ViewSonic has announced the launch of its first touch screen monitor, the VX2258wm. With a large 22" screen, the VX2258wm makes it easy to enjoy all your digital content, and effortlessly sort through it using the Windows-certified touch screen capability via a simple USB connection. The monitor uses Infrared Optical Imaging technology providing it with accurate multi-touch capability, no matter what stylus is being used.

The VX2258wm features full HD resolution at 1080p, as well as compatibility with any device supporting the High Bandwidth Digital Protection (HBDP) copy protection system. This makes the VX2258wm a great choice for watching films on Blu-Ray or playing on the latest HD-ready console systems. Picture quality is further enhanced by the 5ms response time provided by the built in ClearMotiv II Technology and dynamic contrast ratio of 100,000:1.

GIGABYTE Technology Co. LTD, a leading manufacturer of motherboards and graphics cards, today presents the latest entry level graphics card GV-N430OC-1GL. The GV-N430OC-1GL is built on the NVIDIA 40nm process; supports DirectX 11, with 128 bit DDR3 high speed graphics memory and higher default GPU clock. GV-N430OC-1GL provides the best HD gaming and entertainment experience.

GV-N430OC-1GL features GIGABYTE Ultra Durable 2 components to guarantee the lowest operating temperature and longer product life. For cooling solution, GIGABYTE designs brand new low profile inclined dual fan for the entry level graphics card. The inclined dual fan doubles cooling capability and offers extreme silent environment. It also enlarges air channel and minimizes flow turbulence, reducing noise of the operating fan to offer users high quality multi-media enjoyment without interference.

Inno3D is excited to announce the launch of the Inno3D GeForce GT 430. Tap into the horsepower of the GPU for the visually-charged boost on your favourite applications. Edit your photos & HD Videos and push the limits if your Web experience with a new generation of GPU-accelerated browsers like Internet Explorer 9. Level-up your game with the next-generation gaming architecture built from the ground up for DirectX 11. Take the latest 3D movies home with Blu-Ray 3D and GeForce.

Delivering on its promise to offer the best in next-generation entertainment, Dell has added to its award-winning Inspiron family a new Inspiron all-in-one desktop and a new Inspiron Zino HD offering the best home-theater capabilities in its class. At the center of the new lineup is the Inspiron One, with features that set it apart from other all-in-one PCs including: a full HD 23-inch LED-backlit LCD; an optional quad-core processor that zips through web surfing, movie watching, family photo album creation, video chats and more. It has a host of audio/visual inputs that instantly transform the PC into a TV, perfect for student dorm rooms and family settings. And it also offers a new Dell-designed intuitive user interface called Stage, which delivers one-touch access to favorite content, like music, photos and videos, and applications.

Sony Optiarc America today announced its first slim, portable and external Blu-ray Disc (BD) rewritable drive to compliment notebooks, netbooks or desktop PCs. The new BDX-S500U model writes single BD-R media at up to 6X and dual layer BD-R media at up to 4X speeds, recording a full 25GB disc in about 20 minutes. The 6X recording speed is achieved using 6X compatible BD-R media, and one 25GB Sony BD-R blank disc comes included in the retail box. Also included with the drive is CyberLink's Media Suite 8 for capturing, authoring, editing, backing up, viewing high-definition personal content and playing back Blu-ray Disc movies including 3D Blu-ray movies.

When it first came out, Sony's PlayStation 3 game console was the easiest way to have a Blu-ray disc (BD) player, because the console uses BD as its primary media. With a new firmware update from Sony, users can add Blu-ray 3D support. It is especially interesting because not every older standalone Blu-ray player supports the latest 3D format. Firmware update 3.50 applies to all versions of the PlayStation 3 (that's Slim and the original design). The move to let the PS3 have Blu-ray 3D support was backed by an announcement that upcoming game titles on the PS3, such as Gran Turismo 5 and Killzone 3 will come in stereoscopic 3D.

MSI recently rolled out the CX413, the newest member of its Classic series of laptop computers. Under the hood, the 14-inch CX413 comes packed with AMD's all-new Vision (Danube) platform with AMD's most advanced Athlon II dual core processor which supports DDR3 system memory as well as the high performance ATI Mobility Radeon HD 5470 discrete graphics card (DDR3 512MB display memory) for multimedia for superior image capabilities and processing speeds. Your multimedia life was never so good.

MSI Marketing Director Sam Chern explains that the CX413 features MSI's own 45-degree beveled construction, a cinema-class 16:9 ratio, power-sipping LED display, and MSI's ECO engine power saving technology. This machine has it all-an aesthetically pleasing exterior, outstanding multimedia performance, and exceptionally long battery life. It's your best choice for reasonably priced mobile multimedia entertainment.

