Pioneer intros most powerful internal BDXL/BD/DVD/CD recordable drive

LONG BEACH, USA: Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. unveiled the BDR-2207, Pioneer’s most powerful and full-featured drive. The internal SATA drive can read and write to all BDXL disc formats, including BD-R and BD-RE triple-layer 100GB media, BD-R quad-layer 128GB media, as well as conventional recordable Blu-ray Disc (single-layer 25GB media and dual-layer 50GB media). In addition, the drive features PowerRead and Pioneer’s PureRead2, Auto Quiet mode, QuickStart, and Peak Power Reducer technologies.

The BDR-2207 is packaged with CyberLink software that gives users the ability to play standard Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D titles on correctly configured computers, as well as author and record high-definition Blu-ray Disc content and standard-definition DVD content.

“Consumers do so much with their computers that we wanted to create a drive that does pretty much everything you’ll need, whether it’s saving data or playing back content,” said Steven Cohn, director of Optical Sales for the Home Electronics Industrial Department at Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. “Plus, the BDR-2207 is extremely fast and powerful to match the processing capability and speed consumers are used to with today’s computers.”

BDR-2207 advantages
PowerRead – Through its PowerRead feature the BDR-2207 provides smoother movie playback when a disc is marked with fingerprints or has minor surface scratches. When the drive is not able to read through these obstructed areas of a disc, it will quickly move forward to the next available data point, resulting in smoother Blu-ray and DVD movie playback.

PureRead2 – Clicking or popping sounds that might normally occur due to minor scratches and fingerprints on CDs can be prevented on some discs with the drive’s PureRead2 technology, which allows the drive to dynamically adjust its optical playback settings through the use of a unique algorithm.

Auto Quiet Mode – The drive also features an Auto Quiet mode that minimizes its operating noise based on the type of use. The rotation speed changes to a quieter mode (slower speed) when watching Blu-ray and DVD titles or listening to conventional audio CDs.

QuickStart – The amount of time between inserting a disc and the disc being ready for use has been reduced by up to 42 percent over previous generation models.

Peak Power Reducer – Some computers do not provide enough power to the drive during operation. In the case of a write operation, an error will occur and cause the disc to become useless. To prevent this, the Peak Power Reducer feature, when enabled, monitors the power and can reduce the drive’s peak power to ensure stable operation.

Bundled Software – For additional convenience, the BDR-2207 is bundled with the following CyberLink software: PowerDVD 10 BD3D, PowerDirector 9 and Power2Go 7.

The Pioneer BDR-2207 will be available in early May with a suggested retail price of $99.99.

Read more »

Essar Group unleashes power of cloud with Windows Azure

INDIA: In an effort to offer its customers Web-based applications with high performance and scalability while maintaining low infrastructure and management costs, multinational conglomerate Essar Group has implemented Windows Azure,Microsoft’s cloud services platform, to deliver some of its applications.

A leader in various business sectors, including steel, energy, power, communications, shipping ports, logistics and construction, and with operations in more than 25 countries across five continents and revenues at $17 billion, Essar remains competitive in an aggressive marketplace through a focused effort on superior customer service.With its enterprise customers in mind, the company sought to enhance its offerings with a cloud version of some of its applications.

Microsoft Services approached Essar with a cost-effective solution in Windows Azure that allowed the company to obtain the benefits of both public and private cloud computing while also reducing the level of IT maintenance required to manage the applications on-premises. Because it is hosted in Microsoft datacenters, Windows Azure is able to provide developers with on-demand computing and storage, as well as the ability to scale and manage Web applications.

Essar expects that the delivery of its applications through Windows Azure will enable the company to increase profitability and reduce costs by as much as 65 percent. Because IT staff members are also no longer allocating time to infrastructure management, they can devote more time to mission-critical operations.

Read more »

Zenith Infotech launches TigerCloud powered by Intel Xeon processor

MUMBAI, INDIA: Zenith Infotech announced the launch of its new product TigerCloud which is primarily aimed at mid-size organisations. TigerCloud is a high performance private cloud product that combines server, storage and network virtualization technology and allows customers to build and have their own sophisticated private clouds at costs lower than public clouds. Based on Intel Xeon E3 processor family, TigerCloud is a three-in-one product, combining private cloud, business continuity and backup, as well as scale out iSCSI storage.

As per IDC, though cost continues to be an important variable constraining technology adoption, small and medium businesses (SMBs) are also exhibiting a perceptible desire for customized solutions and products that cater to their unique requirements. IT spending in SMB will reach record levels in 2012 and as such this market presents huge opportunities. The growing role of "social, mobile, and virtual" will drive major SMB investments in Cloud.

