Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[WD's 1TB VelociRaptor HDD gets reviewed: substantial gains, moderate price]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/16/western-digital-1tb-velociraptor-review-roundup/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/16/western-digital-1tb-velociraptor-review-roundup/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/16/western-digital-1tb-velociraptor-review-roundup/#comments Image

Western Digital has expanded its line of desktop-grade VelociRaptors to include a 1TB model that's available now for $320, but those kidding themselves with that whole "250GB is enough" thing can get in for as little as $160. Top-level specs include a 10,000RPM spindle rate and a SATA 6Gb/s interface housed within a 3.5-inch heat sink -- useful for lessening the burden of the drive's thermal output on the rest of the machine. Storage Review's tests reveal that sequential read and write transfer speeds top out around 206MB/s, thermal dissipation is excellent with low power consumption, and that random access has improved compared with its 600GB predecessor. They consider the new HDD to be a "very appealing value proposition" and "a blend of high performance, storage, capacity, and low cost."

Hot Hardware discovered virtually identical numbers with their tests, but wasn't quite as forgiving when it comes to the cost-per-GB versus 7200RPM hard drives. However, they call this VelociRaptor the "fastest HDD yet" at "nearly double the capacity of previous" model. You can find even more stats and impressions to chew on at the sources below.

Continue reading WD's 1TB VelociRaptor HDD gets reviewed: substantial gains, moderate price

WD's 1TB VelociRaptor HDD gets reviewed: substantial gains, moderate price originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 16 Apr 2012 20:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1 tb1 tb hdd10000 rpm10000Rpm1Tb1TbHdd2.5 inch2.5Inchhard drivehard drivesHardDriveHardDriveshddmagnetic storagemagneticstorageNAND memoryNandMemorynotouchraffreview roundupReviewRounduprotary acceleration feed forwardsatasata 6gSata6gssdvelociraptorwdwd velociraptorWdVelociraptorwestern digitalwestern digital velociraptorWesternDigitalWesternDigitalVelociraptorMon, 16 Apr 2012 20:28:00 EST<![CDATA[IRL: Blue Mics Yeti, Western Digital My Passport and Razer's Naga Hex gaming mouse]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/06/irl-blue-microphones-yeti-western-digital-my-passport-and-raze/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/06/irl-blue-microphones-yeti-western-digital-my-passport-and-raze/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/06/irl-blue-microphones-yeti-western-digital-my-passport-and-raze/#commentsWelcome to IRL, an ongoing feature where we talk about the gadgets, apps and toys we're using in real life and take a second look at products that already got the formal review treatment.

It's been a busy week for tech writers. Capping out a week populated by not one, not two, but three smartphone reviews, we're happy to take a breather and return our attention to life's littler pleasures. Like USB mics and portable 2TB hard drives. And also, gaming mice.

Continue reading IRL: Blue Mics Yeti, Western Digital My Passport and Razer's Naga Hex gaming mouse

IRL: Blue Mics Yeti, Western Digital My Passport and Razer's Naga Hex gaming mouse originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 06 Apr 2012 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2TB2tb drive2tb hard drive2tbDrive2tbHardDriveBilly SteeleBillySteeleBlue Microphonesblue microphones yetiBlue micsblue mics yetiBlueMicrophonesBlueMicrophonesYetiBlueMicsBlueMicsYetiDarren MurphDarrenMurphengadgetirlhard drivehard drivesHardDriveHardDrivesHDDirlMy PassportMyPassportNaga HexNagaHexportable hard driveportable hard drivesPortableHardDrivePortableHardDrivesRazerRazer Naga HexRazerNagaHexSean BuckleySeanBuckleyWDWD My PassportWdMyPassportWestern DigitalWestern Digital My PassportWesternDigitalWesternDigitalMyPassportyetiFri, 06 Apr 2012 15:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Western Digital intros My Passport Studio 2TB portable HDD, twin FireWire 800 ports included]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/03/western-digital-mac-my-passport-studio-price-release-date-hard-drive/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/03/western-digital-mac-my-passport-studio-price-release-date-hard-drive/http://www.engadget.com/2012/04/03/western-digital-mac-my-passport-studio-price-release-date-hard-drive/#commentsWestern Digital intros My Passport Studio 2TB portable HDD, twin FireWire 800 ports includedJust days after WD revealed new 2TB My Passport drives for the USB 3.0-respecting world, along comes an option for those running OS X. Aside from the conventional USB 2.0 socket on the My Passport Studio, the Mac-friendly unit also packs a pair of FireWire 800 sockets. Not surprisingly, it ships with hardware-based encryption and password protection software, and while it'll probably come formatted for an Apple, there's nothing at all stopping other platforms from taking advantage. It'll ship in any capacity you want so long as you're happy with 2TB, and it'll be available at fine retailers around the globe this month for $299.99.

Continue reading Western Digital intros My Passport Studio 2TB portable HDD, twin FireWire 800 ports included

Western Digital intros My Passport Studio 2TB portable HDD, twin FireWire 800 ports included originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 03 Apr 2012 16:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleFireWire 800Firewire800hard driveHardDrivehddmacMy PassportMy Passport studioMyPassportMyPassportStudioos xOsXportable hard driveportable hddPortableHardDrivePortableHddstoragethunderboltWDWestern DigitalWesternDigitalTue, 03 Apr 2012 16:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Western Digital unveils new My Passport portable hard drives, upgrades visa to 2TB]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/20/western-digital-unveils-new-my-passport-portable-hard-drives-up/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/20/western-digital-unveils-new-my-passport-portable-hard-drives-up/http://www.engadget.com/2012/03/20/western-digital-unveils-new-my-passport-portable-hard-drives-up/#comments Image

Sure, six terabytes of storage might seem like hot stuff, but Western Digital's stackable MyBook Thunderbolt Duo drives aren't exactly portable. Lucky for you and your massive photo, music and film collections, WD's My Passport drive just crossed the 2TB border. At $250, this USB 3.0 storage sanctum claims to be the first -- and so far, only -- portable hard drive to break the two terabyte mark. "It's the perfect blend of monstrous capacity, reliability and user-friendly technology in a sleek form factor," said WD executive vice president and general manager Jim Welsh, "now in five colors." Count 'em, five. You didn't think the lizards were after your data, did you? Read on for WD's official press release.

Continue reading Western Digital unveils new My Passport portable hard drives, upgrades visa to 2TB

Western Digital unveils new My Passport portable hard drives, upgrades visa to 2TB originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 20 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2 tb2 terabyte20092TB2Terabytedata storageDataStorageexternal hard driveexternal hddExternalHardDriveExternalHddJim WelshMicrosoftMy PassportMyPassportpassportportable hard drivePortableHardDriveSci/Techtwo terabytesTwoTerabyteswdwestern digitalWestern Digital CorpWesternDigitalTue, 20 Mar 2012 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Fox, Warner, SanDisk and Western Digital's Project Phenix: promotes DRM, misspelling]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/29/project-phenix-drm/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/29/project-phenix-drm/http://www.engadget.com/2012/02/29/project-phenix-drm/#comments
Studios Fox and Warner Bros. have teamed up with SanDisk and Western Digital to create "Project Phenix." Beneath the orthographically offensive name, it's pitched as DRM that'll permit you to organize, move and watch high-definition content on more than one device. It's the brainchild of the Secure Content Storage Association (SCSA), which has ensured compatibility with UltraViolet, so that users will be able to download cloud-based media to compliant WD and SanDisk storage -- to play on any alliance-approved TVs, tablets and display devices. We'll see the technology available to license later in the year, which promises to render content ten times faster than streaming media on "over the top internet" (translation: streaming services). Yes, there's PR after the break, but we'd only suggest taking a look if you've got a good pair of waders.

