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JVC brings Blu-ray burning set-tops to the U.S., leaves all the fun overseas

by Richard Lawler posted Sep 10th 2009 at 12:33PM


U.S. buyers wanting to slide a Blu-ray playing & recording deck into their setup finally have an option coming from JVC, but the domestic limitations are almost as high as the pricetags. Unlike their Japanese and European cousins, there isn't any support for DVRing television content to the hard drive or discs here, with support limited strictly to unprotected Blu-ray content, or imported video from cameras or other sources via the Firewire, SDHC and USB ports. Still, professionals and prosumers interested in easily duping their own Blu-ray discs, video editing or quickly creating one-offs the SR-HD1500 (250GB, $1,995) and the SR-HD1250 (500GB, RS-232, Final Cut Pro .mov file support $2,550) may find a home for these when they ship in October.

Continue reading JVC brings Blu-ray burning set-tops to the U.S., leaves all the fun overseas

Mitsubishi's new Blu-ray DVRs have you covered, from super resolution to VHS

by Richard Lawler posted Aug 20th 2009 at 6:32AM


Mitsubishi has always tried to take a different tack with its Blu-ray recording DVRs in Japan -- see its DVR-BF2000 model for evidence -- and we're sure someone's glad to see them going the extra mile with these latest three models. The DVR-BZ330 combines a 1TB hard drive with the super resolution upconversion that promises to pull additional information from low res video via its Diamond HD chip. If that bit of video magic isn't impressive(or believable) there's always the similar DVR-BZ230 sans-Diamond HD and half the hard drive space, while true back compat freaks should opt for the DVR-BV530 with VHS playback (no recording, we know you had an LP tape you've been saving.) Expect these to hit the streets in October from ¥180,000 ($1,915) for the high end DVR-BZ330 to ¥120,000 ($1,270) for the DVR-BV530.

Sony's latest DVDirect camcorder-to-DVD recorder creates AVCHD DVDs with 5.1 sound

by Nilay Patel posted Jul 7th 2009 at 12:57PM


It's some 60 percent smaller in size, but other than that Sony's new VRD-MC6 DVDirect looks and acts an awful lot like the previous VRD-MC10 and VRD-MC5: it can take 1080i video with 5.1 audio off your Handycam's drive or Memory Stick and shoot out an AVCHD DVD that plays back on compatible Blu-ray drives like the PS3. If you're not into the all-Sony seamless end-to-end HD experience, you can also bring in SD video over FireWire, composite, or USB to churn out regular old DVDs with automatic chaptering and custom menu backgrounds, or you can go totally old-school and just drop in an SD card full of photos and MP3s to generate a slideshow. Yeah, it's not nerd heaven and you won't be editing Oscar-winners here, but at $230 it's a pretty painless way for everyone else to archive and share their videos. Ships in September.

AMEX Digital announces Venice-V38HD media player

by Donald Melanson posted May 28th 2009 at 7:42PM


AMEX Digital doesn't seem to have found a gadget that it doesn't like, and it looks like media players are no exception, as evidenced by the company's new Venice V38HD device. Based on Sigma Designs' SMP8635/4 chipset, this one looks to pack just about everything you'd want short of a full-fledged media PC, including a hefty 2TB of storage, support for all the major video codecs, DVD backup / playback (no Blu-ray, though), HDMI output at 1080p, NAS support and other networking options, and your choice of silver or black color options, to name but a few highlights. No word on pricing or availability just yet, unfortunately, but you can at least get a closer look at the port situation after the break.

Continue reading AMEX Digital announces Venice-V38HD media player

VOOM HD gear goes up for auction

by Steven Kim posted May 22nd 2009 at 9:43PM

VOOM HD auction paddleListen up, aspiring HD content creators -- VOOM HD's demise could be your gain. If the HD video features of the latest crop of DSLRs and DILs (digital interchangeable lens) aren't enough for you, you'll have a chance to pick up some of VOOM HD's gear at an auction on June 16. Among the items up for grabs are a bunch of Sony HD camcorders, Canon HD lenses, and 5 Panasonic PT-AE2000U projectors that we imagine would do a perfectly fine job in the living room. If you've got some cash burning a hole in your pocket, this could be a great way to jump-start your HD rig, but those attending the auction in person will need to watch out for snipers sitting in on the webcast.

ASUS adds 4GB of storage to its USB Express TV Stick tuner

by Steven Kim posted Apr 27th 2009 at 3:44AM

ASUS USB Express TV StickWe can't say that the market has been calling out for a USB stick that combines both a tuner and a flash drive into one tidy package, but that's just what ASUS has delivered with its new Express TV Stick. Aimed at markets outside the US, the Express TV Stick makes good use of the storage by packing all the software necessary to run the hybrid DVB-T / analog tuner right on the device itself. Plug into a USB 2.0 port, install a driver, and away you go. If you can record right to the flash drive -- and we don't see why you shouldn't be able to -- we think TV junkies who need a DVR with truly grab-and-go portability might find room for this among their gear.

Sony's BDZ-A950 / BDZ-A750 Blu-ray recorders do the network thing

by Darren Murph posted Mar 28th 2009 at 8:08PM


By and large, one Blu-ray recorder is just the same as the another. Not so with Sony's latest duo, which both come ready to toast material to blank BD-R media and tap into the wide world of internet video. Both the BDZ-A750 (320GB) and the BDZ-A950 (500GB) are able to stream and download video from Tsutaya TV and acTVila VOD services in Japan, and moreover, they can forward that material to a PSP or other compatible DAP via USB. In case that's not enough, the duo is also DLNA compatible, and the HDMI output ensures crisp, clean 1080p output. So, ready to change your mind on that whole "would you buy a Blu-ray recorder?" question?

