Mitsubishi Launches TV with Built-in BD Recorder, Forgets About Styling

Mitsubishi has had the bright idea of combining an LCD HDTV with a built-in Blu-ray player.  But it doesn't just play Blu-ray discs, it'll record them too!  That's right, keen buyers can now buy a set with absolutely everything they could need inside, as a 500GB hard drive can also be found in the depths.

Currently for the Japanese market only, the LCD-22BLR500 is obviously designed for small rooms, or as a second (third?) entertainment system in a home thanks to a 22" screen with a 1366 x 768 (720p) resolution.  The screen is actually an LED backlit panel rather than an LCD as the name suggests, plus the BLR500 has dual tuners and two HDMI inputs too.

It's all well and good stuffing this much tech into a system, but it would have been nice if Mitsubishi tried a little harder with the design of the stand, which incoporates the player and display.  The hard, sharp lines make it appear very 70s-futuristic and combined with the computer-monitor style of the screen, the overall look is not an attractive one.

The LCD-22BLR500 is due for release on the 21st July, with no scheduled international release as yet.

Panasonic Introduce Two New Blu-ray Recorders in the UK

Ensuring their range is as wide as possible, Panasonic have announced two new Blu-ray recorders in the UK.  The DMR-BWT700 and DMR-BWT800 both sit at the upper end of the market and while they have extensive feature lists, they have a price tag to match.

The difference between the two machines is small but significant.  The BWT800 has a 500GB drive instead of the BWT700's 320GB, along with twin HDMIs and some audio tweaks too.  Otherwise they share the exact same spec, which includes twin HD terrestrial tuners so you'll be able to record two digital broadcasts at the same time, plus their 5.1 audio tracks an subtitles too. 

These are 3D capable players with the added ability to convert 2D into 3D and both have Wi-Fi built-in along with Skype too.  They'll record onto dual-layer Blu-rays, both from broadcast material and content taken from an SD card.  The players are also DLNA certified and will stream content to other compatible devices, and Panasonic have added their PHL Chroma Processor Plus technology to ensure images are reproduced in as higher quality as possible.

Both should be available now, but you'll have to part with £499 for the BWT700 and £799 for the BWT800.  They look worth it though, don't they!

Sharp Out Two Blu-ray 3D Recorders in Japan

Two new 3D capable Blu-ray recorders are being prepared for release by Sharp in Japan, and they both have pretty impressive spec lists.  The BD-HW700 and BD-HW70 both have 3D playback as standard plus Sharp's New Transcoder, a system which extends the recording time while retaining picture quality and apparently, allows simultaneous recording of two programs.  They pair also share Surround Sound Audio Output, a technology developed by Pioneer to provide realistic surround sound when listening with headphones.

The Aquos BD-HD700 is the range topper and has a 2TB hard drive built-in, 2 HDMI ports and a USB socket, while the Aquos BD-HD70 makes do with a 1TB hard drive, but retains all of the other features.  Sharp say that the 2TB disc could record 255 hours of HD TV or an impressive 2890 hours of standard def material!  If you pop a 50GB Blu-ray in the drive, you should get 6 hours HD content onboard, or 48 hours standard quality material.  Neither players have Wi-Fi, so instead use an Ethernet LAN connection for online duties.

These two 3D Blu-ray recorders have been introduced to compliment the new range of Sharp 3D TVs, also announced this week.  With 10 new models spanning the LV, LX and XF series of screens, the Quattron 3D range will be out in Japan at the end of July.  Sharp has indicated that it will be bringing the two 3D Blu-ray recorders - the world's first by the way - to the USA and Europe later on this year, so it's logical to assume the TVs will join them too.

Sharp Announce New Blu-ray Recorder LCD TVs

Blu-ray drives being built-in to a TV is nothing new, as we've seen examples from most major manufacturers since the release of the format.  Sharp aren't newcomers either, but this new range does add something new to the mi;, as the Blu-ray drive is a recorder too.  This makes complete sense of course, and negates the need for any separate units.

The new Sharp Aquos DX3 models come in four sizes, a 52", a 46", a 40" and a 32".  The Blu-ray drive is a side-loader and is BD-Live enabled, while on the recording side, Sharp say 36 hours of 1080p material can be stored on a dual-layer Blu-ray disc.  All but the 32" model display full-HD 1080p, it making do instead with 720p, and it also gets only two HDMI ports while the larger sets get three. All models have a 2m:1 contrast level and an Ethernet port though.

Currently, Japanese Sharp fans can expect the 32DX3 to launch at the end of May, with the larger displays coming at the beginning of June.  There are no pricing details to accompany the release dates, nor is there any news on an international release.

Panasonic Add New 3D Blu-ray Players to Range

Panasonic are wholeheartedly embracing the 3D revolution with the introduction of four new Blu-ray players, all with 3D capabilities.  The players are currently destined for Japanese shores, but it's likely that at least one will be out elsewhere by the time 3D displays are available elsewhere in the world.  Aside from 3D, the players standout thanks to their abilities as Blu-ray recorders - the first of their kind to combine hard drive recording and 3D.