Continue reading Fox, Warner, SanDisk and Western Digital's Project Phenix: promotes DRM, misspelling

Fox, Warner, SanDisk and Western Digital's Project Phenix: promotes DRM, misspelling originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Feb 2012 11:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>20th Century Fox20thCenturyFoxDRMFlash MemoryFlashMemoryFoxhdpostcrossmicroSDMore DRMMoreDrmNetflixOTTRupert MurdochRupertMurdochSanDiskSCSASDSecure Content Storage AssociationSecureContentStorageAssociationTwentieth Century FoxTwentiethCenturyFoxUltraVioletWarnerWarner Bros.Warner BrothersWarnerBros.WarnerBrothersWastern DigitalWasternDigitalWBWDWed, 29 Feb 2012 11:19:00 EST<![CDATA[Western Digital's My Book Live Duo marries RAID and cloud storage, bytes everywhere celebrate]]>http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/05/western-digital-my-book-live-duo-hard-drive-raid-and-cloud-storage/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/05/western-digital-my-book-live-duo-hard-drive-raid-and-cloud-storage/http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/05/western-digital-my-book-live-duo-hard-drive-raid-and-cloud-storage/#comments Not only is it the chunkiest My Book we've ever seen, but it possesses the otherworldly ability to live in the here and now and the hereafter. Analogies aside, the new My Book Live Duo is hailed as such: "a personal cloud storage system that combines the benefits of shared storage and remote access with double-safe backup or increased capacity of a dual-drive system with RAID." It's compatible with Mac and PC systems (and yes, Time Machine support is thrown in for good measure), and you'll find a pair of drives within the casing alongside an 800MHz CPU and an Ethernet port. WD's hawking these in 4TB (2 x 2TB) and 6TB (2 x 3TB) capacities, and if you weren't already sold, the units ship with support for the company's WD2go remote access platform -- something that's accessible via the web, iPad, iPhone, iPod touch or Android. Finally, there's a DLNA-certified media streaming badge, and it's available as we speak at select US retailers for $399.99 (4TB) / $499.99 (6TB).

Continue reading Western Digital's My Book Live Duo marries RAID and cloud storage, bytes everywhere celebrate

Western Digital's My Book Live Duo marries RAID and cloud storage, bytes everywhere celebrate originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 05 Jan 2012 10:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cloudcloud storageCloudStoragehard driveHardDrivemy bookMy Book Live DuoMyBookMyBookLiveDuostorageTime MachineTimeMachinewdWestern DigitalWesternDigitalThu, 05 Jan 2012 10:48:00 EST<![CDATA[Western Digital rolls out My Passport, My Passport Studio hard drives for Mac users]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/22/western-digital-rolls-out-my-passport-my-passport-studio-hard-d/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/22/western-digital-rolls-out-my-passport-my-passport-studio-hard-d/http://www.engadget.com/2011/09/22/western-digital-rolls-out-my-passport-my-passport-studio-hard-d/#comments
No rainbow of colors or stylized designs here, but Mac users do now have a pair of fairly sleek and streamlined new portable hard drives to consider from Western Digital. That includes the latest My Passport and My Passport Studio (pictured above), the latter of which boasts an all metal enclosure and a pair of FireWire 800 ports in addition to the standard USB 2.0 connector. Otherwise, both are available in 500GB, 750GB and 1TB capacities, and they are of course fully compatible with Apple's Time Machine. Look for the standard My Passport to run between $100 and $130, while the My Passport Studio starts at $130 and tops out at $180.

Update: Storage Review has already taken a look at both drives, and is particularly impressed by the pricier My Passport Studio. Hit the links below for a closer look at them.

Continue reading Western Digital rolls out My Passport, My Passport Studio hard drives for Mac users

Western Digital rolls out My Passport, My Passport Studio hard drives for Mac users originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 22 Sep 2011 18:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>external hard driveExternalHardDrivehard driveHardDrivemy passportmy passport studioMyPassportMyPassportStudioportable hard drivePortableHardDriveWDwestern digitalWesternDigitalThu, 22 Sep 2011 18:29:00 EST<![CDATA[WD's 9.5mm Scorpio Blue 1TB laptop hard drive gets benchmarked]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/31/wds-9-5mm-scorpio-blue-1tb-laptop-hard-drive-gets-benchmarked/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/31/wds-9-5mm-scorpio-blue-1tb-laptop-hard-drive-gets-benchmarked/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/31/wds-9-5mm-scorpio-blue-1tb-laptop-hard-drive-gets-benchmarked/#commentsThese days, it's hard to shake the urge to pop a solid state drive into your next laptop, but even if you're down with dropping the requisite coin, the restrictive capacity choices may make it darn near impossible for pack rats to bite. For those fitting squarely into that category, there's Western Digital's newest laptop drive: the 9.5mm 1TB Scorpio Blue. It's one of the first in this form factor (read: the one that slips into most everything smaller than a Clevo) to hit the 1TB milestone, and at just $99, it's a veritable bargain. The benchmarking gurus over at Hot Hardware threw it through the usual gauntlet of tests, pitting it against a 500GB Scorpio Black and a 640GB Seagate Momentus. As you'd likely expect, the 1TB spinner bested the competition in SiSoftware, ATTO and CrystalDiskMark tests, though not by a tremendous margin. Still, taking performance up a notch while also boasting a full terabyte of space makes it somewhat of a no-brainer for capacity freaks, and you can hit the source for a barrage of charts proving as much.

WD's 9.5mm Scorpio Blue 1TB laptop hard drive gets benchmarked originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 31 Jul 2011 21:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>9.5mm9.5mm hdd9.5mmHddadvanced formatAdvancedFormatbenchmarkbenchmarkedbenchmarkshard driveHardDrivehddhitachinow shippingNowShippingreviewedscorpio bluescorpio blue 1TBScorpioBlueScorpioBlue1tbstandard heightstandard height hddStandardHeightStandardHeightHddstoragewdwd hddWdHddwestern digitalwestern digital scorpio blue 1tbWesternDigitalWesternDigitalScorpioBlue1tbSun, 31 Jul 2011 21:07:00 EST<![CDATA[Western Digital now shipping 2.5-inch 1TB Scorpio Blue HDD in standard height]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/20/western-digital-now-shipping-2-5-inch-1tb-scorpio-blue-hdd-in-st/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/20/western-digital-now-shipping-2-5-inch-1tb-scorpio-blue-hdd-in-st/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/20/western-digital-now-shipping-2-5-inch-1tb-scorpio-blue-hdd-in-st/#comments Be still, our hearts! Could it be? One thousand twenty-four gigabytes of spinning Scorpio Blue fixed disk finally sized for standard height? If you'll recall, the line of laptop-oriented HDDs was bumped up to 750GB way back in 2010, and now Western Digital's shipping its 9.5mm-high 1TB Scorpio Blue HDDs (shortened from 12.5mm). Aside from the storage capacity increase, the dual-platter drive is essentially the same as any other Blue sporting a 5,400 RPM spin-speed and 8MB cache with Advanced Format support. This latest go-getter will be available for the rather reasonable price of $140, but hey, if that SSD-esque Scorpio black's what you're really lusting after, we understand. Full PR after the break.

Continue reading Western Digital now shipping 2.5-inch 1TB Scorpio Blue HDD in standard height

Western Digital now shipping 2.5-inch 1TB Scorpio Blue HDD in standard height originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 20 Jul 2011 19:46:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>9.5mm9.5mm hdd9.5mmHddadvanced formatAdvancedFormathard driveHardDrivehddhitachinow shippingNowShippingscorpio bluescorpio blue 1TBScorpioBlueScorpioBlue1tbstandard heightstandard height hddStandardHeightStandardHeightHddstoragewdwd hddWdHddwestern digitalwestern digital scorpio blue 1tbWesternDigitalWesternDigitalScorpioBlue1tbWed, 20 Jul 2011 19:46:00 EST<![CDATA[Western Digital's My Book Studio jumps to 3TB, dons Mac-approved brushed aluminum garb]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/08/western-digitals-my-book-studio-jumps-to-3tb-dons-mac-approved/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/08/western-digitals-my-book-studio-jumps-to-3tb-dons-mac-approved/http://www.engadget.com/2011/07/08/western-digitals-my-book-studio-jumps-to-3tb-dons-mac-approved/#commentsHard to say how long WD's going to keep its My Book line a-churnin', but when you've got a good thing going.... The outfit has just announced a gently refreshed version of its My Book Studio, now available in capacities reaching 3TB and sporting a flashy new exterior that should blend right into your Mac Pro + Cinema Display setup. Much like the G-Force drives of yesteryear, these new models are equipped with a brushed aluminum casing and rely on Western Digital's Caviar Green HDDs to handle the ints and outs. You'll also find FireWire 800, FireWire 400 and USB 2.0 interfaces, meaning that Thunderbolt aficionados should probably be turning their nose up right about now. The new guys are available at "select retailers and distributors" as we speak, with pricing set at $149.99 (1TB), $199.99 (2TB) and $249.99 (3TB).

