SlashGear Japan
Hitachi have announced a new Blu-ray burner that can create discs directly from the latest camcorders sporting eSATA ports. Bypassing the need for a computer, the DZ-WR90 plugs straight into the camcorder – and presumably you’d be using one of Hitachi’s hard-drive based high-definition models, to make the most of Blu-ray’s capacity – and automatically creates discs from the footage you select. It even finalises the discs automatically, making it a complete one-stop solution for anyone wanting a straightforward way to share their video.
The drive also works with DVD-R discs, and can support double-sided media although you’ll have to flip them yourself. Hitachi are claiming a Blu-ray disc will fit around three hours of full 1920 × 1080 footage and burn in 1.5hrs; alternatively, you can fit on up to six hours in 1440 × 1080 resolution. A DVD, meanwhile, can store up to one hour of 720 × 480 footage.
Available in mid-July, Hitachi are yet to announce pricing for the drive. My gut reaction is that most users would be better off with a PC and some basic video editing software, to generally tidy up the video before burning it, but if you’re wanting to leave a disc behind with family or friends – or give someone the raw footage straight away – then I suppose this could come in useful. Hitachi don’t make clear whether the DZ-WR90 can be used as an accessory drive with a computer.
[via Akihabara]
One Response to “Hitachi DZ-WR90 standalone Blu-ray burner for hard-drive camcorders”
Eric May 20, 2008
Not sure what the price is but doesn’t really matter. The cheapest I can find blank Blu Ray discs is $30 a disk. http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/.....ow+to+High
If you want a double layer discs they are $40-$50 a piece and thats only when you buy 50 at a time.
Typical for Sony stuff. Look at memory stick prices vs SD or anything Sony vs the rest of the market. Always more expensive.
I am waiting to jump into Blu Ray because I’m still bitter about buying $ony tech until they get their act together and drop prices. Until then, I’ll let them bask in their victory of having a mainstream home video format as they ruin all of home video. Hooray Blu Ray!
Neutral