Addonics Technologies unveils a Blu-ray drive and a new Pocket DVD-RRW drive. Both are believed to be the first portable optical drives with a built-in eSata and USB interface. As laptop users are slowly turning their mobile devices into virtual portable entertainment systems, the new portable Blu-ray drive is certainly a big boost to people who are transforming their notebooks to virtual entertainment systems or have laptops that cannot read Blu-ray discs.

The Pocket Blu-ray/DVDRW also comes with a DVD player and burner which should come in handy as well for people looking to maximize multi-functional portable drives and uses. They come with extremely fast eSATA and USB 2.0 interface. They are designed to be compatible with the latest Windows, Mac and Linux OS.

The Blu-ray drive retails for $235 while the Pocket eSATA/USB DVD-RRW is priced at $99.

(Source) Press

If you are looking for a good Blu-ray disc player, go with the brand that is familiar to us most. Sony offers the Sony BDP-S560 1080p Blu-ray Disc Player, a Blu-ray disc player that features built-in WiFi networking for accessing BD live bonus materials as well as streaming photos via the PC.

It delivers full HD 1080p output from Blu-ray discs and upconversion of standard DVDs to 1080p. The 24p True Cinema allows you to enjoy films at their intended 24ps and complements the usual Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD.

Outputs include 1 HDMI, 1 component, 1 S-Video, 1 composite, 1 analog audio (2-channel), 1 digital optical audio, 1 digital coaxial audio, 1 Ethernet. When purchased, you also get a remote control and a composite AV cable that measures 16.9 x 8.1 x 2.8 inches.

Price: $290.33

(Source) Amazon

Sharp scores another first in the HDTV category with the unveiling of the Sharp Aquos DX that comes with a Blu-ray burner. The presence of a Blu-ray burner is perhaps the catch here although it also comes with a built-in TV tuner where the owners can easily record broadcasted TV shows into Blu-ray discs.

And of course, the Blu-ray burner can also play back the usual media formats that include DVDs, MPEG4 and AVC files. In summary, this 20-inch HDTV phenom integrates the usual separate player and burner rolled into one fully functioning entertainment system. And the price? Well this new Sharp Aquos DX HDTV with Blu-ray burner costs a cool $1,590.00. Not a bad deal if you cost them all individually.

The 20-inch AQUOS DX, also known as the LC-20DX1, will be available in Japan on June 20th.

(Source) Slashgear

Certainly, this development has pushed the era of Blu-ray discs to another level, further bolstering the storage capacity of discs with a major breakthrough in the development of next generation optical storage technology. GE researchers have successfully demonstrated a threshold micro-holographic storage material that can support 500 gigabytes of storage capacity in a standard DVD-size disc. This is equal to the capacity of 20 single-layer Blu-ray discs, 100 DVDs or the hard drive for a large desktop computer.

GE’s micro-holographic discs will be able to be read and recorded on systems very similar to a typical Blu-ray or DVD player. Holographic storage is different from today’s optical storage formats like DVDs and Blu-ray discs. DVDs and Blu-ray discs store information only on the surface of the disc; holographic storage technology uses the entire volume of the disc material.

Holograms, or three-dimensional patterns that represent bits of information, are written into the disc and can then be read out. Although GE’s holographic storage technology represents a breakthrough in capacity, the hardware and formats are so similar to current optical storage technology that the micro-holographic players will enable consumers to play back their CDs, DVDs and BDs.

GE initially will be focusing on the commercial archival industry followed by the consumer market for its micro-holographic storage technology.

(Source) Press

After the DVD comes Blu-ray. And along that line, you know Blu-ray writers are bound to follow suit. To the delight of creative consumers and professional authoring providers, Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. today introduces its new BDR-2203 Blu-ray Disc/DVD/CD internal computer writer.

Delivering on the promise of a comprehensive solution for large file storage and high definition film functionality, the new device features an impressive 8X write speed capability for dual-layer BD-R Blu-ray Disc media.

With the new writer, users can take advantage of the substantial 50 gigabyte (GB) storage capacity from Blu-ray Discs to ensure fast and successful preservation of standard and high definition data content along with the confidence that comes with using a Pioneer optical disc product.

The multi-format BDR-2203 comes packaged with specialized software to fulfill the array of creative and professional needs of PC users. The Pioneer BDR-2203 Blu-ray Disc internal computer writer begins shipping in April for a suggested price of $249.99.

(Source) Press

Samsung unveils another potential blu-ray disc player in the BD-P4600 that takes your home theater entertainment and viewing pleasure to another level. The BD-P4600 gives you everything you want and more, with breathtaking, high-definition picture and superior sound quality.

You can download large files easily with its Wi-Fi connection and instantly watch movies streamed from Netflix and music from Pandora subscriptions. It’s also wall-mountable and just 1.5 thin offering the most modern touch to any living room.

Details:

• WiFi ready (wireless adapter included): Go wireless with the BD-P4600. Wirelessly connect to the latest Blu-ray features. Simply connect the 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi dongle to one of the two USB 2.0 ports or using the traditional wired Ethernet connection.
• BD profile 2.0 (BD Live): Get ready for the ultimate interactive film experience. The SAMSUNG BD-P4600 has lets you take full advantage of interactive features like downloadable video content, ringtones, games and more. Download additional content from the internet or even chat with friends when watching the same movie.
• BD wise: Get a perfect replay of Blu-ray discs with other Samsung BD Wise products when using the HDMI connection.
• Netflix/Pandora streaming: Are you a Netflix unlimited member? Instantly watch from a selection of over 12,000 (and growing) movies and TV episodes. Plus you can rock out to your favorite tunes. The BD-P4600 lets you stream your favorite music with the Pandora service. Netflix unlimited members can watch as much as they want- anytime they want.
• HDMI 1.3 and DivX SD/HD: With DivX playback up to HD 1080p, you can insert DVDs and CDs that have standard and high definition DivX movies downloaded from your computer and watch them on your TV.

Price: $499.99

(Source) Amazon

Watch out for Blu Ray discs that may carry the Dolby logo starting today. Dolby Laboratories, Inc. announced today that it is enabling and supporting consumer electronics makers in China to develop Blu-ray Disc products.

Three digital entertainment companies in China—TCL Technoly Electronics (Huizhou) Co., Limited (TCL), MIT Technology Co., Limited (MIT Technology), and Lite-On IT Corporation (Lite-On IT)—have agreed to license Dolby TrueHD, a lossless compression technology, and Dolby Digital Plus, which delivers up to 7.1 channels of surround sound for future Blu-ray Disc products.

The world’s leading studios and content creators have embraced Dolby TrueHD and Dolby Digital Plus to enhance the experience delivered from Blu-ray Discs. Nearly 70 home audio systems and 50 Blu-ray Disc players from 30 companies around the world use Dolby TrueHD, Dolby Digital Plus, or both.

Today’s announcement demonstrates Dolby’s continuing commitment to help expand the market for high-definition entertainment and support the efforts of digital entertainment companies in China.

(Source) Press