Continue reading Western Digital's My Book Studio jumps to 3TB, dons Mac-approved brushed aluminum garb

Western Digital's My Book Studio jumps to 3TB, dons Mac-approved brushed aluminum garb originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 08 Jul 2011 07:16:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3tbapplecaviar greenCaviarGreenFireWirehard driveHardDrivehddmacmy bookmy book studioMyBookMyBookStudiostorageTime MachineTimeMachineWDWestern DigitalWesternDigitalFri, 08 Jul 2011 07:16:00 EST<![CDATA[Western Digital Nomad case protects your My Passport drive from falls, spills, and curious lizards]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/15/western-digital-nomad-case-protects-your-my-passport-drive-from/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/15/western-digital-nomad-case-protects-your-my-passport-drive-from/http://www.engadget.com/2011/06/15/western-digital-nomad-case-protects-your-my-passport-drive-from/#comments It's possible -- likely, even -- that you're reading this while jumping out of a plane, wrestling a mountain lion, or having some equally hardcore adventure. If so, you're just the type of active consumer Western Digital's courting with its Nomad case. Designed for the My Passport external hard drive line, it combines a hard polycarbonate exterior with an elastomer interior that keeps the drive snug and secure, and provides another option if you'd rather upgrade your existing drive than spend the clams on a rugged one. It includes a USB port, making your data accessible even when the case is closed, and will set you back $30 according to WD. Lizard not included.

Continue reading Western Digital Nomad case protects your My Passport drive from falls, spills, and curious lizards

Western Digital Nomad case protects your My Passport drive from falls, spills, and curious lizards originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Jun 2011 02:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>external hard driveexternal hddExternalHardDriveExternalHddhard driveHardDrivehddMy PassportMy Passport EssentialMy Passport Essential seMyBookMyBookEssentialMyPassportMyPassportEssentialMyPassportEssentialSeNomadntfsportable hard driveportable hddPortableHardDrivePortableHddRugged CaseRuggedCasesmartwareusbusb 3.0Usb3.0wdWD NomadWdNomadwestern digitalWesternDigitalWed, 15 Jun 2011 02:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Western Digital Photos app on iOS and Android update allows sharing directly to WD TV Live Hubs]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/17/western-digital-photos-app-on-ios-and-android-update-allows-shar/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/17/western-digital-photos-app-on-ios-and-android-update-allows-shar/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/17/western-digital-photos-app-on-ios-and-android-update-allows-shar/#comments The latest version of the WD Photos app for iOS and Android devices has a new trick, it can directly share photos from your mobile device to a WD TV Live Hub set-top box. The press release calls it the first smartphone-to-HDTV sharing app, but we've seen similar concepts from Verizon's Flex View and apps that use DLNA to share media from mobile to the TV or TV connected devices. Still, one button press sharing is a neat trick and with the addition of the free app may be a nice feature to compete with other set-top boxes like the Roku family, Boxee Box or the Apple TV's tight iTunes / iPhoto integration. Users can grab the apps from iTunes or the Android Market at the links below, there's more details available in the press release after the break.

Continue reading Western Digital Photos app on iOS and Android update allows sharing directly to WD TV Live Hubs

Western Digital Photos app on iOS and Android update allows sharing directly to WD TV Live Hubs originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 17 May 2011 23:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidandroid marketAndroidMarketappiosipadiphoneipod touchIpodTouchitunesmobilephoto sharingPhotoSharingpicturesset top boxSetTopBoxwdwd photoswd tv live hubWdPhotosWdTvLiveHubwestern digitalWesternDigitalTue, 17 May 2011 23:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Western Digital's new My Book Studio Edition II has 6TB on offer, but no Thunderbolt or USB 3.0]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/17/western-digitals-new-my-book-studio-edition-ii-has-6tb-on-offer/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/17/western-digitals-new-my-book-studio-edition-ii-has-6tb-on-offer/http://www.engadget.com/2011/03/17/western-digitals-new-my-book-studio-edition-ii-has-6tb-on-offer/#commentsWestern Digital's new My Book Studio Edition II has 6TB on offer, but no Thunderbolt or USB 3.0 If you want a lot of the GBs in not a lot of space, 3TB per disk is about as good as you're going to get. Western Digital has slapped two of its triple-terabyte monsters into a dual-disk enclosure and paired it with eSATA and FireWire 800 interfaces to create the My Book Studio Edition II. There's a good 'ol USB 2.0 hole in there as well, but no USB 3.0 or Thunderbolt for those getting hip with the new connections. Time Machine support is baked in as well as your choice of RAID configurations, all at a cost of $549.99. That's a good bit more than you'd spend if you bought a pair of disks and an empty enclosure, but such is the price of convenience.

Gallery: WD My Book Studio Edition II

Continue reading Western Digital's new My Book Studio Edition II has 6TB on offer, but no Thunderbolt or USB 3.0

Western Digital's new My Book Studio Edition II has 6TB on offer, but no Thunderbolt or USB 3.0 originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 17 Mar 2011 11:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>6tbexternal diskexternal enclosureexternal storageExternalDiskExternalEnclosureExternalStoragehard diskHardDiskhdhddmy bookmy book studio edition iiMyBookMyBookStudioEditionIiraidstudio editionStudioEditiontime machineTimeMachinewdwestern digitalWesternDigitalThu, 17 Mar 2011 11:32:00 EST<![CDATA[WD throws out 2.5-inch 750GB Scorpio Black hard drive, makes your laptop beg for an upgrade]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/07/wd-throws-out-2-5-inch-750gb-scorpio-black-hard-drive-makes-you/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/07/wd-throws-out-2-5-inch-750gb-scorpio-black-hard-drive-makes-you/http://www.engadget.com/2011/01/07/wd-throws-out-2-5-inch-750gb-scorpio-black-hard-drive-makes-you/#comments Too broke to spring for an SSD? Fret not, as you're most definitely not alone. Thankfully for you, Western Digital's still cranking out lust-worthy hard drives, with its latest Scorpio Black being particularly so. Offering 750GB of capacity, 16MB of cache and a 7200RPM spindle speed, the WD7500BPKT relies on Advanced Format technology to make the magic happen. It's on sale starting right about now for $149, giving you little reason to continue to conserve space on that 128GB drive you've been living with for the past three years.

Continue reading WD throws out 2.5-inch 750GB Scorpio Black hard drive, makes your laptop beg for an upgrade

WD throws out 2.5-inch 750GB Scorpio Black hard drive, makes your laptop beg for an upgrade originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 Jan 2011 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advanced formatAdvancedFormatcesces 2011ces2011hard driveHardDrivehddscorpioScorpio BlackScorpioBlackwdWestern DigitalWesternDigitalFri, 07 Jan 2011 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Seagate reportedly turned down takeover bid from Western Digital]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/05/seagate-reportedly-turned-down-takeover-bid-from-western-digital/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/05/seagate-reportedly-turned-down-takeover-bid-from-western-digital/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/05/seagate-reportedly-turned-down-takeover-bid-from-western-digital/#commentsFile this one under industry-changing mergers that never were -- Bloomberg is reporting that Seagate rejected a takeover bid from rival Western Digital in October, which would have created a hard drive company to dwarf all others. According to "two people with knowledge of the matter," Western Digital was willing to offer as much as ten to fifty percent more than a competing takeover proposal from TPG Capital, which had already put more than $7.5 billion on the table for Seagate. As you might expect, however, the sheer size of the merger was apparently largely responsible for its refusal. Not only would it have created a huge amount of product overlap and likely led to numerous management departures, but it would have almost certainly faced some pretty significant antitrust obstacles. Of course, neither company is actually commenting on the matter itself and, for the time being at least, it looks like Seagate is content with going it alone.

