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Apple patents 8cm to 12cm disk adapters
We're not sure this is still relevant -- the patent was filed in May of 2006 -- but the USPTO has just published a patent application from Apple detailing a number of different 8cm to 12cm optical disk adapters. The application, credited to Tony Fadell, chief of the iPod division, says that since most software doesn't take up all of the available storage on a disk, it would be cheaper and simpler to use the 8cm disks when appropriate -- but that having to ship a standard adapter for slot-loading drives reduce any costs, because they're the same size as 12cm disks. The solution is to make the adapters smaller when they're not in use, and the filing goes on to detail several different folding and multi-part takes on the idea. Considering that such an adapter would make things slightly more complicated for the vast majority of Apple's all-slot-loading installed base, we can't see these ever actually shipping, but it's still an interesting idea.
Hitachi's world's first Blu-ray camcorders coming this year
Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later. Meet the Blu-ray video cameras from Hitachi. Sure, at this point they're just non-functional mock-ups, but later in the year we can expect to see a series of camcorders featuring Hitachi's new 8cm BD/DVD drive bundled with a biggie, 5.3 megapixel CMOS sensor capable of recording at full 1,920 x 1,080 resolution. In fact, Hitachi claims that their Wooo-branded camcorders could be introduced as early as Fall. The cams would record up to 7GB of MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 video on 8cm BD-RE/R media or 5 times less on 8cm DVD-RAM/RW/R discs. Uh, Hoozah? Picture of the actual drive mechanism after the break.[Via Impress]
Sony's VRD-MC5 DVD burner: one-touch HD copies for AVCHD Handycams
If you're thinking of picking up one Sony's new AVCHD high-definition camcorders then you'll want to give the VRD-MC5 accessory a peep. The burner features PC-less, one-touch HD-quality dubbing when connected to over USB to your new HDR-SR5, HDR-SR7, HDR-SR8, and HDR-CX7 Handycam. The unit packs a 2.5-inch LCD, Firewire and S-Video inputs, and plenty of memory slots including SDHC/SD, xD, and compact flash in addition to Sony's proprietary formats. It'll even write to those wee 8cm DVDs just like Sony's DVD camcorders. Sorry, no Blu-ray Discs here, and it won't run from battery. Available August 10th for an estimated ¥30,000 or about $247. [Via Impress]
Hitachi unveils Wooo DZ-GX5300 DVD camcorder
Adding yet another item to what's likely one of the oddest titled product lines to ever grace the consumer electronics universe, Hitachi has now introduced the Wooo DZ-GX5300 DVD camcorder. This handheld unit rocks a compact, lightweight design and records SD video onto 8-centimeter (single-layer only) DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, DVD-R, and DVD+RW discs; additionally, the 3.3-megapixel 3CCD can snap stills and store them on the recordable disc or an SD card for easy transferring, and you can keep track of the action on the 2.7-inch swingout LCD. Users who like grabbing frames from full motion video will find lots to love here, and it sports a built-in capture function that grabs one second of time from a clip and automatically stores it separately without any fuss or post-processing. With an estimated run time of approximately 105 minutes, the newest Wooo should land later this month for a currently undisclosed price.[Via Impress]
Logitec's portable burner slot loads 8cm discs: an industry first?
If you've been tempted by Panasonic's new HDC-DX1 AVCHD camcorder seen heading our way, then check this DVD drive from Japan's Logitec (no, not Logitech). The LDR-PMC8U2 is said to be "an industry first" to slot load those 8-cm mini-DVDs used by Panny's 3CCD recorder. It also supports standard format CDs and DVDs with an on-the-go bonus Y-USB cable for drawing power off 2x USB ports when 5V 500mA just ain't enough to support the unit's max read/write data rates: 8x DVD±R/+RW, 5x DVD-RAM, 6x DVD-RW, 4x DVD+R DL/-R DL, 24x CD-R/-RW 24, and 8x DVD-ROM and 24x CD-ROM. It also touts Labelflash support for burning custom motifs or images onto compatible media. All in a slim, portable drive measuring just 17.5-mm (0.69-inches) thick. Hitting Japan at the end of December for ¥22,050 or about $188 should they ever come this way. [Via Impress]
Verbatim to launch mini DVD-R dual-layer media
If you've already made plans to pick up the Canon iVIS DC22 we brought you earlier today, you may be wondering where (and when) you're going to find those miniaturized dual-layer DVD-Rs. Apparently Verbatim took matters into their own hands by making absolutely sure DC22 owners will be able to fully utilize the (only) standout feature on their new camcorder. Today the company announced its plan to drop dual-layer 8cm (3-inch) DVD-Rs to presumably coincide with the release of Canon's newest iVIS later this month. The 2.66GB discs provide 54 minutes of continuous recording capacity, which isn't quite double what a plain-jane mini-DVD-R will hold. The new discs are being touted as superior to the currently-available double-sided discs, which can create a seriously frantic situation when trying to flip sides and continue filming. Verbatim also notes that these little buggers will sport its "innovative VideoGard technology" that provides a protective coating to withstand "40 times" the damage that an unshielded disc will (sounds a lot like Durabis). Though we're not huge fans of DVD-camcorders, the ability to hold nearly an hour of family reunions and bar fights on one disc is respectable -- unfortunately that respect comes with a $24.99 pricetag for three measly discs.
