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DVD Drives & Media

Information from About Guides and partners relating to DVD Drives & Media
Microsoft Dumps HD DVD Drive for Xbox 360
(News) Still, the company hasn't confirmed support for Blu-ray in its game console, noting growth of downloads.
Blu-ray's Victory Could be Short-Lived, Analysts Warn
(News) Toshiba may have backed off with its rival HD DVD, but Internet downloads are the next challenge.
HD DVD's Demise Won't Hurt Xbox 360, Microsoft Says
(News) The Xbox 360's HD DVD support is by add-in, not built in, and Microsoft expects no changes.
End of the High-Def Format War: Five Pros and Cons for the Consumer
(News) Blu-ray battled HD DVD to the death to win the high-def format war. What's ahead now for the average user? Here are our expert's pros and cons.
HD DVD vs. Blu-ray Disc: A History
(News) Here's a timeline of the format battle between HD DVD and Blu-ray Disc.
Toshiba Halts HD DVD Production, Mulls Future
(News) An announcement about Toshiba's HD DVD players and recorders is due next week, says Japanese public broadcaster NHK.
Warner Dumps HD DVD
(News) Plus: Wii fitness, the checked-luggage battery ban, and more.
LG GGW-H20L Blu-ray Drive/HD DVD Reader
(Reviews) LG introduces a dual-format drive for high-def discs at a very competitive price.
Toshiba unveils latest HD DVD recorder
(News) As the holiday shopping season approaches, Toshiba is turning up the heat on the Blu-ray Disc camp with the launch of an HD DVD recorder that can record high-definition video to regular DVDs.
Finally, Technology for Legally Burning Copy-Protected Content
(News) New Qflix standard will enable do-it-yourself disc burning from downloads, plus on-demand burning at store kiosks.
Coming Soon: Sub-$1000 HD DVD Notebook
(News) Toshiba tells its HD DVD strategy, from technology advances to price drops.
Microsoft, Toshiba team to advance HD DVD navigation
(News) Toshiba Corp. and Microsoft Corp. Thursday announced plans to launch the Advanced Interactivity Consortium to extend interactive features in HD DVD, a high-definition format, in an effort to attract more users.
Sharp shows new Blu-ray Disc recorders
(News) Sharp Corp. will soon launch several new Blu-ray Disc recorders in Japan, part of an effort by supporters of the format to take the lead over HD DVD during the holiday shopping season.
Pioneer BDC-2202
(Reviews) Dual-format burning and Blu-ray playback make this drive versatile, but hardware requirements are high and burn speeds are low.
Toshiba develops laptop HD DVD-RW drive
(News) Toshiba Corp. will unveil in Taipei on Tuesday a slim HD DVD rewriter suitable for use in laptop computers.
HD DVD, Blu-ray protection in question after attacks
(News) Next week, new HD DVD movies will hit the shelves that won't play on some players, the first countermeasure by the content and software industries to combat intensive efforts by hackers to break copy-protection technology.
Top 5 Internal DVD Drives
(Reviews) These are the top DVD burners today, but ratings and rankings can change quickly due to pricing and technology changes, so check back frequently for the latest info.
New Specs for Next-Generation Blu-ray Players
(News) Blu-ray Disc Association clarifies what the new specs, due later this year, mean for current Blu-ray owners.
High-Def Video Superguide
(Reviews) Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD are here. Who makes the best next-generation movie player?
Cool HD and Media Players
(Reviews) An update on the newest HD players and recorders from Japan, as well as Sony's Video Walkman.
Adult Films to Play on Blu-ray
(News) First HD porn due in March, but producer won't reveal disc replicator amid hot competition.
New Recorders Offer High-Quality Video
(Reviews) New Recorders Offer High-Quality Video
Blu-ray Burner Boasts Solid Software Bundle
(Reviews) The Plextor PX-B900A optical drive performs well and comes with a top-notch set of burning programs, but it carries a daunting price tag.