Seagate reportedly turned down takeover bid from Western Digital originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 05 Dec 2010 07:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bidhard drivehard drive businesshard drivesHardDriveHardDriveBusinessHardDrivesmergerseagatetakeovertakeover bidTakeoverBidwdwestern digitalWesternDigitalSun, 05 Dec 2010 07:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Apricorn's Mac Array puts 512GB of RAIDed SSD into a single Mac Pro PCIe slot]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/20/apricorns-mac-array-puts-512gb-of-raided-ssd-into-a-single-mac/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/20/apricorns-mac-array-puts-512gb-of-raided-ssd-into-a-single-mac/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/20/apricorns-mac-array-puts-512gb-of-raided-ssd-into-a-single-mac/#commentsSo, the whole wide world knows that the inside of your Mac Pro is fairly lust-worthy, but what's the use if you never crack open the side and install anything new? Apricorn -- a small, albeit respected name in storage -- has just concocted what may be the best reason yet to do precisely that. The outfit's new Mac Array is pretty straightforward: you'll get a foursome of 128GB MLC Western Digital SiliconEdge Blue SSDs strung together in a RAID 0 configuration, all on a single full-length PCIe X4 slot. That's 512GB of pure, unadulterated SSD power connected directly to the motherboard, and considering that it only takes up a single slot, there's nothing but a shortage of funds keeping you from adding a couple more and grinning over a 1.5TB SSD solution. A single Mac Array promises read rates of 760MB/sec and write rates of 524MB/sec, and if you double up, you'll see those surge to 1408MB/sec and 1027MB/sec, respectively. It's available now to make your every dream come true -- yeah, even that one about you dropping $1,499 on a new storage setup for your Apple desktop.

Apricorn's Mac Array puts 512GB of RAIDed SSD into a single Mac Pro PCIe slot originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 20 Nov 2010 16:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appleapricornhigh-endMac Arraymac proMacArrayMacPropcieprofessionalraidsataSiliconEdgeSiliconEdge blueSiliconedgeBluesolid state driveSolidStateDrivessdssd raidSsdRaidstoragewdwestern digitalWesternDigitalSat, 20 Nov 2010 16:19:00 EST<![CDATA[Western Digital stuffs 1TB HDD into Live Hub networked media streamer]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/26/western-digital-stuffs-1tb-hdd-into-live-hub-networked-media-str/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/26/western-digital-stuffs-1tb-hdd-into-live-hub-networked-media-str/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/26/western-digital-stuffs-1tb-hdd-into-live-hub-networked-media-str/#comments WD's no stranger to the media streaming game, but things apparently just got serious. Gone is the My Book-esque design that has been used on all of the units prior, and in is a sleeker, sexier box that's quite clearly designed to slip right on top of your existing cable set-top. The WD TV Live Hub is easily Western Digital's most feature-packed streamer yet, with a 1TB HDD within for storing who knows what locally. There's also an Ethernet socket for pulling down content via the web or your local network, and a pair of USB ports allow for storage expansion or transfers. Naturally, it'll handle Netflix, YouTube, Pandora, Blockbuster on Demand and UPnP / DLNA streaming to your favorite game console, but the lack of inbuilt WiFi (it's available via an optional adapter) puts a mild damper on an otherwise fantastic sounding product. It's available immediately around the globe, with Americans able to snag one for $199.99 directly from WD or at Best Buy.

Update: Looks as if Desktop Review has a lengthy review on this guy, along with a slew of user interface shots. The botto line? It's the best player yet from the company, though the price tag did present a bit of sadness. Hit it up for the full skinny.

Gallery: WD TV Live Hub media center

Continue reading Western Digital stuffs 1TB HDD into Live Hub networked media streamer

Western Digital stuffs 1TB HDD into Live Hub networked media streamer originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 26 Oct 2010 08:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1tbblockbusterblockbuster on demandBlockbusterOnDemanddlnaLive HubLiveHubmedia streamerMediaStreamernetflixreviewedstreamerstreamingupnpwatch instantlyWatchInstantlywdwd Live HubWdLiveHubwestern digitalWesternDigitalTue, 26 Oct 2010 08:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Western Digital ships 3TB Caviar Green 3.5-inch hard drive for $239, 2.5TB for $189]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/19/western-digital-ships-3tb-caviar-green-3-5-inch-hard-drive-for/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/19/western-digital-ships-3tb-caviar-green-3-5-inch-hard-drive-for/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/19/western-digital-ships-3tb-caviar-green-3-5-inch-hard-drive-for/#comments You know that 3TB hard drive that Western Digital slapped into its range of My Book external units earlier this month? Looks like it's finally ready to free itself from those shackles. WD has today announced that it's shipping the component 3TB Caviar Green drive (WD30EZRSDTL) by its lonesome, perfect for those looking to beef up their NAS drives or just add a capacious archive drive to their SSD-equipped desktop rig. The 3TB monster is hitting just under two years after the 2TB Caviar Green went official, with this guy boasting 750 GB-per-platter areal density and Advanced Format technology. The outfit's also shipping a 2.5TB version (WD25EZRSDTL) for those who aren't quite able to swallow the full three, and both of 'em are bundled with an Advanced Host Controller Interface (AHCI)-compliant Host Bus Adapter (HBA), which will enable the operating system to use a known driver with correct support for large capacity drives. Both units should be available to purchase from respected retailers as we speak, with the 3TB demanding $239 and the 2.5TB unit going for $189. Remember when the world's first 1TB drive in this form factor debuted for $400? Yeah... not too shabby!

Update: Storage Review, Legit Reviews and Hot Hardware have put this thing through its paces, and they all seem pretty darn stoked on the performance. Though, LR did seem to run into a few HD Tach issues, so be sure to peek that carefully.

Continue reading Western Digital ships 3TB Caviar Green 3.5-inch hard drive for $239, 2.5TB for $189

Western Digital ships 3TB Caviar Green 3.5-inch hard drive for $239, 2.5TB for $189 originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Oct 2010 08:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3tbCaviar GreenCaviar Green 3TBCaviarGreenCaviarGreen3tbhard driveHardDrivereviewedsatastorageWDWD25EZRSDTLWD30EZRSDTLWestern DigitalWesternDigitalTue, 19 Oct 2010 08:11:00 EST<![CDATA[WD Live TV Hub media streamer / NAS leaks out of Best Buy with gigabit ethernet, 1TB hard drive]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/16/wd-live-tv-hub-media-streamer-nas-leaks-out-of-best-buy-with-g/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/16/wd-live-tv-hub-media-streamer-nas-leaks-out-of-best-buy-with-g/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/16/wd-live-tv-hub-media-streamer-nas-leaks-out-of-best-buy-with-g/#comments Western Digital's got a few different media streamers to its name, but the only one with sizable internal storage was the pared-down Elements Play. No more, because the AVS Forums have stumbled upon a feature-packed alternative -- the WD TV Live Hub. Purchased at a Best Buy before the blue shirts realized their mistake, the slim new set-top comes with 1TB of storage, 1080p playback over HDMI 1.4, component and composite video out, optical S/PDIF, and all the internet connectivity you'd expect (including Netflix, Blockbuster, Pandora, YouTube and Facebook) over speedy gigabit ethernet. We don't know how robust the network-attached-storage functionality is, but the lucky owner of this box says it serves up iTunes and DLNA and can function as a network share, just like the My Book Live. Not too shabby for $229, eh? Find plenty more pics and a list of supported formats at our source link.

[Thanks, Arjun]

WD Live TV Hub media streamer / NAS leaks out of Best Buy with gigabit ethernet, 1TB hard drive originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 16 Oct 2010 20:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2.5-inch hdd2.5-inchHddhard driveHardDrivehd streamerHdStreamermedia streamerMediaStreamernasnetwork attached storageNetworkAttachedStorageset top boxset-top boxSet-topBoxSetTopBoxstbstreamerstreamingWDWD TV LiveWD TV Live HubWdTvLiveWdTvLiveHubWestern DigitalWesternDigitalSat, 16 Oct 2010 20:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Western Digital debuts My Book Live NAS / media streamer, revamped My Photos app]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/07/western-digital-debuts-my-book-live-nas-media-streamer-revamp/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/07/western-digital-debuts-my-book-live-nas-media-streamer-revamp/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/07/western-digital-debuts-my-book-live-nas-media-streamer-revamp/#comments The My Book Live definitely doesn't mark Western Digital's first foray into the world of connected storage, but the devil's in the details on this one. The company's newly released network drive falls into the budget-friendly My Book line, but promises access to files at up 100Mbps, or triple the speed of standard USB 2.0 units. Additionally, Apple Time Machine support comes baked in from the factory, and there's also an integrated DLNA-compatible media server that can stream photos, videos and audio through any number of devices (WD TV Live Plus HD, Xbox 360, your Blu-ray player, a PlayStation 3, etc.). It'll also double (triple?) as an iTunes music server, and when paired with the company's refreshed WD Photos app -- which is now optimized for iPad and iPhone 4 -- users can flip through their photo albums remotely. The My Book Live is now available for $169.99 (1TB) / $229.99 (2TB), and the aforementioned app can be sucked down as we speak from the action-packed App Store.