Pioneer Japan rolled out the BDR-S06J internal Blu-ray disc writer drive. It is available in three bezel options: white (BDR-S06J-W), piano black (BDR-S06J-BK), and matte black (BDR-S06J-KR). The drive uses the standard SATA interface, and has a 4 MB buffer. It can burn Blu-ray discs at 12X, and has Blu-ray 3D support using PowerDVD. Along with this, it also supports AVCREC DRM (2D or 3D). Scheduled to arrive in November, the drive goes for ¥30,000 (or US $360).

SPARKLE Computer Co., Ltd., the professional VGA card manufacturer and supplier, today unveils the SPARKLE GeForce 210/GT220/GT240 PCI Express x1 Graphics Cards, creating upgrade possibility for user's generic PC, providing 1080p HD video acceleration, DX10.1 gaming and premium Windows 7 experience for ordinary users.

With latest PCI Express technology, SPARKLE GeForce 210/GT220/GT240 PCI Express x1 Graphics Cards use PCI Express x1 bus type, they can be added on the motherboard which have at least one PCI Express x1 slot as the second graphics card, providing multiple monitors supports for computer users and certain industries, in addition to industrial users, they also support the upgrading of Intel Pine Trail motherboard which has only one PCI Express x1 slot.

TUL Corporation, a leading manufacturer of AMD graphics cards, today announced improved gaming performance for HTPC gamers. The PowerColor HD5750 Low Profile Edition is specifically designed for those with HTPC systems or limited space chassis' who desire the upgraded graphics performance without having to compromise their system size.

The PowerColor HD5750 Low Profile Edition is equipped with a dual fan design and heatsinks that fully cover GPU, memory and MOSFET. The design cools temperatures and dissipates heat for vital components within a limited space. Furthermore, by taking advantage of the low profile design, this unique solution can be used for small form factor and slim systems, maximizing the rig's performance in a limited space.

The 17 CX720 is the newest model in MSI's Classic Series. Through the all-new 2010 Intel Core processor and nVidia GeForce 310M discrete graphics card (DDR3 1GB VRAM), it gives you powerful audio/video entertainment and processing performance in a stylishly minimalist exterior. The classic horizontal design lines on the outer up lid and palm rest areas are treated with MSI's exclusive CFP coating that protects against scratches and wear. With its spirited performance, fashionable exterior and friendly disposition, the CX720 is an exceptional entertainment, learning, and work companion.

MSI Notebook Marketing Director Sam Chern noted that the CX720 is MSI's latest offering and features Intel's newest Arrandale notebook platform and an all-new 2010 Intel Core processor with HM55 chipset. The CX720's exterior structure is based on MSI's exclusive "wedge craftsmanship" that uses 45 degree angles to give the notebook a distinctive unified feel.

Sharp Corporation will introduce the VR-100BR1 triple-layer Blu-ray Disc media (writeonce) that conforms to the BDXL format specification, the new multi-layer recordable Blu-ray Disc format, a world first. These new Blu-ray Discs will be available in Japan beginning July 30, 2010.

This disc media product conforms to the new BDXL format specification that extends the storage capacity of Blu-ray Discs to 100GB, twice the 50GB storage capacity of existing dual-layer discs. This new format enables recording approximately 12 hours of terrestrial digital TV broadcasts or approximately 8.6 hours of BS digital TV broadcasts. It expands the range of applications for Blu-ray Discs to include recording and saving long-duration HDTV programs or multiple episodes of serial dramas onto a single disc with the same high-definition image quality as the original.

The Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) today announced the finalization and release of the specifications for BDXL, the new multi-layer recordable Blu-ray Disc format with up to 128GB of capacity. With the completion and approval of the specification, manufacturers can now obtain licensing information and license applications needed to begin production of the high capacity write-once and rewritable discs and hardware.

Targeted primarily at commercial segments such as broadcasting, medical and document imaging enterprises with significant archiving needs, BDXL provides customers with triple layer 100GB RE (rewritable) and R (write-once) discs and quadruple layer 128GB R discs. Possible consumer applications include capture and playback of HD broadcast and satellite programming in markets where set-top recorders are prevalent.

Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd., a worldwide leader in digital consumer electronics and information technology, announced today its new Blu-ray disc (BD) Combo, the SH-B123 optical disk drive (ODD), which reads BD-ROMs at the world's fastest speed of up to 12X, CDs at up to 48X, and DVDs at a maximum speed of 16X. With Samsung's new internal Blu-ray drive, users can watch HD movies on their PCs as well as record HD camcorder movies and HDTV broadcasting on DVDs with Samsung's Cyberlink Powerproducer software provided in the BD combo package.

