Sharp is continuing to move the bar in blue laser technology, recently unveiling a higher power (250mW) 6x Blu-ray recording laser, but more importantly tipped its hand regarding plans for 8x blue laser diodes by 2009. Those lasers will be able to output 300mW, followed by 400mW varieties capable of up to 12x speeds by 2010. Looks like blue laser shortages are a thing of the past, now we'll see how quickly speed -- and possibly multilayer discs -- can ramp up.

[Via afterdawn]

Sigmatek is joining the legion of Blu-ray manufacturers with its newest player, the SBR-1000. Coming in at a price of under €250 ($364), it'll be the cheapest Blu-ray player available in Europe -- compared to the €369 ($537) BDP-S300 -- when it launches in April. We're assuming this player supports at least Profile 1.1 / Bonus View features, to go along with the confirmed 1080p/24, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD and HDMI 1.3 support. The low price is credited to Sony and Nichia's new cheaper blue laser, which should lead to similar new price floors here in the U.S. sooner rather than later.

[Via Blu-ray.com]

Simmer down -- it's not like you haven't seen advancements in blue laser technology before, and even though the current format war may still be raging when either's successor rolls into town, Kaai and Soraa are already looking to the future. Reportedly, Khosla Ventures has invested in both of the aforementioned firms, and while company representatives aren't disclosing much at the moment, we do know that the duo is exploring ways to "exploit gallium nitride, which is also the basis for existing blue LEDs and blue lasers." Apparently, they'd like to concoct suitable replacements for conventional LEDs in the lighting market and make a showing in the optical data storage arena, too. But seriously, with 200GB Blu-ray discs, who needs to worry about the next best thing?

[Image courtesy of DigitalHomeMag]

Atmel, the same firm known for cranking out uber-small GPS chips, has now created the "industry's smallest laser diode driver solution" for HD DVD, Blu-ray, DVD, and CD formats. The ATR0881 laser diode driver IC is available now and is designed for use in combination drives that play nice with all of the aforementioned discs. Notably, the ATR0881 itself is housed in a minuscule four- x four-millimeter QFN24 package, and should prove extremely useful in half-height combo drives as well as slim drives found in laptops. Smaller optical drives that handle every format harmoniously? Count us in.

Sony's semiconductor subsidiary recently announced an increase in blue-violet laser diode production, with a monthly capacity of 1.7 million, and capability to produce up to five million with future upgrades. In June the diodes are expected to cost around $8 per diode in bulk, as compared to a price of $125 per drive (including the diode and other parts) when they came onto the market last year. Analysts predict that the lower cost of materials will likely drive manufacturers of blue-laser products to lower their own prices, with the PlayStation 3 benefiting from this reduction by allowing Sony to reduce the price, possibly even lower than $499, to be very competitive with the Xbox 360 Elite model. Of course, Toshiba could also theoretically take advantage of similar cost savings to reduce the price of their own HD DVD players. Perhaps that Wal-mart player isn't such a far-fetched idea after all.

Whether the format war is over or not, one thing that would definitely get more buyers off the fence and owning more high definition players would be lower prices. Aonex Technologies and Kyma Technologies are the latest to announce they've found a better (and cheaper) way to pump out the blue laser diodes necessary in every Blu-ray and HD DVD player. Aonex claims its A-Sapph wafer technology improves on current sapphire based processes, enabling an increase in the number of chips per wafer and improving yields substantially. As fans of lasers in general, and not just in relation to HDTVs and lower prices, we're excited, but without even the hint of an expected release date it will probably be a while before these are ready for the market.

Once the realm of mighty giants with huge pocketbooks, burning a dual-layer Blu-ray (or HD DVD) disc might be yours at ten times normal speed starting in 2008, when Japanese firm Nichia Corp. will start production on a higher-powered laser diode for use in recorders. The diode emits pulsed light at a higher output than current models, and is stable enough for 1,000 hours of operation, which we estimate should net you around 5,000 two-hour burns... of data, of course! It will also allow for 2x burning of up to four layers. We're still waiting for word on how fast it will burn those ten-layered discs.

