • Cyan 19%
  • Magenta 37%
  • Yellow 8%
  • LT Cyan 0%
  • Lt Magenta 0%
Adding up total ink left I had equivalent 1.22 cartridges 20% ink left prints had even colors I able print another 20 prints. duration prints done plain copy paper economy left paper damp & crinkled until ink dried out quality prints still good.

I printed a couple photographs scanned then compared originals

Original Scan a Photograph my Limousine 600 DPI
Scan a Print A4 Glossy Photo Inkjet Paper
The print was printed size original photo & pictures scanned resolution only adjustments I was slightly decrease brightness print
Digital Photo My Son in Germany Messing
Scan Print above Photo A4 Glossy Photo Inkjet paper

Scan Print above Photo A4 Plain White Copy Paper
Apart black being a little over saturated a good picture
These first inkjet cartridges produced under RiDisc brand label results speak themselves in quality printing quantity ink equally good genuine Epson cartridges costing over ten times more. ink makes quality color printing very economical equally ideal use children Professionals.
cost cartridges there point in refilling even resetting I feel risk doing so great considering doubtful there any saving especially when time factor risk taken consideration
I understand Ridisc soon marketing a range inkjet photo paper team up nicely Inkjet Cartridges & cartridges anything go onto a winner!
might want check out another independent review sarah Discwrite forums



» DVDInfoPro v6.123:. June 2009

Link: DVDInfoPro Home Page

I get a great deal email asking how I produce my media test graphs how I find drive information well how I find media identification codes.

The answer DVDInfoPro produced Nic Wilson.

This software provides me drive information media information well producing comprehensive graphs & charts I need carry out my reviews. DVDInfoPro so popular in recent months now outgrown serving capability single systems provide downloads.

This a first class professional diagnostic program I am happy involved with. now hosted DVD-Recordable mirrored speedlabs.org

As a collaborative effort NicW Lightning UK author ImgBurn (and DVDDecrypter) proud present a brand new feature. IBG data files produced when burn a disc in ImgBurn can loaded DVDInfoPro view data graph other information stored write process. see a new icon right RPM icon top main window labelled IBG. also find a new menu item ImgBurn program too allowing launch DVDInfoPro graph data directly.

v6.123 supported operating systems include

Windows XP Home Windows XP Professional Windows XP Tablet Edition Windows XP x64 later (Windows server 2003 Windows Vista et al).

Current version v6.123 June 2009 Change Log

DVDInfoPro v6.123 [4.75Mb]. Full Version 14 day trial

LightningUK's Imgburn v2.5.0.0 (July 2009) Free donations accepted.
Change Log

Visit Download Area

Thank Speedlabs Inc. mirroring redundancy services - approved mirror DVDInfoPro team!

Help DVDInfoPro better DVDInfoMantis take time submit bugs/features/requests us include in future versions software Remember ultimately power software best can

Click HERE start submitting bugs/features/requests DVDInfoMantis voice heard!

Flash's Reviews
BATTLE BURNERS
DVD Media Testing

» Tuffdisc 8x DVD-R

Link:
I received a tub discs decided put paces discs supplied in tubs 100 a surprisingly low price someone else put "cheap chips." disc top surface a burnt orange color surface a kris-cross spiral pattern in it. logo printing in black just a plain nonsense design. In center an orange polo ring masked underside a matching black speckled pattern. disc claimed a Tuff top surface so I stabbed one multiple times my No. 1 x point screwdriver was able put dints in plastic right underside without breaking surface top finish I decided attempt knock nails wife was objecting I might damage furniture (DON'T TRY HOME)
discs various tier one manufactures had printing defects overprinted hide defects. overprinting bearing actual media quality functionality disc. examination tub discs I find in my batch there three different mid codes discs CMCMAGAE1 MCC02RG20 TTG02 well known mids 1/3 in tub. Examination dye showed a consistently good quality I only one obvious dye imperfections. Two remainder discs had scratches consistent bad handling rendered unusable. There was a number discs had minor scuff marks especially around edges serious enough cause any real problems discs stuck together due paint quite being rock hard time packaging easy part appear caused any damage. there 3 mids in pack I burnt one type four burners I am my results recorded below.
Quote the TuffDisc website
Tuffdisc a new brand blank media originates stables tier one manufacturers in Far East. Due fact writing speeds DVD reach an upper limit 16x manufacturers now rely other features promote products. we feel Tuff Disc achieved much more.
Tuff Disc well being based a highly compatible dye advantage being able withstand any type treatment thrown way - everyday wear tear rough handling damage caused small children when taking data off-site. Our disc reprinted a tough pebble-dash finish producing a media surface 40 times scratch resistant 20 times dust resistant standard DVD media.
In addition Tuff Disc also offers very good value money when compared premium branded media.
During printing process often slight printing errors. errors any effect actual media rejected. Rather discard an otherwise perfect disc makes sense overprint sell such.

