Toshiba's RD-A1 Hard Disk Recorder with HD DVD is World's First

[Sean Mota]

Toshiba's RD-A1 Hard Disk Recorder with HD DVD is World's First
by Shane Sturgeon

Excerpt:
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Toshiba Corporation today unveiled the future of home video entertainment in an age of digital, high definition content: the world's first digital hard disk video recorder integrating a recordable HD DVD in combination with a 1-terabyte (TB) hard disk. The new "RD-A1" can record and store up to 130 hours of high-definition (HD) broadcasts on its high capacity hard disk and record up to 230 minutes of HD content to a single HD DVD disc.
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Full Bulletin: http://www.hdtvmagazine.com/news/2006/06/toshibas_rd-a1.php

 

[Sean Mota]

Well this is what I want to wait for. Forget about everything else.... I will gladly pay money for something like this.

 

[teamerickson]

Looks sweet. To bad it only records in MPEG2.

 

[emtownsend]

Looks like it supports 1080p also....
No mention of a price either that I saw. I bet it costs the bomb.
The video quality should be nice. It is using a 14bit video DAC. (Is this not so impressive when talking about HD-DVD?)

 

[teamerickson]

In a similar article the conversion rate was priced around $3500. Yikes!

 

[Sean Mota]

if that is the estimated price... I'll take it back.... I'll wait until it is under $500

 

[teamerickson]

Here's the link. I stand corrected, the conversion price is $3466!

 

[Sean Mota]

That price is insane:down:river .....Even if it can do this: :river

The new Toshiba machine is capable of storing up to 130 hours of high-definition terrestrial digital broadcasting programmes on its hard disk and up to 230 minutes of programmes with the same quality on a dual-layer 30-gigabyte HD DVD disc.

 

[T2k]

This is ridiculous: you can already record OTA HD, the only difference here is the recorder.
This is nothing but a disgusting grab attempt - 1TB of disc space doesn't cost more than $500, a capture card is around $100, rest of them basic electronics plus a recorder - even with very high profit margin it still shouldn't be over ~$1,500...

 

[vurbano]

This is ridiculous: you can already record OTA HD, the only difference here is the recorder.
This is nothing but a disgusting grab attempt - 1TB of disc space doesn't cost more than $500, a capture card is around $100, rest of them basic electronics plus a recorder - even with very high profit margin it still shouldn't be over ~$1,500...

Someone write this day on the calander because I agree with T2K.

 

[teamerickson]

I wonder if you could record a HD DVD to the hard drive and then burn it to an HD DVD-R?

 

[vurbano]

I wonder if you could record a HD DVD to the hard drive and then burn it to an HD DVD-R?

with the right ripping software and a HD DVD burner you could do it on a PC Im sure for a hell of a lot less money.

 

[rockaway1836]

Someone write this day on the calander because I agree with T2K.[/QUOTE

OMG! This must mean there's a chance for peace in the Middle East

 

[Ilya]

RD-A1 is for Japan only!

Toshiba has no intention of shipping the new machine, RD-A1, outside Japan and aims to sell 10,000 units by December.
The company aims to eventually offer HD DVD recorders with a hard disk drive in overseas markets but currently has no concrete plans.

source