[Via Akihabara News]

Gallery: Sony intros BDZ-A950 / BDZ-A750 Blu-ray recorders in Japan

Aleratec slashes prices of Blu-ray recording wares

by Darren Murph posted Mar 26th 2009 at 3:15AM


If you've been holding off on buying yourself a Blu-ray duplicator, bravo. Aleratec has just announced price drops of up to 65 percent on its 1:3 Copy Cruiser Blu LS LightScribe-enabled disc publisher and its 4x BD-R Blu-ray recording media. The former has seen a 25 percent dip down to $1,575, and for those unaware, it provides the ability to produce a trio of Blu-ray Discs at 6x each. The latter is potentially most riveting, with a 10-pack of "duplicator grade" BD-R media falling all the way down to $57.99 (MSRP). By our math, that's under six bucks a disc, and that's definitely hovering a lot closer to respectable than what we've seen in months past.

Pioneer reveals 8x BDR-203BK Blu-ray burner in Europe

by Darren Murph posted Mar 3rd 2009 at 3:51PM


Blu-ray burners that do their thang at 8x aren't entirely new, but Pioneer is just now deciding to follow those other guys with an 8x BD writer of its own. The BDR-203BK is fully compatible with Blu-ray, DVD-+R/RW, DVD-RAM and CD media, and can toast BD-REs at 2x, DVD-R/+R at 16x, DVD-R DL/+R D at 8x and CD-Rs at 32x. It's available now on an OEM basis across Europe for €250 ($314), but there's no word on when us Yanks can expect a release here on US soil.

[Via CDRInfo]

Sony Optiarc Europe lets loose 24x AD-7240S DVD burner

by Darren Murph posted Mar 3rd 2009 at 4:31AM


While we're not totally in agreement with Sony Optiarc Europe's claim that its AD-7240S DVD burner (AD-7220 A/S pictured) is the first on the planet to achieve a 24x burn rate, we won't deny the awesomeness. Inappropriately hailed as a "speed miracle," the drive features the company's Auto Strategy Technology in order to ensure perfect burns every time. You should also know that it'll toast blank CDs at up to 48x and dual-layer DVD-Rs at 12x. Nah, it's no Blu-ray burner, but it's not like you can even afford that kind of optical media, anyway.

[Via TG Daily]

OWC pushes quad interface Blu-ray burner to 8x

by Darren Murph posted Feb 26th 2009 at 3:54AM


So much for staying atop the pile, eh? Just four months after OWC introduced the world's first external Blu-ray drive with a quad interface, the company has already outed the next iteration. Spec-for-spec, it's exactly the same as the prior version save for the drive speed, as this one will toast BD-Rs at 8x, blank DVDs at 16x and writable CDs at up to 32x. You'll still find USB 2.0, FireWire 400, FireWire 800 and eSATA ports 'round back, and if you're certain you won't be angry when the 16x model ships by Fall (just a hunch, really), you can hand over your $399.99 right now.

Panasonic showcases UK-bound DMR-BS850 Blu-ray recorder

by Darren Murph posted Feb 25th 2009 at 6:17PM


While the results in our most recent poll were decidedly mixed, those over in Britain will soon have the option of procuring their own Blu-ray recorder thanks to Panasonic. The DMR-BS850, which was recently showcased across the pond, will sport a dual FreeSat tuner and will rival the heralded Humax FOXSAT-HDR. Details beyond that are few and far between, but we should hear more during the run-up to its late 2008 release. Check the read link for a few more looks.

FastMac slips out three slimline USB Blu-ray drives, including a $99 reader

by Nilay Patel posted Feb 12th 2009 at 1:37AM


We'd heard of a FastMac USB external slimline Blu-ray reader poking around Macworld last month, but we never got anything official until today, when the company pinged us to let us know that the $99 APP-6907 DVD±RW / BD drive, the $299 APP-6963 1x BD-R drive and the $399 APP-6964 4x BD-R drive are now all available. All three drives support both Macs and PCs, although you'll need Windows to play BD movies. Not bad deals all around, but we're still not convinced we need a Blu-ray drive for our computers when we barely use the one in the living room.

Read - APP-6907
Read - APP-6963
Read - APP-6964

Prepared for Super Bowl XLIII? Here's how.

by Darren Murph posted Jan 22nd 2009 at 1:00PM


Believe it or not, Super Bowl XLIII is but days away. If you've been putting off that home theater expansion, the time to get serious is now. We've hosted up a handy guide to get your abode totally ready for hosting a rather monumental bash, so why not head over to Engadget Classic and check it out? We're not responsible for the condition of your wallet should you follow each and every recommendation, but we are guaranteeing that it's a darn good recipe for joviality.

Ask Engadget HD: Best Blu-ray optical drive for my PC?

by Darren Murph posted Jan 14th 2009 at 12:23PM Featured Story


This week's Ask Engadget HD question touches on a subject that's rarely covered in the mainstream flow of Blu-ray news, but matters much to those with HTPCs or big-screen monitors attached to their towers. Have a look at a Kerry's concerns:

"I'm looking to upgrade the optical drive in my HTPC with a Blu-ray drive. My hardware is new enough to support the demands of BD, but I want to make sure I get the best value in a Blu-ray burner. Obviously, speedier drives would be nice, but I'm okay with the next quickest thing to save a few bucks. Which drives have readers had success with?"

So, there you have it. What BD drive is currently packed tightly within your living room PC? Have you had any playback / compatibility issues? Spill the beans below.

Got a burning question that you'd love to toss out for Engadget HD (or its readers) to take a look at? Tired of Google's blank stares when you ask for real-world experiences? Hit us up at ask at engadgethd dawt com and keep an eye on this space -- your inquiry could be next.




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