00000000 00 AA 00 00 01 40 C1 FD 9E D8 52 00 02 54 0D 0E .....@....R..T..
00000010 88 9A 80 00 03 43 4D 43 20 4D 41 00 04 47 2E 20 .....CMC MA..G.
00000020 41 45 31 00 05 00 00 00 00 00 02 00 06 09 0D 11 AE1.............
00000000 00 AA 00 00 01 40 C1 FD 9E D8 52 00 02 85 0D 10 .....@....R.....
00000010 88 9A 80 00 03 4D 43 43 20 30 32 00 04 52 47 32 .....MCC 02..RG2
00000020 30 20 20 00 05 88 80 00 00 00 02 00 06 09 0D 13 0 .............
00000000 00 6C 00 00 01 40 C1 FD 9E D8 52 00 02 85 0D 0C .l...@....R.....
00000010 87 89 90 00 03 54 54 47 30 32 00 00 04 00 00 00 .....TTG02......
00000020 00 00 00 00 05 BA A3 22 32 20 02 00 06 09 0A 15 ......."2 ......

Pioneer DVR-109 v1.50
NEC ND-3520AW v3.04

CMCMAGAE1

MCC02RG20

TTG02
CMCMAGAE1

MCCO2RG20

TTG02
All disc sustained 8x speed burning in Pioneer 109 in 8min 08sec 8min 11sec CMCMAGAE1 & MCC02RG20 finished 8x speed in 9min 49sec TTG02 dropped down twice 4gig mark in 10min 18sec

CMCMAGAE1

MCCO2RG20

TTGO2
CMCMAGAE1

MCC02RG20

TTG02
PI
CMCMAGAE1 very good a maximum 13 last 200meg
MCC02RG20 good a maximum 25 3.5gig mark
TTG02 again good peaking 33 4gig mark
Jitter
CMCMAGAE1 good a steady 10.2% average
MCC02RG20 steady 11.4% average one large peak caused drive (Media error reflected in large PI/PIF errors)
TTG02 minor fluctuations average 11.1%
PIF
CMCMAGAE1 very little a peak 4 small cluster end.
MCC02RG20 negligible just a small peak 7 near end
TTG02 few small peaks a maximum 10 end 		PI
CMCMAGAE1 peak 33 good notice 6x speed burn area larger an increase towards outer edge still a good overall low reading
MCC02RG20 Maximum 48 two peaks near end
TTG02 peak 33 unlike CMCMAGAE1 graph peak 6x burning area
Jitter
CMCMAGAE1 10%-15% highest 6x speed burn
MCC02RG20 two large peaks up 36.6% near outer edge consistent PIE/PIF peaks (Not Good)
TTG02 10%-15% largest errors 6x speed burn area
PIF
CMCMAGAE1 nothing up until 4gig where there a minor peak 13
MCC02RG20 good just 1 spike near outer area
TTG02 just a minor peak 13 edge

CMCMAGAE1

MCC02RG20

TTGO2
CMCMAGAE1

MCC02RG20

TTG02
CMCMAGAE1 slight dip last 50meg
MCC02RG20 minor spikes a good curve
TTG02 irregularities 3.5gig point 		CMCMAGAE1 & MCC02RG20 good clean graphs
TTG02 irregularities 3.75gig point
Page 2

