By combining forces, Rimage Corporation and Digital Intelligence, a leader in computer forensic services and software, open up a new market for digital evidence management. Providing enhanced solutions, the two companies will help streamline the workflow for intelligence officers.

The announcement comes at a time when cyber criminal activity is on the rise and difficult to combat and digital data continues to flood intelligence agency offices, placing a heavy demand on limited intelligence resources to manually mine the data. But Rimage EDS automates the data extraction process, as well as disc imaging and content reporting for disc-based evidence, and Digital Intelligence’s specialized software help simplify these challenges.

“At a time when digital evidence is expanding by the day, this partnership will deliver our customers outstanding solutions for digital evidence export, distribution, and archiving,” said Christopher Wells, senior vice president of marketing for Rimage Corporation.

The combination of technologies will allow for reduced evidence examination time by intelligence officials, introducing an invaluable asset for managing disc-based intelligence content.

Whether you’re prepping a master disc for your own project or for your client, data integrity is of the utmost importance, because a damaged or poor quality master will result in exponential problems down the replication road.

DVD Masters
Any master DVD needs to be created as an “authored” DVD, which means the content has been edited and has been run through an author program to create menus and complete compression. If you don’t have a program, consider using DVD Studio Pro, iDVD, Sonic Scenarist, Nero, and Adobe Encore.

We advise that you create a physical DVD master to send to your clients for final approval; digital masters can be lost or damaged. The only caveat is if you would like to CSS copy protect your DVD master. In this case submit your master as either a DDP master or DLT master.

CD Masters
Following the “Red Book Audio Standard” you can ensure text is visible on the CD, metadata is embedded and that you’re living up to ISRC codes. As with DVDs, it’s best to use a hard copy CD master, because trying to drop audio tracks onto a final disc can result in discrepancies with time between tracks or incorrect track order.

Data CDs and CD-ROMs
We almost always recommend prepping data discs as hard masters due to the fact they often contain auto executable files, complex software applications, or just large quantities of files. Submitting your disc for professional replication, for your own client, or for your own project will be easier and more secure if done so on a physical master.

Shopping for the best DVD media doesn’t take a science degree, but it can be easily confusing for anyone unfamiliar with all the terms and specifics that go along with this industry. That’s why we’re breaking down the buying process for you. Here’s a simple guide to help you navigate the aisles (whether physical or virtual) next time you’re in the market for recordable media.

Where to start
If you’re looking for basic recordable media for simple or at-home jobs you can never go wrong with your local electronics store or office supplies establishment. Most likely these organizations will have an online option for you as well. If you’re hoping to buy in bulk, research recordable media suppliers on the Web and you’re bound to find some great deals.

What to look for
The best equipment comes from Japan and Singapore; you’ll find that most companies produce their supplies in these two countries plus Taiwan, Mexico, Hong Kong, Ireland, and India. Taiwan and Hong Kong have the worst reputations of the bunch.
The country of production, however, is not as important as the brand. Not all producers have their own brand, and some company’s products go by a different name in this industry:

XL (Hitachi/Maxell)
MCC (Mitsubishi Chemicals)
PVC (Pioneer)
CMC (CMC Magnetics)

It’s often recommended to avoid store brands because the quality usually isn’t up to par, and the return and exchange policies can run you into some trouble in some circumstances.

The media ID is what will steer you in the right direction; this will indicate the actual disc maker and will help you avoid fakes. The following is a branding guide of the major recordable media manufacturers.

