CES 2006 was bigger than ever with events and vendors at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Alexis Park, the Las Vegas Hilton, and the Sands Expo and Convention Center. This covers information I gathered about the Blu-ray and HD storage. I found more information on Blu-ray. This includes what different companies have coming out in the near future.
By Terry Currier
See also overview of: Storage Video Projectors Navigation Preserving Memories Blu-ray & HD Flash Drives
From www.dvdforum.org
To summarize the family of HD DVD discs:
Toshiba
www.toshiba.com
Toshiba’s Digital Products Division (DPD), demonstrated an HD DVD-ROM drive
equipped Qosmio™ (pronounced
“koss-mee-oh”) audio-video notebook PC at its CES booth, the first
notebook computer to integrate an optical drive under the new HD DVD media
standard. With its similar disc structure, HD DVD is backwards compatible with
the current DVD formats. The drive can read or write current DVD formats,
allowing users to continue playing compatible discs in their existing DVD
collections, offering the optimum entertainment notebook PC experience. Other
benefits of HD DVD include discs that offer 30GB of storage capacity, enough for
playing long-running high-definition movies, and discs that are less sensitive
to surface blemishes and fingerprints. This is a “four-in-one” audio-video
notebook PC featuring an integrated TV tuner, digital video recorder (DVR),
virtual surround-sound stereo and all the capabilities of a powerful,
full-featured notebook PC with Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005.
Pricing, availability and specific model number and configuration for the
next-generation Qosmio with integrated HD DVD will be announced later in Q106.
Some advanced HD DVD features may be limited in initial product.
Toshiba
America Consumer Products, L.L.C. ("Toshiba") unveiled its line-up of
the first High Definition DVD players for the U.S. market. The new HD DVD
players, models HD-XA1 and HD-A1, will take advantage of the superior
capabilities of the HD DVD format, including outstanding visual quality
supported by leading-edge video compression technologies, the high resolution
audio specifications and the capability for enhanced functionality including,
Advanced Navigation, also referred to as "iHD." The units have
backward compatibility. Supporting the leading-edge efficient video compression
standards of MPEG-4 AVC and VC-1, as well as MPEG2, both models will utilize
the new video decoder chip developed by Broadcom. To meet the latest
advancements in Audio/Video interfaces, both models connect to HDTV sets via a
High Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI™). Through the HDMI interface,
standard definition DVDs can be up-converted to output resolution of 720p or
1080i to complement the performance of a HDTV. HD-XA1 ($800, March 2006); HD-A1
($500, March 2006)
Blu-ray www.blu-ray.com
To see who the members are go to
www.blu-raydisc.com/general_information/Section-14009/Index.htm
CyberLink www.cyberlink.com
CyberLink demonstrated direct-to-disc recording of high-definition video
content onto a BD-RW burner using CyberLink PowerProducer. They also showcased
its three latest products to incorporate Blu-ray and HD DVD burning technology,
Power2Go - data and music burning software program, InstantBurn- lets you
operate your optical disc burner as if it was another hard drive, and PowerBackup
- data archiving software. Attendees were also shown BD-ROM and BD-RE playback
via CyberLink’s PowerDVD and a Blu-ray drive from Panasonic.
LG www.LGusa.com
LG’s Blu-ray Disc (BD) Player (BD199) plays Blu-ray discs; Planned for
second-quarter 2006, its hi-tech-chic design complements the technology within
the unit.
Nero www.nero.com
Nero demonstrated its support of HD and Blu-ray in its all-in-one digital media
suite Nero 7 Ultra Edition. High definition video playback is possible with
Nero ShowTime and Nero Home and HD DVD-Video authoring. Nero 7 Ultra Edition
supports both: the HD 15GB single-layer disc, and the dual-layer disc with
double-capacity for a full 30GB. It also provides the ability to burn and
back-up data to BD-RE and BD-R media, (25-50 GB) onto a single disc. To
complete the support for the video formats, support for BD-MV (BD-ROM) and BD-AV
high definition authoring, capturing and video recording will be added and officially
released in April 2006.
NewTech Infosystems (NTI) www.NTIus.com
Announced new software solutions with Blu-ray disc (BD) support. With support
for the new 25GB single-layer and 50 GB dual-layer Blu-ray media.
Panasonic www.panasonic.com
Blank Blu-ray (BD) discs will be introduced in the United States. The new discs will
be available in both 50GB and 25GB storage capacities which can be used on BD
drives with 2X writing speed. The following four models will be introduced in the U.S. market this spring:
Model Number |
Specification |
SRP* |
LM-BE50DE |
Rewritable, 50GB, Single-Sided, Dual Layer |
$59.99 |
LM-BE25DE |
Rewritable, 25GB, Single-Sided, Single Layer |
$24.99 |
LM-BR50DE |
Write once, 50GB, Single-Sided, Dual Layer |
$42.99 |
LM-BR25DE |
Write once, 25GB, Single-Sided, Single Layer |
$17.99 |
Models LM-BE50DE and LM-BR50DE utilize a dual layer structure to realize the large capacity of 50GB.
Philips Electronics www.philips.com
They announced the introduction of a Blu-ray Disc consumer electronic player
(BDP 9000), an all-in-one PC Writer (TripleWriter™) and new Blu-ray media (BD-R
and B-RE, single layer 25 GB1 and dual layer BD-R and BD-RE 50 GB.) Both will
be available in the second half of 2006. The Philips TripleWriter (SPD7000) features
recording and playback capabilities of all popular optical storage formats
including CD, DVD and Blu-ray Disc, which allows users to select their media of
choice depending on the preferred application.
