Sony Computer Entertainment America (SCEA) today announced that the next system software updates for PLAYSTATION®3 (PS3™) and PSP®(PlayStation®Portable) systems are now available. PS3 system will be upgraded to v. 2.10, which further enhances the system’s home theater capabilities by enabling playback of DivX®-formatted videos and upgrading to Blu-ray Disc™ (BD) Profile 1.1.

This profile makes PS3 one of the first Blu-ray players capable of advanced features for movies, such as picture-in-picture viewing and interactive audio commentary. PSP will be upgraded to v. 3.80, expanding the system’s music functionality with the addition of Internet Radio via AOL’s SHOUTcast Radio and icecast.org’s icecast . PSP users will be able to listen to their choice of more than 22,000 stations whenever they’re at a Wi-Fi hotspot, giving them significantly more options beyond the music stored on their Memory Stick Duo™.

"Consumers are seeing the incredible depth of PS3 and PSP as entertainment systems, and these new features expand each platform’s media capabilities and provide more options for enjoying content – whether it’s movies on a high-definition setup with PS3 or music on the road with PSP," said Peter Dille, senior vice president, marketing and PLAYSTATION®Network, SCEA."Both PS3 and PSP continue to evolve with new upgrades that consumers are asking for, all delivered with the ease of free system software updates that keep our consumers at the forefront of innovation."

PS3 system software 2.10
PS3 system’s value as a gaming and home entertainment center will be expanded with the PS3 system software 2.10 upgrade. Consumers will be able to playback videos in the popular DivX format. DivX is the format of choice for uploading personal video content to a PC or downloading content from the Internet because of its high visual quality and small file sizes. Many PS3 users may already have DivX videos stored on their PC, and now they’ll be able to enjoy this content in their living rooms on their PS3. Consumers will have the option to access DivX videos stored on their PC over Wi-Fi via PS3 system’s Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) technology.

PS3 system software 2.10 also includes the BD Profile 1.1, making PS3 one of the first Blu-ray players on the market capable of advanced features for movies, such as secondary video and audio decoders for picture-in-picture viewing and interactive audio commentary. The first BD movies to take advantage of BD Profile 1.1 are slated for release in January 2008, making PS3 owners among the first consumers who will be able to enjoy the enhanced movie-watching experience that Blu-ray technology makes possible.

All PS3 systems play high-definition Blu-ray movies out-of-the-box, and with 70 percent of PS3 users stating in a recent survey that they own at least three BD movies, it’s clear that Blu-ray movie playback is a key benefit for PS3 owners. Because of PS3’s ability to upgrade its system software , the 1.1 Profile and future BD updates can easily be delivered to users, enabling the system to remain current as BD technology advances.

System software 2.10 also adds support for playback of videos in VC-1 format, including WMV content. Additionally, a new Voice Changer setting for voice and video chat enables high and low-pitched tones to be adjusted to five preset levels.

PSP System Software 3.80
PSP system software 3.80 delivers free Internet Radio to all PSP users whenever they’re at a Wi-Fi hotspot via AOL’s SHOUTcast Radio and icecast.org’s icecast . With AOL’s SHOUTcast, PSP users can tune in to their choice of more than 21,000 stations streaming a variety of musical genres, from pop and hip-hop to rock and talk. Icecast offers an additional 1,500 streams. More than 50 percent of PSP owners use the system to listen to music, and this new service makes PSP even more compelling for music fans. The volume and variety of content available through Internet Radio effectively expands a PSP user’s own music collection that they can currently listen to when stored on a Memory Stick Duo™.

The Internet Radio feature is compatible with both the original PSP (PSP- 1000 model ) and the recently released PSP (PSP- 2000 model ) . To access the feature, an Internet Radio icon will be available on the XMB™ (XrossMediaBar) under the Network category, and a Memory Stick Duo is required to register the application.

Both PS3 and PSP systems were designed to continually evolve with regular system software upgrades that deliver new features and functionality. With no additional investment, consumers simply update their systems and can immediately enjoy these upgrades. This process lengthens the lifecycle of PS3 and PSP, and consumers no longer have to worry about their hardware becoming outdated or missing out on exciting new capabilities. SCEA will continue to release system software updates on an ongoing basis. For further details and instructions on how to update the PS3 and PSP system software , please visit http://us.playstation.com.