"As market demand and adoption of BDs, HDTVs and digital broadcasting accelerate, so has consumer interest in watching Blu-ray movies on personal computers," said John Suh, Director of Samsung Semiconductor Inc. Optical Disc Drive Division Sales Team. "Samsung's new BD combo drives can read BD discs, and read and write CD/DVD discs, providing consumers with a broad choice of HD movie sources on their computers."

The results are out for the first round (period from late March thru all of April) in running of the ASUS and TechPowerUp Hardware Giveaway. The giveaway is an ongoing event for users of TechPowerUp GPU-Z, brought to you by ASUS. In each of the three months this giveaway is spread across, we will pick six lucky winners who win some groovy prizes from ASUS. This month's winners and prizes are as follows:

• Jacob from Vietnam wins ASUS ROG Matrix HD 5870 graphics card
• Radek from The Czech Republic wins ASUS ROG Rampage II Extreme motherboard
• Janusz from Poland wins ASUS 23" LCD Screen
• ASUS Blu-Ray DVDROM was won by:
  o Matt from United States
  o Johannes from Germany
  o Daryl from The Philippines

ASUS will contact the following individuals directly and arrange shipping of these prizes. This month's round saw over 40,000 entries. Best of luck for this month's round, if you have already made a submission in this round, you don't need to make a submission again. Being an ongoing contest, winners are picked from an ever-growing pool of submissions. Redundant entries are disqualified. Good Luck for this month's round. Below is a nerdtastic map of where the contest's participants hail from.

The specification governing the storage capacity of blu-ray discs has been officially increased to 128 GB for single write discs and 100 GB for re-writable discs. The new format, called BDXL, goes three to four layers deep on the disc and requires a more powerful laser. Unfortunately this means that existing blu-ray equipment will not be able to read or write to BDXL discs. The need for new equipment, combined with the fact that movies have no trouble squeezing onto current 50 GB Blu-Ray discs, will probably severely hamper adoption in the near term.

I-O Data introduced a new internal Blu-ray disc writer that burns 25 GB and 50 GB Blu-ray discs at speeds of up to 12x. Specific to the media, the drive has write speeds of 12x for BD-R, 2x for BR-RE, 16x for DVD-R, 12x for DVD-RAM, 8x for DVD-R/DVD+R DL and DVD+R, 6x for DVD-RW, 48x for CD-R and 24x for CD-RW. The drive uses SATA interface, and has a buffer of 4 MB. It is backed by 1 year warranty, and is priced at US $315.

The Blu-ray Disc Association (BDA) today announced the finalization and release of the "Blu-ray 3D" specification. The specification, which represents the work of the leading Hollywood studios and consumer electronic and computer manufacturers, will enable the home entertainment industry to bring the 3D experience into consumers' living rooms on Blu-ray Disc, the most capable high definition home entertainment platform.

"Throughout this year, movie goers have shown an overwhelming preference for 3D when presented with the option to see a theatrical release in either 3D or 2D," said Victor Matsuda, chairman, BDA Global Promotions Committee. "We believe this demand for 3D content will carry over into the home now that we have, in Blu-ray Disc, a medium that can deliver a quality Full HD 3D experience to the living room."

The "Blu-ray 3D" specification fully leverages the technical advantages of the Blu-ray Disc format to deliver unmatched picture quality as well as uniformity and compatibility across the full range of Blu-ray 3D products, both hardware and software. Notably, the specification allows every Blu-ray 3D player and movie to deliver Full HD 1080p resolution to each eye, thereby maintaining the industry leading image quality to which Blu-ray Disc viewers are accustomed. Moreover, the specification is display agnostic, meaning that Blu-ray 3D products will deliver the 3D image to any compatible 3D display, regardless of whether that display uses LCD, Plasma or other technology and regardless of what 3D technology the display uses to deliver the image to the viewer's eyes.

I-O Data unveiled its new ultra-slim external Blu-ray disc writer, the I-O Data BRP-US6. Enclosed in its compact casing is a notebook (slim) form-factor drive. The unit measures 137(W) × 154(D) × 20(H) mm, weighing 330g. With its 20 mm thickness, its makers claim it's just about as thick as a Blu-ray movie jewel-case. It connects to a PC using a USB 2.0 interface. Disc burning speeds include 6x for single-layer BD-R, 4x for double-layer BD-R, 2x for single and double layer BD-RE, 8x for single-layer DVD+R/-R and DVD+RW, 4x for double-layer DVD+R/-R, 6x DVD-RW, and 5x for DVD-RAM. It is priced at ¥29,600 (US $336) in Japan.

