Buffalo Technology has announced that they will be bringing their new external Blu-ray and HD DVD player to the US market. Based on the LG GGW-H20N, the MediaStation Blu-ray HD DVD (BRHC-6316U2) can be used to read and write to Blu-ray Discs and play back HD DVD content.

Buffalo Technology, a global leader in the design, development and manufacturing of wired and wireless networking, storage and memory solutions today announced the MediaStation Blu-ray HD DVD (BRHC-6316U2), the market’s first external Blu-ray and HD DVD player. It is the first device of its kind on the market that allows users to both read and write Blu-ray content. It provides the ability to save high-definition content, giving users an all-in-one solution to meet their entertainment needs. Users can also connect the player to a notebook or other mobile device via USB and view their favorite video content while on-the-go. In addition the player allows for playback of HD DVD content.
The MediaStation Blu-ray HD DVD will be available Q1 2008 at an estimated street price of $649. More information is available on Buffalo's website. Add a comment
A few weeks ago we reported that Sonic had signed a Qflix technology licensing agreement with CMC Magnetics. Sonic has now signed a licensing agreement with Taiwan's other leading media manufacturer, RITEK.
Sonic Solutions (NASDAQ: SNIC), the leader in digital media software, announced today that RITEK Corporation, the leading global manufacturer of optical media, has signed a Qflix technology and IP licensing agreement. RITEK is now taking orders on specialized DVDs that will enable the on-demand recording of digitally distributed entertainment with CSS encryption (Content Scramble System) - the same protection found on commercially mass-produced titles. The Qflix DVDs will be used by duplication system operators providing custom DVD publishing services to Internet retailers and in movie kiosks that will offer retail customers touch-screen access to a vast virtual inventory of rich content. The Qflix media will also be available for consumer use in the home as a way to legally record premium entertainment downloaded from the Internet. Demonstrations of Qflix solutions are available by appointment in Sonic's private meeting room at the Renaissance Hotel (Copa Conference Suite A and B) during the Consumer Electronics Show (CES), January 7th to the 12th, Las Vegas, NV.
If you'd like to read more, Sonic's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
Maxell announced this week that it has extended its line of CD-R products to include two new designer series. The Xtreme Series comes in a 50 pack spindle and features five extreme sports designs. The Blow-Away Guy Series offers three different designs and comes in plain color paper sleeves.

Maxell Corporation of America hasextended its line-up of CD-Recordable products to include an energetic andvisually appealing, designer series. Featuring extreme sports-themed discs,the series will differentiate Maxell products from competing brands andincrease retail presence by adding eye-catching value. The first set of newCD-R Xtreme Series 50-Pack Spindle will feature 10 sets of five extremesports designs.

Also being introduced is Maxell's Blow-Away Guy designer series,offering three different designs on CD-R discs in plain color papersleeves.
Maxell's new designer CD-R discs have a capacityof 700MB and are rated at 48x. More information can be found here. Add a comment
Maxell has introduced a new lens cleaning solution for HD DVD and Blu-ray players. The cleaner features Maxell's Wind Funnel Cleaning System which allows it to remove dust and dirt without using chemicals and brushes.

Maxell Corporation of America hasintroduced an innovative lens cleaning solution ideal for the activeBlu-Ray & HD DVD users as well as PLAYSTATION(R)3 and X-box 360 gamers.Designed specifically for Blu-Ray/HD DVD players, the Blu-Ray/HD DVD LensCleaner features a patented Wind Funnel Cleaning System held exclusively byMaxell that enables the disc cleaner to remove dust and dirt from thesensitive systems without using chemicals and brushes.

"As technology expands, proper care is needed to prolong the life andquality of products that consumers have invested in," said GordonTetreault, director of sales and marketing for Maxell's accessory products."The new Blu-Ray Lens Cleaner will ensure you can enjoy the very best yourmedia has to offer by delicately removing excessive build up and residuewhich can tarnish the viewing experience and even damage a playercompletely."
Maxell's new Blu-Ray/HD DVD Lens Cleaner will be available in March 2008 for a suggested retail price of $24.99. Full details can be found here. Add a comment
Believe it or not, Panasonic has more than plasma televisions and Blu-ray Disc players on display at CES. The company will also be showcasing the world's first 32GH SDHC memory card prototype this week. Developed for high-def camcorders, Panasonic's 32GB SDHC card offers 20MB/s transfer speeds and a new user-friendly labeling feature.

Panasonic, a leader in High Definition technology, today announced the development of the world’s first* 32 Gigabyte (GB) SD High Capacity (SDHC)** Memory Card with Class 6 speed specification, perfect for recording High Definition video. With the ability to store up to eight hours of High Definition video, the 32GB SDHC Memory Card prototype will be showcased at the 2008 International CES in Las Vegas from January 7-10 at the Panasonic booth #9405.

