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31 August 2000 |
| CD Media Info - New CD-R Media |
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| CD/DVD/MP3 Software Releases |
CD/DVD Software |
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| CD/DVD/MP3 NewsWire |
NewsWire |
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30 August 2000 |
| CD Media Info - New CD-R Media |
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| Philips again is using RiTEK for manufacturing low budget CD-R's, not totally surprising as they have a strategic alliance with RiTEK. Keep in mind that these CD-R's might be cheaper but they are of lesser Quality then the regular Philips Premium Silver CD-R's which are manufactured by Taiyo Yuden!
Some people claim (especially the people selling them...) that these Black Bottomed CD-Rs can be used to make a working backup of a PlayStation Game CD, which does not require any modification to your PSX. This is totally CRAP as a Mod-Chip or Cartridge is always required to be able to play PSX backups! The color of the bottom of the CD-R does NOT matter as this is not a real protection!
It seems that the prices of CD-R media are at a all time low overhere in The Netherlands, prices for NoName CD-R80 media are currently below EUR 0.36 per CD! Normal quality CD-R's are around EUR 0.85 which is also much cheaper than a few months back when CD-R's were a bit more expensive because of certain CD-R taxes!
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| Making a Xwave Region-Free |
| We have added instructions how to make a Xwave CD/DVD/MP3 Player Region-Free!
This can be done 2 way:
- Applying a Firmware Update, making the Xwave an "Evaluation" player
- Performing a few steps on the Remote-Control
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25 August 2000 |
| CD/DVD/MP3 Software Releases |
CD/DVD Software |
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| Perfect Copy Update |
CD/DVD Utilities |
| Added Perfect Copy 2000 SR1 [22/08] to the CD/DVD Utilities.
Perfect Copy Updates:
- Fixed: V.5 registry bug.
- Added: New and improved scanner Engine.
- ReAdded: Imageselector.
- Added: CloneCD path selector, until the auto finder is fixed.
- Added: Perfect CloneCD Cleaner (Unblacklists CloneCD)
- Fixed: Costum button.
- Added: Joint Venture Window.
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| BlindRead 3.0.1.0 & BlindWrite 0.99.1.0 New Features |
Here are the new features for the upcoming release of BlindRead 3.0.1.0 & BlindWrite 0.99.1.0
New BlindRead 3.0.1.0 Features:
- CD detection timing changed, to correct a detection failed problem.
- Support for sub code extraction added on many targets.
- Support for alternative read method added for some targets single gap extraction method removed.
- Support for minimal and maximal speed settings.
- Better accuracy in TOC decoding.
- Added a play sound at completion.
- Changes in the internet update system.
New BlindWrite 0.99.1.0 Features:
- Almost fully rewritten.
- Robustness greatly improved.
- Compatible with many more CD-Writers.
- Five writing modes are available (from most powerful to most compatible):
- DAO PW
Writes EVERYTHING.
- DAO PQ
Clones any protected CD, but not CD Text data.
- SAO RAW RW
Writes CD Text, uncorrected data, but no special PQ sub code (like in Securom).
- SAO RAW
Writes uncorrected data, but no special PQ sub code (like in Securom).
- SAO Cooked
Writes corrected data, no special sub codes -but shall work on, writers were all the other writing modes has failed (Panasonic 75x2 for instance).
- CUE file support (for compatibility with previous BlindRead versions, as well as CDRWIN and fireburner images.
- A lot of interface improvements.
- Can write while BlindRead is reading!
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| CD/DVD Firmware Releases |
CD-Writer Firmwares |
Philips has released a Firmware Pack which supports the following CD-Writers:
- Philips CDD3600 - FW2.03
- Philips CDD3610 - FW3.09
- Philips CDD3801 - FW1.7e
- Philips PCRW400 Series: CDD4201 & CDD4401 - FW1.08/1.3/1.4
- Philips PCRW 800 Series: CDD4801 - FW1.5/1.8
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| Ricoh MP9120A CD-RW/DVD-ROM Drive |
| Ricoh has announced that it will release it's latest CD-RW & DVD-ROM combination, the MP9120A, which will support the High-Speed ReWrite standard and will have a buffer-underrun prevention system called JustLink, which is similar to BURN-Proof system from Sanyo. |
Ricoh MP9120A Specifications:
- 12x Write, 10x ReWrite, 32x CD Read & 8x DVD Read
- IDE/ATAPI Interface (UDMA33)
- 2 MB Memory Buffer
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Ricoh MP9120A |
| Sony Portable CD-ReWriters |
| Sony has extended it's VIAO line with a portable CD-RW called the Sony PCGA-CDRW51/A.
