QNAP Systems, Inc. partnered with Vinpower Digital, a leading supplier in Optical Disc hardware and media solutions, to integrate Vinpower's industrial-grade blu-ray optical disc drive for the TVS-882BR Blu-ray NAS series, allowing users to write NAS-based content directly onto CD, DVD, or Blu-ray optical discs as an additional back-up solution.

The TVS-882BR series provides an excellent solution for storing large amount of digital contents and allows for easy sharing through a network. However, it's always recommended to follow a "3-2-1" rule when storing digital content. The "3-2-1" rule represents having at least three copies of your data, of which two should be stored on two different media and one backup copy should be kept offsite. This rule is specifically designated for protecting against natural disasters that could potentially destroy all property and data stored in an affected region. That is why QNAP had the foresight to also include a Blu-ray writer drive onto theTVS-882BR Blu-ray NAS series.

Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. today unveiled its new internal BD/DVD/CD writer, the BDR-211UBK. The new model supports Ultra HD Blu-ray1 playback using bundled CyberLink PowerDVD14 software. The market for 4K resolution is expected to expand significantly as demand increases for definition higher than full HD. The BDR-211UBK meets that need, enabling PC users to enjoy 4K content via a PC, as well as providing up to 16x² maximum BD-R writing speed (BD-R: SL 25GB) and the ability to read and write a variety of BD (SL 25GB/DL 50GB) and BDXL (BD-R XL: TL 100GB/ QL 128GB, BD-RE XL: TL 100GB) discs.

Other World Computing (OWC), a leading zero emissions Mac and PC upgrade and storage technology company has upgraded the OWC Mercury Pro External Blu-ray Optical Drive to professional grade 16X BD-R write speeds, 128 GB BDXL compatibility, and high-speed USB 3.0 connectivity.

Read and Write Double, Triple, Quad Layer BD-R Discs
In addition to single and double layer BD-R discs, the Mercury Pro External offers expanded support for up to 100 GB of data on triple layer BDXL-R/BDXL RE discs and up to 128 GB on quad layer BDXL-R discs. For comparison, 128 GBs of data on a single quad layer BDXL disc is the equivalent of 27 standard DVDs or five single layer Blu-ray discs.

Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. today officially released its BDR-XS05 slot loading BD/DVD/CD burner, which can be used in a horizontal or vertical (standing up) position to save on desk space. The slot loading mechanism on the BDR-XS05 adds elegance and a differentiating style to conventional tray or clamshell drives, and is intended for discerning consumers opting for a device that combines technology, performance and great cosmetic appeal.

The versatile and slim BDR-XS05 supports all BDXL discs and includes CyberLink software for Blu-ray and DVD playback, video editing and authoring, and data/file storage. In addition, the drive offers USB 3.0 connectivity for high speed read and write performance.

Pioneer Japan announced the BDR-XU02J, a device it claims to be the slimmest Blu-ray XL writer in the world. It keeps fit thanks to its slot-loading mechanism, instead of a tray-loading one. It measures 133 x 133 x 12 mm (WxDxH), weighing about 250 g. Pioneer includes a stand to let you stack it vertically. The drive uses the USB 2.0 interface, with a single cable handling both power and connectivity. The BDR-XU02J writes single- and double-layer BD-R discs at 6X, triple- and quad-layer ones at 4X, BD-R (LtH) at 6X, BD-RE at 6X, multi-layer BD-RE at 2X, DVDs up to 8X, and CDs up to 24X. It includes DiXiM BD Burner 2013 disc writing software. It is slated for May 2013.

In addition to the two, 16x drives mentioned earlier, I-O will next month be releasing a third Blu-ray writer, a portable model dubbed BRP-U6DM2. This one measures 137 x 154 x 20 mm, it weights 630 grams, has USB 2.0 connectivity, a built-in cable (that can be tucked inside a cut-out at the back), and it offers writing speeds of up to 6x for BD-R (SL/DL), 4x for BDXL, 2x for BD-RE, 8x for DVD-R/+R/+RW, 6x for DVD-R DL/+R DL/-RW, 5x for DVD-RAM, 24x for CD-R and 16x for CD-RW media.