Accu = LEADDATA
Americal = RITEKG01, PRINCO, LEADDATA
Apple = MXL, MCC(-R)
Arita = RITEKG03, RICOHJPN
BenQ = DAXON, FUJIFILM
Bulkpaq = PRINCO, PRODISC, ISO001(+R)
CompUSA = PRINCO(-R), AML, OPTODISC, LD
Datawrite = PRINCO, PRODISC, AN31, RITEKG03
DupEZ = PIODATA, LEADDATA
ESA = CMC
Esbuy = RITEK, LEADDATA, other budget IDs
Fuji = TY(-R), MKM(-RW), MCC, RICOHJPN(+R), PRODISC(-R), FUJIFILM, RITEK
GQ = PIODATA, PRINCO, RITEKG03, RITEKG02, LEADDATA, LD
HP = CMC, RICOHJPN, MCC
Imation = MCC02, RITEKG03, CMC
Intenso = MCC01
KHypermedia = CMC, TTG01
Kodak = Various budget IDs
LiquidVideo = OPTODISC
Matrix = MATRIX, LONGTEN, YIJHAN, MUST
Maxell = MXL, RITEK(-R/Taiwan), RICOHJPN, TYG01
Memorex = MCC003, RITEKG05, RITEKR03, CMCMAG, RICOHJPN,
Memorex (more) = PRODISCS0x, INFODISC, MBI, MCC01
Meritline = Various budget IDs
Mirror = AN31, ONIDTECH, PRINCO
Optodisc = OPTODISC
Philips = CMC
Pioneer = PVC
Princo = PRINCO, Fake TDK
Prodisc = PRODISCS0x, PRODISCF0x, MCC01, MCC02
Ridata, Ritek = RITEKG0x, RITEKM0x, RITEKR0x, RITEKW, RICOHJPN
Samsung = TYG01, BEALL, RITEK
Sonic, Shop4tech = LONGTEN, MATRIX, MUST, YIJHAN, various budget IDs
Sony = SONYD0x, YUDEN, RICOHJPN, MCC
Supermedia, Linkyo = Various budget IDs
TDK = TY, YUDEN, TTG0x, TTH0x, RITEK, RICOH, MXL, CMC(+R), MCC, TDK
Teon = MCC003(+R), CMC(-R)
Verbatim = MCC02, MCC, MKM(DL), CMC, YUDEN, RICOHJPN, RITEKG03

How to use it
Once you’ve chosen your media and you’ve brought it home to use, you can check the advertised write speed against the actual write speed to verify that your equipment and media are operationally sound and to make sure you haven’t purchased a fake.

Most duplicating equipment and software will verify the write speed and run at the correct speed to match the media automatically, but you can manually check with the help of some free tools, including Nero, ADVDInfo, DVDinfoPro, DVDIdenifier, and others.

Lexar, a memory product producer and wholly owned subsidiary of Micron Technology Inc., shows how its meticulous production process brings us the quality memory card products they boast about.

In this six-minute how-it’s-made-style video, you’ll see everything from the impeccably sterile manufacturing process to the one-by-one hand testing for quality and write-speed. The video chronicles the entire production from beginning to end. The robotics themselves and the laser etching process are impressive, but it’s the personal attention given to each and every piece that’s truly the reassuring product sell.

Take a look at the video posted on Geek.com, and see for yourself.

Now through the end of the year, Primera Technology, Inc. is offering Visa gift card rebates on a limited selection of its printers and disc publishers. Certain models of the Bravo, LX-Series label printers and accessories are eligible for up to $2,000 in rebates.

Order any of the following Primera products before Dec. 31, 2010 and fill out the following Primera rebate form to receive a Visa gift card rebate, ranging from $50 up to $2,000 for the Bravo XRP-Blu Disc Publisher. Just make sure to save your UPC barcode, a copy of your final invoice, and the product serial number. Rebate forms must be postmarked Jan. 15, 2010.

Contact a Primera Equipment Expert at Gotmedia.com today 1-866-409-1090

New Player Joins the Solid State Party

Mushkin Enhanced has officially joined the solid state drive game with the introduction of the Callisto series. With a read speed of 285 MB and write speed of 275 MB, the Callisto SSDs are high-performance competitors for the SanDisk and Intel solid state products. The Callisto series comes equipped with the SandForce SF-1200 controller and can be found in 60GB, 120GB, and 240GB storage sizes.

