Toshiba launches Blu-ray Disc recorders

Toshiba will launch its first Blu-ray Disc products in the Japanese market: three models of BD recorders, one player and two LCD HDTV/BD Combos.

Introduction of the three BD recorders allows Toshiba to reinforce the breadth of its VARDIA HDD Recorder line-up. The "D-B1005K" has a 1-terabyte (TB) hard drive; the "D-B305K" has a 320GB hard drive; and the "D-BW1005K" is equipped with both a video cassette recorder and a 1TB hard drive. The large capacity drives of the "D-B1005K" and "D-BW1005K", much requested by the market, can record a maximum of 508 hours of high-definition programs.

The three recorders all support REGZA-LINK(R), which allows the remote controller of an HDMI equipped product to control other compatible devices to which it is connected, without any need for additional programming or set-up. This makes it simplicity itself for users of the new recorders to view high-resolution Blu-ray Discs on a HD TV.

The three recorders, and the "SD-BD1K" BD player, will be available from mid February.

The LCD HDTV/BD Combos in the new "R1BDP" series, which are equipped with Blu-ray Disc players, are the latest additions to Toshiba' line of REGZA HD TVs. The "26R1BDP" has a 26-inch wide XGA screen, and the "32R1BDP" has a 32-inch wide XGA screen.

"R1BDP" series allow enjoyment of HD programs and BD and DVD content, and are simple to operate. They also support recording to an external hard drive via USB, allowing users to record digital HD programs to a separately purchased USB hard drive.

The "R1BDP" series allow users to enjoy a wide variety of optical recording media, including BD-ROM (BD-Video), BD-R, BD-RE, DVD-Video, DVD-R, DVD-RW and audio CD. The "R1BDP" series also support BD-LIVE(TM) which allows users to take advantage of interactive features through an internet connection, and BONUS VIEW(TM) which enables picture-in-picture capability. Another distinctive feature, Super Resolution technology, realizes finely-resolved image reproduction.