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Sharp and Nichia link up for LED patent cross-licensing deal
While RPTVs teeter on a bellbottom-styled return to the mainstream, Sharp and Nichia are focused squarely on the future. The two have just entered into a LED patent cross-licensing agreement covering both LEDs and laser diodes; the deal grants each company the right to use "inventions related to LEDs and laser diodes covered by the vast number of patents owned by the respective companies in Japan and in major countries." The release gets interesting when touching on Sharp's intentions -- it states that the company is hoping to "create unique, one-of-a-kind products in the future that feature both devices [Blu-ray recorders and LED lighting] at their core." Color us very intrigued.
Sigmatek's European SBR-1000 player does Blu-ray cheaper
Sigmatek is joining the legion of Blu-ray manufacturers with its newest player, the SBR-1000. Coming in at a price of under €250 ($364), it'll be the cheapest Blu-ray player available in Europe -- compared to the €369 ($537) BDP-S300 -- when it launches in April. We're assuming this player supports at least Profile 1.1 / Bonus View features, to go along with the confirmed 1080p/24, Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD and HDMI 1.3 support. The low price is credited to Sony and Nichia's new cheaper blue laser, which should lead to similar new price floors here in the U.S. sooner rather than later.[Via Blu-ray.com]
New Blu-ray laser could cut PS3 costs further
What's better than a giant blue laser? A tiny blue laser, especially when we're referring to the laser slapped into the PlayStation 3 during manufacturing. A new Blu-ray laser has been created that could significantly lower the cost of production as well as look a lot cooler than the fatty laser being used currently. This is, of course, assuming Sony places the laser in the console. Who knows -- maybe Sony will stick the new laser into systems without saying anything. It'll help their bottom line and get our systems running more ... efficiently? Or a price cut and new SKU will get announced. It's anyone's guess.[Via Joystiq]
Smaller Blu-ray laser could reduce PS3 production costs
It really does seem like we can't throw a stick without hitting a new PS3 SKU or news of a price drop -- a recent advancement in Blu-ray technology could signal the creation of yet another PS3 model or lowered price for the system some time in the near future, should Sony decide to incorporate it into their home console. Sony and LED manufacturer Nichia recently jointly created a smaller, more efficient Blu-ray laser that would significantly lower PS3 production costs should it replace the PS3's current "chubby laser". This, in addition to the many other cost-cutting innovations Sony implemented in the past year, might lead to yet another price cut for the system -- but the unmentioned, non-discounted inclusion of the lil' laser into existing SKUs is just as likely. We're certain we'll hear more about this in the coming months, once the PS3 hardware market has cooled its proverbial jets.
Sony announces new Blu-ray module, should drive down costs
Sony has announced the development of a new Blu-ray reader / writer module that is not only smaller than previous components, but promises to be cheaper as well due to a simplified manufacturing process. The new laser housing is less than three millimeters thick, according to the Japanese manufacturer and co-developer Nichia Corporation, enabling it to be incorporated into smaller devices such as portable players. Sony predicts that we'll first start seeing 9.5-millimeter laptop BD drives which employ the module later this year.[Via Tech.co.uk, thanks Kiwi616]
Sharp brings its own blue lasers to the party
It might not have said so on the flyer, but Blu-ray and HD DVD in 2006 have been largely a BYOL affair, since neither Sony nor Nichia were able to supply enough of the lasers that are at the basis of both formats to meet demand. Well Sharp -- which hasn't released its DV-BP1U Blu-ray player yet -- has now decided to jump into the blue laser game as well, producing 150,000 units per month; they expect to be up to 500,000 units per month by September of next year. A company spokeswoman said most of the diodes will go into Sharp products, but we're sure European PlayStation 3 fans wouldn't mind seeing a few truckloads headed in Sony's direction, while everyone else is just hoping to see price drops on high definition players across the board. Read - Sharp starts blue laser diode production Read - Sharp to Make Laser Diodes for Blu-Ray, HD Recorders
Blu-ray vs. HD DVD on hold for blue laser shortage?
As much as we like to talk about the ongoing format war between Blu-ray and HD DVD and our readers comment on it, the simple fact is that very few of us actually own either format yet. This is definitely related to the high prices and growing pains early adopters are subject to but the fact is neither one is available in significant quantities yet. As more manufacturers prepare to jump in to the battle this holiday season they may not be able to because of their shared reliance on blue lasers. Only a few companies worldwide produce them and none have been able to get very good yields. Even Sony, who produces blue lasers for themselves and others, has predicted a shortage as they seek to roll out the Playstation 3 and BDP-S1 and according to this article, have suspended shipments to others. For manufacturers who have to rely on someone else for a supply, this could mean a delay until 2007 before many players and drives are launched.