Gallery: Western Digital debuts My Book Live NAS / media streamer, revamped My Photos app

Western Digital debuts My Book Live NAS / media streamer, revamped My Photos app originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 07 Oct 2010 09:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>appapp storeAppStoreDLNAexternal hard driveexternal hddExternalHardDriveExternalHddhard driveHardDrivehddiphoneiphone appIphoneAppmedia streamerMediaStreamermy bookmy book livemy photosMyBookMyBookLiveMyPhotosnasnetwork drivenetwork storageNetworkDriveNetworkStoragesoftwarestoragestreamertime machineTimeMachinewdwestern digitalWesternDigitalThu, 07 Oct 2010 09:11:00 EST<![CDATA[WD announces 3TB single-drive My Book Essential, two USB 3.0 Passport drives]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/05/wd-announces-3tb-single-drive-my-book-essential-two-usb-3-0-pas/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/05/wd-announces-3tb-single-drive-my-book-essential-two-usb-3-0-pas/http://www.engadget.com/2010/10/05/wd-announces-3tb-single-drive-my-book-essential-two-usb-3-0-pas/#comments You may or may not have noticed, but Western Digital just followed up on Seagate's earlier efforts by breaking out a 3TB external drive of its own -- one that has just a single HDD within. The newest My Book Essential not only houses a 3TB drive, but also packs a USB 3.0 port on the rear and the same rounded black shell that you've come to know and love / hate. If that's far too much for you to swallow (or simply too large to haul around), the My Passport Essential and My Passport Essential SE lines are also being bumped to USB 3.0, with the former shipping in a 500GB version and the latter in 750GB / 1TB. Both of those guys are powered entirely over USB and ship in a variety of mind-bending hues, with pricing starting at $99.99 for the 500 gigger and running up to $249.99 for more space than you'll ever need.

Gallery: WD announces 3TB single-drive My Book Essential, two USB 3.0 Passport drives

Continue reading WD announces 3TB single-drive My Book Essential, two USB 3.0 Passport drives

WD announces 3TB single-drive My Book Essential, two USB 3.0 Passport drives originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Oct 2010 11:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3tbexternal hard driveexternal hddExternalHardDriveExternalHddhard driveHardDrivehddmy bookmy book essentialMy PassportMy Passport EssentialMy Passport Essential seMyBookMyBookEssentialMyPassportMyPassportEssentialMyPassportEssentialSentfsportable hard driveportable hddPortableHardDrivePortableHddsmartwareusbusb 3.0Usb3.0wdwestern digitalWesternDigitalTue, 05 Oct 2010 11:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Intel's Light Peak optical interconnect shrinks slightly, LaCie, WD, Compal and Avid begin prototyping]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/14/intels-light-peak-optical-interconnect-shrinks-slightly-while/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/14/intels-light-peak-optical-interconnect-shrinks-slightly-while/http://www.engadget.com/2010/09/14/intels-light-peak-optical-interconnect-shrinks-slightly-while/#comments Intel's Light Peak isn't setting any new speed records at IDF 2010 -- it's still rated at 10Gbps for now -- but the optical data transfer system is finally looking like it might appear in some actual products. As you can see immediately above, a Light Peak to HDMI converter has shrunk considerably since May, and a number of optically-infused sample products were on display at Intel's Light Peak booth. Compal's got a laptop with the optical interconnect built in, while Western Digital showed an external hard drive, from which the Compal could pull and edit multimedia in real-time using a Light Peak-enabled Avid rackmount. Meanwhile, LaCie showed off what appeared to be a 4big Quadra RAID array with two Light Peak ports catapulting high-definition video content at 770MB/s to a nearby Samsung TV, though we should warn you that the TV itself was a bit of a hack job, and not a collaboration with Samsung -- note the big, honking EVGA video card sticking out of the back. Though obviously a good bit of work went into these prototypes, Intel reps told us none would necessarily become a reality. Either way, don't expect to see Light Peak products until sometime next year.

Gallery: Intel's Light Peak prototype hardware

Intel's Light Peak optical interconnect shrinks slightly, LaCie, WD, Compal and Avid begin prototyping originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 14 Sep 2010 07:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AVIDCompalexternal hard driveExternalHardDrivefiberfiber opticfiber optic cablefiber opticsFiberOpticFiberOpticCableFiberOpticsIDFIDF 2010Idf2010IntelinterconnectLaCielaptopLight PeakLightPeakopticaloptical interconnectOpticalInterconnectprototypeprototypesraidWDWestern DigitalWesternDigitalTue, 14 Sep 2010 07:19:00 EST<![CDATA[WD intros HomePlug-compatible powerline networking package]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/24/wd-intros-homeplug-compatible-powerline-networking-package/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/24/wd-intros-homeplug-compatible-powerline-networking-package/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/24/wd-intros-homeplug-compatible-powerline-networking-package/#comments
Western Digital's bread and butter is (and will likely remain) storage, but as we all know, all the storage in the world is useless if you can't access it. It only makes sense, then, that the company would get behind the HomePlug bandwagon for networking all your connected devices over your home's existing electrical power lines. The WD Livewire Powerline AV Network Kit includes two HomePlug AV adapters with four Ethernet ports each, boasting data transfer speeds up to 200 megabits per second. And it's HomePlug compatible, meaning your previous investments in the technology won't go to waste. Available now for $140. PR after the break.

Continue reading WD intros HomePlug-compatible powerline networking package

WD intros HomePlug-compatible powerline networking package originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Aug 2010 20:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>home networkingHomeNetworkinghomeplughomeplug avHomeplugAvinternetlivewirenetowrkingplcpower linepower line communicationpower line networkingPowerLinePowerLineCommunicationPowerLineNetworkingstarter kitStarterKitwdWD LivewireWD Livewire Powerline AV Network KitWdLivewireWdLivewirePowerlineAvNetworkKitwestern digitalWesternDigitalTue, 24 Aug 2010 20:42:00 EST<![CDATA[WD's Elements Play media streamers bring internal HDDs at a presumably good price]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/09/wds-elements-play-media-streamers-bring-internal-hdds-at-a-pres/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/09/wds-elements-play-media-streamers-bring-internal-hdds-at-a-pres/http://www.engadget.com/2010/08/09/wds-elements-play-media-streamers-bring-internal-hdds-at-a-pres/#comments Western Digital has quietly revealed the Elements Play on their site, which combines pared-down playback features of the WD TV series with up to 2TB of internal storage right out of the box. It's about time, considering competitor LaCie has offered integrated drives in its LaCinema line for more than a year, though we wish WD would have included the Netflix streaming capabilities of the WD TV Live Plus here -- or any streaming at all, for that matter. If an unconnected box with 1080p playback via HDMI and fabulous codec support (including Monkey's Audio!) is appealing to you though, then this latest offering might be worth your while -- especially if it's priced in line with its "value conscious" featureset, a fact we haven't been able to verify. To be competitive, it'll have to cost below LaCie's LaCinema Classic HD, which throws in UPnP / DLNA server support on top of similar features for as little as $229. If you're curious, find the user's manual (including a full codec list) at our more coverage link.