Sonic Solutions(R) (Nasdaq: SNIC), the leader in digital media software, announced today that CMC Magnetics Corporation (TSEC: CMC), a leading optical storage manufacturer, has signed a Qflix(TM) technology and IP licensing agreement. CMC is beginning production on Qflix DVDs, which enable the secure, on-demand recording of digitally distributed entertainment with the same protection as commercially mass-produced titles. CMC is currently taking orders for two versions of Qflix media expected to be in broad use next year. The first type will be employed by duplication system operators providing custom DVD publishing services to retailers. The second type is designed for use in retail movie kiosks as well as in the home, where they will enable consumers to legally record premium entertainment downloaded from the Internet.

"CMC is a key partner helping to deliver a critical component of the Qflix ecosystem," said Jim Taylor, senior vice president and general manager of Sonic Solutions' Advanced Technology Group. "Along with other partners in the consumer electronics, entertainment distribution, and PC industries, CMC will help create a cost-effective way to digitally deliver content that consumers can own and view in the entertainment venue of their choice, including the living room and anywhere else they play DVDs."

In addition to appearing on recordable DVDs, the Qflix brand will appear on other consumer products and services including compatible drives and video download services as a symbol for consumers looking for legitimate and reliable "purchase, download, and burn" solutions. Qflix is also the brand for the technology and licensing program that includes product and component certification to enable content owners, service providers, and manufacturers of recordable media, PC DVD writers, network-connected DVD recorders, set-top boxes, and software to create compatible and interoperable solutions.

The royalty-bearing Qflix licensing program for media and optical drive manufacturers was established by Pioneer and Sonic to facilitate the adoption of secure download and burn applications in accordance with the approved industry specifications for recording downloads set by the DVD Forum and the DVD Copy Control Association.

www.qflix.com

www.sonic.com

Univenture, Inc., is an award winning inventor and manufacturer of a wide array of eco-friendly packaging, document storage and direct mail products. The company will debut its 100% recyclable UniKeep HiDef Media Disc™ Case offering compact multiple disc packaging and storage. Also featured will be the EcoEndure™ line of specialty packaging products using environmentally friendly materials and concepts. Univenture will be located in the Sands Expo and Convention Center, Booth #71039, January 7-10 in Las Vegas, NV.

“CES is the ideal venue to introduce distributors, retailers and buyers seeking eco-friendly products to Univenture’s innovative green packaging solutions that create dynamic shelf impact,” said Ross Youngs, CEO and Founder of Univenture. “There is an increasing demand for environmentally responsible packaging alternatives for CDs, DVDs, software, games and consumer electronics. Our unique manufacturing technologies to convert plastic film made from sustainable or biodegradable resources positions us to provide our customers with green solutions for even the toughest packaging challenges.”

The UniKeep HiDef Media Disc Case takes high-definition packaging to the next level, offering marketable packaging and compact storage for multiple discs. Each case, made from durable polypropylene--including the rings--holds up to six discs in interchangeable Safety-sleeve® pages. The durable design provides for an optimum lifespan of both the case and the contents.

“We have been designing and developing cost effective creative packaging alternatives that are environmentally responsible for 20 years. Univenture has made commercial products or packages, bags, sleeves, pockets, and molded products including flexible packaging, out of an entire range of eco-plastic materials including biodegradable polypropylene, PLA, EBD plastics, recycled content plastics as well as other materials,” added Youngs. “Our consumer line of products can be private labeled or branded by distinct Univenture brands for added flexibility to retailers.”

Security and protection is very important to safeguard the package’s contents. The HiDef Media Disc Case is enclosed and features latches for added protection. Tamper-evident seals may also be included. The Safety-sleeve pages are designed to cushion and protect the discs, with no hubs allowing for compact design and user-friendly storage.

The HiDef Media Disc Case comes in a variety of vibrant colors and additional colors can be custom manufactured. Standard pages or custom options with automated disc insertion are available. The package can be further customized with a full wrap insert or color imprinting on the case or pages. Extending the useful life of a package supports waste reduction and fulfills the marketing objective of extending the life and value of the package’s brand message.

All core Univenture products and brands will be on display during CES, including Safety-sleeve®, the UniKeep™ retail line, EnvyPak™, and EcoEndure™ environmentally responsible alternative packaging materials options. For those attendees seeking disc insertion automation, the company understands the subtleties of automation and media packaging better than many competitors because they have been designing and manufacturing packaging automation equipment for 21 years.

www.univenture.com

Nero, leaders in digital media technology, announced today that the latest update of the award-winning Nero 8 suite brings users BDMV authoring and playback, improved file encoding speed, support for Mini HD DVD-Video discs, and more. Nero 8 has received certification for authoring and playback of writeable Blu-ray Disc Video (BDMV) titles and with the new update now supports advanced and interactive features for High Definition audio and video. The certifications were presented by Sony Corporation’s Blu-ray Disc testing center and ensure maximum compatibility with other Blu-ray devices for trouble-free operation.