Zenith Infotech’s TigerCloud costs 70 percent less than similar converged infrastructure products from the major multinationals. Based on Intel Xeon E3 processor family, Intel DBS1200BTS board and Intel 320 series SSDs, TigerCloud is a high performance system and is built around Microsoft’s Hyper-V technology. Zenith Infotech has invested over Rs.200 crore on R&D for its private cloud products.

Read more »

LG unveils BX503B and BX403B - high brightness semi shot-throw projectors

NEW DELHI, INDIA: LG Electronics have scaled to new heights with the launch of two high brightness projectors, BX503B and BX403B in India. These high resolution projectors provide short projection distance and uses DLP technology. Powered by DLP technology, these projectors are virtually immune to color decay and offer an extended lifespan lasting year after year.

The technology also boasts of a filter free design to eliminate the need for filter cleaning and filter replacement which not only reduces labor for support staff but also saves money for companies and schools.

“With the launch of these two models in India, LG’s focus would be expanding its portfolio. LG's customer-centric approach ensures industry-leading premium products with exceptional quality and the most relevant features and technology to make consumers' lives easier”, said Soon Kwon, president, South West Asia Region and MD, LG Electronics India Pvt Ltd.

“With super compact and ultra bright projectors, LG continues to develop and display products that lead the way in both design and capabilities.”

The projectors offer XGA native resolution of 1024x768 and a 2800:1 contrast ratio. While the BX503B projector packs 5000 ANSI lumens, BX403B offers 4000 ANSI lumens. The projectors have a 6 segment color wheel which results in vivid colors, a defined picture quality and easy detection of even subtle color differences. BX403B and BX503B comes with HDMI 1.3V deep color which eliminates on-screen color banding for smooth tonal transitions and enables increased color ratio.

The Brilliant Color technology infused with projectors breathes life into every picture and delivers incredible depth and color range. The VIDI technology enhances video performance, provides better contrast due to ‘dark pulse’ and has intelligent light control. Both the projectors are LAN enabled and have a lamp life of 2000 hrs (normal mode) and 2500 hrs (ECO mode). They also feature a quick power on/off so that the user can save the waiting time before and after usage.

These projectors light up the living rooms with their unbeatable picture quality and are ideal for home theatre enthusiasts. Both the projectors weigh 5.8 kg, and have a front exhaust and auto-altitude detection and are priced at Rs.1,65,000/-and Rs.1,10,000/-, respectively.

Read more »

More than one in five US households have TV connected to Internet

SCOTTSDALE, USA: At least 21 percent of US households (approximately 27 million) have either an Internet-ready TV, game console, standalone Blu-ray player, and/or smart set-top box connected to their home network. Of these four device categories, the game console is the most used device, reaching over 80 percent of these connected TV households, followed by Internet TVs (27 percent), standalone Blu-ray players (24 percent), and smart set-top boxes (13 percent).

“Game consoles got an early lead in the connectivity space when Microsoft’s Xbox 360 launched in late 2005. Multiplayer gaming, along with the attention devoted to features outside of gaming from all three key console manufacturers, Microsoft and Sony in particular, have helped catapult the game console to the top of the connected CE space,” says senior analyst, Michael Inouye.

In total, nearly half of US households have at least one current generation game console, while almost 16 percent has an Internet-ready TV, a base similar for standalone Blu-ray players (smart set-top boxes comes in at under 5 percent).

Considering the aforementioned connect rates, it is clear that a relatively large number of consumers have not connected some of these devices to the network, most notably Internet-ready TVs. Looking out to 2017, the penetration rates are expected to exceed 60 percent for game consoles, TVs, and Blu-ray players, and while not all of these devices will be connected, there is certainly room for growth, as only 48.5 percent of consumers with a home network currently have one of these devices connected to the Internet.

Inouye adds: “As CE manufacturers increase the value proposition by adding new services and features to these connected devices, the connect rate will certainly climb. This in turn will lead to an increased amount of time spent on these devices, but currently ABI Research does not anticipate a significant shift away from traditional pay-TV services, although it is possible these devices will contribute to limiting pay-TV’s growth potential.”

Read more »

US Department of Defense counterfeit regulations impact global suppliers

EL SEGUNDO, USA:Stringent new counterfeit-part regulations contained in the 2012 US National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) may have broad international implications, impacting hundreds of overseas companies that have supplied billions of dollars’ worth of items to the American government.

Non-US-based suppliers accounted for more than $2 billion during the five-year period from 2007 to 2011, with European Union (EU) and Middle Eastern companies accounting for the bulk of the American government’s procurement spend, according to the IHS Haystack Gold service.