They will also be releasing 2 more portable CD-ReWriters as of October 1st which weights only
200 grams and is only 15mm in height! The Sony CRX75 will be available with either a PCMCIA adapter or an USB interface.
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Sony PCGA-CDRW51/A Specifications:
- 4x Write, 4x ReWrite & 20x Read
- PCMCIA Interface
- Software: EasyCD Creator 4 & DirectCD 3
- Size: 144x26x153mm (wxhxd)
- Weight: 620g
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Sony PCGA-CDRW51/A |
Sony CRX75A/U Specifications:
- 8x Write, 4x ReWrite & 24x Read
- PCMCIA (A) or USB (U) Interface
- 8 MB Memory Buffer
- Supports CD-Text
- Software (A): EasyCD Creator 4 & DirectCD 3
Software (U): WinCDR 5.0, MacCDR 4.1, PacketMan & Norton Ghost
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Sony CRX75A/U |
| Sony CRX160E & CRX1600S CD-ReWriters |
| Sony will also be releasing 2 new "normal" CD-ReWriters as of September 15th, the Sony CRX160E with IDE Interface and the Sony CRX1600S with SCSI interface. |
Sony CRX160E Specifications:
- 12x Write, 8x ReWrite & 32x Read
- SCSI-2 Interface (50 pens D-Sub)
- 4 MB Memory Buffer
- Supports CD-Text
- Software: EasyCD Creator 4 & DirectCD 3
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Sony CRX1600S Specifications:
- 12x Write, 8x ReWrite & 32x Read
- IDE/Atapi Interface
- 4 MB Memory Buffer
- Supports CD-Text
- Software: EasyCD Creator 4 & DirectCD 3
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22 August 2000 |
| CD Media Info - New CD-R Media |
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| The Medea Infiniti CDR90iCP Compax 80PLUS was send to us by Medea International Limited from the UK. The CDR90iCP is based on the new CD-R80PLUS media from RiTEK.
CDR Identifier says it is a normal 80 minutes CD-R but after some testing and playing around we managed to put 92 minutes of data on it using a Teac CD-R56S (in CD-R55S mode). Checkout the CD-R99 page to see if you CD-Writer supports this media!
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RiTEK CD-R80PLUS |
| Thanks Lars-Goran Lundberg & Yusuf I. Okhai from Medea International for supplying the CD-R media! |
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20 August 2000 |
| CD Media Info - New CD-R Media |
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| CD/DVD/MP3 Software Releases |
CD/DVD Software |
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| CD/DVD/MP3 NewsWire |
NewsWire |
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| Audiovox MP-1000 Portable MP Player |
MP3 Players |
| The Audiovox MP-1000 is made by the US based Audiovox Corporation. They also are releasing the Audiovox MP-2000 next month which will have 64 MB embedded memory.
The MP-1000 is currently available at an estimated price of US$ 180.00. |
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Audiovox MP-1000 Specifications:
- 32MB Embedded Memory (Expandable to 64 MB)
- MultiMedia Card Port for Optional 32MB MMC
- Large Backlit 12 character LCD display
- Parallel Port Interface
- Up to 120 minutes with an additional 32 MB MultiMedia Card
MPDJ Software for file management & file transfer with Real Audio & Real Jukebox for CD-Audio encoding
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15 August 2000 |
| CD/DVD/MP3 Software Releases |
CD/DVD Software |
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| CD/DVD/MP3 NewsWire |
NewsWire |
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| Perfect Copy Update |
CD/DVD Utilities |
| Added Perfect Copy 2000 [14/08] to the CD/DVD Utilities.
Perfect Copy Updates:
- News: Perfect Protection, & Perfect Explorer are soon available. This will be included in a suite for paranoids, burners and Surfers.
- Added: Protection Scanner. This version of the scanner also includes the new version of SafeDisc.
- Added: CD Serial Detector, Filesystem Detector, Space Detector, CD Label Detector, Drive Detector & Scanner History.
- Added: The Perfect Copy 2000 Interface. This is our final interface.
- Added: Autodetect of CloneCD.exe.
- Added: Autoscan when CD is inserted.
- Added: Log Scanned CD's. This will be usefull when the server part of it is finished.
- Added: Autostart when windows boots, in the new Perfect Copy 2000 Interface.
- Fixed: minor scanner problems. All operative now.