BENQ DW1620 B7T9
Pioneer DVR-106D v1.08 4x Speed

CMCMAGAE1

MCC02RG20

TTG02
CMCMAGAE1

MCC02RG20

TTG02
All discs burnt satisfactory 8x speed in 8min 17sec 8min 23sec All discs burnt satisfactory 4x speed 14min 34sec 14min 37sec

CMCMAGAE1

MCC02RG20

TTG02

CMCMAGAE1

MCC02RG20

TTG02
PI
CMCMAGAE1 good below 40 except 1 peak 147 near edge
MCC02RG20 good scan reaching a maximum 52 right edge
TTG02 very good reaching a maximum 23
Jitter
CMCMAGAE1 stable an average 11.9%
MCC02RG20 another steady graph averaging 11.4%
TTG02 minor fluctuations maximum 12.6% averaging 11.1%
PIF
CMCMAGAE1 very large peak 130 edge
MCC02RG20 minor peak 5 edge a good result her
TTG02 1 peak 17 start & 1 8 edge a good result 		PI
CMCMAGAE1 peak pf 52 large spikes a good scan
MCC02RG20 peaks 270 average 159 acceptable limits very good
TTG02 peaks 189 average 103 acceptable just average
Jitter
CMCMAGAE1 10% 13% a good result
MCC02RG20 12% 14.6% a fairly smooth graph
TTG02 11% 13.6% another good result
PIF
CMCMAGAE1 a few very minor spikes edge
MCC02RG20 low start rising 22 edge
TTG02 very low start rising a minor peak 5 edge

CMCMAGAE1

MCC02RG20

TTG02
CMCMAGAE1

MCC02RG20

TTG02
CMCMAGAE1 failed 4.3gig read errors a good scan up point
MCC02RG20 good graph minor glitches around 4gig
TTG02 good graph up 4 gig large fluctuations point 		CMCMAGAE1 good graph media
MCC02RG20 read errors 4 gig
TTG02 very erratic read errors
The results media varied can expected three different brands media discs burnt satisfactory up 4gig played back OK without problems outer edges discs prone minor abrasions in turn cause problems burning full limit burn. discs burn good up 4 gig general use content likely exceed I can say media OK. TUFFDISC an overprint had handling normal media in reflection price against performance I say represents good value money I see reason burnt discs retain data well any other brands.


» Datasafe Pro 8x Hub Printable TYG02 DVD-R

Link:
After a lot persuasion Datasafe gone upmarket professional DVD-R manufactured Taiyo Yuden. discs genuine TYG02 full face printable disc packaged in tubs 10 so far exclusively available only one line retailer sent me samples review. dye a mid brownish purple in color a clear center ring overprinted top a smooth white printable surface. inner unused dye area code GG000121 & there a batch number cut clear center ring I am unable read rim smooth only a few minor signs glue protrusion.
Well discs & packaging look nice lets see live up expectations.
00 6C 00 00 01 40 C1 FD 9E D8 52 00 02 87 0D 10 .l...@....R.....
66 78 80 00 03 54 59 47 30 32 00 00 04 00 00 00 fx...TYG02......
00 00 00 00 05 AA A2 22 22 20 02 00 06 08 0E 11 ......."" ......
87 78 80 00 07 88 80 00 00 00 00 00 08 06 13 0D .x..............
10 0E 07 00 09 97 07 0D 0B 78 88 00 0A 80 00 00 .........x......
00 00 10 00 0B 06 18 17 85 78 75 00 0C D6 89 A8 .........xu.....
92 01 20 00 0D 10 00 D0 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 .. .............

