Sharp's AQUOS HD recorders: 5 more with less

In addition to all those LCDs, Sharp just loosed five new hi-def AQUOS recorders onto the Japanese market. The top-end, DV-ACW80 is a fast startin' (0.8 seconds) recorder with 1TB of storage, a trio of tuners (2x digital, 1x analog), high speed IrSS infrared photo transfer, and a bevy of features including USB hosting we've already seen in their other recorders. By all appearances, however, the DV-ACW60 introduced in February still trumps its new little brother by offering a 12-bit/297MHz DAC (compared to the ACW80's 10-bit/148.5MHz) while sporting an extra Firewire jack to boot. Still, you'll save a few Yen at ¥190,000 or about $1,547 if you decide to take this little guy home.

[Via Impress]

[dudeInAmerica @ Jul 2nd 2007 9:11AM]

and we dont have this in the states....why?

[Rob @ Jul 2nd 2007 9:46AM]

Ask the MPAA why not?

As much as we like to brag about how technologically advanced we are in the U.S., the reality is otherwise. The Japanese and South Koreans run circles around us when it comes to their fast development, and growth, with television, internet speeds, and cell phones. Same thing with other European countries.

I think that the major problem for new technologies being adapted here in the U.S. has a lot to do with the mega-corporations like Verizon, MPAA, RIAA, cable companies, and such. They don't want to spend the multi-billion dollars it would take to upgrade their networks. Plus, organizations like the MPAA and RIAA want to control how we use content we've paid for in every single way. If one buys a cd, the RIAA doesn't want you to be able to make back ups, or convert to mp3's or do whatever you should be able to with it. Why is this? Well, if it was up to them, they'd say: want a song on mp3, then buy it from iTunes. Want to have a back up? Then get a second copy. Silly ways like that that only hurt the consumer. Same thing with dvd's. I understand some of their concerns. But, the reality is that if it was up to them, they'd like to charge for every single time we listen or watch content we've paid for.

Back to your question, it may also be because of the price. Although we do appreciate quality. We also want a great deal on what we get. This is the main reason why hd-dvd and blu-ray haven't caught on. People don't want to pay those outrageous amounts of money to watch a movie. Granted, there are a few thousands that have. But, the majority of movie watchers are waiting to see who'd win, and then choose. We vote with our wallets.

[Mile @ Jul 2nd 2007 2:23PM]

Please to change "loosed" to "let loosed" on the post.