MediaTek, the world's largest maker of chips for DVD players, said its quarterly profit fell for the first time, after it lost market share and prices fell in the three months ending June 30.

Press Release: NEC announced the launch of the ND3500A, the first advanced double layer 16x DVD re-writer to include high speed CD recording. The new model incorporates NEC’s leading optical storage technology to offer a high capacity, reliable device, ideal for digital video recording, storage and PC data back-up applications. The ND3500A delivers even higher speed write and re-write functions than its predecessor, the ND2510. This allows users the flexibility to choose a wider range of DVD R media without compromising performance or storage capacity.

TDK, a world leader in digital recording and playback solutions, is expanding its line of Armor Plated DVD media with the introduction of 8cm Armor Plated(TM) DVD, innovative recording media that is optimized for consumer and professional 8cm DVD camcorders.

Press Release: The supply of DVD+R DL media is on the increase, as brands and manufacturers are launching their DL product lines. The latest to jump on the DVD+R DL bandwagon is Imation. For years Imation has been one of the largest and most visible recordable media brands, relying on CMC Magnetics products.

Press Release: Bulkpaq has begun shipment of the Bulkpaq Brand Double Layer DVD+R media. This exciting new advancement in DVD technology is one of the first to the market offering a single-sided disc with an amazing 8.5GB of storage capacity. This incredible capacity is enough for up to 4 hours of DVD quality video, 16 hours of VHS quality video or over 120 hours of MP3 audio. Compatible with all current DVD video players and DVD-ROM drives as well as new DVD+R DL drives, the disc is ideal for virtually any business or household application.

Addonics Technologies has announced a portable digital media appliance that can perform 25 different functions for a range of applications.
The new Addonics MFR (Multi Function Recorder) with a DVD±R/RW is a standalone Flash media backup system; DVD, digital photo, and MP3 player; as well as an external USB 2.0 DVD burner and flash memory reader/writer--all combined into one portable peripheral that can be used in business or the home, or inside a vehicle.

The High Definition/High Density DVD (HD-DVD) next-generation optical disc format got a boost when Toshiba and NEC announced this week they will launch compatible products next year, with a major Japanese content producer also backing the format.

A U.S. federal judge has handed a preliminary victory to the recording industry by granting its request to unmask anonymous file swappers accused of copyright infringement. The ISP, Cablevision, which provides broadband Internet access in Connecticut, New Jersey and New York, can be required to divulge the identities of its subscribers sued over copyright violations.

The Japanese unit of Microsoft have said the company's next-generation operating system, Longhorn, would be compatible with HD-DVD (High Definition DVD). The show of support from Microsoft is considered a boost for the next-generation, blue-laser DVD technology, which is promoted by Japanese conglomerates NEC and Toshiba.

First-tier Taiwan manufacturers of optical discs, CMC, Ritek and Prodisc, as well as second-tier makers GigaStorage, Lead Data and Optodisc, are currently shipping 8x DVD-R discs as their mainstream DVD-R product.

The DVD rental market in the UK is starting to consolidate ahead of the arrival of Netflix - the daddy of the business - from the US later this year.

The influx of 16x DVD burners into the market is expected to push down retail prices of 8x and 12x DVD burners, according to Taiwan sales agents for international optical drive brands.

The UK High Court has judged that the sale, advertisement, possession for commercial purposes and use of PlayStation 2 modification chips is illegal in this country.

Ritek have announced it has acquired a technology transfer concerning near-field recording (NFR) for DVDs from the Center for Nanostorage Research (CNR) of the National Taiwan University (NTU) that could lead to red-laser NFR DVD discs with a storage capacity as large as 100GB.

CMC Magnetics and Ritek have begun to deliver blank 16x DVD+R discs in small volumes this month, according to the two companies.

Ultima Electronics, a manufacturer of optical disc drives in Taiwan, has launched a digital TV box (receiver) for use with notebook computers, according to company general manager KB Wang.

Lead Data, a second-tier manufacturer of optical discs in Taiwan, expects to cease reducing its CD-R stock volume by the end of this month and hopes to raise its OEM quotation next month, according to the company.

Veteran Podsters understand that at least once a year Apple performs a feat that at once infuses them with dread and delight: an iPod upgrade. The delight comes from a new look and new capabilities. The dread comes from the realization that you're a step behind the cutting edge and must consider whether to buy your way back on it.

Pioneer have announced a double-layer DVD burner that uses technology that competes with a format normally championed by the company. The drive also is designed to record single-layer DVDs at speeds of up to 16 times (16x) the normal playback speed. Pioneer said the new drive, which comes bundled with recording and editing software, should be available in August, priced at $179.99 (£97).

Britain's black market trade in pirated DVDs is expected to top £1 billion by 2007 as organised crime moves into the increasingly profitable racket of bootlegged movies, anti-piracy campaigners said on Monday.