Pioneer DVR-109 v1.50
NEC ND-3520AW v3.04
8x Z-CLV burning in 8min 9secs 8x Z-CLV burning in 9min 49secs
PI Exceptionally low reaching a maximum 7
Jitter Fairly constant 10% scan (The large peak end an error drive & media)
PIF Total 7 a peak 1 an average 0 could better 		PI a good scan here peaking 18 6x burn area well below 10 rest scan. write strategy slightly out 6x burn still a good result
Jitter 10% most scan a slight increase 6x burn area
PIF Total 132 a peak 2 a very good result
Perfect Perfect


BENQ DW1620 B7T9


Pioneer DVR-106D v1.08 4x Speed
7X - 8X P-CAV in 9min 32secs 4X CLV in 14min 34sec
PI Exceptionally low reaching a maximum 6
one my best scans
Jitter Fairly constant just above 10% an average 10.7%
PIF Total 5 a peak 1 an average 0 better Pioneer 		PI Burnt 4x speed gives a peak 53 a good result where good high speed drives
Jitter Fairly constant just over 10% scan average 10.7%
PIF Total 9 a peak 1 an average 0 could much better
Perfect Perfect

12x burn in Pioneer DVR-109

12X burn in NEC ND-3520AW

16X burn in Benq DW1620

16X burn in Benq DW1620

disc produce exceptionally good results in my drives rated speed playback faultless my range DVD players. burn in DVD-106D 4x speed good readings higher 8x speed burns showing discs optimized 8x speed burning. disc was capable burning faster rated speed in my high speed drives I show results burns Pioneer still burns well 12x speed I recommend NEC burning discs 12x
printable surface smooth produces vibrant prints. disc sell a premium twice cost general market disc. So worth extra?
results I say YES want a premium disc ones go added bonus can burn faster in drives


» Verbatim 16x DVD-R MCC03RG20

Link:

After testing Titanium & Philips MCC03RG20 16x DVD-R I decided try Verbatim discs MID code see there any difference in performance. I persuaded my favorite line retailer send me samples review
discs a frosted metallic pale gold writing stencil cut making difficult get a good scan disc. dye markings similar in appearance Titanium & Philips

00000000 00 6C 00 00 01 40 C1 FD 9E D8 52 00 02 85 0D 0E .l...@....R.....
00000010 88 9A 80 00 03 4D 43 43 20 30 33 00 04 52 47 32 .....MCC 03..RG2
00000020 30 20 20 00 05 88 80 00 00 00 02 00 06 09 0B 14 0 .............
00000030 87 78 90 00 07 88 80 00 00 00 00 00 08 08 13 0D .x..............
00000040 11 0C 08 00 09 95 07 0E 0B 78 88 00 0A A0 00 20 .........x.....
00000050 00 20 10 00 0B 06 1A 17 86 67 85 00 0C 99 AB 3A . .......g.....:
00000060 83 20 32 00 0D 00 00 D0 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 . 2.............

Pioneer DVR-109 v1.50
NEC ND-3520AW v3.04
CAV up 16x in 5min 58sec CAV up 16x in 5min 57sec
PI starts very low below 10 showing any significant increase until just under 3 gig when rose just under 20 a couple minor peaks followed a few peaks reaching a maximum only 51 near outer edge
Jitter starting 10% rising 13.3% towards end a fluctuations an overall average 11.3%
PIF apart 4 minor peaks virtually non existent
result very similar one obtained Titanium MCC03RG20 review 		PI starts well below 20 remains so up 3gig when rises 30 there one spike 137 in middle scan otherwise a very good scan indeed
Jitter 12% most scan except a 15.2% peak in middle burn coinciding spike in PI graph
PIF is next nil
This result slightly higher very similar one obtained Titanium MCC03RG20 review
Perfect One minor glitch in middle scan otherwise Perfect


BENQ DW1620 B7U9


Pioneer DVR-106D v1.08 4x Speed
CAV up 16x in 6min 15sec CLV 4x in 14min 40sec
PI starts 80 rising a maximum 300 one 416 spike end. results Benq drive acceptable disappointingly higher any other drives
Jitter averages 12.5 most scan one large peak 27.6% end scan
PIF practically nil 		PI starts just over 30 decreasing below 10 end
Jitter 10% large fluctuations scan very good indeed
PIF could better
Smooth speed reading up 3 gig when reading fluctuates showing irregularities in burn Perfect

The performance media comparable Titanium & Philips MCC03RG20 good
results Benq drive acceptable discs play OK I am disappointed in graphs produced showing Benq does give an exceptional burn my other drives.
IMO media equally good Titanium Philips

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