Bringing up the rear after all those BRAVIA
projectors and
LCD TVs already trotted out, Sony's now announced a bundle of new HDD/DVD recorders to go along with 'em (although apparently in the UK only). Available in 160GB, 250GB, and 500GB varieties, each unit comes equipped with either a standard analog tuner or an added DVB-T tuner for your
Freeview needs, with the whole lot of them boasting 1080p upscaling of content, as well as Sony's trademark BRAVIA Theater Sync for the usual Sony-centric benefits. Unfortunately, there doesn't appear to be any word on pricing or availability, or any indication of a comparable line being released 'round these parts.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
MHAithaca @ Mar 29th 2007 5:42PM
This is the first reference to an "HDD/DVD recorder" that I can recall seeing. At first I thought it was a typo, and you meant "HD-DVD," but some Googling reveals that other folks have referred to combination DVRs and DVD recorders this way, though most refer to them as a "hard-drive/DVD recorder" first and abbreviate later. ("HDD" is really a techie term that never hit the consumer consciousness to refer to "hard disk drive," so it's a little opaque without any context.)
There also seem to be some hard-drive/DVD recorders that can use their hard drives as DVRs and some that can't. I did just track down a press release for this unit, and it seems as though they are touting DVR features. I'd be curious to know whether it's yet another roll-your-own piece of DVR software on there, or whether they incorporated someone's existing technology.
Mark @ Mar 30th 2007 1:08AM
These don't record HD High Definition picture do they? The press release doesn't mention that anywhere. It does mention SD and that it upconverts. Wouldn't need to upconvert if it was High Def, right?
Mike @ Mar 30th 2007 5:19AM
I remember a couple of month ago..Toshiba anounced a HDD DVD recorder and some blu ray fan boy said even Toshiba knows not to waste time on HD DVD burner. So I guess the same goes here...Sony sees the writing on the wall and doesn't want to waste profits on a soon to dye format.
Larry @ Mar 30th 2007 9:50AM
These devices serve different markets. Many people like the convenience of hard drive based recording without the monthly payments of a Tivo or cable box. Devices like these are designed to replace the VCR. Sony and Toshiba are companies that have a vast product lines. I would not read too much into this release.