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Apricorn introduces 1.5TB DVR Xpander, succeeds at making it ugly

by Darren Murph posted Jan 22nd 2009 at 3:02PM


Apricorn's DVR Xpanders have never been the prettiest bunch, but we would've thought a redesign was in order with the introduction of the 1.5TB model. Sadly, our hopes and dreams of a DVR attachment from the outfit that isn't completely heinous have been decidedly crushed, as the latest edition is just as unsightly as prior models. Of course, it can hold up to 187.5 hours of HD content or 843 hours of SD material, not to mention its ability to connect via USB 2.0 or eSATA. So yeah, if all that matters to you is functionality (and not missing a single drama while out on that month-long vacation), we'd say the $239 asking price is totally reasonable.

[Via PCLaunches, thanks Vinit]

Seagate's Showcase HDD turns DISH Network receivers into DVRs

by Darren Murph posted Jan 15th 2009 at 6:20AM


There ain't much new here outside of marketing hoopla, but for those who missed Seagate's announcement early last year, we've got a revised one ready for publishing this year. The Showcase external HDD line has now been certified for compatibility with the Solo ViP 612 receiver, ViP 622 / 722 DuoDVR and the ViP 211 / 211k receivers. In essence, this here hard drive converts the receivers in the bunch into full-fledged DVRs, giving you one less reason to spend haphazardly on a new set-top-box. No need to thank us, we're just doing our jobs.

Iomega's Home Media Network Hard Drive backs up files, streams content

by Darren Murph posted Jan 5th 2009 at 11:00AM


Slowly but surely, the multimedia hard drive is becoming more and more relevant. At first, it was outlets like Mvix doing the honors, and then mainstays such as LaCie got in while the gettin' was good. Now, we've got ole Iomega trying its hand at the game, with the introduction of the Home Media Network Hard Drive at Macworld in San Francisco. The drive, which includes the firm's LifeLine software, enables users to easily backup their precious files and stream music, photos, videos and all manners of other multimedia between computers, networked TVs, gaming consoles, etc. For those curious, it'll function just fine as an iTunes server and play oh-so-nice with DLNA certified devices, and aside from the obligatory gigabit Ethernet jack, there's also a USB port for adding a shared network printer or extra capacity. It should be available early this month for $159.99 (500GB) / $229.99 (1TB).

Brando's SATA HDD Multimedia Dock includes video-out, media player

by Darren Murph posted Jul 30th 2008 at 7:02AM


Brando's SATA HDD Stage Rack doesn't stay the same for very long, as it seems a new iteration keeps popping up every month or so. The latest (and greatest, might we add) is the SATA HDD Multimedia Dock, which enables users to slap in any ole 2.5- / 3.5-inch SATA hard drive and access it via USB. That's not all, though. This one also provides an SD card slot, S-Video / composite / component outputs and a bundled remote -- what for, you ask? So you can play back MPEG1/2/4, XviD and DivX (among others) files, of course. This takes multifaceted to an entirely different platform, huh?

[Via Coolest-Gadgets]

Hitachi's new DZ-BD10H camcorder pairs Blu-ray with a 30GB HDD

by Paul Miller posted Jul 24th 2008 at 9:42AM


We're not saying it can't be done, but you should have some considerable trouble managing to run out of room for your expertly-shot, highly-narrative vacation antics with Hitachi's new DZ-BD10H camcorder, which records 1080p HD video to Blu-ray discs or to its built-in 30GB hard drive. There's even an SD slot, which we aren't positive you can record video to, but it's a fair guess. Other specs include a 2.7-inch LCD and a 10x optical zoom. Price should be around $1,500 when it hits Japan on August 9, but no solid word on a US berth just yet.

Metz unveils 100Hz Linus 32 LCDs, includes hybrid tuners and HDD

by Darren Murph posted Aug 22nd 2007 at 1:44PM


Amidst the onslaught of releases surrounding IFA comes one from Metz, which is introducing a pair of feature-laden LCD HDTVs for the European market. The 32 HDTV 100 and Linus 32 HDTV 100 R both tout 100Hz technology, integrated "double-hybrid tuners" for cable and aerial (DVB-C / DVB-T) reception, Dynamic Motion Compensation to nix the jaggies, and two "externally accessible input slots for CA modules with smart cards that open up the possibility of being able to receive various pay-TV channels." Moreover, the "R" model comes equipped with a 160GB hard drive, which enables users to store up to 200-hours of SD content, 30-hours of HD programming, or any combination of the two sans a traditional DVR. You'll also find a trio of HDMI ports, DVI, and even a USB interface for loading up photo slideshows. Mum's the word on pricing at the moment, but both of these sets should be hitting the streets next month.

