Transcend Intros High-Speed DDR2-1066 RAM in India

Transcend Information has announced the availability of its latest memory innovation — a 4GB aXeRam DDR2-1066+ Extreme Performance dual-channel memory kit in India.

This new product uses top-binned, premium quality DRAM chips and custom polished aluminum heat sinks. Transcend’s 4GB aXeRam DDR2-1066+ dual-channel kit includes a matching pair of 1066MHz tested and verified 2GB DDR2-1066+ modules which provide dual-channel memory bandwidth of up to 17GB/s. To ensure compatibility, all aXeRam modules use robust six-layer PCBs that fully comply with JEDEC (the Joint Electron Device Engineering Council) standards.

The 240-pin Unbuffered DIMMs included in the kit are each made of 16 high-quality 128Mx8 DDR2 DRAM chips. Each chip is selected with the strictest quality and performance standards and is manufactured using small Fine-Pitch Ball Grid Array (FBGA) packages to assure better thermal dissipation, electrical efficiency and improved overclocking performance.

Its memory includes Enhanced Performance Profiles (EPP), which allow users to automatically configure EPP-enabled motherboards with aggressive memory settings for better memory and system performance, especially when using dual video cards.

The kit’s two identically matched 2GB modules are specifically designed for use in dual-channel configuration. It also includes custom high-purity aluminum heat sinks with distinctive gold and black styling and superior heat diffusion characteristics.

High capacity 4GB kit is enhanced for dual channel motherboard and a stable 2.0V operation. The module includes EPP (Enhanced Performance Profiles) for easy overclocking. It is compatible with Windows Vista 32-bit and 64-bit operating systems.

It is priced at Rs. 8300 and available through Supertron Electronics and Mediaman Infotech. The modules enjoy a warranty of three years and the support of a global service network.

Sony PS3 Set To Enable Downloads

Sony announced that its PlayStation 3 is poised to take the next step in the evolution of the Blu-ray Disc format.

The firmware update, due soon, will update the PS3 to Blu-ray Disc Profile 2.0, also referred to as BD Live. BD Live enables Internet-connected activities such as multiplayer gaming, e-commerce, downloading new content, and social networking.

BD Live impressed crowds earlier this year at the Consumer Electronics Show, where Sony demonstrated downloading ring tones and new content to a BD Live player. Sony announced last October that the PlayStation 3 would support BD Live. Now, it appears that the PS3 will be the first Blu-ray Disc player to support this latest advancement in the Blu-ray format. Sony Electronics’ own forthcoming BD Live-capable players aren’t due out until this summer and fall.

Director of PlayStation Network Operations, Eric Lempel, revealed the news in his latest blog entry, ahead of the company sending out a press announcement.

The first titles to take advantage of BD Live are due out on April 8 from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment: The 6th Day and Walk Hard — The Dewey Cox Story. The extent of the BD Live features on these titles remains unknown.

Releasing this firmware update is a pretty cagey move on Sony’s part. Since the PS3’s release, frequent updates to the system have brought boatloads of needed features on-board — including the ability to upscale standard-definition DVDs.

Research and disc sales show that consumers are using the PS3 as a Blu-ray player. The PS3 played a role in the growing volume of Blu-ray disc sales, which in turn prompted Warner Brothers to back Blu-ray Disc exclusively at the start of the year. Warner’s move led to the format war with rival HD DVD.

Other multimedia additions for the upcoming release include the ability to copy PlayStation 3 Music and Photo playlists to a PSP system (previously, you could create Music and Photo playlists on the PS3, but couldn’t export them to a PSP). Another feature for PSP users: turn your PSP into a remote control, for playing back music files on your PS3 without turning on your TV. You can also play long DivX and .WMV format files (over 2 GB).

Disc playback has been enhanced, to allow resume play: You can pick up where you left off on a DVD or BD disc, even if you’ve ejected the disc and inserted a different movie or game in the interim.

Finally, Sony says the PS3’s Internet browser now displays some web pages faster. You can also save file files locally or to external storage media via the PS3 web browser.