Thursday March 08, 2007

- HD-DVD Triple Layer Being Finalized - Lionel - 21:17:07

Toshiba submitted its HD-DVD triple Layer technology for being registered by the DVD Forum. By modifying the focusing system of the laser, Toshiba could pack up to 51GB on a HD-DVD media.
Of course, reaching such a storage capacity was achieved to demonstrate that one can save more data on a HD-DVD than on a Blu-ray media.
However, it remains unclear if the current standalone HD-DVD players would be able to read such triple layer media or not. While HD-DVD players are cheaper than their Blu-ray equivalent, consumers might not really like to buy a new model to be able to read triple layer media.


[translation by Linathael]

- A solution to Burn Damage-resistant "master copies" CDs and DVDs? - Lionel - 11:23:43

The company TrueDisc released an application, TrueDisc, for burning CDs and DVDs with damage-resistant "master copies" of your files.
As explained by TrueDisc:

A master copy contains extra information that allows TrueDisc™ to replace damaged parts of the file. To make a master copy, TrueDisc™ splits your file up into small parts, called cells. TrueDisc™ then adds specially-crafted redundant cells. Together, your file's original cells and the redundant cells make up the "master copy".
TrueDisc™ creates CD-Rs and DVD-Rs that are compatible with every major operating system. Since TrueDisc™ stores master copies in the standard CD-ROM and DVD-ROM filesystems, you don't have to use TrueDisc™ to read the master copies, or even have TrueDisc™ installed on your computer. TrueDisc's file format is an open specification, so any software can read a master copy and recover your file's original cells. But remember, only TrueDisc™ can correct disc damage, so you should always use TrueDisc™ to restore your files whenever damage is suspected.

Of course burning master copies information requires space, and TrueDisc format supports burning up to 600MB of data to CD and up to 4.1 GB of data to DVD. According to the company, the TrueDisc™ format can withstand disc damage as high as 90% and still recover the original data. WE have requested a license number to test this application, we will let you know the result.

The software normally priced US$89 is available at US$52 for a limited time.

[translation by Linathael]

- Apple to Introduce Many New Models In April? - Lionel - 10:26:04

According to Macworld, not known to be a rumor website, Apple could introduce many new models or revision of current hardware products before the end of April:

- Mac mini.
- iMac entry-level.
- MacBook Pro mid-range model.
- iPod nano and iPod hi-fi.

If a revision of current Mac mini models is expected for weeks, if not months, introducing new iMac or MB Pro is more unlikely as the future Intel mobile platform, aka Santa Rosa, is not expected before June 2007. In addition, Intel does not offer new or more powerful Merom which could be incorporated in Apple iMac or notebooks.

Macworld considers stock levels of Apple products to support its claims, but we think that the recent Chinese's New Year during which almost all companies are closed in China might have led to low stock levels for some models without meaning that those products are "End-of-Life".

[translation by Linathael]

- Playstation Home: MySecondFlickrSpace by Sony - Yoc - 10:25:00

Source : Overgame

While Sony encounters difficulties with the PS3 which is not the expected success so far, and PS3 gamers basis is far from being the one created by the PS2. IF it might change in the future with the release of numerous "blockbuster games", Sony has decided to create a virtual world around its PS3 to bring another dimension for gamers; its name: Playstation Home. This virtual world is a mix of myspace (for music), flickr (for photos), youtube (for videos), while using an environment similar to Second Life and The Sims.
In this virtual zone, PS3 gamers could share their music, photos and videos with friends, while sitting in their virtual home purchased thanks to credits obtained according to their performance in games. While similar services are usually based on a monthly fee, Sony decided to make it free; but one can imagine that dedicated space would be available for advertising in Playstation Home.
The beta test should start in April, with the final version expected for fall.



If Apple will probably never develop such service, it should maybe get inspired by Sony, for the price of .Mac... make it free.

[translation by Linathael]

- Samsung: First Hybrid HDs Are Available - Lionel - 10:23:33

Source : TGdaily

Samsung starts shipping the first lots of its 2.5" HD featuring 128 or 156MB of flash memory with storage capacities of 80, 120 and 160GB.
According to Samsung, this NAND memory would speed booting procedure with Vista by 50%, and the HD power consumption would be decreased by 70 to 80%, giving notebook an extra 20 to 30 battery lifetime.
Of course, we can not test such Hybrid HD in Mac as it requires a specific driver to be available as NAND access and usage is not managed at the hardware level but by the OS. According to preliminary information, Apple declared not being interested by such technology when Samsung demoed to its potential consumers. However, if Hybrid HDs have a real success Cupertino might revised its position, even though most development would have been aiming to support to Intel technology Robson in OSX

[translation by Linathael]