PC buyers can look forward to DVDs with up to 10 times the storage they now have when Hewlett-Packard rolls out machines that will support the Blu-ray Disc format in late 2005. HP is one of the first companies to announce the inclusion of Blu-ray Disc, a blue-laser technology that enables storage of up to 50GB on a dual-layer disc.

Press Release: Merging their respective engineering strengths in laser diode technologies, Nichia and Sony have successfully co-developed a wholly integrated, dual wavelength laser coupler compatible with red and blue-violet lasers. Mass production of these coupling devices is scheduled to commence by the end of 2005.

Primera has announced its new BravoPro, a CD/DVD publishing system designed for hands-free, automated production of up to 100 CDs or DVDs per job.

Press release: Plextor have started shipping a new Dual-Layer DVD/CD Burner. The new PX-716SA series DVD±R/RW drive features a native Serial ATA (SATA) interface and high-speed 16X DVD+R and 16X DVD-R recording, the internal drive combines fast performance, 150 MB/sec bandwidth, and recording features that ensure reliable, high-quality results across a broad spectrum of media.

The first music vending machines that will allow people to buy and download songs in the street, at railway stations or in the pub are to be unveiled this week.

Greek and British police in a joint operation cracked a multimillion illegal software sales ring, arresting two people and seizing thousands of pirate hi-tech software programs, Greek police said on Friday.

A 20 GB Red Laser, High-Definition Reflective Multi-layer Disc (MVD) recently demonstrated by New Medium Enterprises has, it's claimed, several advantages over emerging Blue laser light standards Blu-Ray and HD DVD.

A cloud has appeared on the horizon for DualDisc - the innovative disc technology which marries the DVD format on one side of a disc to CD audio on the other. Onkyo is the latest major consumer electronics manufacturer warning customers it may not be safe to play the hybrid CD/DVD discs.

Pirate DVDs that can hold more movies and TV shows than traditional DVD discs have become such a threat to China's video products market that the Shanghai General Team of Culture Inspection has kicked off a countrywide crackdown on illegal sales.

Lite-On IT is expected to OEM produce more optical disc drives (ODDs) for Sony, which will focus more on producing blue-ray drives, according to Taiwan ODD makers.

Microsoft has started implementing features in upgrades to Windows XP which specifically prevent users of pirated keys from upgrading parts of the operating system.

Rumours abound after a slide from a non disclosure agreement (NDA) presentation that will be Microsoft launching three versions of the Xbox 2, one of which is a fully functioning PC.

TiVo boxes are in many ways a perfect target for gadget hobbyists, providing both the means and motive to create some high-powered enhancements. The devices use mostly off-the-shelf computer components and run the open-source Linux operating system, making it easy for curious tinkerers to try out their skills. In addition, TiVo has intentionally left many tantalizing features out of its boxes due to concerns over potential copyright violations.

China's exports of DVD players decreased 20%-30% in the third quarter of this year, due to an investigation of patent infringement by the US International Trade Commission (ITC) under Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930, which is specifically designed to protect international intellectual properties, according to Taiwan makers of optical-disc drives (ODDs).

Press Release: Sharp have announced the introduction into the Japanese market of a new Blu-ray Disc Recorder with Hard Drive/DVD. The new BD-HD100 can record and play back high-definition pictures to/from the built-in hard drive and Blu-ray Discs with exactly the same high resolution seen in digital Hi-Vision (HDTV) broadcast images.

Japanese hardware maker Pioneer has developed a technique which will allow optical drives to store 500GB of data. That's according to the Nikkei Business Daily, which reported that the technique will use ultraviolet lasers, which emit shorter wavelength rays than blue lasers.

The Business Software Alliance (BSA) has doubled the bounty it will pay to people who shop their employers for using illegally pirated software, taking the upper limit to £20,000 until the end of the year.

Thanks to DVD swami Flash we have a review of the new 8x DVD-R from Datawrite featuring their new Mitsubishi manufactured dye. You can read why Flash rates these as 9 out of 10 and believes that "this disc is a nice addition to the Datawrite range" by clicking here.

Thanks to the independent members of disQworld we have a review of the new printable 8x DVD-R from Datawrite. The folks over ther seem very impressed with the new CMC manufactured discs. Click here for the review.

Shuttle have unveiled their new Media Center PC, the snappily titled SB775G5 XPC. It comes in the new G5 case and supports Intel LGA775 chips. It is based on the i875P chipset, and sports AGP8X, ECC DDR400 and SATA RAID. For I/O it has about everything you could ever care about, from USB to SPDIF.