Sharp readies world's smallest blue laser for BD and HD DVD

Sharp -- the company behind the world's largest LCD panel -- just introduced the world's smallest blue laser for next current generation optical players. Right, as in Blu-ray Disc and HD DVD formats -- your choice OEMs. Measuring just 3.3-mm in diameter, the GH04020A4G semiconductor will be available in ¥12,000 ($99) sample quantities starting June 13th before ramping up for mass production later in July. The device will suck 10mW from your laptop's battery while offering at least 10,000 hours of operation before giving up the ghost.

[Via Impress]

[The Aggie CEO™ @ May 28th 2007 9:28AM]

so ummmmmmmm

when they get down about $5/each then I'll clap for joy.........lol

[Paris K @ May 28th 2007 10:15AM]

why are they comparing it to a colour pencil?

[Matt @ May 28th 2007 10:34AM]

To show how small it is. Or they could be smart asses and just used a blue pencil cause the laser is blue.

[billy brown @ May 28th 2007 10:34AM]

There comparing it to show how small it is. and i figured they use a Blue color pencil, because is Blue Laser.

[NiGHTS Chao @ May 28th 2007 10:40AM]

Fallout reference, I see wut u did thar

[NiGHTS Chao @ May 28th 2007 10:41AM]

Fallout reference, I see wut u did thar

[MarkG @ May 28th 2007 11:25AM]

Yeah, what you guys have got to remember is that Sharp are also known for making the worlds biggest pencils.

;-)

[Natedog @ May 28th 2007 11:51AM]

Agreed. Let's have a show of hands for everyone whose pencil tip is 3.3mm.

Is 10mW a lot for a laser?

[Dave @ May 28th 2007 1:05PM]

Sharp is Blu-ray backer. What does hd dvd name does there?

[Louis S. @ May 28th 2007 4:08PM]

And then, while showing it off to the others, Steve accidentally dropped the laser into the sink drain.

"Aw shit, sorry guys..."

"Come on!"

"Fucking 'ay, dude!"

"Fuckin' Steve, man."

[David @ May 29th 2007 9:29PM]

Even if they are comparing it to a blue pencil, it is actually a 405nm VIOLET laser like all the Blu-Ray and HD-DVD lasers, not a blue laser as many of you think. This is not a joke.

Of course, they are comparing it to a blue pencil just to compare the size, not necessarily the color.

Lol, but that thing is incredibly small.

[BoogeyMan @ Jun 5th 2007 2:24PM]

After seeing "smallest" on the title, and then looking at the pic while I was browsing through this site casually, I was briefly under the assumption that this was the world's smallest pencil sharpener :-)