Sony Electronics today announced its second generation internal Blu-ray Disc writer drive for the computer aftermarket, which boasts 4X BD-R and 16X DVD+R recording speeds. The new BWU-200S model cuts BD-R burning time by half compared to the first generation model, allowing for a full 50GB BD-R disc to be recorded in about 45 minutes. It also features improved DVD burning speeds, making it a multi-format combo burner that eliminates the need for more than one drive in a system.

The drive comes with CyberLink BD Solution software that provides a comprehensive application for capturing, authoring, editing, burning and viewing high-definition personal content captured in the native HDV 1080i format from an HDV camcorder. In addition, the software supports recording on DVDs and CDs, as well as playback of DVDs recorded in the AVCHD format.

The BWU-200S drive can record up to 50GB of data for random access storage and backup on BD-R (write once) or BD-RE (rewritable) discs, or up to 230 minutes of high-definition HDV 1080i video on a BD-R/RE 50GB disc. It also supports recording on standard single layer 4.7GB DVD+R/+RW/RAM discs, 8.5GB DVD+R double/dual layer discs, and CDs.

The internal drive features a Serial ATA (SATA) interface and standard 5.25-inch form-factor for easy installation inside a desktop PC with Microsoft Windows XP or Windows Vista software.

The BWU-200S drive will be available directly from Sony at sonystyle.com next month for about $600. Pre-orders are now being accepted.

via: sony

Onkyo USA has recently announced the launch of its first HD-DVD player, the DV-HD805 in the fall of 2007. DV-HD805 is the first HD DVD players to take advantage of high-bit-rate lossless audio streaming via HDMI version 1.3a. Just like Onkyo’s A/V Receivers, the latest HD DVD will rock you up. The Onkyo DV-HD805 supports different frame rates, including native frame rate of the original sources playback at 24 frames per second. It is equipped with HQV Reon VX video processing chipset to provide exceptionally precise video scaling (to 720p, 1080i or 1080p). The HD DVD Player has the capability to stream the new lossless surround sound formats, Dolby® TrueHD and DTS®-HD Master Audio, along with two lossy formats, Dolby® Digital Plus and DTS®-HD High Resolution Audio. An Ethernet port allows users to conveniently download any future firmware updates.

Via: GSPR

Toshiba America Consumer Products announced its impressive third generation of HD DVD players for the U.S. market. The sleek and stylish Toshiba HD-A30 gives an ultimate HD home movie experience. It includes improved video performance with 1080p/24 frames per second (24p) support letting the users to watch movies at their native frame rates. The CE-Link (HDMI-CEC), allows a two- way control between the HD DVD player and a TV through an HDMI connection. With new cosmetic designs using black acrylic plates and a slim chassis the DVD Player will be available in the nearest store by the mid of September at an expected price of $399.99.

Source: Press

The success of First and Second Generation DVD Players led Toshiba go ahead in its DVD Player line. Toshiba debuts its HD-A3 Third Generation HD DVD Player for High Definition Enthusiasts. Users can have an amazing HD experience with CE-Link connectivity, 24 frames per second support, High Bit Rate Audio capabilities and matchless interactivity functionality. The Movie rate of 24 frames lets the users view movies in their native frame rate in which they are actually captured. The entry level model HD-A3 is moderately priced $299.99 and will hit the stores form October 2007. HD-A3 features 1080i output capability, Rounded edges, slim chassis and backward compatibility allowing users to enjoy their libraries of current DVD and CD software.

Via: Prnewswire

LG is expected to unveil its latest Second Generation GGW-H20LI Multi Blue Ray HD DVD soon. Priced at $499 GGW-H20LI writes at 6x dual-layer BD-R/RE discs, this implies the disc takes only 16 minutes to burn a full single layer BD-R disc (25GB), relatively time when compared with 23-24 minutes for 4x recording and 46-47 minutes for 2x recording. It also has the capacity to write DVD±RW at doubled speed of 16x recording. GGW-H20LI optical drive can record up to 50GB of data, equivalent to 4-1/2 hours of high-definition video or 22 hours of standard definition video (on a dual layer 50GB BD-R/BD-RE recordable media).

Via: Recordere

Here is another multi drive by our famous LG brand LG GGC-H20LI Multi Blue Ray Optical HD DVD with Serial ATA Interface. It is lesser in price as compared to its brother GGW-H20LI. It can read both Blu-Ray and HD format but has the capacity to write only DVD±RW and CD-R/RW. It will be available at a price of $399. It can record 50 GB disc at 32 minutes. The GGC-H20LI is designed to deliver 16x recording speed of DVD+RW/-RW and 32x recording speed of CD-R/RW.

Via: Recordere

Buffalo a forerunner in the manufacturing of electronic devices has recently launched the first HD DVD player for PCs “HDV-ROM2.4FB”. Even if it has turned out that you can get this external Xbox player to work with a regular PC, Buffalo HDV-ROM2.4FB is the first commercial HD DVD player to be sold independently using an ATAPI interface. The player will be shipped with Power DVD HD DVD Edition for playing HD DVD movies.

This smart looking DVD edition seems to be designed keeping in mind the style conscious customers and maybe that’s why it is sleek in shape and comes in dashing silver grey color. This is just one out of many HD DVD players that will arrive for PCs in the market and we’re eagerly waiting to see a comparison between the models particularly how they compare to the Blu-ray models on the same market. This cool HD DVD player would arrive in the market at a pricing of $338 sometime in the next year, so for those who want to buy one it would be a long wait.

Via: Buffalo

Toshiba has unveiled its new RD-A300 VARDIA DVD/HDD Recorder with 300GB storage capacity. It will be available at an expected price of 150,000 yen (approx. $1,231). It is possible to record 39 hours of digital hi-vision broadcast in the hard disk. In addition to HDD / DVD it can also play back music CD. Watch videos at 1080p resolution.

Toshiba rolled out its new RD A600 DVD / HDD recorder with a storage capacity of 600GB. It features latest VARDIA engine to record video onto HD DVD-R and HD DVD-R DL discs. It also comes with digital recorders having two hi-Vision tuners to receive Japanese HDTV programming and record two shows at the same time. RD-A600 will be available at an expected price of ¥200,000 (about $1,643). There is no information regarding the availability.

Via: Toshiba