June
3


Asus has today unveiled the Asus DRW-20B1L/B1LT internal DVD rewriter with LightScribe direct disc labeling technology. This DVD rewriter provides a high speed of 20X DVD±R write, 12X DVD±R (DL) and 12XDVD-RAM reading capabilities. In addition, users can expect to enjoy five times faster data transfer rates than the current DMA33 standards with the SATA interface. It also features Optimal Tuning Strategy – a technology that automatically adjusts burning for optimum disc backups; and the E-Green Engine for great energy savings.

Asus DRW-20B1L/B1LT internal DVD rewriter measures 41.3 x 146.0 x 170.0 mm and weighs 610 g.
The Asus DRW-20B1L/B1LT also adopts several innovative technologies found only in Asus optical drives.

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February
11


Plextor is first in the market to offer a combo DVD- Rewriter that also plays Blu-ray and HD-DVD movies. The Plextor PX-B300SA is a dual-layer internal DVD drive for PCs and uses a SATA connection. It is priced highly competitively and offers an ideal entry into high definition playback for consumers. It combines all the DVD standards into one single drive. The Plextor PX-B300SA not only plays the latest Blu-ray (6x) and HD-DVD (3x) movies, but is also a highly versatile dual-layer DVD drive that combines multiple formats - DVD R/RW and RAM - into one. Write speeds: 16x DVD+R/-R, 8x DVD+RW, 6x DVD-RW, 4x DVD+/-R DL, 5x DVD-RAM, 40x CD-R and 24x CD-RW. In addition, Plextor has added extra convenience by including LightScribe technology to enable custom text and designs to be printed/burned onto discs.

The Plextor PX-B300SA meets EU RoHS and WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment) directives. The Plextor PX-B300SA will be available from end of February 2008 at Plextor’s network of dealers.

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November
2


Toshiba today announced the launch of a new digital video recorder RD-A301 (DVR) with HD DVD drive that integrates key new features that bring greater freedom of recording to the HD DVD, including recording of HD video to standard DVD discs. The Toshiba RD-A301 with 300GB built in hard disk integrates an HD Transcoder that converts MPEG2 video, the standard for digital HD broadcasts, to MPEG4 AVC, a high-efficiency video compression technology that supports longer recording times while maintaining picture quality. The DVR also supports “HD Rec”, which facilitates recording of HD video on conventional DVD discs, such as DVD-R discs. “HD Rec” allows a single-layer 4.7GB DVD-R disc to store up to two hours of HD video, working in combination with HD Transcoder.

The Toshiba RD-A301 measures 430mm x 69 mm x 375 mm weigh 6.1kg and will be available in the Japanese market in the middle of December, and advance orders will be accepted from November 1.

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