“There’s a perception that U.S. regulations such as 2012 NDAA, Section. 818. Detection and Avoidance of Counterfeit Electronic Parts,is only an issue for American companies, and that they don’t impact firms in Europe, the Mideast and elsewhere,” said Greg Jaknunas, senior product manager, supply chain solutions, at IHS. “However, the impact is beginning to be felt worldwide, as many international companies and global manufacturing facilities can directly participate in the defense supply chain and begin to see customer requests for counterfeit detection and avoidance measures that are flowed down through the supply chain.”

Even though the regulations in 2012 NDAA are from the United States, they will become an international issue as defense contractors place requirements on their suppliers, who then place similar demands on their suppliers, and so on, Jaknunas added

“The 2012 NDAA requirements will get pulled through the global supply chain,” Jaknunas observed. “Owing to the complex nature of the supply chain, it will become an international concern. In a way, this is similar to the EU’s restriction of hazardous substances (RoHS) environmental directive, which called for the elimination of six hazardous materials in electronic components and systems, most notably lead. While RoHS requirements appeared to be European in nature, they had a ripple effect worldwide as suppliers all over the world changed their products in order to continue to do business in the key EU markets.”

IHS estimates that the 362 non-US companies worldwide that are supplying the US government could be directly impacted by the NDAA counterfeit regulations, with many more that could be indirectly affected.

The very real problem of counterfeits
Reports of counterfeit parts have soared dramatically in the last two years, presenting huge challenges for electronics manufacturing and especially the military and aerospace industry. Supply chain participants in 2011 reported 1,363 separate verified counterfeit-part incidents worldwide, a fourfold increase from 324 in 2009, according to IHS.

The bulk of these incidents were for commercial electronic components that have wide use across every major technology end market.

Counterfeit parts often are often cheap substitutes or salvaged waste components that fail to meet strict military and aerospace specifications, leading to potential failures.

To help combat the problem, President Obama on December 31, 2011 signed the fiscal year 2012 NDAA, which adds regulations for counterfeit part detection and avoidance. Members at all tiers of the defense supply chain must put counterfeit risk mitigation procedures in place, and certain steps must be completed within 270 days of the president’s signature.

Regional impact
Companies based in the European Union represent the largest group of foreign suppliers to the US government.

During the five-year period from 2007 through 2011, the region accounted for $1 billion in sales, or 51 percent of the total. The area, by a large margin, also had the most number of companies—283 firms.

Next was the Middle East with $951.2 million, representing 47 percent of the global total during the past five years. This revenue was generated by just 32 companies. The region, particularly Israel, is involved in extensive defense spending, and provides technology in this area to the United States. A major purchaser and user of U.S. military equipment, Israel is also involved in the joint development of military technology and regularly engages in joint military exercises involving United States.

Other regions trailed far behind, including Asia-Pacific, with the region’s 38 companies accounting for just 2 percent of global revenue.

Managing NDAA
To manage the wrenching changes wrought by the NDAA regulations, companies throughout the world must have tools that allow them to identify components at risk of counterfeits.

IHS provides content, software and expert analysis about worldwide electronics for component selection, sourcing, and logistics, as well as integrated obsolescence management, bill-of-materials management, environmental compliance and counterfeit risk mitigation.

IHS Haystack provides critical, integrated and interpretable logistics information to the government and contractors so that processes can be automated, labor and research costs saved, and new levels of efficiency as well as return on investment realized.

IHS Haystack allows users to locate a part number, determine its manufacturer, research past award histories, conduct competitive analyses, identify alternative sources, and find parts and manufacturers qualified against military specifications. Companies can use IHS Haystack’s Qualified Products Dataset to locate the most current information on certified government manufacturer and supplier sources of qualified products, in order to stay within a trusted supply chain of authorized suppliers.

Source: IHS iSuppli, USA.

Read more »

Hitachi Unified Storage embraced by partner ecosystem

BANGALORE, INDIA: Hitachi Data Systems Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi Ltd, announced broad global partner support for the company’s new Hitachi Unified Storage family.

The ecosystem includes support from strategic technology partners and the Hitachi TrueNorth Partner community, and complements Hitachi Data Systems solutions and services organizations to help customers successfully and efficiently manage their critical business applications and meet their growth requirements.

The new Hitachi Unified Storage, with a single management framework, redefines unified storage by storing multiple data types with more flexibility and balanced scalability than any other midrange solution, and without compromising performance, scalability or cost efficiency.