The latest update of Nero 8 also includes play back of Mini HD DVD-Video discs, and burning of HD DVD-Video onto DVD-R/RW media. Smart Encoding, a feature that detects compliant incoming data formats from AVCHD camcorders, avoids time-consuming re-encoding by skipping the recoding step for AVCHD content when the destination format is also AVCHD. Advancements in the Nero 8 home entertainment features offer even more flexibility by letting users fast forward, and pause content streamed throughout the digital home via Nero’s home media server application.

“Nero 8 now offers users the opportunity to create, edit, and play back their High Definition content in the same format as used on commercial Blu-ray Discs,” said Charly Lippoth, Chief Technology Officer, Nero AG. “From brilliant 3D menu templates to 5.1 surround sound audio, Nero 8 gives users innovative options for creating cutting-edge, professional-looking Blu-ray Discs.”

The BDMV features, as well as play back of Mini HD DVD-Video discs, are available with the Blu-ray / HD DVD Plug-in for users of Nero 8, which can be purchased via the Nero Online Shop. Current users of the Plug-in simply need to update to enjoy these new capabilities.

For more information about Nero 8 and the Blu-ray / HD DVD Video Plug-in, or to download the latest update, visit www.nero.com.

The French disc manufacturer Quantum Optical Laboratories (QOL), Vernouillet, received the first fully automated production system BLULINE for Blu-ray Discs on October 22nd, 2007. After an extremely short installation period the BLULINE replication system from SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES (SINGULUS) produced the first Blu-ray Disc with 25 GB capacity and passed the final acceptance test. The system operates with a cycle time of less than 4.0 seconds.

Laurent Villaume, President of QOL comments: ”We decided to buy a SINGULUS machine because of the proven Blu-ray single layer technology with an experience in the market over 2 years. We are very satisfied with the fast start of operation allowing QOL to deliver Blu-ray Discs to the market now.”

Blu-ray Disc and particular the dual layer Blu-ray Disc will commence in 2008. SINGULUS expects significant growth for the Blu-ray activities. SINGULUS will shortly deliver its first Dual layer Blu-ray production modules to the market.

For the development of the Blu-ray Disc production machine for the manufacturing of Dual layer Blu-ray Disc with 50 GB storage capacity SINGULUS works closely together with Sony DADC. The new SINGULUS BLULINE is now also prepared for the production of 50 GB Dual layer Blu-ray Disc.

QOL has always considered itself as the partner of Video Edition and Cinema. QOL is recognized by the major French video publishers and certified by four American studios for DVD replication. Supported by its150 employees and its 7 years experience, QOL has naturally been taking an interest in HD for over 3 years.

QOL has organized and taken part in several conferences on that subject and produced the very first HD DVD in Europe in May 2006, the movie "2046", which was presented to its famous director and president of the Cannes Film Festival 2006, Mister Wong Kar Waï. QOL also made the replication of the very first "Certified THX" HD DVD in the world named "Pan's Labyrinth" also presented to its director Guillermo Del Toro.

Already equipped with a High Definition mastering production line (SINGULUS LBR 266) and with all the High Definition testing equipments, QOL has just signed the acquisition of a Blu-ray line with SINGULUS. Thus, QOL has become one of the first independent replicators to be equipped with Blu-ray production machinery in order to answer the needs of the European market.

SINGULUS TECHNOLOGIES is market leader for optical disc production lines and is the only manufacturer globally to offer the complete range of products: mastering, molding and replication lines. In addition to the further development of the core activities of Optical Disc, the diversification into new work areas is the most important strategic target. With the acquisition of STANGL AG SINGULUS successfully entered the solar equipment market. The new business area Solar will be strongly expanded in the next couple of years.

www.singulus.nl

On Monday, December 17, 2007, the DVDCCA filed its opening appellate brief with the California Court of Appeal in its case against Kaleidescape for breach of the CSS license agreement. This brief demonstrates that, under long-settled principles of California law, the trial court erred in its interpretation of the CSS licensing agreement and in limiting the remedies for Kaleidescape’s alleged breaches of that agreement. The following is a summary of the DVDCCA argument:

As the DVDCCA's brief emphasizes, enforcing the CSS license – which is granted to all prospective licensees on exactly the same terms – serves two vital purposes. First, it protects against the unlawful copying of DVD content and, thus, helps assure the broadest possible digital distribution to consumers of television, movies, and other entertainment products. Second, the uniform licensing system that the DVDCCA administers guarantees equal access to the patented CSS technology for all companies interested in manufacturing devices that play back DVD content.

