We're still not sure if that many people are interested in buying Blu-ray burners yet, but Pioneer just unveiled the first 12x capable drive (up from
8x, and with an 8x read speed that gives us a
great idea for the next PlayStation 3 revision) the BDR-205. Initially rolling out to OEMs this month, this drive couldn't wait for 12x certified discs to exist, though its full speed has been tested on Panasonic and Sony 6x BD-R blanks, "12x writing on all media cannot be guaranteed." Minus that caveat, expect to see these popping up on Newegg and the like any second now, the only price mentioned is for the full retail package BD-2205 coming Q1 2010 for $249.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Bozster @ Sep 30th 2009 2:15PM
I personally don't care about any burner these days because it's just a a waste of money buying DVDs and Blu-ray to backup when I can get a 1TB drive for $75 and have super fast access, ability to erase content or update etc.
Blu-ray in general is already obsolete, as is DVD in terms of recording. I sure ain't gonna burn 30 Blu-ray discs to archive one hard drive. LOL. And the sizes and speed of hard drives will keep going up in size super fast which even further makes these burners a waste of money.
Optical is ancient history. Who's gonna shell out $250 for an optical media burner and then later they have to pay an arm for the media at measly 50gb? Crazy.
EatingPie @ Sep 30th 2009 3:25PM
Ars Technica just ran an article about the future of optical. There is a certain market for high capacity, long lasting data storage that magnetic media does not address. Though BD needs to get out their proposed 200GB (and higher) discs to meet this need.
Whenever I buy a new HDD, I actually buy two of the same capacity. One for storage, one for backup. It is very convenient.
However, that's not to say this technology is dead by any means.
The biggest issue is burning ripped Blu-rays, or burning data discs of HD content. While computer geeks are happy searching their HDDs for content, the average person wants to pull a clearly labeled disc off the shelf and put in the machine and play it. My family has no idea how to find, access and stream my many terabytes of HD content. If I had a BD burner, even my youngest child would be able to find whatever movie she wanted to watch.
-Pie
Wes @ Oct 9th 2009 1:37AM
I believe if you family doesn't know how to or cannot find your terabytes of media, you have too much pron you don't want them to find :P or you haven't really tried hard enough to show them or setup a easy user-friendly system.
I'd recommend or consider adding the folders containing your many files to your Windows Media Center library so they can easily browse through it with pictures/photos/etc via a pc or media center extender. There's also a lot of third party programs that exist out there including free options like, My Movies etc. Most of these can even be used to work with media center remotes so its no harder than using their tv remote.
Admittedly, it is work for you but your family is able to enjoy your terabytes of content? Work for you but happiness brought to your family? I think its a fair trade. Mind you, perhaps your too busy as we all get to setup an easy system for your family.
WebDev511 @ Sep 30th 2009 2:34PM
Just checked Newegg. A single 6x dual layer BD-R costs $25. $4 for a single layer 4x isn't as bad, but that's still a lot for write once media. I'd rather fork out the $$ for a DroboPro, load it up with 1 TB drives and rip my HD content to it. If I want to go mobile, I'll just copy the file in question to a 32GB SDHC or Flash drive and be done with it.
Burticus @ Sep 30th 2009 8:17PM
The discs are cheaper in bulk. Fry's usually has a 15 pack on sale for $30-$35 each week.
I bought the LG 8x burner a couple months ago. It will burn 4x media at 6x, but I force it to 4x to avoid any coaster tragedy.
@Bozster = yeah but can you teach your wife how to reliably use a HTPC or other similar device?
darth cardo @ Sep 30th 2009 3:01PM
yeah, both views are valid...but remember there's still a market for HD video content delivery using optical discs like BD/DVD....
like corporate/events videographers...
anyhow BD must lower hardware/media prices ASAP in order to have some chance to exist some 5 years more
Mx @ Sep 30th 2009 3:42PM
thats soooo freaking cheap, i remember buying a DVD burner for $500 dollar, damn it!
Mark @ Sep 30th 2009 3:46PM
call me when BD-R media is $2 or less..that's the only way that makes this burner worth buying.
mchiles @ Sep 30th 2009 7:02PM
Calling Mark.... Last week, I bought a 4x BD-R 10-pack spindle at the local computer store for $19.95. That's below the $2 threshold. I am personally waiting for the BDR-205 to be available. I want one. I wish to offload some of my 8TB of TiVO HD content to Blu-ray. I was going to buy the 8x Pioneer BDR-203, but when I found out last week about the 12x burnerr, I decided to wait a little longer.
Charles @ Sep 30th 2009 11:06PM
I'd like to find cheap Blu-ray media before I invest in a burner as well.
Scouring eBay only led to high priced blanks (~$4 each) even at bulk rates (20 per pack).
Any tips for finding cheap media locally? I don't have a Fry's nearby.
HDTVWill @ Oct 1st 2009 4:11PM
I think this is a great drive to add to any computer. How else are you going to be able to rip blu-ray quality movies onto your computer, or Home Theater Media Center?