The DMR-BWT3000 (pictured) has a massive 2TB hard disc, the BWT2000 has a 1TB and the BWT1000 gets the smallest option, a 750GB disc.  All will have Panasonic's VieraCAST online streaming services, an Ethernet port, digital and analogue tuners and in the case of the BWT3000 and BWT2000, a pair of HDMI sockets.  The entry-level BWT1000 has a single HDMI.  Prices start at around $1800 for the BWT1000, rising to $2200 for the BWT2000 before reaching a peak of $3350 for the range topping BWT3000.  Ouch.

The three recorders will be joined by the DMP-BDT900 is a 3D Blu-ray player and will be equipped with two HDMI ports, an SD card port and two USB sockets, plus the usual VieraCAST services and Panasonic's Advanced AVC encoder.  This 3D player is likely to cost $1500.

All four seem to be scheduled for release on the 23rd April in Japan.

Panasonic Price Their Blu-ray/Freesat HD Recorders

We had a sneak peak at the Panasonic DMR-BS850 back in February, but there was no price or release date to go along with the specification.  Now, Panasonic UK have introduced it, its brother the DMR-BS750 and another machine, the DMR-XS350 into the European market and we've got the lowdown.

The DMR-BS850 is a Blu-ray recorder with two Freesat HD decoders and a 500GB hard drive, while the DMR-BS750 shares the same specification but with a 250GB hard drive instead.  The twin decoders give considerable flexibility for watching and recording at the same time, Panasonic's Viera Cast online portal gives access to YouTube and other Internet media sites, a USB and SD card slot increases the flexibility even further and of course, an Ethernet port can be found on the rear. 

The DMR-XS350 is slightly different.  It still plays Blu-ray discs and benefits from the twin Freesat HD decoders, but recording is limited to DVD or to the internal 200GB hard drive. 

Now, these are all great looking machines and their specification is as good as it currently gets, however the price reflects this top-end tech.  The BS850 retails at £999, the BS750 at £899 and the XS350 at £699.  More detailed information can be found on the Panasonic press release and it looks like these should be ready for order now.  They may be pricey, but there's no denying their versatility!

Keep It On Blu-ray

Years ago, when you wanted to get information off of your hard drive, the answer was often optical media.  With the puny floppies, and cost effectivness of CD's, that spindle got put to use.  This eventually gave way to DVD, but gradually external hard drives and flash based hard drives (not to mention online options) took over the need for optical media as a backup.

With that in mind, at a meeting this week, Hiroyuki Hasegawa lectured on "The Present and Future of Optical Discs" at the meeting session of "The Current State of Digital Archives and the Roles of Optical Discs" hosted by the Japan Recording-Media Industries Association.  Apparently, compared to hard drive or magnetic based formats, the optical media is both more reliable and cost effective in the right application.  While not ideal for information that is frequently changed or accessed, for data that will remain the same throughout is archival lifespan, Blu-ray can be an ideal choice.

While I was going to make a comment about the price of the media, a little research shows that a single disc, that holds 25 gigs of storage can be had for under five bucks which is not too bad at all.

Fry's Blu-ray Deal

Been on the fence about adding a Blu-ray drive to your system?  Collecting parts for a new system build?  While DVDRW drive prices have been rock bottom for many months now, Blu-ray has still commanded a premium.  However, when you can get a name brand Blu-ray combo drive, that can both read Blu-ray, and write to DVD and CD's, for $79, that DVDRW only drive is looking mighty long in the tooth.

The Sony BD-ROM drive is currently available at Fry's for $79, and it can be shipped if you don't live near one.  However, at this price, he who hesistates will not get one.

Hitachi DZ-BD10HA Review

CNET took a look at the Hitachi DZ-BD10HA camcorder.  This camcorder can record HD to both the on board 30 gb hard drive, a mini Blu-ray disc, or a flash card (pics only for the card).  While the video recorded was quite good in their testing, even on a serious Superbowl Party 52" LCD, the camcorder is not for the mainstream.

For starters, a thousand dollar camcorder is a tough sell these days.  At that price point we're beyond the casual consumer, and into prosumer territory where folks demand equipment that will perform without shortcomings.  The problem here is that the camcorder does have its flaws.  These include the slow startup, and the slow time to switch between recording media destinations.

The main attraction here is that the video from the hard drive can be offloaded to either mini Blu-ray discs for your HD amigos, or standard def DVD's for your technologically antiquated "classic video" lovin' buds.  Be aware that the write once mini Blu-ray discs go for $20 a piece so these can get pricey to hand out around the office.  I agree with the article's suggestion that most users will be better served by a camcorder with a hard drive and card slot, and the video can get remixed, saved, and burned to disc on the computer.

Portable Super Multi Drive

Back when few notebooks had DVD drives, external drives were popular.  Through a USB interface, a slim drive could add DVD capabilities to an existing computer platform, and the screwdriver could stay in the rack. 

Taking a playbook from those slim external drives, AMEX Digital is introducing the Portable Super Multi Drive.  This drive adds in the Blu-ray capability to your notebook, and does it with a slim form factor that will fit easily in the notebook bag for the daily tote.  The model BDP-2 Blu-ray Player is debuting at $298.  The BDR-2 Blu-ray Recorder is adding in writing capability which will set you back just under four Franklins at $398.  Both drives are slot loader which keeps them nice and sleek.  Finally, be aware that while they will work with Macs, the requirements list a Core 2 Duo as the preferred processor, so that old mobile Celeron-M from a few years ago just won't cut it.