Toshiba Toys with 3D Memory

Toshiba has been discussing the possibility of producing 3D memory for quite some time, but with a new factory set to open in Japan in 2011, rumor has it that 3D memory is just around the corner. The company’s fifth factory will not only produce conventional NAND flash chips, but will reportedly be Toshiba’s foray into a new 3D memory approach. 3D memory will address existing limitations by building both horizontally and vertically.

Construction on the factory won’t begin until July, but Toshiba and SanDisk have reportedly been working on the 3D chips since 2008 in anticipation of this expansion.

New Removable Storage from Imation

The Defender Collection from Imation, consisting of seven products, has been enhanced with new encryption and security management tools. Ranging from flash drives and hard drives to Blu-ray discs and removable tape cartridges, the Defender Collection comes standard with certification from the Federal Information Processing Standardization (FIPS) 140.

Keith Schwartz, a director at Imation, calls this new series a first of its kind for the company.

“We’ve never had products that have had the authentication levels we’re talking about, never had products that had antivirus, never had products with central management, and never had products that were validated at a FIPS level,” Schwartz said.

The new products also include Imation’s DataGuard rf Tape Tracking System, DataGuard Transportation and Storage Cases, SecureScan for LTO tape cartridges, and DataGuard GPS (currently only available in Europe).

Largest-capacity 32GB memory card released by SanDisk

SanDisk Corporation has officially started shipping a 32 gigabyte microSDHC card, the company’s highest-capacity removable memory card for mobile phones. As of Tuesday, March 23, the 32GB card can be purchased on SanDisk U.S. and European e-commerce sites for $199.99 with a five-year warranty. The card will be available worldwide beginning in April.

The new card, according to the SanDisk release, can hold more than 35 round-trip flights worth of music between San Francisco and New York before a song repeats.  The unprecedentedly large storage capacity in a small-form medium is made possible by SanDisk’s 32nm X3 (3-bit-per-cell) technology, allowing mobile network operators and handset manufacturers to scale the card for a variety of card and adaptor configurations.

Imation, ENCRYPTX join forces, combining optimum data storage and security

The data storage company Imation Corp. and data security company ENCRYPTX have partnered to create CD-R, DVD-R, and Blu-ray optical media with EncryptDisc™ technology, AES 256-bit encryption and burning technology from ENCRYPTX. The two companies, as part of the agreement, have also partnered with Compass Medical, North Central Sight Services, and Rocky Mountain RAM as the supply and distribution channels for certain medical, government, and other regulated markets.

The EncryptDisc technology allows discs to be encrypted while they’re being burned – eliminating the possibility for writing files in the clear. Password recovery and protection is highly efficient; authorized users can securely recover forgotten passwords with integrated password recovery and remote administrator recovery services, while hackers are prevented from cracking passwords by the built-in password attack self-defeating mechanism. EncryptDisc versatility also enables users to add new content or edit files and incrementally burn the changes or finalize discs with Read-Only decryption access.

Israeli company offers free DVD-ROM security systems

TrustCont, Ltd., an Israeli-based copy protection and DRM solutions company, is offering its new security system for free through June 15. The free DVD-ROM copy protection service allows first-time TrustCont publishers to restrict printing and copying and pasting and set global or “on-access” passwords on specific files at no cost and with no obligation.

Passwords can be set to expire at a certain time, rendering the data inaccessible. Replicated content on the discs can be set with restricted access on certain networks or to certain users or computers.

To take advantage of this offer, publishers must register on the TrustCont Website and download the free DVD protection toolkit software. With the software, users can burn a Gold Master on a standard DVD-R disc for use in mass production. A List of authorized replicators already set to process TrusCont Gold Masters can also be found on the TrusCont Web site.

The folks at Microboards are offering a rare instant rebate deal on some of their top-of-the line publishers and printers. Whether you’re in the market for your first professional series equipment, need to add additional bandwidth to your existing stock, or need to upgrade, now may be a great time to buy.

Customers who buy a CX-1 Disc Publisher or PF-3 Disc Printer from Microboards between Monday, March 1 and Wednesday, June 30 will receive an instant $200 rebate. Go for the MX-1 or MX-2 Disc Publisher or PF-Pro Disc Printer and you can receive an instant $300 rebate.

