BDA member Hitachi had their Blu-ray Disc camcorders, the DZ-BD70A ($1299 MSRP) and the DZ-BD7HA ($1499 MSRP) on display here at CES. Although these models have been out a few months, unfortunately Hitachi did not have any new models or BD players to show.
Both models share a 5.3 megapixel CMOS, full 1920x1080p recording to mini BD-R or BD-RE discs, SD memory card for photos, full sized HDMI output, and the ability to record either HD (on BD-R/RE) or standard (to DVD-R/RW/RAM) video. The DZ-BD7HA adds a 30GB HDD to record and store either format. Although it can record an hour on the 8cm BD-R/REs, you can appreciate how much having the hard drive helps. Both cameras can also download directly to PC via USB 2.0.
Another interesting feature is the ability to capture screen shots directly to the SD card. You can dub down to SD-DVD using the transcoding, and both cameras allow for extended recording time using a 1440x1080i mode. While it is a lower HD resolution, it's still much better than standard DVD.
When asked why Hitachi was not bringing out a BD player, the answer was that Hitachi was still evaluating the market for a BD product with their branding. They are still solidly Blu-ray though, and are quite proud of their BD camcorder solution. While no new models were displayed or discussed, they expect to refresh the product line in time for the 2008 holiday season.
Thought this might make some of u smile, (sorry its nothing to do with the topic)
08 January 2008
Is Paramount Dropping HD-DVD Too?
Look, that man's down! Kick him!
Source: Financial Times
In a further boot to the soft parts of the HD DVD format, The Financial Times is today reporting that Paramount is preparing to withdraw their support for HD DVD and go with Blu-ray instead. That would leave the beleagured hi-definition DVD format with only Universal exclusively on its side and almost certain defeat to Blu-ray.
It was thought that Paramount was locked into an exclusivity contract with HD DVD until the end of 2008, but FT reports that there is a clause in that contract that says Paramount can change sides if Warner Bros withdraw their support for the format.
This is obviously bad news for anyone who's bought a HD DVD player, but should be good news for consumers as a whole. Once the format war is over, then it can be considered 'safe' to invest in the hi-def future and prices should start to come down.
The Blu-ray users in the Empire office will obviously not be taking this as an opportunity to point at our HD DVD adopting colleagues (Chris Hewitt and Nick De Semlyen) and say "HA-HAA". That would be unprofessional and cruel.
BDA member Hitachi had their Blu-ray Disc camcorders, the DZ-BD70A ($1299 MSRP) and the DZ-BD7HA ($1499 MSRP) on display here at CES. Although these models have been out a few months, unfortunately Hitachi did not have any new models or BD players to show.