[Thanks, Steve]

WD's Elements Play media streamers bring internal HDDs at a presumably good price originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 09 Aug 2010 01:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Elements PlayElementsPlayhard driveHardDrivehddmedia drivemedia streamermedia streamersMediaDriveMediaStreamerMediaStreamersMonkeys audioMonkeysAudioWDWD Elements PlayWdElementsPlayWestern DigitalWestern Digital ElementsWesternDigitalWesternDigitalElementsMon, 09 Aug 2010 01:34:00 EST<![CDATA[WD TV Live Plus gets reviewed, lauded for value]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/31/wd-tv-live-plus-gets-reviewed-lauded-for-value/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/31/wd-tv-live-plus-gets-reviewed-lauded-for-value/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/31/wd-tv-live-plus-gets-reviewed-lauded-for-value/#comments After being announced in early June, Anandtech recently put the Western Digital WD TV Live Plus through its paces and discovered the Netflix enhancement works as advertised. Like many Netflix-enabled devices though, the TV Live comes up short compared to the full PC experience since access is limited to only the Instant Queue. Its presence also sacrifices firmware hackability -- a quality which previously made up for the WD TV Live's lack of versatility as an HTPC. The ability to move, copy, and manage locally stored media files via the interface, on the other hand, was praised as a unique advantage over competing models -- exciting, we know. Sadly, video quality was docked as being "significantly less than the HTPC counterparts they've seen so far." However, it's possible this could be improved in the future via firmware updates, since its Sigma Designs processor features noise reduction and deinterlacing algorithms that strangely aren't currently enabled. File format-wise, DVD ISOs worked flawlessly, while Blu-ray ISO and some WMV video formats experienced issues that users may want to read up on before buying. Gripes aside though, Anandtech was still willing to place it "around the top of the list" for media player devices, thanks to its wide file compatibility and robust features. For more details, hit the review source link.

WD TV Live Plus gets reviewed, lauded for value originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 31 Jul 2010 11:07:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Blu-rayDVDhard drivesHardDrivesHDHD VideosHdVideoshome theater pcHomeTheaterPcHTPCMedia streamingMediaStreamingmoviesmusicNetflixNetflix streamingSigma Designs ProcessorSigmaDesignsProcessorWDWD TVWD TV LIve PlusWdTvLivePlusWestern DigitalSat, 31 Jul 2010 11:07:00 EST<![CDATA[WD tosses out high-fashion 500GB My Passport Essential drives, props to the LBC]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/23/wd-tosses-out-high-fashion-500gb-my-passport-essential-drives-p/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/23/wd-tosses-out-high-fashion-500gb-my-passport-essential-drives-p/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/23/wd-tosses-out-high-fashion-500gb-my-passport-essential-drives-p/#commentsSure, 85.3 percent of your best buds are kickin' it in Cozumel right now, but a few bright minds at California State University, Long Beach have been toiling around the clock in those dreaded summer sessions in order to help create the five-pack you see pictured here. In order to give its already colorful My Passport Essential line a long overdue refresh, Western Digital has now added a handful of limited edition 500GB models with rather stylish exteriors. Boom Box, Black Hole, Cityscape, Fuchsia Leaf and Wave are the prints to choose from, and all five can be snapped up for a window of time at Best Buy or via WD directly. As for specs? You know the drill -- USB 2.0 powered, 256-bit hardware encryption and a two-year warranty. Take your pick for $119.99, dude.

Continue reading WD tosses out high-fashion 500GB My Passport Essential drives, props to the LBC

WD tosses out high-fashion 500GB My Passport Essential drives, props to the LBC originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 23 Jul 2010 02:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>best buyBestBuydesignexternal hard driveexternal hddExternalHardDriveExternalHddhard driveHardDrivehddlimited editionLimitedEditionMy PassportMy Passport essentialMyPassportMyPassportEssentialPortable hard drivePortable hddPortableHardDrivePortableHddstorageWDwestern digitalWesternDigitalFri, 23 Jul 2010 02:28:00 EST<![CDATA[Western Digital refreshes My Book DVR Expander]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/02/western-digital-refreshes-my-book-dvr-expander/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/02/western-digital-refreshes-my-book-dvr-expander/http://www.engadget.com/2010/07/02/western-digital-refreshes-my-book-dvr-expander/#comments


Western Digital's 1TB My DVR Expander has long been the sole option for TiVo owners looking to increase their storage, and it's just received a light refresh. Notable changes include an upgrade to WD's latest case style, USB 2.0 connectivity in addition to eSATA, and, most importantly, "verified" support for a wider array of compatible DVRs from Dish Network, Direct TV, and Scientific Atlantic, which have had issues with other unverified drives like the Apricorn DVR expander. Thanks to the USB 2.0 upgrade, Sony Blu-ray players, the PlayStation 3, and the Xbox 360 are now also supported, and all for a price of $149, which is $50 less than its predecessor. PR after the break.

*Update: Apricorn reached out to use to let us know that "Our DVR Expander is tested and verified to work with DirecTV, Dish Network DVRs as well as Scientific Atlanta 8300 and 8240 Series (just like WD's drive)" and that "Firmware updates with cable providers affect all DVR external hard drives, regardless of brand."

Continue reading Western Digital refreshes My Book DVR Expander

Western Digital refreshes My Book DVR Expander originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Jul 2010 16:54:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DVRDVR ExpanderDVRshard driveHardDrivehdHD VideoHD video storageMy BookMy Book DVR ExpanderMyBookDvrExpanderstoragewdWestern DigitalWestern Digital My BookWesternDigitalFri, 02 Jul 2010 16:54:00 EST<![CDATA[Western Digital announces WD TV Live Plus HD with Netflix streaming]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/09/western-digital-announces-wd-tv-live-plus-hd-with-netflix-stream/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/09/western-digital-announces-wd-tv-live-plus-hd-with-netflix-stream/http://www.engadget.com/2010/06/09/western-digital-announces-wd-tv-live-plus-hd-with-netflix-stream/#comments
We have even more news from Western Digital regarding its WD TV line (and this time around it doesn't involve bricking your set-top box with a firmware update). Besides the usual suspects (including Pandora, Live365, and YouTube), the WD TV Live Plus HD is shipping with Netflix. Get ready to browse titles, manage your Instant Queue, and stream your favorite episodes of Degrassi: The Next Generation on your HDTV -- in addition to accessing your sizable collection of legally purchased digital media via the device's USB connection and / or Windows 7 "Play To" functionality. Available now for $150. PR after the break.

Continue reading Western Digital announces WD TV Live Plus HD with Netflix streaming

Western Digital announces WD TV Live Plus HD with Netflix streaming originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 09 Jun 2010 10:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1080pHDmedia streamerMediaStreamernetflixPlay ToPlayToset top boxSetTopBoxstreamingwdWD TVWD TV LiveWD TV Live HDWD TV Live Plus HDWdTvWdTvLiveWdTvLiveHdWdTvLivePlusHdwestern digitalWesternDigitalWin 7Win7Windows 7Windows7Wed, 09 Jun 2010 10:48:00 EST<![CDATA[WD TV Live HD gets 'Play To' functionality, full Windows 7 compliance]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/07/wd-tv-live-hd-gets-play-to-functionality-full-windows-7-compl/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/07/wd-tv-live-hd-gets-play-to-functionality-full-windows-7-compl/http://www.engadget.com/2010/05/07/wd-tv-live-hd-gets-play-to-functionality-full-windows-7-compl/#comments This silvery-set top box above may look rather drab, but never fear: its next production run will sport a nice, colorful Windows 7 sticker. That's because Western Digital recently signed an agreement to make its WD TV Live HD network media players compatible with Microsoft's "Play To" feature, allowing you to push media right to your TV from a Windows Media Player 12-equipped PC. While the feature actually snuck its way into firmware revision 1.02.21 in late March, WD only just began trumpeting its inclusion today... possibly to let memories of its disastrous prior update fade. Whatever the reason, the box is not the "first network media player compatible with Windows 7" -- Denon has four receivers that predate it. Press release and an example of what 'Play To' looks like, right after the break.

Continue reading WD TV Live HD gets 'Play To' functionality, full Windows 7 compliance

WD TV Live HD gets 'Play To' functionality, full Windows 7 compliance originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 07 May 2010 02:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>firmware updateFirmwareUpdatemedia streamerMediaStreamerPlay ToPlayToset top boxSetTopBoxWDWD TVWD TV LiveWD TV Live HDWdTvWdTvLiveWdTvLiveHdwestern digitalWesternDigitalWin 7Win7Windows 7Windows7Fri, 07 May 2010 02:43:00 EST<![CDATA[2TB hard drive review roundup: Samsung, Seagate and WD throw down]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/16/2tb-hard-drive-review-roundup-samsung-seagate-and-wd-throw-dow/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/16/2tb-hard-drive-review-roundup-samsung-seagate-and-wd-throw-dow/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/16/2tb-hard-drive-review-roundup-samsung-seagate-and-wd-throw-dow/#comments It's a 2TB world, folks, and if you're looking to select a new drive to archive your upcoming vacation footage, you owe it to yourself to do a little research before pulling the trigger. Currently, 2TB options are on the market from Seagate, Western Digital and Samsung, and while all are in the 3.5-inch SATA form factor, they certainly aren't equal. The benchmarking gurus over at Hot Hardware decided to toss no fewer than ten 2TB drives into the mix, and after running 250 or so tests, they found that WD's RE4 2TB came out on top. 'Course, that just so happens to be the most expensive platter in the bunch, checking in at around $0.16 per gigabyte; the admittedly slower Caviar Green 2TB and Seagate Barracuda LP 2TB both came in at less than half of that. Go on and give that source link a look if you're into bar charts and in-depth analysis of bits and bytes -- and remember, friends don't let friends buy lousy storage.