Additionally,
Philips will launch four types of discs (BD-R and BD-RE, single layer 25 GB and
dual layer BD-R and BD-RE 50 GB) together with the introduction of the
TripleWriter.
Pioneer Electronics www.pioneerelectronics.com
Announcing one of the industry’s first Blu-ray Disc computer drives, the
Pioneer BDR-101A. It will utilize shorter wavelength blue lasers in order to
store up to 25 gigabytes of information on a single layer Blu-ray Disc. It is
expected to begin shipping in the first quarter of 2006.
This
first generation product will be targeted primarily to professional users and
serious enthusiasts, generally the first to adopt new technology. In particular,
content creators will depend on Blu-ray Disc writers to test and evaluate high
definition consumer Blu-ray Disc titles during the authoring process before
replication. The drive will come equipped with a data recording application to
transfer digital files to Blu-ray Discs. The drive also will be able to play
consumer Blu-ray Disc movie titles on BD-ROM discs and will play and record
standard DVD media. The half height writer will read BD-ROM/R/RE,
DVD-ROM/DVD-R/DVD-RW and +R/+RW discs. It offers the following write speeds:
They also showed their BD player the BDP-HD1, with features such as 1080p output via HDMI, up conversion of DVDs to 1080i/1080p and networking features for playback of HD video. The player is scheduled for US release in May 2006 and will retail for about $1,800. For those operating a networked home, it was designed with Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) guidelines. When utilizing the IP networking capability, users will be able to access and easily load protected content currently stored on a DLNA compliant server or Windows XP PC using Windows Media Connect. For even easier set-up options, the unit features single wire connection through HDMI for the transfer of both video and audio in HD. HDMI output ensures the best quality picture and sound for both standard definition and Blu-ray Disc content. Compatibility features:
Samsung
www.samsung.com
TSST Korea (Toshiba Samsung Storage Technology Corporation) announced today that it has
completed the technical development of its Blu Ray Disc Drives. These products
for the Optical Disc Drive market offer a storage capacity up to 25GB at a single layer disc. The demand
for high-definition and large storage capacity is taking off and both Blu Ray
and HD-DVD are next generation optical disc formats.
In
the Blu Ray drive, the Blue laser is the core factor that enables the next
generation optical disc format. Current DVDs uses the red laser (650nm) to read
and write data, while Blu Ray and HD-DVD use a shorter wavelength, blue laser
(405nm). As a result, the Blu Ray beam can focus more precisely, enabling it to
read information recorded in pits that are only 0.16 microns long, which is
more than twice as small as the pits on a DVD. Also the smaller pit length
allows for the storing of up to 25GB in a single layer disc -- about five times
more than can be stored on a standard DVD disc. A single-layer Blu-ray Disc can
be used to record over 2 hours of HDTV or more than 13 hours of
standard-definition TV. Samsung Electronics will launch internal and external
Blu Ray drives simultaneously in 2006.
Sony Electronics www.sony.com
U.S. product introductions will begin this spring and gather momentum over the
summer with the introduction of a home player. BD technology will also be
included in VAIO® computers. The format features a 25GB single layer and 50GB
dual layer capacity. Sony's first Blu-ray Disc home player, model BDP-S1, will
be available in early summer and features 1080p full HD video output for HD
imagery and also DVD upscaling to 1080p. Using Sony's VEGAS software users can
edit high-definition footage then archive and share it on Sony high-capacity
BD-R and BD-RE Blu-ray Discs or on traditional DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/+RW discs.
A Blu-ray Disc aftermarket drive for personal computers is
also expected to be available this year, and will support 25GB/50GB BD-R/RE
discs, as well as DVD+R/+RW, and CD-R/RW recordable media. This drive will be
bundled with consumer-level BD recording software and accessories for creation
of High-Definition home video and data Blu-ray Discs. Beginning in the spring,
Sony will begin selling a 25GB single layer BD-R and the BD-RE recording media.
Dual layer 50GB capacity recordable media will follow in the subsequent months.
Ulead www.ulead.com
Unveiled the latest development of the company's high-definition video
authoring software. BDAV recording allows users to record high-definition video
content from HDV camcorders such as the Sony HDR-HC1 to Blu-ray Discs in full
HDV resolution. Discs may be recorded directly from the camera in real-time, or
video may be first captured to hard drive for editing. Users may also record
non-copy-controlled program stream or transport stream HDTV recordings at full
resolution, including high-definition recordings made in Microsoft Windows
Media Center Edition Digital Video Recording (DVR-MS) format.
Editing
features allow users to combine multiple standard or high-definition clips as
well as trim clips and extract sections of clips. High-definition slideshows
with pan & zoom, transitions and audio are also supported. Newly developed
SmartScene menus feature a single preview area for project titles rather than
separate motion buttons as in traditional menu systems. Full previewing allows
an easy preview of all project content, including menu transition effects. HD
project may be output to either HD DVD Type I or Blu-ray Disc HDMV formats.
Verbatim www.verbatim.com
Their initial products will include 25GB single layer media in both write-once
(BD-R) and rewritable (BD-RE) formats. They already supplied burner/recorder
manufacturers and their software suppliers with engineering samples of its new high-capacity media for securing read/write
compatibility. Shipping will begin in early 2006 when hardware and software
products supporting the formats are launched. The new Verbatim BD media will
include a proprietary super-hard coat developed by them. In developing its BD-R
and BD-RE media, MKM/Verbatim also leveraged its experience in producing 30GB
UDO (Ultra Density Optical) blue laser media.
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