Under the CSS License agreement, licensees must follow the “CSS Specifications,” which include both “Procedural Specifications” and “Technical Specifications.” The Procedural Specifications are publicly available, whereas the Technical Specifications contain trade secrets and are delivered to licensees in certain membership categories after they sign the license agreement and pay an administrative fee.

The main question in the pending appeal is whether a document entitled “CSS General Specifications,” which was delivered to Kaleidescape after it entered into the license agreement and paid its fee, is a component of the Technical Specifications with which Kaleidescape must comply. As the brief explains, the General Specifications contain crucial protections against unauthorized copying of DVD content, including, the requirement that when a machine plays back DVD content for viewing, the physical DVD itself must be present in the device.

The trial court ruled that the General Specifications are not a subset of the Technical Specifications. But this interpretation is clearly wrong.

In California, courts interpret disputed contract terms by looking at the language of the contract at issue in light of other evidence showing the mutual intent of the parties. One type of evidence that is considered particularly powerful in determining this mutual intent is how the parties conducted themselves after entering into the agreement.

Here, overwhelming evidence, including the language of the license agreement and a wealth of undisputed evidence regarding Kaleidescape’s conduct, shows that the parties mutually understood the General Specifications to be a subset of the Technical Specifications. Kaleidescape’s own witnesses consistently testified that this was their understanding. Moreover, during almost the entire course of this litigation – at the summary judgment stage and right up to the moment of trial – Kaleidescape affirmatively took the position that the General Specifications were Technical Specifications.

As the DVDCCA brief explains, the trial court could reach a contrary reading of the Agreement (adopting a new and self-contradicting argument that Kaleidescape conjured up on the eve of trial) only by committing a number of significant legal errors. Perhaps most egregiously, the court mistakenly refused to consider all the post-contractual evidence showing that Kaleidescape shared the DVDCCA’s view that the General Specifications are a component of the Technical Specifications. In so doing, the court reached the absurd result of reading out of the license agreement provisions that are essential to the agreement’s central purpose of preventing the unauthorized copying of copyrighted DVD content.

The trial court also ruled in passing that, regardless of whether Kaleidescape had to comply with the General Specifications, the DVDCCA was not entitled to the injunctive remedies it had sought in the case. With respect to all its remedies-related rulings, the DVDCCA brief shows that the court misapprehended the governing law and disregarded the unequivocal intent of the parties that, to preserve uniformity among companies licensing CSS, injunctive remedies should be available for breaches of the license agreement.

For more than a decade, consumers and businesses alike have shared the enormous benefits that come from widely distributing content through a secure digital medium. The CSS licensing regime has helped ensure this success. Accordingly the DVDCCA is seeking reversal of a trial court ruling that would upset this carefully-wrought system for no sound reason.

www.dvdcca.org

DVDSoft-R Outlook is a standard DVD+R which integrates a very small and uncomplicated recording wizard which allows end users to securely save their emails directly from the various versions of Microsoft ® Outlook, using Soft-R’s Self Recordable media technology. This new backup solution from Soft-R Research is allowing end-users an uncomplicated way to securely backup their emails as well as their attachments. In a matter of just a few seconds after inserting a DVDSoft-R TM Outlook user simply select his emails and their attachments as well as his contacts, just one click on the Record button and that is all; emails and their attachments are automatically encrypted and saved.

“Today emails are probably the most important item to protect. Unfortunately saving emails is still a complicated process. We believe that our DVDSoft-R TM Outlook is the perfect solution for millions of people using Microsoft ® Outlook everyday” said Jean-Marc Pinson, the CEO of Soft-R Research LLC, “at experts’ or at end users’ levels, a flexible backup solution for emails is becoming a real need, which our DVDSoft-R TM Outlook is fully addressing."

Soft-R will be attending CES 2008, (Jan 7 to 10, 2007) in Las Vegas, Nevada, we would be delight to welcome you to our Suite located in the “New York New York hotel” to discuss and demonstrate our Soft-R’s Self Recordable Media technology.

www.soft-r.com