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OpticalDrive posts

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]

Blu-ray optical drives still a rare find in British PCs

by Darren Murph posted Jan 24th 2009 at 4:08PM


This here survey may have been conducted by GfK across the pond, but we'd be willing to wager the results are actually indicative of most major developed markets. Baseless assumptions aside, the facts are that a subset of surveyed individuals has led the research firm to conclude that at the tail end of 2008, DVD-RW drives still held a 92 percent share in the optical disc drive sector. Needless to say, sales of standalone BD optical drives were much, much lower, holding just a 4 percent volume share in November 2008. Moreover, some 81 percent of "mobile computers" and 86 percent of desktops came loaded with a DVD-RW drive last October, and just 1 percent (yes, one) of desktops came with a high-definition drive of any kind pre-installed. It's not shocking to see that the PC market is adopting BD slower than the standalone home entertainment segment, but what this could also signal is the declining interest in cutting-edge HTPCs altogether. What say you, oh knowledgeable ones?

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.

Plextor announces four new optical drives, 6x Blu-ray readers included

by Darren Murph posted Nov 28th 2008 at 4:06PM


Not interested in Qflix, huh? No worries, as Plextor has four others for your consideration. Up first is the PX-610U 8x slim external USB Super Multi Drive for both Mac and PC, which requires no AC adapter and comes bundled with Roxio burn software. Next are the 6x PX-B310SA (internal SATA) and PX-B310U (external USB) drives, both of which read Blu-ray Discs at 6x and burn blank DVDs at an undisclosed (but undoubtedly zippy) rate. Batting cleanup are the 22x PX-850SA (internal SATA) and PX-850A (internal PATA) Super Multi drives, which forgo the whole BD-compatible thing and stick strictly to DVD. Each of the units should be available now, though pricing remains a mystery. Nothing like a little anticipation, right?

OWC introduces first external Blu-ray drive with quad interface

by Darren Murph posted Oct 22nd 2008 at 11:31AM


It's debatable whether or not Apple is losing its touch with FireWire, but you can rest assured that OWC hasn't. Said outfit has just announced the industry's first Blu-ray external drive with a quad interface, meaning you can link it up to your PC or Mac via FireWire 400, FireWire 800, USB 2.0 or eSATA. The Mercury Pro SW-5583 arrives with the capability to toast BD-Rs at a rate of 4x and includes a pair of 25GB BD-R discs for $499.99; the closely related Mercury Pro SW-5583T throws in a full retail version of Roxio Toast 9 Titanium (OS X) and sells for $579.99. Now, if only we could convince Steve that Blu-ray and Macs could indeed get along together, we'd really be satisfied. Full release after the break.

Continue reading OWC introduces first external Blu-ray drive with quad interface

Amex Digital does what Steve wouldn't, intros portable Blu-ray burner for Macs

by Darren Murph posted Oct 16th 2008 at 7:02PM


A "bag of hurt," huh Steve? How do you like these Apples? Amex Digital has stepped in to give prospective MacBook / MacBook Pro owners (and anyone with a fresh USB-equipped Mac, really) the ability to watch and burn Blu-ray Discs... so long as they're cool with hauling around an external unit. The glossy black / white drive (coincidence?) is pretty much a Blu flavor of the portable Super Multi Drive it churned out in July. It'll burn BD-RE / -R (single-layer) discs at 2x, while dual-layer versions will only toast at 1x; as for blank DVDs, they'll get done at a rate of 4x to 8x depending on flavor. Not too painful at just $289, wouldn't you agree, Mr. Jobs?

[Thanks, A1]

Lite-On intros 6x iHES206 internal Blu-ray reader / DVD writer

by Darren Murph posted Oct 7th 2008 at 8:11PM


If you were hoping to grab a new Blu-ray writer to slap inside of that new tower, you'll be sorely disappointed with Lite-On's new iHES206. The 6x optical drive simply reads Blu-ray Discs, but it will handle writing of blank CD and DVD media. As for speeds, it can digest single-layer BD-R / RE / ROM discs at 6x (dual-layer at 4x) while writing DVD±R at 16X, DVD±R DL / DVD+RW at 8x, DVD-RW at 6x and DVD-RAM at 12x. It's on track for a November release in Europe for a manageable €139 ($189).

[Via CDFreaks]

BenQ hacks 33% from its BR1000 Blu-ray optical drive in Taiwan

by Darren Murph posted Jul 21st 2008 at 3:12PM


We'd give you two guesses on how we feel about this trend, but you only need one. BenQ has just followed Pioneer's lead and dropped the price of its BR1000 Blu-ray optical drive a full 33% in Taiwan. Post-discount, the BD-ROM unit now sits at around NT$3,650 (or $120 to you Americans). SonyNEC Optiarc projected that we'd see these internal drives selling for under $100 before 2009, and it looks like its prophecy will indeed come true. Now, as soon as the standalone players start heading in the same direction, we'll be all smiles.