The newly developed card, featuring a massive 32GB of capacity is ideal for AVCHD High Definition video recording, which is experiencing growing demand with the recent expansion of High Definition SD Camcorders. With double the storage capacity of the current 16GB card, the 32GB card is able to record approximately eight hours of 1440 x 1080i High Definition video and approximately five hours and 20 minutes of 1920 x 1080i full High Definition video. With the Class 6 speed specification and maximum data transfer speeds up to 20MB/s, the 32GB card allows users to enjoy superb performance and high-quality recording.
If you'd like to read more, Pansonic's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
While the BD-UP5000 has been on the market for less than a month, Samsung is already working on its replacement. At CES 2008, the company unveiled a new Duo HD disc player, the BD-UP5500. Like the BDP-UP5000, the BD-UP5500 can play back both Blu-ray and HD DVD titles. It also offers support for the latest BD-Java and HDi interactivity and features 7.1 PCM, DTS-HD High Resolution and Master audio, plus Dolby TrueHD Bistream output via HDMI 1.3.

Samsung Electronics, a market leader and award-winning innovator in consumer electronics, introduces a new Duo HD disc player offering the ideal solution for those consumers new to the world of HD home entertainment. In addition to the Blu-ray and HD DVD playback capability found in the CES 2008 Innovation Award Honoree BD-UP5000, the next-generation BD-UP5500 is a fully functioning Blu-ray Bonus View player packaged in a slim and sleek cabinet design. Opening access to both HD formats for a wider consumer audience with this new Duo HD player, Samsung continues its commitment to developing products that make life simpler through its breadth of innovative technologies. Both the Samsung BD-UP5000 and BD-UP5500 Duo HD Players will be on display at booth #11033 during the International Consumer Electronics Show, held at the Las Vegas Convention Center, January 7 through 10.
The BD-UP5500 will be available in the second-half of 2008 and is expected to retail for about $599. If you'd like to read more, Samsung's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
Philips has joined the growing number of manufacturers unveiling Profile 1.1 Blu-ray Disc players at CES 2008. The $349 BDP7200 offers features like 1080p/24, Deep Color and EasyLink HDMI Consumer Electronics Control (CEC).

Philips is making the best even better as it showcases its latest Blu-ray Disc (BD) player - the BDP7200 - at the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show. Building on the successful BDP9000, the BDP7200 is Philips' first BonusView compliant BD player, optimizing the complete HD experience and allowing viewers to enjoy the latest movie applications and features. This new BD player boasts a stylish design with unbeatable sound and picture quality that takes Blu-ray Disc interactivity to a new dimension.
The BDP7200 will be available in April fpr a suggested retail price of $349. Full details can be found here. Add a comment
Toshiba announced this week that they will be introducing a line of mobile external hard drives based on their 1.8-inch HDD platform. These new drives will be available in 40GB, 80GB and 120GB capacities. The company has also expanded its line of 2.5-inch external hard drives to include a 320GB model.

Toshiba Storage Device Division (SDD), the industry pioneer in small form factor hard disk drives (HDDs), today announced it will introduce a mobile personal storage line based on its market-leading 1.8-inch HDD, along with the industry’s highest-capacity portable external hard drive based on the 2.5-inch HDD platform at 320GB.

As the only HDD supplier with a proven track record in marketing 1.8-inch HDDs, Toshiba is the first HDD manufacturer to introduce a 1.8-inch external product. In addition, Toshiba has completely redesigned its personal storage line with a sleek, contemporary look to complement other technology appliances.
While Toshiba’s 1.8-inch external HDDs won't be available until spring, their new 2.5-inch 320GB external HDD will hit stores later this month for a suggested retail price of $199.99. More information can be found here. Add a comment
Funai announced this week that it will be introducing its first Blu-ray Disc player to the North American market. This new player offers support for HDMI 1.3a, 1080p DVD upconversion and the Final Standard Profile (BD Profile 1.1). Best of all, its expected to be priced at less than $300.

Funai Corporation, Inc., the North American sales and marketing subsidiary of Funai Electric Co., Ltd., today announced the introduction of its first Blu-ray Disc player (NB500 series) for the North American market.

The Company will begin production in the first quarter of 2008, and plans to begin selling the player at retail stores in North America during the second quarter. The retail price is projected to be under $300.
If you'd like to read more, Funai's entire press release can be found here. Add a comment
Pioneer Electronics has finally announced their series of 20x DVD writers. Along with their new external drive, the DVR-X152, the company will offer four internal models: the DVR-1910, DVR-1910LS (LightScribe), DVR-2910 (SATA) and DVR-213LS (SATA and LightScribe).
As the number of digital music and video downloads continues to rise, Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. makes it simple and quick to keep vital digital media safe with its introduction today of five new computer drives offering high speed performance and multi-format compatibility. With this next generation line, the new Pioneer internal and external DVD/CD writers offer computer users an impressive 20x write speed along with software from Nero for high quality as well as creative preservation and sharing of digital content. Pioneer’s DVD/CD computer drives give users peace of mind that comes with durable copies that preserve valuable personal content well into the future.
While the DVR-2910 won't ship until April, the other drives should be hitting stores some time in February. Hopefully Pioneer's marketing folks will get with the program and let us take a look at these new models. More information, including prices, can be found here. Add a comment