It's some 60 percent smaller in size, but other than that Sony's new VRD-MC6 DVDirect looks and acts an awful lot like the previous VRD-MC10 and VRD-MC5: it can take 1080i video with 5.1 audio off your Handycam's drive or Memory Stick and shoot out an AVCHD DVD that plays back on compatible Blu-ray drives like the PS3. If you're not into the all-Sony seamless end-to-end HD experience, you can also bring in SD video over FireWire, composite, or USB to churn out regular old DVDs with automatic chaptering and custom menu backgrounds, or you can go totally old-school and just drop in an SD card full of photos and MP3s to generate a slideshow. Yeah, it's not nerd heaven and you won't be editing Oscar-winners here, but at $230 it's a pretty painless way for everyone else to archive and share their videos. Ships in September.

For the folks that just can't let go, JVC is introducing a new duo of recorders that handle VHS, DVD and HDD-based logging. Predictably, the DR-HX500 holds 500GB while the DR-HX250 gets a 250GB drive, and outside of that, both units are identical. You'll find a built-in analog / digital TV tuner, an HDMI socket and all the dubbing features you (or your grandmother) can handle. It should be noted that digital TV recordings can only be stored on the HDD, but it is possible to capture a digital show there while copying an analog broadcast to VHS / DVD. The pair is all geared up to land in multi-generational homes this July, with prices being pegged at ¥95,000 ($906) and ¥75,000 ($715), respectively.

[Via Pocket-lint]

We'll go ahead and nix some lingering excitement in the room: Sony's latest line of Hard Disk Drive DVD Recorders are aimed squarely at Europe. Now that we're clear on that, let us introduce to you the HX and HXD lines, which each posses four units that top out at 500GB. The RDR-HX680, HX780, HX980 and HX1080 all come ready to fetch analog broadcasts, while the RDR-HXD790, HXD890, HXD990 and HXD1090 also include a DVB-T digital tuner. The HDX crew can even be ordered with a CI slot, and the whole posse includes an HDMI port (1080p upscaling included), X-Pict Story, USB connectors, BRAVIA Sync and a dedicated SD HDD Handycam connection. Take a look in the read link for the full chart of specifications. [Warning: PDF read link]

[Via T3]

Finishing up the C-list gear dished out by Toshiba here at CES are four new DVD recorders, so let's not waste anymore time, eh? Getting us going is the D-R410 ($119.99) single deck DVD recorder, which features 1080p upscaling, REGZA Link, HDMI, support for -R/RW and +R/RW recording and playback, a DV input and MP3 / JPEG playback. The D-R560 ($179.99) ups the ante with a ATSC / NTSC tuners along with WMA / DivX playback, while the D-VR660 ($249.99) actually adds in a VCR. Finally, we've got the D-VR610 ($179.99), which looks an awful lot like the aforementioned VR660 save for the addition of the line input to "allow recording from cable boxes and satellite receivers." Interested? The whole lot will be sitting atop store shelves by March.

Panasonic's already made a more than respectable showing at CES, but it looks like the company's not done with the new announcements just yet, the latest of which is a complete revision to its DIGA line of DVD recorders. That refresh totals four units in all, including two DVD/VHS combo units and two DVD-only devices. Most importantly, all four of 'em will give you 1080p upconversion via HDMI, along with Panasonic's trademark VIERA Link HDAVI control, and an SD card slot and USB port for playback and archiving of JPEG photos (no mention of other media). The DMR-EZ48V DVD/VHS combo and DMR-EZ28 DVD recorder step things up a bit further with ASTC Accutune digital tuners, not to mention added DivX playback, which the two lower-end models sadly lack. Look for all four to be available in April, with prices ranging from $180 to $300.

Can't get enough of Samsung's new gear? Good, because there's plenty more where that came from. Next up on the docket is a half dozen DVD players and recorders, so without further ado, let's check out the DVD-F1080 ($99.99). This "ultra-compact" unit provides 1080p upconversion, HDMI-CEC, progressive scan playback and support for multimedia files including DivX, MP3, WMA and MPEG4. The DVD-HD1080P8 ($89.99) serves up the exact same features as the aforementioned F1080, but does so while residing in a slightly larger chassis. Moving on, we've got the über-slim (14.2-inches wide) DVD-P180 ($49.99), which upscales DVDs to 720p / 1080i, rocks an HDMI-CEC port and also plays nice with DivX. For the rest of the gang, we suggest you head on past the break.

Intel has been touting its 45-nanometer chips for what seems like ages, but if all goes as planned, Panasonic will actually beat the chip giant to the punch by releasing products to the commercial market over a week earlier. Apparently, the six new Blu-ray recorders we spotted at CEATEC will utilize the firm's new generation "UniPhier system LSI based on the 45-nanometer process technology," and sure enough, those units are slated to hit Japan on November 1st -- a full ten days before Intel will reportedly get its Yorkfield crew out to the mainstream. Bet you didn't see that coming, now did you?

[Via RegHardware]

Bringing up the rear after all those BRAVIA projectors and LCD TVs already trotted out, Sony's now announced a bundle of new HDD/DVD recorders to go along with 'em (although apparently in the UK only). Available in 160GB, 250GB, and 500GB varieties, each unit comes equipped with either a standard analog tuner or an added DVB-T tuner for your Freeview needs, with the whole lot of them boasting 1080p upscaling of content, as well as Sony's trademark BRAVIA Theater Sync for the usual Sony-centric benefits. Unfortunately, there doesn't appear to be any word on pricing or availability, or any indication of a comparable line being released 'round these parts.

While a company not typically associated with consumer electronics can make the leap at any point, it's usually a relatively modest entrance, but Gibson has apparently had a bit too much fun at NAMM, and has thrown its logo on just about every device it could think of in the process. You won't find much of anything new in Gibson's lineup of consumer electronics, but if you're a Gibson purist and live life one riff at a time, these goods are for you. The company announced its own line of USB 2.0 Gibson Signature Series Les Paul flash drives, which currently come in a 1GB flavor and mimics a 1959 Les Paul Standard, and the firm plans to roll out more collectible drives shaped like other classic instruments in the future. Additionally, a 500GB external HDD was released, boasting USB 2.0 and a glowing Gibson logo on the side, and it seems that the firm is looking to snag a bit of that high-end interconnect market by offering up "premium gold" versions of optical audio, USB, and HDMI cables. Also on tap was a 7.1 AV receiver with a built-in guitar input, XM capability, and HDMI 1.3 video switching, various forms of recordable media, a dual-layer DVD recorder, surge protectors, and a few home theater speakers to boot. Although pricing is still up in the air at this point, it looks like you'll have the opportunity to get your external storage, surround sound gear, and a few spare E-strings all at the same place here soon.

[Via Macworld]

After taking a bit of a respite from the market, price-slashing TV maker Grundig is getting back into the swing of things in the UK, and is out to provide a bit of Freeview DVB-T recording on the cheap. Even as Sky+ HDTV makes its way slowly across the UK, DVB-T is still a decent digital TV alternative for those without access, with 30 digital channels and 20 digital radio stations. Grundig's GUDVDR0IV lets you schedule up to a week of recordings in advance, and burns onto DVD+R/RW discs for easy archivin'. If stowing the shows isn't your thing, Grundig is also offering a HDD version with 160GB of recording space, the GUDVDRHDD160V. There's actually no word on price yet, but it's a pretty a safe bet that Grundig will be aiming to undercut the current Panasonic and Sony offerings on the market. Both players should be out next month.