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Sony shipping 50GB dual-layer Blu-ray BD-R discs
While we continue to wait for the first movie release on dual-layer 50GB Blu-ray discs, Sony has announced they are now shipping 50GB BD-R recordable media for use with Blu-ray burners. The 2x media uses their AccuCORE technology to protect it from scratches or warping, and carries a suggested retail price of $48 per disc. This is a win for Blu-ray and its supporters as they're finally delivering on the extra capacity they've promised and it is doubtful HD DVD will ever be able to match -- Microsoft's Amir M. has stated he doesn't expect triple layer HD DVD to be widely adopted -- but due to manufacturing differences between the BD-Rs and commercial Blu-ray discs, we're still left wondering when our MPEG-2 Blu-ray movies will have some room to breathe. One thing is for sure, at $750 for the drive, $50,000 for the software and nearly fifty bucks per single disc this is not for the thrifty.[Thanks, plaque monster]
Canon's iVIS DC22 DVD camcorder
Along with the more notable HV10 high definition model we brought you yesterday, Canon has introduced another new member to its family of iVIS camcorders: the DVD-equipped DC22. Besides its ability to record onto dual-layer, 8-centimeter discs, there's not much that makes this product stand out from the pack; you're getting a 2.7-inch flip out display, 2.2 megapixel CCD, and just a 10x optical zoom -- far less than many other Canon cams on the market. Still, they're not asking you to pay through the nose for this one either -- it'll go for about 90,000 yen ($785) when it drops in Japan sometime this month.[Via Fareastgizmos]
Mitsubishi's 30GB dual-layer HD DVD-R media ready in July
So you're thinking of picking up Toshiba's new RD-A1 HD DVD / HDD recorder when it's released on the 14th of July? Nice, only thing is, if you're planning on burning to those supported 30GB HD DVD discs you'll need some media first. Fortunately, Mitsubishi also announced the first dual-layer HD DVD-R discs this morn' set to drop in Japan at the "end of July" for an estimated ¥4,500 (or about $39); hot on the heels of that ¥2,000 (or about $17) single-layer disc's July 5th drop date. Yeah, that's not quite up the 50GB capacity of dual-layer BD, but hey, you've got a 1TB drive in that beast so quit complaining.[Via Impress]
Sony ships 25GB Blu-ray recordables; 50GB to come in June
Lest anyone question their position as king of the Blu-ray mountain, Sony has announced that it has started shipping single-layer 25GB Blu-ray discs, and will begin follow up with 50GB discs in June. Yes, we know that TDK has already announced their own dual-layer discs (and is even working on eight layer 200GB versions), but it looks like Sony may just get their 50 giggers out the door first. Pricing is set at about $20 per disc for the single-layer version and $48 for the 50GB discs. Yes, that's right. The higher-capacity disc will have a higher per-GB price than the single-layer version. Such is the price for burning on the cutting-edge (and, no, we're not even going to try to visualize that horribly mixed metaphor).
Apple introduces 17-inch MacBook Pro
At least the Apple Store wasn't down this time for too long: today, Apple introduced the 17" MacBook Pro with an Intel Core Duo processor. It's lost .1 lb, now weighing a mere 6.8 lb, and also features a built-in iSight, Front Row and MagSafe - just like its 15" little brother. The new 17" MacBook Pro comes with a 2.16 Intel Core Duo processor, a 667 MHz front-side bus, a 36% brighter display, 1 GB of DDR2 RAM, a 120 GB 5400-rpm SATA drive (standard), a 256 MB ATI Mobility Radeon X1600 card and - get this: an 8x double-layer SuperDrive, one FireWire 400, one FireWire 800, and three USB 2.0 ports. I guess they had some extra room to work with in the 17" to fit in those extra features that the 15" MacBook Pro lost. The 17" MacBook Pro sells for $2799 and will begin shipping next week.
Toshiba's Qosmio F30 and Dynabook SS MX, CX, TX, and AX laptops
Toshiba blasted us with a heap of new additions to their Dynabook and Qosmio line-up of laptops today. Let's start with the Qosmio F30/695LS Core Duo T2300 (1.66GHz) which features a bright 15.4-inch, 1280 x 800 (WXGA) LCD to check the teevee pumped out those integrated analog and digital terrestrial TV tuners. The F30 also features 160GB of storage for TV recording fun, up to 2GB RAM, nVIDIA GeForce Go 7600 graphics, 802.11a/b/g WiFi, fingerprint scanner, shock protection, and harmon/kardon's bass reflex speaker system already spotted on the G35. Next up is the new 1.9-kg Dynabook SS MX/395LS which also packs a Core Duo T2300 but delivers on a 12.1-inch WXGA LCD with 80GB disk, a dual-layer DVD burner, 512MB RAM, and 802.11a/b/g WiFi and goes 5.2-hours on a single charge. The compact, 2.5-kg Dynabook CX/875LS offers a 14.1-inch WXGA display and Core Duo T2300, harmon/kardon's speakers, and dual-layer DVD burner we've seen before. Rounding things out are the "high-grade standard" TX/880LS and budget AX/40LS which both offer 15.4-inch displays with the TX going Core Duo T2300 and 120GB disk while the AX manages to slip-in Celeron M 370 and dual-layer DVD burner on the cheap. Looks like all the models will be shipping no later than the 28th of this month. Big snaps of the SS MX and F30 after the break.[Via Akihabara News]