2TB hard drive review roundup: Samsung, Seagate and WD throw down originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Apr 2010 13:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2tbbenchmarkbenchmarkingbenchmarkshard driveHardDrivehddreview roundupReviewRoundupsamsungseagatestoragewdwestern digitalWesternDigitalFri, 16 Apr 2010 13:19:00 EST<![CDATA[Western Digital VelociRaptor VR200M review roundup: fast, capacious, but no SSD]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/06/western-digital-velociraptor-vr200m-review-roundup-fast-capaci/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/06/western-digital-velociraptor-vr200m-review-roundup-fast-capaci/http://www.engadget.com/2010/04/06/western-digital-velociraptor-vr200m-review-roundup-fast-capaci/#comments While it's only a matter of time before solid state storage becomes cheap and reliable enough to replace magnetic media for good, companies like Western Digital are still finding ways to keep those platters a' spinning. Take this new WD VelociRaptor VR200M, for instance. Critics agree that while it doesn't offer anywhere near SSD levels of performance, it's certainly the fastest rotational SATA drive ever tested -- 15 to 30 percent improved over the last generation of VelociRaptors, depending on the benchmark -- and at roughly 50 cents per gigabyte for the three-platter, 600GB WD6000BLHX ($329), it offers more capacity than any SSD you could hope to buy without refinancing your third vacation home. Reviewers note that with a 15mm drive height, you still won't be dropping one of these speed demons in your new laptop, and your desktop might be better off with a cheaper 7200RPM drive paired with a similarly inexpensive SSD, but if you're looking for that single drive that does it all, the new VelociRaptor is your best bet. Hit the links below for the full skinny, and a deep, deep dive into the fascinating world of IOPS, read speeds and write times.

Read - TechReport
Read - AnandTech
Read - PC Perspective
Read - HotHardware
Read - Tom's Hardware
Read - ExtremeTech
Read - LegitReviews
Read - StorageReview
Read - DesktopReview

Western Digital VelociRaptor VR200M review roundup: fast, capacious, but no SSD originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 06 Apr 2010 21:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>10000 RPM10000Rpm7200RPMhard drivehard drivesHardDriveHardDrivesHDDmagnetic storageMagneticStoragereviewreview roundupreviewedReviewRoundupreviewsrotational storageRotationalStorageSATAsata 6gsata 6gbpsSATA IIISata6gSata6gbpsSataIiiVelociRaptorVelociRaptor VR200MVelociraptorVr200mVR200MWDwd velociraptorWD VR200MWD4500BLHXWD4500HLHXWD6000BLHXWD6000HLHXWdVelociraptorWdVr200mWestern Digitalwestern digital velociraptorWesternDigitalWesternDigitalVelociraptorTue, 06 Apr 2010 21:02:00 EST<![CDATA[WD intros standard-height 2.5-inch 750GB Scorpio Blue HDD]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/wd-intros-standard-height-2-5-inch-750gb-scorpio-blue-hdd/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/wd-intros-standard-height-2-5-inch-750gb-scorpio-blue-hdd/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/30/wd-intros-standard-height-2-5-inch-750gb-scorpio-blue-hdd/#commentsWestern Digital already shipped the industry's first 2.5-inch 1TB hard drive last summer, but unfortunately for most, it couldn't be used as a drop-in solution for upgrading one's laptop drive. The reason? It relies on an unorthodox 12.5mm height form factor, while the vast majority of laptops only support 9.5mm height drives. Now, the outfit has pushed out a 750GB Scorpio Blue, a 2.5-incher that does indeed utilize the standard height form factor, and while this here unit includes Advanced Format and WhisperDrive, the 5,400RPM spindle speed is admittedly disappointing. It's tough to argue with the $149 price, though, and it's available now if you've been hankering for more space within your mobile workhorse.

WD intros standard-height 2.5-inch 750GB Scorpio Blue HDD originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 30 Mar 2010 10:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2.5-inch750GB9.5mmadvanced formatAdvancedFormatAREAL DENSITYArealDensityhard driveHardDrivehddlaptop hard driveLaptopHardDrivescorpioscorpio blueScorpioBluestoragewdWD7500BPVTWestern DigitalWesternDigitalwhisperdriveTue, 30 Mar 2010 10:21:00 EST<![CDATA[WD's 320GB My Passport AV external HDD wants to have and hold your media]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/10/wds-320gb-my-passport-av-external-hdd-wants-to-have-and-hold-yo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/10/wds-320gb-my-passport-av-external-hdd-wants-to-have-and-hold-yo/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/10/wds-320gb-my-passport-av-external-hdd-wants-to-have-and-hold-yo/#comments Western Digital has played this card before with the strategically named My DVR Expander, but for those who don't realize that an external hard drive is an external hard drive, there's the My Passport AV. For all intents and purposes, this 320GB HDD is nothing more than a standard drive with a fancy marketing scheme following it closely. Oh, sure -- it may work "seamlessly" with Sony's Direct Copy feature on the outfit's range of Handycam camcorders, but outside of that, we don't see anything in particular that makes us long to pay more for something that doesn't really do more than any other 320GB HDD on shelves today. If you're in complete opposition (it's cool... really), it's available to order today for $109.99.

WD's 320GB My Passport AV external HDD wants to have and hold your media originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 10 Mar 2010 16:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>external hard driveexternal hddExternalHardDriveExternalHddhard driveHardDrivehddmy passportmy passport avMyPassportMyPassportAvportable hard driveportable hddPortableHardDrivePortableHddstoragewdWestern DigitalWesternDigitalWed, 10 Mar 2010 16:59:00 EST<![CDATA[WD's first SiliconEdge Blue SSD launches, gets reviewed]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/03/wds-first-siliconedge-blue-ssd-launches-gets-reviewed/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/03/wds-first-siliconedge-blue-ssd-launches-gets-reviewed/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/03/wds-first-siliconedge-blue-ssd-launches-gets-reviewed/#comments Remember when Western Digital picked up SiliconSystems for a song during the height of last decade's Great Recession? Here we are a year later looking at the first fruit of that relationship, as WD has just introduced its first consumer-oriented solid state drive in the SiliconEdge Blue and its enterprise-ready SiliconDrive N1x. Both 2.5-inch families feature a native SATA 3.0Gbps interface along with read speeds as high as 240 - 250MB/sec and write rates peaking at around 140 - 150MB/sec, and the former has already hit the test bench on a number of occasions. For those considering the upgrade, you should probably dive into those links below -- most everyone came away feeling that the SiliconEdge Blue was a wee bit underwhelming for the price, with Hot Hardware noting that the "Micron C300 and Intel X25-M were measurably faster overall," and the lofty MSRP just left 'em looking for more. Here's hoping for a price drop and / or a SiliconEdge Black, eh?

WD's first SiliconEdge Blue SSD launches, gets reviewed originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 03 Mar 2010 12:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>benchmarkbenchmarkedBlueflashMLCnandreview roundupreviewedReviewRoundupSiliconDriveSiliconDrive n1xSilicondriveN1xSiliconEdgeSiliconEdge BlueSiliconedgeBlueSiliconSystemssolid state driveSolidStateDrivessdstorageWDWed, 03 Mar 2010 12:29:00 EST<![CDATA[WD's My Passport Studio wears contents on its sleeve with always-on 'e-label']]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/01/wds-my-passport-studio-wears-contents-on-its-sleeve-with-always/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/01/wds-my-passport-studio-wears-contents-on-its-sleeve-with-always/http://www.engadget.com/2010/03/01/wds-my-passport-studio-wears-contents-on-its-sleeve-with-always/#commentsWestern Digital's My Passport Studio line has been spinning for years now, but today the outfit is pushing out a revamped version with a little something special. Boasting a FireWire 800 interface, a highly pocketable design and 256-bit hardware-based encryption, this here drive offers an "e-label smart display" on the front that actually remains on even when the drive is off and unplugged. Owners can tweak the text on the display as often as they like via WD's SmartWare software, and by utilizing e-paper technology, you'll always be able to see what's inside at a glance. Just so you're aware, the company's shipping this thing in 320GB, 500GB and 640GB flavors, but all three come pre-formatted for Mac use -- thankfully your Windows 7 rig won't have any issues wiping that slate clean and starting over once you hand over your $149.99 to $199.99.

