Sony to Launch New Blu-ray Recorders For Japan
Sony said on Wednesday it will launch four models of new Blu-ray high-definition optical disc recorders in November in Japan, as its format battle with the HD DVD camp heats up.
The new models, capable of storing up to 16 hours of high-definition programs on a dual-layer, 50-gigabyte (GB) Blu-ray disc, will go on sale in Japan on November 8. In addition all new models are capable of encoding video in the efficient MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 format. The new products are listed below:
BDZ-X90. Capable of burning Dual layer BD-R and RE discs, the device has a 500GB internal HDD, 2 digital TV tuners and 2 analog ones, and Gold plated HDMI output 1080p60 and p24.
BDZ-L70, capable of burning Dual layer BD-R and RE discs, it has 320GB of internal HDD, 2 digital TV tuners and 2 analog ones and a Gold plated HDMI output 1080p24.
BDZ-T70, Which is capable of burning Dual layer BD-R and RE discs, has 320GB of internal HDD, 2 digital TV tuners and 2 analog ones, HDMI output 1080p24.
BDZ-T50 , Which is capable of burning Dual layer BD-R and RE discs, has 250GB HDD, 2 analog TV Tuners and an HDMI output 1080p24.
All the new Blu-Ray recorders are Bravia Link compatible. Their internal Blu-Ray drives are capable of recording Blu-Ray content at 4x. When the AVC mode is used, the devices are able to burn 16 hours of HD video on 50GB Blu-Ray media.
The devices are also able to output Dolby Digital plus, Dolby NR TrueHD DTS-HD and Linear PCM 8ch (7.1ch) sound through their HDMI interface.
Sony's previous models, launched last year, were unable to record on a dual-layer disc.
The top-end machine of the four (BDZ-X90), is expected to sell for about 200,000 yen ($1,752), roughly in line with Toshiba's flagship HD DVD recorder.
"With high-definition TVs spreading rapidly and more digital cameras and camcorders are becoming HD-ready, time is ripe for household recorders to move onto a next generation," Sony Executive Deputy President Katsumi Ihara told a news conference.
"We intend to make all our recorders in the domestic market Blu-ray compatible," he said.
Outside its home market, Sony is considering offering Blu-ray recorders in Europe, but the launch timing has yet to be decided.
Sony also today announced its new series of Blu-Ray recordable and rewritable media. This includes the new Sony 4x BD-R discs, as well as some printsble BD-R and BD-RE discs. All feature Sony's AccuCORE protection technology for increased durability.
BDZ-X90. Capable of burning Dual layer BD-R and RE discs, the device has a 500GB internal HDD, 2 digital TV tuners and 2 analog ones, and Gold plated HDMI output 1080p60 and p24.
BDZ-L70, capable of burning Dual layer BD-R and RE discs, it has 320GB of internal HDD, 2 digital TV tuners and 2 analog ones and a Gold plated HDMI output 1080p24.
BDZ-T70, Which is capable of burning Dual layer BD-R and RE discs, has 320GB of internal HDD, 2 digital TV tuners and 2 analog ones, HDMI output 1080p24.
BDZ-T50 , Which is capable of burning Dual layer BD-R and RE discs, has 250GB HDD, 2 analog TV Tuners and an HDMI output 1080p24.
All the new Blu-Ray recorders are Bravia Link compatible. Their internal Blu-Ray drives are capable of recording Blu-Ray content at 4x. When the AVC mode is used, the devices are able to burn 16 hours of HD video on 50GB Blu-Ray media.
The devices are also able to output Dolby Digital plus, Dolby NR TrueHD DTS-HD and Linear PCM 8ch (7.1ch) sound through their HDMI interface.
Sony's previous models, launched last year, were unable to record on a dual-layer disc.
The top-end machine of the four (BDZ-X90), is expected to sell for about 200,000 yen ($1,752), roughly in line with Toshiba's flagship HD DVD recorder.
"With high-definition TVs spreading rapidly and more digital cameras and camcorders are becoming HD-ready, time is ripe for household recorders to move onto a next generation," Sony Executive Deputy President Katsumi Ihara told a news conference.
"We intend to make all our recorders in the domestic market Blu-ray compatible," he said.
Outside its home market, Sony is considering offering Blu-ray recorders in Europe, but the launch timing has yet to be decided.
Sony also today announced its new series of Blu-Ray recordable and rewritable media. This includes the new Sony 4x BD-R discs, as well as some printsble BD-R and BD-RE discs. All feature Sony's AccuCORE protection technology for increased durability.