How to Buy a DVD-Rewritable Drive
(How To) How to Buy a DVD-Rewritable Drive
Sony Plans Blu-ray Disc Recorder
Sony Plans Blu-ray Disc Recorder
Tokyo Edge: Dual-Format Drives May Save the Day
(news) Tokyo Edge: Dual-Format Drives May Save the Day
Sony Unveils After-Market Blu-ray Disc Drive
(news) Sony Unveils After-Market Blu-ray Disc Drive
First Look: I-O Data's USB-Based Blu-ray Burner
(reviews) First Look: I-O Data's USB-Based Blu-ray Burner
Top 5 Internal DVD Drives
(reviews) Top 5 Internal DVD Drives
Does Blu-ray Disc Have the Edge?
(news) Does Blu-ray Disc Have the Edge?
Blu-ray Movies Hit Stores Today
(news) Blu-ray Movies Hit Stores Today
COMPUTEX: BenQ Readies Blu-ray Disc Burner
(news) COMPUTEX: BenQ Readies Blu-ray Disc Burner
Tokyo Edge: Format Wars Move to the Consumers
(news) Tokyo Edge: Format Wars Move to the Consumers
Sony Delays First Blu-ray Disc Titles
(news) Sony Delays First Blu-ray Disc Titles
From VHS to DVD
(news) From VHS to DVD
Panasonic Readies Blu-ray Disc Drive
(news) Panasonic Readies Blu-ray Disc Drive
First Look: We Test Toshiba's First HD-DVD Player
(news) First Look: We Test Toshiba's First HD-DVD Player
Fujitsu Readies Blu-ray, HD-DVD PCs
(news) Fujitsu Readies Blu-ray, HD-DVD PCs
Samsung Delays Blu-ray Disc Player
(news) Samsung Delays Blu-ray Disc Player
Toshiba Launches First HD-DVD Player in Japan
(news) Toshiba Launches First HD-DVD Player in Japan
Panasonic Plans Its First Blu-ray Disc Player
(news) Panasonic Plans Its First Blu-ray Disc Player
No Copying With First HD Video Players
(news) No Copying With First HD Video Players
HD-DVD, Blu-ray Disc Drives Coming Soon
(news) HD-DVD, Blu-ray Disc Drives Coming Soon
CeBIT: High-Def Without the High Price?
(news) CeBIT: High-Def Without the High Price?
CeBIT: Blu-ray Backer LG Prepares Competing HD-DVD Drive
(news) CeBIT: Blu-ray Backer LG Prepares Competing HD-DVD Drive
CeBIT: NEC Burns HD-DVDs
(news) CeBIT: NEC Burns HD-DVDs
CeBIT: Sony to Launch Blu-ray Vaio PCs in Midyear
(news) CeBIT: Sony to Launch Blu-ray Vaio PCs in Midyear
Burners That Do More
(reviews) Burners That Do More
Blu-ray Disc Player, Movies Coming in May
(news) Blu-ray Disc Player, Movies Coming in May
Blu-ray Disc Drive Coming Soon?
(news) Blu-ray Disc Drive Coming Soon?
Report From the Consumer Electronics Show
(news) Report From the Consumer Electronics Show
DVD Format Wars: Bad for Everyone?
(news) DVD Format Wars: Bad for Everyone?
DVD Recorders Without Hard Drives
(reviews) Samsung's DVD-VR325 edges out its higher-priced sibling, the DVD-TR520, for the top spot among DVD recorders that don't have hard drives.
Toshiba RD-XS54
(reviews) Pricey DVD recorder has useful and innovative features, and delivers top-notch image quality.
Samsung Shares Blu-ray Disc Plans
(news) Samsung Shares Blu-ray Disc Plans
Toshiba Details HD-DVD Plans
(news) Toshiba Details HD-DVD Plans
Sony Identifies First Blu-ray Disc Movies
(news) Sony Identifies First Blu-ray Disc Movies
HD Picture to Come Into Focus
(news) HD Picture to Come Into Focus
Broadcom Chips Away at the HD-DVD Divide
(news) Broadcom Chips Away at the HD-DVD Divide
Pioneer Prepares to Launch Blu-ray Disc Drive
(news) Pioneer Prepares to Launch Blu-ray Disc Drive
HP Endorses Rival DVD Formats
(news) HP Endorses Rival DVD Formats
Toshiba Hints at HD-DVD Delay
(news) Toshiba Hints at HD-DVD Delay
TDK Readies Blu-ray Disc Production
(news) TDK Readies Blu-ray Disc Production
Panasonic Expands Blu-ray Disc Manufacturing
(news) Panasonic Expands Blu-ray Disc Manufacturing
CyberHome DVR1600
(reviews) This bargain-basement model has all of the basic features, but its image quality is so-so and its remote is difficult to use.