Pioneer lowers Blu-ray combo drive price in China, Sony unit to hit Taiwan

by Darren Murph posted Jun 24th 2008 at 12:04PM


Take all of this with a grain of salt for the time being, but word on the street has it that Pioneer has lowered the retail price of its BDC-S02BKZ Blu-ray Disc Combo drive in China by just over 41%. The new sticker shows 999 yuan ($145), while just last week it was marked 1,699 yuan ($247). We're also hearing that Pioneer will soon be lowering the retail price of its BDC-S02 optical drive in the Taiwan market, and if that wasn't enough, (hopefully believable) sources have stated that Sony will launch a Blu-ray Disc Combo drive in this very region for around $230 next month. We can't say that BD prices are where they need to be for mass adoption, but it's good to see them finally headed in the right direction.

Read - Price drops
Read - New Sony drive

SonyNEC Optiarc projects sub-$100 Blu-ray optical drives by year's end

by Darren Murph posted Jun 6th 2008 at 2:50AM

If you'll recall, SonyNEC Optiarc was the same company that suggested BD prices would be halved by 2008 from what they were in late 2006, and while stickers are still relatively high on standalone decks, the prediction actually wasn't too far off. A new report from Tom's Hardware notes that the aforementioned outfit is expecting Blu-ray combo drives "to reach the $100 line before the holiday season." For around $50 more, it reckons you'll have access to slim-line notebook drives that handle the same duties. Granted, there's no real confirmation surrounding the assertions, and we'll be the first to blindly hope such wishful thinking comes true, but we'd say BD prices in general have a whole lot of falling to do in six short months for this one to even stand a chance.

[Via TechDigest]

LG unveils 6x Blu-ray burners: BE06, GBC-H20L, and GBW-H20L

by Darren Murph posted Jun 3rd 2008 at 8:01PM


Not even a week after LaCie trumpeted its latest 4x external Blu-ray writer, along comes LG to re-up the ante. Its latest trifecta -- the BE06 (pictured), GBC-H20L and GBW-H20L -- all offer SecurDisc capabilities and LightScribe technology, not to mention the ability to toast BD-Rs at 6x (and BD-REs at 2x). As for the external USB 2.0 BE06, you'll be looking at $379.95; for the GBC-H20L and GBW-H20L, however, you can expect to pay $199.95 / $279.97 respectively. The trio is available as we speak.

Sony aiming for sub-$200 Blu-ray PC reader in early 2008

by Darren Murph posted Oct 12th 2007 at 7:24AM

Looks like it's not just the HD DVD camp that's talkin' lower prices, as now we're hearing that Sony has plans to unveil a Blu-ray reading (sorry, no burning capabilities of any kind on this one) optical drive early next year for around two Benjamins. All that was according to Bob DeMoulin, Sony's marketing manager, branded optical storage, who also stated that "a Blu-ray player at a sub-$200 price point becomes real attractive to the consumer." Of note, he also hinted at a possible external flavor of said drive, but apparently, there's been no final decision made on that just yet.

Buffalo offers up external HD DVD / Blu-ray combo drive in Japan

by Darren Murph posted Aug 26th 2007 at 4:44AM


Nah, Buffalo isn't manufacturing the HD DVD / Blu-ray drive that sits comfortably within its new external enclosure, but those parked in Japan can reportedly get ahold of this peace maker for just ¥51,000 ($440). Apparently, Buffalo chose the GGC-H20N optical drive to read both high-definition formats in its BHC-6316U2, and CyberLink's PowerDVD7.3 Ultra will also be thrown in for good measure. Next month, Buffalo will be loosing the BRHC-6316U2, which will utilize the GGW-H20N Blu-ray burner / HD DVD reader and will run customers a respectable ¥74,800 ($644).

[Via EverythingUSB]

Pioneer launches BDC-S02J internal Blu-ray player / DVD writer

by Darren Murph posted Jul 24th 2007 at 2:28PM


Pioneer's latest internal Blu-ray player / DVD writer certainly lacks a few amenities, but for those not interested in forking out for BD-Rs or messing with HD DVD, the BDC-S02J is catered specifically for you. Arriving in both black and beige color schemes, this SATA drive plays back content on single- and dual-layer Blu-ray discs, BD-REs, and all flavors of DVDs and CDs including writables. Additionally, it will come bundled with a host of software, and while pricing information is strangely absent, those in Japan can expect it to land sometime next month.

[Via AkihabaraNews]




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