WD's My Passport Studio wears contents on its sleeve with always-on 'e-label' originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 01 Mar 2010 20:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>applee papere-labele-paperEPaperexternal hard driveexternal hddExternalHardDriveExternalHddfirewire 800Firewire800hard driveHardDrivehddmacMy Passport EssentialMy Passport studioMyPassportEssentialMyPassportStudioos xOsXportable hard driveportable hddPortableHardDrivePortableHddsmartwavestoragewdwestern digitalWesternDigitalMon, 01 Mar 2010 20:28:00 EST<![CDATA[WD's 'Advanced Format' Caviar Green HDD gets benchmarked, minor benefits found]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/27/wds-advanced-format-caviar-green-hdd-gets-benchmarked-minor/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/27/wds-advanced-format-caviar-green-hdd-gets-benchmarked-minor/http://www.engadget.com/2010/02/27/wds-advanced-format-caviar-green-hdd-gets-benchmarked-minor/#commentsWestern Digital has yet to actively market its "advanced format" hard drives -- in fact, there's a decent chance you've no idea what we're talking about if you weren't tuned in on December 11th. In short, it's a technology that alters a hard drive's sector size from 512 bytes (the standard for the past three decades) to 4096K, which enables the ECC data to be stored in a more efficient manner. Just recently, WD began to ship Advanced Format Caviar Green hard drives, and the benchmarking gurus over at Hot Hardware strapped one in to see exactly how much of the hype was warranted. For starters, they debunked the thought that Advanced Format drives offered more usable space; Windows reported 931GB of free space on both AF and non-AF 1TB drives. They also go on to explain how to make AF drives play nice with Windows XP, and on the testing front, they found that an aligned AF Caviar Green drive could (mostly) hang with the higher end (and more expensive) Caviar Black. Pop that source link for the full skinny, particularly if you're a WinXP user looking to snag a new drive.

WD's 'Advanced Format' Caviar Green HDD gets benchmarked, minor benefits found originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 27 Feb 2010 02:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advanced formatAdvancedFormatbenchmarkbenchmarkshard drivehard drive formatHardDriveHardDriveFormatwdwd advanced formatWdAdvancedFormatwestern digitalWesternDigitalSat, 27 Feb 2010 02:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Western Digital My Book 3.0 goes SuperSpeed USB]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/05/western-digital-my-book-3-0-goes-superspeed-usb/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/05/western-digital-my-book-3-0-goes-superspeed-usb/http://www.engadget.com/2010/01/05/western-digital-my-book-3-0-goes-superspeed-usb/#commentsWestern Digital's kicking off the expected flood of USB 3.0 announcements here at CES with the new My Book 3.0 series. The 1TB version of the SuperSpeed drive is actually available now for $179, or $199 in a kit with a USB 3.0 adapter card, while a 2TB version will hit next week. That's actually not a terrible deal if you're into futureproofing, since USB 3.0 is backwards-compatible with USB 2.0 -- you could theoretically use this drive with both your current machine and your next one. Or you could just keep buying cheap storage for the thrill of it. We won't judge you.

Western Digital My Book 3.0 goes SuperSpeed USB originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 05 Jan 2010 11:38:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CESces 2010Ces2010external hard driveExternalHardDrivehard driveHardDrivemy bookmy book 3.0MyBookMyBook3.0usbusb 3.0Usb3.0wdwestern digitalWesternDigitalTue, 05 Jan 2010 11:38:00 EST<![CDATA[WD's Caviar Black and RE4 2TB drives get benchmarked, one is wicked fast]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/11/wds-caviar-black-and-re4-2tb-drives-get-benchmarked-one-is-wic/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/11/wds-caviar-black-and-re4-2tb-drives-get-benchmarked-one-is-wic/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/11/wds-caviar-black-and-re4-2tb-drives-get-benchmarked-one-is-wic/#commentsWestern Digital plopped itself firmly in the midst of the 2TB HDD battle back in early September, and if you've been holding off on buying your next slab of storage until the benchmarks hit, we're pleased to inform you that the wait is over. The crew over at Hot Hardware slapped both the Caviar Black and RE4 drives into their testing rigs in order to put 'em both through their respective paces. Without getting into the nitty-gritty, both of the 7200RPM drives were mighty quick in real-world use -- not SSD quick, mind you, but pretty darn snappy given the capaciousness. When push came to shove, the Caviar Black managed to pull ahead in terms of raw speed, but given that the RE4 is really an enterprise drive, we doubt you're keeled over in shock. Hit the source link for all the charts and bars, but only if you've got a C-note or three to burn once you get the itch.

WD's Caviar Black and RE4 2TB drives get benchmarked, one is wicked fast originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 11 Dec 2009 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2tb2tb hard drive2tb hdd2tbHardDrive2tbHdd3.5-inch7200rpmbenchmarkbenchmarkedbenchmarkscaviar blackCaviarBlackdesktop hddDesktopHardDriveDesktopHddenterprisefasthard driveHardDrivehddre4reviewedspeedstoragewdwestern digitalWesternDigitalFri, 11 Dec 2009 19:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Western Digital 'advanced format' promises slight boost in usable space]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/11/western-digital-advanced-format-promises-slight-boost-in-usabl/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/11/western-digital-advanced-format-promises-slight-boost-in-usabl/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/11/western-digital-advanced-format-promises-slight-boost-in-usabl/#comments
Sure, you may have been able to double your hard drive's storage space with DriveSpace back in the day, but it looks like Western Digital has now come up with a new, more foolproof way to eek out a few more gigabytes from its drives. Dubbed 'advanced format,' the company's new partitioning method promises to do away with each individual sector having its own Sync/DAM header and ECC, and instead move to larger, 4k physical sectors. As you can see in the helpful illustration above, that shift would also actually increase the size of the ECC, but WD says the net gain in usable storage space should still be between seven and eleven percent (which would certainly be welcome when we're talking about 1TB or 2TB drives). Unfortunately, you won't simply be able to update the firmware and reformat your current drive, but WD will apparently be moving its Caviar Green line to the new format in the "next few weeks," and eventually shift the rest of its drives over as well.

Western Digital 'advanced format' promises slight boost in usable space originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 11 Dec 2009 15:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>advanced formatAdvancedFormathard drivehard drive formatHardDriveHardDriveFormatwdwd advanced formatWdAdvancedFormatwestern digitalWesternDigitalFri, 11 Dec 2009 15:43:00 EST<![CDATA[WD unveils new My Books, My Passports for Windows and Mac]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/10/wd-unveils-new-my-books-my-passports-for-windows-and-mac/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/10/wd-unveils-new-my-books-my-passports-for-windows-and-mac/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/10/wd-unveils-new-my-books-my-passports-for-windows-and-mac/#comments And we have storage for you! WD's refreshing a number of its external HDD storage devices, a move that's sure to put a smile on the face of many a young media hound. The new My Book Essential is available in 1TB ($149), 2TB ($229.99) 500GB ($99.99), while the My Book for Mac is available with 1TB for $149.99. My Passport Essential can be had in capacities of 500GB ($139) or 320GB ($99.99), while My Passport for Mac is going out there in 500GB ($149.99) and 320GB ($119.99) sizes. All these guys feature SmartWare software for data management, and all are available now in a wide range of earth-shattering, psychedelic colors (well, four -- including black).

Read - My Book Essential
Read - My Book for Mac
Read - My Passport Essential
Read - My Passport for Mac

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WD unveils new My Books, My Passports for Windows and Mac originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 17:08:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>My BookMy Book EssentialMy Book for MacMy Passport EssentialMy Passport for MacMyBookMyBookEssentialMyBookForMacMyPassportEssentialMyPassportForMacstoragewdwestern digitalWesternDigitalThu, 10 Sep 2009 17:08:00 EST