The CX-1 Publisher with a 100-disc printing and publishing capacity usually runs about $2,100 and has been considered one of the faster machines on the market, whereas the PF-3 Disc Printer, also a 100-disc capacity, can start as low as $1,600. The CX-1 is versatile in that it can handle CDs, DVDs, and Blu-ray discs, but for a streamlined version, the PF-3 will handle just your printing jobs with high-quality HP resolution.

The MX-1 Publisher typically runs between $2,400 and $2,800 and the MX-3 can cost from $2,600 to $2,800. The Microboards MX series publishers are known for their low cost-per-print ratio, averaging about 11 cents per print, and are ideal for publishers with high volume. The PF-Pro, ranging from about $2,200 to $2,400 is the printer-only version of the MX series for customers who need specific functionality.

Aaron Pratt, the director of marketing for Microboards, says these rebates are a “tremendous opportunity” for all Microboards customers. He reminds everyone that these rebates are instant, so there’s no need to mail in any proof of purchases or receipts.

For a number of years, the most common method of saving and storing data, as well as passing data on to other people in your company or even within your own family has been through recordable CDs and DVDs. Even with the advent of the USB devices, people still tend to consider the CDs and DVDs when it comes to replicating their content or storing their content. Things are starting to change though.

More and more people are now using the USB memory sticks, and they are using them in a variety of ways. Of course, most people tend to use them to transfer files and data from one computer to another, but today’s memory sticks have far more options. They are far cheaper than they were when they first hit the market, and you will be able to buy one of the sticks that have a large enough capacity to hold even your largest files.

USB duplication is a great way to get your content into the hands of the people that you want to have it. Many companies are offering this service, and you can find them all online. You can send them the files that you want preloaded onto the USB and then order the amount of devices that you want.

You can even have your logo printed onto the USB memory stick that holds your presentation, catalog, or any other file that you want to give to your customers or potential customers. This way, the customer has a reminder of what is on the disk and from whom it came. It also means that after the customer has deleted your content, your logo is still on the device that they use everyday. When they need the service you offer, they will have your logo, website, and whatever else you put on the device on hand.

Of course, you don’t only have to use the devices for customers. You can use a USB duplication service and load it with a presentation for your employees, an employee handbook, photos of the family, and just about anything else that you wish.

One of the great benefits of this kind of service is that you can have all of the content that you would have placed on a CD in the convenience of a USB memory stick. They are smaller, easier to carry, and less likely to break.

Also for those DIY’ers check out our line of USB Duplicators

CDs and DVDs have been around for years.  This optical disc format has been the defacto standard for data distribution over the last dozen years.  Well, things are starting to change, and that change is a shift from CD & DVD to USB.

Here at GotMedia we’ve spotted this trend and jumped into the market.  Our goal is to bring our customers the latest and greatest technology for not only CD and DVD products, but emerging markets as well.  So today we are talking about USB.

There are some great benefits to USB that optical media doesn’t touch.  For example:

• Access time and copy time from USB is much faster than CD or DVD.
• Although we have re-writable media, nothing can touch the ease and convenience of read and writing to USB.
• USB is the new floppy disc.  People get “attached” to their USB drive.
• USB sticks are very durable and great for travel and portability.

There are more benefits to USB, but in broad terms, these are some key components on why people – today – are considering USB over the traditional CD and DVD formats.

So the next step is, how do you manage these flash drives?  One product GotMedia has brought to light is the Nexcopy USB200PC USB Duplicator.  This 20 target duplicator is an easy and economical way to data load content to USB drives.  The system runs from your Windows computer and will copy files and folders directly to 20 USB drives.  The software will also copy bit-for-bit from a target device and step you through a Wizard type interface to insure no step is forgotten.

So now that USB flash drives are heating up as the next digital distribution medium it’s something we  recommend you consider.  With Nexcopy USB duplicator equipment to handle the data loading, there is no better time to start considering USB technology.