- News: Final Release will have PSX Copy Options too.
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| CDR Identifier No More |
| Frank Wolf, the author of CDR Identifier has stopped supporting his tool because the Orange Forum, who previously published the CD-R Manufacturer information for free now wants money for it... This is very sad news as this was a very handy utility to identify which CD Factories are actually making the new CD-R's! |
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14 August 2000 |
| CD/DVD/MP3 Software Releases |
CD/DVD Software |
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| IsoBuster Update |
CD/DVD Utilities |
| Added IsoBuster 0.99.5 [Beta 3] to the CD/DVD Utilities page - Thanks Peter Van Hove!
New Features/Updates:
- Added *.p01 image-file support (Gear)
- Enhanced *.nrg support after I noticed there's a new variant going around.
- Enhanced *.iso support (general Iso image).
- Changed the Read TOC, RDI, RTI mechanism to support as many track situations as possible.
- As a result, open sessions (higher than first session) are also supported in writers and file-systems can be read in them.
- Still fully compatible with CD-i
- Work around NT 4 buggy atapi.sys driver problem (before Service Pack 4 or 5).
- Work around NT 4 bug (when using the SPTI communication method) in SCSI pass through mechanism (only when DMA on for IDE devices)
- Made sure IsoBuster works well with the Nero wnaspi32.dll for NT.
- Made some display improvements to better support the Windows 'Large fonts' setting.
- Added sort functionality. Clicking the LBA, Size or Name button sorts the content of the ListView (on the right).
- Major code re-writes to make it easier to re-use the code in other (future) projects
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| Alcatraz CD/DVD Copy Protection |
CD Protections |
| It seems that a new CD/DVD Copy Protections has hit the streets. It is called Alcatraz and it is being developed by KDG (Austria): |
Alcatraz marks a significant departure from many of the copy protection systems that are currently available on the market: Alcatraz is a flexible product. Alcatraz cannot be hacked into using standard software. Copy protection know-how rests with kdg; in this way, the manufacturer is directly responsible for all related support, implementation and customisation issues.
Alcatraz is based on a "watermark" system: i.e. the data structure of the relevant software is modified during the glass mastering process. Consequently, the commercially available CD that has been authorised as a legal replication cannot be copied, or only with great difficulty.
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| This means that Alcatraz is a cross between SecuROM, which is also based on a watermarking system and SafeDisc, which also uses the executable wrapping system.
One funny thing which is mentioned is the Level 3b Protection, the executable wrapper, is that they claim that the result of an "illegal" start attempt will range from a simple warning message through to a system crash and even right down to re-formatting of the disc drive!
For sure that they will never add this last "feature" as this will result in a nice lawsuit whenever it is introduced in the US!!!
Time will tell if this protection is as uncrackable as they claim it will be! |
| Aiwa XD-DV370 DVD/CD/MP3 Player |
MP3 Players |
| This month Aiwa will debut it's new DVD player line which includes the Aiwa DV370 DVD/CD/MP3 Player. It will be available this month at a suggested retail price of US$ 300.00. |
Aiwa XD-DVF370 Specifications:
- CD-R & CD-RW Compatible
- 96kHz/24-bit audio D/A converter
- 10-bit video D/A converter
- Dolby Digital/DTS digital output with optical &coaxial connectors
- Dual stereo RCA audio outputs
- S-Video & Composite Video outputs
- Dimentions: 17" x 3-1/2'' x 8-1/2" (W x H x D)
- Weight: 3 Kg
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12 August 2000 |
| CD/DVD/MP3 Software Releases |
CD/DVD Software |
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| CD/DVD/MP3 NewsWire |
NewsWire |
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| CD Media World Message Forums |
| If you got CD, DVD or backup related questions try asking them in our CMW Message Forums before e-mailing us. We are still flooded with e-mail with questions and we just don't have the time to answer them all!