[Via Messe-Berlin]

TrekStor MovieStation maxi t.u media-centric hard drive

by Darren Murph posted May 2nd 2007 at 11:20PM


We know, no one likes paying extra for those built-in backup features that you reckon are just as easily handled by your own diligence, but TrekStor's latest external hard drive boasts even more fanciness for your hard-earned buck. Aside from coming bundled with Nero's BackItUp2 Essentials, the dashing aluminum drive packs an infrared remote, AV adapter, USB 2.0 connectivity, and a front-panel full of media-centric playback controls for times when the remote mysteriously vanishes. The unit was designed to capture your video files, pictures, and other multimedia, and then plug right in to any television for instant, painless viewing / listening. Additionally, it plays nice with OS X, Linux, and nearly every flavor of Windows, and handles MPEG1/2/4, AVI, DivX, XviD, MP3, WMA, WAV, and OGG file formats all on its own. HD freaks aren't forgotten either, as 720p / 1080i is also in the cards thanks to its component output capabilities, and the optical digital audio output can even pipe surround sound from the HDD to your AV system. The MovieStation maxi t.u comes in 250GB, 320GB, 400GB, and half terabyte sizes, but unfortunately, no pricing deets were readily available just yet.

[Via SvartLinks]

Toshiba intros C3000 / H3000 Regza LCD lineups

by Darren Murph posted Apr 9th 2007 at 3:24PM


For Toshiba, kicking out a duo of new Regza lines a week or so ago just wasn't enough, as the firm has unleashed yet another pair of LCD displays in the rapidly-growing lineup with the C3000 and H3000. The C3000s (pictured after the break) will range from 26- to 42-inches in size, sport both digital and terrestrial analog tuners, dual HDMI inputs, VGA, S-Video, and built-in stereo speakers to boot. The H3000s, however, will range from 32- to 52-inches in size, sport a 300GB internal hard drive for recording your favorite shoes, HDMI / S-Video / composite inputs, an eSATA connector, integrated analog / digital tuners, and onboard Ethernet to top things off. The barrage of sets will be shipping from April to June depending on model, and while the cheapest of the bunch will run you just ¥140,000 ($1,177), the flagship 52H3000 will ring up right around ¥590,000 ($4,961).

Continue reading Toshiba intros C3000 / H3000 Regza LCD lineups

Panasonic announces five new Japanese DVRs

by Erik Hanson posted Mar 1st 2007 at 4:21PM

Panasonic DMR-XW51 1TB DVR
Panasonic has announced five new high definition digital video recorder units for the Japanese market, with all models sporting hard drives from 250 GB (DMR-XP11 and DMR-XP21V) to 500 GB (DMR-XW31 and DMR-XW41V) to 1 TB (DMR-XW51) and DVD drives for burning archives or placeshifting content. Two of them (the V-series) also include VHS recorders for converting that old pile of Miami Vice episodes you've got lying around. The largest of the models has the one terabyte drive, which should get you, what, at least half of American Idol this season? Each of the five recorders has HDMI output, with the DMR-XW51 model using progressive scan 1080p, and all include S-Video and composite inputs for recording other sources. We'd imagine this makes them upscaling DVD players as well, but that isn't mentioned in the release. Most include an ethernet jack for getting program guides and downloading track data from the online Gracenote music database when recording CD audio onto the drives. They utilize a quick-start power-saving mode that allows them to begin recording in three seconds from standby. Because these are Japan-specific recorders, they include BS/110 CS digital or analog tuners, with the VHS-less models freeing up room for two tuners instead of one. They will be released in April and May with prices ranging from ¥80k to ¥200k ($669 to $1,688).