Sony RDR-VX515
(reviews) This combination DVD and VHS recorder has some nifty features, but its poorly designed remote makes it awkward to use.
Samsung DVD-TR520
(reviews) Dual DVD model can copy videos from one disc to another.
Samsung DVD-VR325
(reviews) This unit combines a DVD and a VCR in a single stylish device, with great image quality.
Pioneer DVR-633H-S
(reviews) Expensive DVD and hard-drive video recorder supports dual-layer recording, but its video quality is only middling.
Panasonic DMR-EH50S
(reviews) This DVD recorder provides excellent image quality and includes an SD Card slot for still images.
Lite-On LVW-5045
(reviews) This DVD and hard-drive video recorder is reasonably priced, but it's a bit clunky to use and slow at transferring video.
Humax DRT-400
(reviews) A TiVo and DVD recorder in one, this model provides the simplest means of recording TV programs and archiving them to disc.
Sony, NEC to Merge Optical Drive Businesses
(news) Sony, NEC to Merge Optical Drive Businesses
Drives Get Faster, Pack More Features
(reviews) Drives Get Faster, Pack More Features
Full-Steam-Ahead DVD
(reviews) Full-Steam-Ahead DVD
Why the Rush to Blue?
(news) Why the Rush to Blue?
Toshiba May Delay HD-DVD Launch
(news) Toshiba May Delay HD-DVD Launch
Blu-ray Disc Gains More Support
(news) Blu-ray Disc Gains More Support
HD-DVD Claims the Brand Advantage
(news) HD-DVD Claims the Brand Advantage
Toshiba, Clariant Team on 30GB Recordable HD-DVD
(news) Toshiba, Clariant Team on 30GB Recordable HD-DVD
Toshiba Readies Write-Once HD-DVDs
(news) Toshiba Readies Write-Once HD-DVDs
Toshiba Adds Lightscribe to DVD Drive
(news) Toshiba Adds Lightscribe to DVD Drive
TDK Develops 100GB Blu-ray Disc
(news) TDK Develops 100GB Blu-ray Disc
Toshiba Expands HD DVD Capacity to 45GB
(news) Toshiba Expands HD DVD Capacity to 45GB
Picking the Right Media
(howto) Picking the Right Media
DVD Recorders: A Simple Shopping Guide
(howto) DVD Recorders: A Simple Shopping Guide
Sony, Toshiba Discuss Joint HD Disc Format
(news) Sony, Toshiba Discuss Joint HD Disc Format
Compromise Unlikely in HD Optical Disc Battle
(news) Compromise Unlikely in HD Optical Disc Battle
Double-Layer DVD Burners on Parade
(reviews) Double-Layer DVD Burners on Parade
HP's LightScribe Etches DVD Labels
(reviews) HP's LightScribe Etches DVD Labels
DVD on the Edge
(reviews) DVD on the Edge
The Skinny on Burner Bundles
(reviews) The Skinny on Burner Bundles
Sony May Unite Blu-ray Disc, HD-DVD
(news) Sony May Unite Blu-ray Disc, HD-DVD
Format Wars Redux: Blu-ray Disc vs. HD-DVD
(news) Format Wars Redux: Blu-ray Disc vs. HD-DVD
Where to Keep Your CDs and DVDs
(reviews) Where to Keep Your CDs and DVDs
High-Def Video Discs on Display
(news) High-Def Video Discs on Display
Studios Promise HD-DVD Movies in 2005
(news) Studios Promise HD-DVD Movies in 2005
Blu-ray Disc Gains Gaming Support
(news) Blu-ray Disc Gains Gaming Support
JVC Develops Dual Blu-ray-DVD Disc
(news) JVC Develops Dual Blu-ray-DVD Disc
NEC Develops CD, DVD, HD-DVD Drive
(news) NEC Develops CD, DVD, HD-DVD Drive
Thomson to Back Both Blu-ray and HD-DVD
(news) Thomson to Back Both Blu-ray and HD-DVD
Disney Backs Blu-ray Standard
(news) Disney Backs Blu-ray Standard
Dual DVD, HD-DVD Disc Developed
(news) Dual DVD, HD-DVD Disc Developed
HD-DVD Gains Hollywood Support
(news) HD-DVD Gains Hollywood Support
Sony Plans Portable Blu-ray Disc Drives
(news) Sony Plans Portable Blu-ray Disc Drives
Sharp Unveils First Blu-ray Disc Recorder
(news) Sharp Unveils First Blu-ray Disc Recorder
Blu-ray Disc Goes Home
(news) Blu-ray Disc Goes Home
HD-DVD Drives Find a Place in the PC
(news) HD-DVD Drives Find a Place in the PC
JVC Sides With Blu-ray Disc
(news) Company is the latest to choose sides in the next-generation DVD format battle.