Several strategic partners, including technology partners Brocade, Cisco, Intel, Microsoft Corp. and VMware, and Hitachi TrueNorth Partners including ASG, Datalink, HighVail Systems, Intel Corporation, Lumenate and ViON, have provided their perspectives on the new Hitachi Unified Storage.

Built on a heritage of market-leading innovation, Hitachi Unified Storage provides organizations with a reliable, dynamic and open architecture that lets them meet their service level objectives more efficiently, save costs and protect their long-term investments. HUS is supported by a proven services organization and a network of partners to help reduce operational and capital costs:

HUS integrates with industry-leading strategic alliance partner technologies to deliver to customers the highest performing, most scalable solutions that address data growth and help customers reduce CAPEX and OPEX while meeting rigorous SLA requirements.

HUS enables Hitachi TrueNorth Partners to help their customers do more with their data than ever before. The offering aligns with the Hitachi TrueNorth Partner Program which is committed to enabling partners to build a sustainable, agile and profitable Hitachi Data Systems business supported by industry proven technology.

Read more »

Point Grey launches HD 6.0 MP FireWire camera with industry leading CCD sensitivity

RICHMOND, CANADA: Point Grey, a world-leading designer and manufacturer of digital cameras for industrial, scientific, and traffic applications, announced the addition of new 6.0 megapixel models to its Grasshopper Express IEEE 1394b (FireWire-b) digital cameras series. Building on Point Grey's experience with Sony EXview HAD CCD II technology, the new Grasshopper Express GX-FW-60S6 uses the Sony ICX694 to deliver high resolution and extreme sensitivity in a compact and low-cost package.

Following the successful release of the ICX674 used in the GX-FW-28S5, the ICX694 applies EXview HAD technology to higher resolution, multi-tap image sensors. Compared to other CCD devices, EXview is known for higher quantum efficiency, reduced smear, and increased near infrared sensitivity. The ICX694 is a full 1" CCD that features 4.54 micron square pixels and is capable of sending 2736 x 2192 images at 11 FPS.

Every Grasshopper Express camera is equipped with a tripod mounting bracket, on-board temperature and power sensors to monitor camera status, and Point Grey's rich feature set. Also included with every camera is the FlyCapture SDK software library, which provides a common control interface for all Point Grey cameras under both Windows and Linux. The Grasshopper Express camera utilizes the FireWire-b interface. The 800 Mbit/s of bandwidth delivers low latency, deterministic image transfer without CPU loading. Industry-leading pricing and best-in-class image quality make the new GX ideal for applications in machine vision, bioscience, traffic and GIS applications.

"Applications imaging fast moving objects will benefit from improved sensitivity, shorter exposure values to eliminate motion blur, and post capture gain," says Michael Gibbons, director of Sales and Marketing. "With its high infrared response, this new Grasshopper Express allows customers to detect features and defects at higher wavelengths."

The Grasshopper Express GX-FW-60S6M-C (monochrome) and GX-FW-60S6C-C (color) models are list priced at $3,995 and are available to order now from Point Grey and its network of distributors.

Read more »

China will overtake US in connected TV sales in 2014

BOSTON, USA: The global connected flat-panel TV (FPTV) market will increase to 91 million units in 2012, according to the Strategy Analytics Connected Home Devices service report, “Global Flat-panel TV and Connected TV Forecast 2012.”

By the end of 2011, nearly 100 million households worldwide owned at least one Connected FPTV, 6 percent of global household penetration. Strategy Analytics projects that the number of global connected FPTV households will reach 502 million by 2016.

Content providers and Pay TV operators will increasingly leverage the growing presence of connected TVs to reach consumers, driving the growth of connected TVs. Nearly 40 percent of all FPTVs sold in 2012 are projected to be internet-enabled; and this figure will rise to 80 percent in 2016. The United States will remain the largest market for connected TVs in 2012, with sales projected to reach 18 million units.

However, China will soon seize the top spot of the connected TV market, as it is expected to exceed US connected TV sales in 2014. The Asia Pacific region, driven by China and India, will account for 42 percent of all connected TV sales in 2016.

Jia Wu, director, Connected Home Devices (CHD) at Strategy Analytics, commented: “Consumers are starting to enjoy services like Netflix and BBC iPlayer on their internet-enabled televisions. The increasing availability of a broad range of other services, like Skype and YouTube, will make the proposition of connected TVs more compelling.”

Kantideep Thota, CHD Analyst, added, “Despite rapid connected TV growth in China, its household penetration of connected TVs will remain low, with less than one-third of Chinese households owning a connected TV by the end of 2016.”

Read more »