Hitachi develops AVSM software to make DVR hard drives "smarter"

by Darren Murph posted Jan 6th 2007 at 11:56PM

It's one thing when the most taxing task your DVR will ever face is the furious fast-forwarding necessary to get the next scene in your favorite recorded drama, but if you've got over 100 hours of HD VOD to churn through while recording tonight's game and sifting through next week's programming list, having a more intelligent hard drive just might help out. In an effort to reduce DVR hard drive fragmentation, lengthen the life of set-top boxes, improve the quality of service / speed to the end user, and give your average DVR the ability to "manage up to 14 HDTV (19.3Mbps) streams from a single 3.5-inch HDD," Hitachi has developed AVSM technology to help your DVR's HDD think things through before going through the motions. The background software differentiates between "streaming applications and best-effort, non-real-time applications" such as electronic program guides, IPTV downloads, and photo browsing in order to manage the line of tasks more efficiently. Overall, the software reportedly reduces duty cycles "by up to 60 percent" and all but eliminates disc fragmentation, but realistically, with new units popping up entirely more frequently than your average hard drive takes to perish, hooking DVRs up with all these smarts might be a bit unnecessary for those who stay on the bleeding edge.

Mitsubishi shows big, beautiful Blu-ray recorder with HDD

by Paul Miller posted Oct 6th 2006 at 9:45AM

We wish we had a bit more info to be getting on with, but we can't say a spec sheet would have us drooling any more than we are already. Mitsubishi is showing off a sexy new Blu-ray recorder of theirs at CEATAC, which sports a HDD for doing HDD-ish recording stuff too. That's all we can really tell you about this unit, but by mere heft analysis we're going to guess this one falls somewhere between Sony's BDZ-Vx recorders and Toshiba's RD-A1 HD DVD monstrosity. But to be perfectly honest, even if the internals of this thing were packed with sawdust and Jolly Ranchers, we'd probably buy one anyways.

JVC's 3CCD Everio HD camcorder loosed at CEATEC

by Thomas Ricker posted Oct 3rd 2006 at 9:21AM

Well hello Mr. high-definition Everio, nice to finally see you in the fo' realz. Oh sure, it's still a prototype but at least it's a working prototype instead of just marketing images. Even though it's on display right now at CEATEC in Japan, JVC is playing coy with important details like disk capacity and format those 3 CCDs will record to. Still, it's good to see that FUJINON lens glinting under the tradeshow lighting don't you think? Oh hey, is that an HDMI jack... sure is. A few more snaps after the break courtesy of Impress.

Continue reading JVC's 3CCD Everio HD camcorder loosed at CEATEC

Sony standalone Blu-ray recorder due by year-end in Japan

by Richard Lawler posted Sep 13th 2006 at 7:01AM

The Toshiba RD-A1 HD DVD recorder will face competition from Blu-ray (sans-cartridges) in Japan before the end of the year, Sony confirmed while showing off the device during their Dealer Convention 2006. Other than showing the device, they were incredibly short on details. No price, no official name, not much in the way of specs just a box and some hype, who does Sony think they are, Apple? We know it will be HDD equipped, but capacity, speed, tuners? You're on your own for now, but be sure to check out the pics, from a purely aesthetic standpoint the Sony Brr (Blu-ray recorder) definitely has the gargantuan 1TB HDD RD-A1 beat.

Continue reading Sony standalone Blu-ray recorder due by year-end in Japan

Record more HD on your SA8300HD DVR with a new HDD

by Richard Lawler posted Jun 7th 2006 at 11:25PM

Anyone who listens to the HD Beat podcast knows how Ben feels about the Scientific Atlanta SA8300HD DVR cable box, but we're sure even he would like it a little better if it had a lot more hard drive space. Some friendly Canadians have worked out a foolproof method for adding capacity with a standard hard drive to record many more hours of high-def programming. All you need is an SATA HDD, SATA 1 to SATA II HDD cable, an external HDD enclosure, and you will be in ready to go.

[Via PVR Wire]

Samsung intros plasmas with built-in DVRs

by Matt Burns posted May 17th 2006 at 11:07AM


Samsung is showing off their newest plasma line across the Pacific. Their newest panels include, along with other advancements, a 300gb hard drive for your recording pleasure. That is if you use the internal turner; an option that is not real popular over here with all these cable and satellite boxes. If not, this hard drive really won't do you much good. Anyways, the plasma is set into Samsung's latest bezel and looks good. But, wait, look at that remote! It's huge!




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