Pioneer, Sharp Let Blu-ray Play
(news) Prototype products include the first such drive for use in a PC.
Sanyo Shows HD-DVD Player
(news) Company hasn't said when the device will be available.
Fox Film Trots Towards Blu-ray
(news) Movie studio won't commit to a format for releasing its films, however.
HD-DVD Standard Earns Approval
(news) Rewriteable version of the next-gen DVD format moves closer to mass production.
Top 10 DVD Drives
(reviews) A new crop of 12X drives joins the chart this month.
Sony Eyes 200GB Blu-ray Discs
(news) Company hopes increased storage will boost its format's fortunes.
Fuji Readies 16X DVDs
(news) Fuji joins the fray of makers of 16X DVD media with scheduled fall release.
Burning Questions: The Perils of Non-Retail Drives
(howto) You might save a few bucks by buying an OEM drive, but you may also miss out on upgrades.
DVD's Next Big Leaps
(news) DVD is picking up speed and storage capacity--but format wars and high prices may mean a wait for the most advanced new technologies.
Burn DVDs by the Dozen
(reviews) Handy small-office disc duplicator skimps on the software.
TriDef DVD Player Pushes 3D View
(news) DDD's software could turn any DVD into a 3D movie (without the funny glasses).
Fast-Lane DVD Burning
(reviews) With quicker drives and more-potent software, the time is right to take the rewritable DVD plunge. We test a dozen drives and seven suites for massive data backups, plus high-quality video and audio.
Simplified DVD Labeling
(news) HP's invention, due in drives soon, lets users burn labels.
DVD Burners Spin to 8X
(news) Hewlett-Packard, Plextor, and Sony debut new drives.
Convert Your Videotapes to DVD
(news) New products from Plextor, HP offer improved speed and formatting options.
LightScribe Simplifies DVD Labeling
(news) HP's invention, due in drives soon, lets users burn labels directly onto discs.
DVD Burners: The New Optical Choice
(reviews) Rewritable DVD drives are fast replacing CD-RW models as the optical drives of choice. They offer a fast, cheap, and convenient way to store large amounts of data, and they let you burn your own movies or recorded TV programs to DVD to be watched on a standard DVD player.
One Box, All DVD Formats
(reviews) New LG Electronics DVD burner is a great bet.
MIA: Top-Speed DVD Media
(news) Faster drives, but where are the discs?
Hardware Tips: Is It Time to Upgrade to Rewritable DVD?
(howto) Determine the right DVD format for you; make sense of speed ratings; lighten up on power adapters; install a keystroke logger.
Fastest DVD Media in Short Supply
(news) It takes awhile to ramp up and crank out the speediest new discs, vendors say.
Pioneer Unveils Multiformat DVD/CD Unit
(news) New DVR-A06 burner adds support for DVD+RW.
On Your Side: Unreadable DVD+RW Discs
(howto) Try a firmware update for better compatibility.
Bye-Bye CD-RW?
(yahoo) More choices, price drops favor DVD.
Future Gear: They Made It
(howto) Many up-and-coming products we previewed in 2002 are now real, and many others are on the way.
Buyers' Guide to Rewritable DVD Drives
(howto) Of the competing drive types, DVD+RW copies data and formats discs fastest, but DVD-RW is more compatible.
PC World Spotlight on Rewritable DVD Drives
(reviews) Three competing DVD formats are vying for dominance. HP's DVD+RW tops our chart, thanks in part to its fast formatting of rewritable discs.
Recordable DVD Options Abound
(news) TechXNY Roundup: DVD Prices drop and choices grow, but DVD formats still lack a standard.

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