Currently the following Message Forums are available:
- CD Copy Protections & Utilities
- CD/DVD Software & Utilities
- CD/DVD-Writers
- CD/DVD Media
In the forum use the Search option first to see if your question has already been asked (and answered) by another user! Only registered users are allowed to post a message so if you want to ask a question use the Register option to get an account first. |
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8 August 2000 |
| CD Media Info - New CD-R/CD-RW Media |
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| PC Welt Article linking CD Media World |
| Both CD Media World & GameCopyWorld were mentioned for the second time in the August Issue of PC Welt - This is one of the biggest PC magazines in Germany! Fun! |
| Yuan MP-300 Portable MP3 Player |
MP3 Players |
| The Yuan MP-300-32 & Yuan MP-300-64 are both made by the California based Yuan Technology. It is a 32 or 64 MB light weight portable MP3 player/voice recorder with USB connectivity. The device is available in both blue and purple color (a silver model will be available in a while). |
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Yuan MP-300 Specifications:
- Interface: USB
- Memory: 32 MB or 64 MB (upgradeable to 128 MB)
- Signal to Noise (S/N) Ratio: 90dB
- Functions: 16 Preset EQs, ADPCM Voice Recording
- Power Source: 2 AAA batteries (rechargeable via USB cable)
- Dimensions: 95x55x16 mm
- Weight: 65 grams (without batteries)
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| CD-Writer & DVD Reviews |
CD Reviews |
| Added several CD-Writer and DVD Review Links: |
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| CD/DVD Firmware Releases |
CD-Writer Firmwares |
| Product |
Version |
| KenWood 62x CD-ROM |
2.22 |
| KenWood 72x CD-ROM |
2.22 |
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| Product |
Version |
| Ricoh MP7063A |
1.60 |
| Ricoh RW7063A |
1.60 |
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7 August 2000 |
| CD/DVD/MP3 Software Releases |
CD/DVD Software |
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| CD/DVD/MP3 NewsWire |
NewsWire |
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| File Sharing Tools |
| Added a lot of new File Sharing Software which are all similar to Napster & Gnutella. |
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| Perfect Copy Update |
CD/DVD Utilities |
| Added Perfect Copy 1.32 to the CD/DVD Utilities.
Perfect Copy Updates:
- Added: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).
- Added: settings for "Audio With Extra Data" scheme
- Added: Custom Settings button. With this button you can Customize your own Copy Settings.
- Fixed: CopyProtection Presets. If two CD's (In some situations) were backed up it would result in a coaster.
- Added: More GameOptions
- Added: Redesigned interface as requested from Domin8tor.
- Fixed: Internal Roadblockings in VB.
- News: Getting closer with the Copy Protection Detector feature. In 5 - 9 days it will be reality.
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6 August 2000 |
| CD Media Info - New CD-R/CD-RW Media |
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| Philips eXpanium Portable MP3/CD Player |
MP3 Players |
| The Philips eXpendium is an portable MP3/CD Player and it comes in 2 models, the eXp101 & eXp103. The 2 devices are identical, the only difference is that the eXp101 comes with an AC Adapter & In-Cord 3-key Remote Control (for portable use) and the eXp103 comes with a Car Cassette Adapter & cigarette adapter (for car use). It is also capable in reading CD-RW media. |
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Philips eXpanium Specifications:
- Plays standard Audio CD's & MP3 (32-320 Kbps) & MP3 Variable Bitrate (VBR) files
- MAGIC ESP Shock proof - Automatically stores from 45 up to over 100 seconds of music (at 128Kbps, 200 secs at 64 kpbs).
- CD-Rewritable compatible including multi-session support
- 0-hour playback with two AA Alkaline batteries.
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1 August 2000 |
| CD/DVD/MP3 Software Releases |
CD/DVD Software |
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| CD/DVD/MP3 NewsWire |
NewsWire |
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| CD-R99 Media |
This is an official statement from Plextor concerning the CD-R99 Media:
80 and 99 minute CD's and overburning are outside the specification, and may not work correctly on all CD-ROM drives and CD-R recorders. 80 and 99 Minute media uses a tighter spiral track on the disc to get the additional recording time, but many drives don't read this properly. Overburning uses space normally taken up with the leadout area of the disc, and not all drives will read the last track on the disc correctly if this leadout area is not used.
For that reason, Plextor does not officially support overburning or 99 minute media, although we do nothing in our hardware to prevent it. If software is capable of overburning, then if the media supports it, our drives will write it. However, some CD-ROM drives may not be able to read the media because of additional errors from trying to read beyond the limits of the CD specification. Plextor Manager 2000 1.04 and later does support 80 minute media. For help with 80 minute discs and Adaptec Easy CD Creator 3.5, see http://www.adaptec.com/tools/compatibility/cdrec.html
ECDC and Plextor Manager don't support 99 minute discs at this time.
Plextor Support Team - Jack
The new Feurio! 1.50.4ß also supports the CD-R99 media but Jens Fangmeier (the creator) has some Important Warning when using them (In German only). In this interestinf article he explains the problems that surround the CD-R99 media.
Thanks Josh for sending the Plextor statement! |
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