Sony launches four high-end Blu-ray recorders

It may be raining on AT&T's parade today but the sun is out and blasting Japan with plenty of Blu-ray. Four new Sony Bravia recorders in fact, capable of burning 50GB dual-layer, BD-R/RE discs with an additional disk packing between 250GB and 500GB of storage depending upon model selected. The ¥200,000 (about $1,755) top-end BDZ-X90 model brings 2x digital and 2x analog tuners, gold-plated HDMI 1080p capable of 60fps or 24fps output in DeepColor, and a DLNA-based "Sony Room Link" server function for streaming your media around the house. All use MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 encoding with support for lossless TrueHD and DTS-HD Master Audio and hi-definition bitstream output. Hell, they even include support for attached AVCHD camcorders. Damn. On sale in Japan November 8th.

[Via Impress]

[lordelesar @ Sep 12th 2007 3:34AM]

My first thought exactly: DAMN!
Any info on Europe availability?

[Jon @ Sep 12th 2007 3:35AM]

So since the sun is shining, will we be seeing ten more articles of this?

[Carbonize @ Sep 12th 2007 3:37AM]

Wouldn't they be better off releasing some budget Blu Ray players instead? I mean the main reason I can see HD DVD beating Blu Ray is the fact that HD is a hell of a lot cheaper.

People may go on about Blu Ray being technically better but then Betamax was technically superior to VHS but still lost. In the end the customer decides who will win and most people will go with the cheaper option every time.

[Big John @ Sep 12th 2007 6:10AM]

"In the end the customer decides who will win and most people will go with the cheaper option every time."

No, porn decides.

[Carbonize @ Sep 12th 2007 6:46AM]

Even when buying porn people tend to vote with their wallets.

[Kennyb123 @ Sep 12th 2007 7:19AM]

I really can't see porn deciding when anyone can get their fix for free on the internet... but of course, I can cite no market research. Just a hunch.

[Carbonize @ Sep 12th 2007 7:22AM]

Actually I was just thinking the same thing. I'd love to see some figures on how much porn is bought on hard copy (DVD, VHS etc) and how much is just downloaded. I'd bet that most users prefer to download as it's more anonymous than having something delivered or going to a shop.

[Paul @ Sep 12th 2007 4:25AM]

Because the $1000 players were what? The budget line?

[Dave @ Sep 12th 2007 4:25AM]

I would rather want more BD burners for PC but that counts too :)

[paccoast2010 @ Sep 12th 2007 6:30AM]

What's the point of buying one if they'll soon block, if they haven't already, any Hi-Def TV recording?

[Jay @ Sep 12th 2007 6:33AM]

who needs a blu-ray burner?? GIVE ME ROLLY! haha.

[Jon @ Sep 12th 2007 9:29AM]

Why the hell is sony focusing on even MORE EXPENSIVE bluray players?

[apeguero @ Sep 12th 2007 10:12AM]

I will never, ever, ever buy an expense, high-end Sony component, or any other brand for that matter. I f'd up in the late '90s, while I was making some good Consultant bank, and paid $1400.00 for a top of the line Sony DVD player. Now that DVD player is selling for no more than $100.00 bucks at eBay. Never I say, never!

[apeguero @ Sep 12th 2007 10:13AM]

Goddamit! What is with me today. I meant to say "expensive" in my first sentence. Sorry.

[Gareth Burleigh @ Sep 12th 2007 6:23PM]

I feel like Im picking on you tonight and your "bank" but I paid £1200 on a Sony ES DVD player at least 8 years ago and its picture is still incredible. So your pissed at Sony for making a product that lost value over 10 years? I think you are confusing technology with an investment

Gareth

[apeguero @ Sep 12th 2007 7:00PM]

You're not picking on me. I got a lot of milage out of that DVD player.

All I'm saying is that I will not buy a top of the line Blue Ray player or whatever else comes out after that.

I actually replaced that nice Sony DVD player with a PS3. I waited as long as I could before buying the PS3 and benefited from the $100.00 reduction and got 5 free movies as well.

The reason why I bought a PS3 is not only because of the Sony name but also because it offers a lot more than just play Blue-ray Discs.

My point is I will try like hell never to pay a premium for top of the line anything anymore. Technology changes too much and to pay a premium for the "best" is just paying too much when less expensive, good alternatives exist.

[Gero @ Sep 12th 2007 1:52PM]

Does it have Profile version 2.0?

[DocRings @ Sep 12th 2007 9:19PM]

I'll stick with my $170 Xbox360 HD-DVD add-on with an incredible picture. And 75% of what I want to watch on Netflix gets shipped in HD-DVD format automatically... no brainer.

Now that LG has a dual format BR/HDDVD player, the "war" may be a stalemate, and everyone the winner....

Cheers,
Doc

[melgarifico @ Sep 12th 2007 11:09PM]

Let's put it in to perspective I as a consumer would much rather stick with my DVD player for now and wait until those high prices drop.I mean $1700 for a regular consumer who knows how to shop. OH HELL NO!!!!!