DVD+ format doubles rewrite speeds

The DVD Alliance has given the all clear for an eight-speed rewrite specification for its +RW DVD format. Currently, the + format has reached the limit of write speeds at 16x, but the rewrite speeds - previously at four-speed - are catching up too. 'Eight-speed DVD+RW rewriting is the next step in the DVD+R/+RW format roadmap after bringing write-once DVD+R to the maximum achievable 16-speed recording speeds,' said Frank Simonis, Chair of the DVD+RW Alliance Product Promotions Group and Strategic Marketing Director for Philips Optical Storage. ...more

US senators legislate for music player copyright protection

Two senators in the US Congress have introduced a bill which would make it compulsory for the next generation of digital content players to have anti-piracy technology built in. The Bill also proposes to outlaw electronic devices that convert analogue video signals into digital ones. The aim of the Bill is to plug the so-called 'analogue hole'. ...more

Channel 4 offers free online 'catch-up' service

Channel 4 is expanding its online, on-demand 4oD service. As well as making all its commissioned content freely available for seven days after broadcast - to encourage people to sample 4oD - it is also using it as an opportunity to bring advertising to 4oD. The chance to 'catch-up' on content from the last week is described as a world's first by Channel 4. ...more

iTunes to win 'exclusive' Beatles rights - report

Apple is close to winning exclusive online rights to The Beatles music, according to a Fortune report. The report claims that the details of the deal have yet to be finalised, but Apple's iTunes Store will be the sole source of Beatles downloads for a limited period, to the undoubted chagrin of other music store operators. 'Other music stores, such as Microsoft's and [Real's] Rhapsody, have courted the Beatles over the years to no avail, but it appears Apple is close to getting first dibs on the band's hits,' the report says. ...more

i-Station docks iPod in stereo

Logic3 has added to its range of iPod accessories with a combined docking station and stereo speakers, The i-Station is a 12W RMS 2.1 sub-woofer speaker system with an integrated 3D surround sound processor and includes line-in for use with audio devices other than iPods. Doubling as a docking station, it supports full syncing via FireWire or USB, recharges the iPod and includes and adapter for the iPod mini. ...more