Having recently announced one of the industry's first USB 3.0 external HDDs, Buffalo is diversifying its lineup of products that support the new interface. The BR-X1216U3 is an external Blu-ray disc writer drive that supports USB 3.0. The drive has the capability to burn Blu-ray discs at 12x speeds. At those speeds, the drive transfers data at 54 MB/s. Probably factoring protocol overhead, USB 2.0 bottlenecks proper data transfers, and hence USB 3.0 is called on to eliminate all bottlenecks, while also broaden compatibility with existing PCs.

The main unit measures 164 (W) x 50 (H) x 281 (D) mm, and weights 1.8 kg. Both single-layer and double-layer Blu-ray discs can be written at 12x, BD-RE single-layer and double-layer discs at 2x, 16x for single-layer DVD+R/-R, 8x for double-layer DVD+R/-R and DVD+RW, 6x for DVD-RW, 5x for DVD-RAM, 40x for CD-R, and 24x for CD-RW. Bundled software includes CyberLink PowerDirector 8 HE, PowerProducer 5, PowerDVD 9 BD edition, Power2Go 6, PowerBackup 2 and InstantBurn 5. It reaches stores in Japan next month, at a price of US $450.

The MSI X-Slim X430 uses AMD's latest second-generation Ultrathin Platform with dual-core processors and Microsoft's newest operating system, Windows 7, to provide users with the ultimate in ultra-thin mobility. MSI's ultra-thin, power-saving X-Slim 14" notebook has evolved once again to feature AMD's 2nd Generation Ultrathin Platform and Microsoft's new Windows 7 operating system in the gorgeous new X-Slim X430.MSI Notebook Marketing Director Sam Chern states that the X430, in addition to maintaining the ultra-thin, power-saving and beautiful exterior design characteristics of the X-Slim series, has bolstered hardware performance not only by the use of a dual-core processor, but also a fully supported HD video output capability that provides users with outstanding image management and visual performance.

The X-Slim series 14" ultra thin notebook family introduces a new member, the X-Slim X410 notebook computer with AMD's 2nd Generation Ultrathin Platform that supports 1080i high resolution and provides outstanding display quality. With AMD's PowerNow! technology, it is even more eco-friendly with reduced battery consumption and lower voltage requirements. It also lasts longer, with over twice the battery life of traditional 14" notebooks. The X410 design stays consistent with the X-Slim series' beauty and ultra-thin design with a thickness of merely an inch and 1.5 kg weight with battery. With an attractive price and full set of features, the X410 is a stunning and fashionable ultra-thin notebook.

Addronics introduced a couple of external optical drives. The two, that look the same, are Blu-Ray/DVD-RW combo, and plain DVD-RW. Not much more than enclosures housing slim notebook drives, the two provide eSATA and USB 2.0 connections to the PC, while needing the USB port at least for power. The unit measures 143 x 135 x 22 mm.

DVD burning speeds offered for are 8x for DVD±R/+RW, 6x for DVD-RW/±R double-layer, 5x for DVD-RAM, and 24x for CD-R/RW. Backed by a one-year warranty, the Blu-Ray/DVD combo drive is priced at US $235, and the DVD-RW at $99.

Buffalo Japan has come up with two new Blu-ray disc burners, the internal BR-H1016FBS-BK, and the external BR-H1016SU2. The special-attraction here is the drives' single-layer BD-ROM burning speed of 10X, and 8X for dual-layer discs, while DVDs and CDs burn at the most common speeds found in the market: 16x for DVD±R, 12x for DVD-RAM, 8x for DVD±R DL and DVD+RW, 6x for DVD-RW. The internal BR-H1016FBS-BK drive is originally made by Hitachi-LG, and uses a standard SATA interface, while the external BR-H1016SU2 gives you the option of using USB 2.0 or eSATA (the latter could help, as the drive transfers data at 45 MB/s at 10X). The external drive will sell for ¥33,800 (around US $360), and the internal one for ¥28,500 (around $303).

Valore Japan introduced the country's first nettop barebone equipped with a Blu Ray drive. Based on the NVIDIA ION platform, the Valore ION 330-DB packs Intel's Atom 330 1.60 GHz dual-core processor paired with the ION chipset with embedded GeForce 9400M graphics that makes it ready to serve as a compact HD-ready media center PC. Being a barebone, it requires you to separately purchase the memory (up to 4 GB of DDR2 800 MHz), and a 2.5 inch SATA hard drive or solid-state drive. Connectivity includes gigabit Ethernet and 6 USB 2.0 ports, while A/V IO includes HDMI out, and SPDIF digital audio. The star attraction of course is its Blu Ray drive + CD/DVD RW combo drive. Each of these go for 39800 JPY (297 Euro).