While Sony's certainly had its fair share of blue laser supply issues, and the current generation of HD DVD / Blu-ray burners are sluggish at best, it looks like the first step towards marginally acceptable write speeds to next generation formats has been taken. According to Nikkei, Sanyo has developed a blue laser diode which will speed up data access, and moreover, should be able to reach write speeds of "up to 6x for dual-layer discs." Similar to LG's combo unit, this diode also plays nice with both HD DVD and Blu-ray recorders, but there's no word if a hybrid writer using the laser is in our immediate future. Still, any progress towards harmony between the formats -- not to mention being able to burn a dual-layer Blu-ray disc in time for your next birthday -- is a step in the right direction, so we're expecting nothing less than a 6x burner to be hitting shelves sooner rather than later, Sanyo. [Warning: read link requires subscription]

[Via Inquirer]

It might not have said so on the flyer, but Blu-ray and HD DVD in 2006 have been largely a BYOL affair, since neither Sony nor Nichia were able to supply enough of the lasers that are at the basis of both formats to meet demand. Well Sharp -- which hasn't released its DV-BP1U Blu-ray player yet -- has now decided to jump into the blue laser game as well, producing 150,000 units per month; they expect to be up to 500,000 units per month by September of next year. A company spokeswoman said most of the diodes will go into Sharp products, but we're sure European PlayStation 3 fans wouldn't mind seeing a few truckloads headed in Sony's direction, while everyone else is just hoping to see price drops on high definition players across the board.

Read - Sharp starts blue laser diode production
Read - Sharp to Make Laser Diodes for Blu-Ray, HD Recorders

Blue lasers. The little diode is at the heart of Blu-ray and HD DVD technology, and its scarcity is the reason you might be reading this while camping out for a PlayStation 3 right now. Shimei Semiconductor Co. thinks it's found an easier way to make them by growing the gallium nitride LEDs on a silicon wafer instead of the sapphire-based process used currently. The predicted lower cost and longer lifespan of the components sounds great ...too bad these aren't expected to be available until April of 2007. Still, those waiting for a dual-format player -- or maybe a European PS3 -- might have one of these blue lasers in their future.

[Via CNet]

If you do manage to get your hands on one of the 400,000 Playstation 3's expected to be available in North America at launch, there is a very good chance you'll be buying one of the $600 60GB, HDMI & Wi-Fi-equipped (but no HDMI-cable) editions. This information of an 80/20 split in launch availability comes courtesy of an analyst who met with "Sony Playstation management", that also confirmed that despite the recent change in launch estimates, Sony thinks the blue laser diode shortage will be history by January 2007 and they'll be able to produce 1.2 million Playstation 3s (plus however many BDP-S1s, BWU-100As etc.) every month. Also of note was his expectation that Sony will put their online service on display at the Tokyo Game Show, including an internet browser and "full music and video downloads". We've been enjoying high-def streaming and HD downloads from Xbox Live Marketplace for almost a year, Sony needs to prove they can put together an interface and content package that matches up.

As much as we like to talk about the ongoing format war between Blu-ray and HD DVD and our readers comment on it, the simple fact is that very few of us actually own either format yet. This is definitely related to the high prices and growing pains early adopters are subject to but the fact is neither one is available in significant quantities yet. As more manufacturers prepare to jump in to the battle this holiday season they may not be able to because of their shared reliance on blue lasers. Only a few companies worldwide produce them and none have been able to get very good yields. Even Sony, who produces blue lasers for themselves and others, has predicted a shortage as they seek to roll out the Playstation 3 and BDP-S1 and according to this article, have suspended shipments to others. For manufacturers who have to rely on someone else for a supply, this could mean a delay until 2007 before many players and drives are launched.

While there is still doubt over if or when a Blu-ray and HD DVD capable drive will be available, Ricoh has created a single laser that is able to read discs in either format. Their new component will be able to read and write to Blu-ray, HD DVD, DVD and CD with one pickup and one objective lens. The 3.5-mm diameter, 1-mm thick round diffraction plate detects what kind of disc has been inserted, and adjusts to change the laser beam as necessary for the format. They'll be showing off the tech later this week at the International Optoelectronics Exhibition '06 in Japan.

While both formats use blue lasers they record at different distances and widths, a single head that overcomes those differences could make a dual-format player cheaper and a more realistic possibility if licensing fees and agreements don't get in the way. Ricoh certainly doesn't think they will, saying this technology will "make it possible to build players and recorders for all formats which benefits consumers". That's the triple truth, although if this coming technology at all influenced Toshiba's conciliatory remarks recently is unknown.

They see this technology becoming commercially available by the end of this year. It will only be available for playback devices initially, as a higher powered laser is needed for recording. Those of us waiting for a relatively inexpensive solution to the high definition format war will be waiting just a bit longer.