The BRP-U6DM2 has a one-year warranty and will start shipping in mid-December, priced at about $178.

In addition to cooking up some new platter-based storage, Buffalo has introduced two optical drives capable of burning a Blu-ray disc (BD-R to be exact) at up to 16x speed. Seen below, the BRXL-16FBS-BK (internal, SATA connectivity) and BRXL-16U3 (external, USB 3.0) have support for BDXL discs, and also deliver writing speeds of 12x for BD-R DL, 6x for BDXL, 2x for BD-RE, 16x for DVD-R/+R, 8x for DVD-R DL/+R DL/+RW, 6x for DVD-RW, 5x for DVD-RAM, 48x for CD-R and 24x for CD-RW.

The BRXL-16FBS-BK and BRXL-16U3 cost $255 and $322, respectively, and come with a software bundle which includes PowerDVD10 BD edition, PowerDirector 8 HE, PowerProducer 5, Power2Go 7, PowerBackup 2, InstantBurn 5 and MediaShow 5.

The last among Fujitsu's big Windows 8 product family is the Esprimo all-in-one/desktop series, including three lines: the class-leading Esprimo FH, Esprimo DH desktops, and entry-level Esprimo EH. The Esprimo FH series includes the 23-inch FH98, and 21.5-inch FH56. Both models have similar hardware options, including Core i7-3630QM quad-core processors, 8 GB memory, 3 TB HDD, BDXL drives, IPS LED touchscreens with 1920 x 1080 pixels resolutions, and TV tuners.

The DH series are loaded with conventional desktop hardware, including Core i7-3770 quad-core processor, 8 GB memory, 4 TB HDD, BDXL drives, and a variety of screen size and connectivity options. The Esprimo EH series includes entry-level 20-inch all-in-ones driven by AMD E-1200 APUs, with 4 GB memory, 1 TB HDDs, 1600 x 900 pixels screens, 802.11 b/g/n, gigabit Ethernet, Bluetooth 4.0, and multi-format card readers. The three lines are expected to be launched on October 26.

Fujitsu unveiled a fleet of notebooks beginning with its 13.3-inch Lifebook SH series, driven by Core i5-3210M or Core i3-3110M processors, 8 GB memory, 128 GB SSD or 500 GB HDD, and sized at 316 x 226 x 13.5 ~ 19.9 mm. Moving on, the Lifebook UH series includes 13.3-inch Ultrabooks, driven by Core i5-3427U processors, SSD or HDD storage options, and anodized aluminum unibodies.

Next up is the wide range of Lifebook AH series, which includes mainstream notebooks ranging from 15.6-inch and above (desktop replacements). These models have the luxury of room for quad-core Core i7-3632QM processors, 8 GB memory, 1 TB HDDs, BDXL writers, 1920 x 1080 pixels screens, and a plethora of connectivity options including USB 3.0, 802.11 b/g/n, gigabit Ethernet, TV tuners, etc. A typical model measures 374.4 x 249.7 x 12.6 ~ 20.8 mm. The Lifebook AH is slated for November 2.

Here are the first pictures of Toshiba's first all-in-one (AIO) desktop under the dynabook REGZA brand, the REGZA PC D732/T9. Built with 23-inch full-HD LED displays, the AIOs come in three color options, black, white, and red. Its clockwork is care of 3rd Generation Intel Core "Ivy Bridge" processors, the Core i7-3610QM with its 2.30 GHz clock speed, and 3.30 GHz Turbo Boost speed, comes standard. Other specifications include 8 GB of dual-channel DDR3 memory, 2 TB of storage, a Blu-ray XL (BDXL) drive, Toshiba Active Display OFF, audio device featuring SRS Premium Sound 3D, a digital TV tuner; and other connectivity options that include USB 3.0, HDMI, gigabit Ethernet, 802.11 b/g/n, and SD card reader. Prices start at 210,000 JPY (US $2,655).

Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. today unveiled the BDR-2207, Pioneer's most powerful and full-featured drive. The internal SATA drive can read and write to all BDXL disc formats, including BD-R and BD-RE triple-layer 100 GB media, BD-R quad-layer 128 GB media, as well as conventional recordable Blu-ray Disc (single-layer 25 GB media and dual-layer 50 GB media). In addition, the drive features PowerRead and Pioneer's PureRead2, Auto Quiet mode, QuickStart, and Peak Power Reducer technologies.

The BDR-2207 is packaged with CyberLink software that gives users the ability to play standard Blu-ray and Blu-ray 3D titles on correctly configured computers, as well as author and record high-definition Blu-ray Disc content and standard-definition DVD content.

Closely trailing I-O Data, Buffalo Japan launched its portable Blu-ray XL writer drive, the BRXL-14U3. The drive implements USB 3.0 to ensure there are no bandwidth bottlenecks to affect buffer overrun protection, which writing discs at high speeds. Speaking of speeds, this drive is capable of writing BD-R single layer at 14X, double-layer BD-R at 12X, triple/quadruple-layer BDXL-R at 6X, and BD-RE XL at 2X. It features DTCP-enabled disc writing, with its bundled Buffalo DiXiM BD Burner 2011 software. Cyberlink-made Blu-ray 3D playback software is included. Slated for late-April, the BRXL-14U3 is priced at 23,205 JPY (US $286).

I-O Data also released a unique external Blu-ray XL writer drive that takes advantage of the USB 3.0 interface to make sure there are no buffer errors when burning discs at high speeds. The BRD-UT14X from I-O Data burns single-layer BD-R at 14X, double-layer BD-R at 12X, triple and quadruple-layer BDXL-R at 6X, single-layer BD-RE at 8X, double-layer BD-RE at 6X, and reads Blu-ray discs at speeds up to 12X. Depending on their type, DVDs are written at speeds up to 16X. The drive has 4 MB of cache memory. Measuring 158 x 220 x 50 mm (WxDxH), it weighs about 1.2 kg. For power, it relies on an external power brick. It will be priced at 19,845 JPY (US $245).

Following on Buffalo's footsteps, I-O Data is coming up with its own internal optical drive capable of writing Blu-ray discs at up to 14x speeds. Dubbed BRD-S14X, the burner in question takes up one 5.25-inch bay, it has SATA connectivity, 4 MB of buffer memory, and offers writing speeds of 14x for BD-R SL (single-layer), 12x for BD-R DL, 6x for BDXL (3/4-layer), 2x for BD-RE, 16x for DVD-R/+R, 8x for DVD-R/+R DL/+RW, 6x for DVD-RW, 5x for DVD-RAM, 48x for CD-R and 24x for CD-RW.

The BRD-S14X comes with a one-year warranty and costs $162. Availability is slated for March 31st.

In addition to the 14x flagship mentioned earlier, Buffalo is also readying the release of another Blu-ray writer, a portable model known as BRXL-CSPI6U2-BK. Set for a late March arrival, the new, external drive measures 133 x 15 x 133 mm, it weights 240 grams, it features USB connectivity (dual cables are available), and offers write speeds of up to 6x for BD-R SL/DL, 4x for BDXL, 2x for BD-RE/BDXL RE, 8x for DVD-R/+R/+RW, 6x for DVD-R/+R DL/-RW, 5x for DVD-RAM, 24x for CD-R and 16x for CD-RW.

The BRXL-CSPI6U2-BK will cost $258.

Buffalo Inc. has today announced the world's fastest internal Blu-ray writer, a drive called BRXL-14FBS-BK which is capable of burning single-layer BD-R discs at up to 14x speed. Seen below, Buffalo's new optical drive has a SATA interface, it takes up one 5.25-inch bay, and also offers writing speeds of 12x for BD-R DL, 6x for BDXL, 2x for BD-RE, 16x for DVD-R/+R, 8x for DVD-R/+R DL/+RW, 6x for DVD-RW, 5x for DVD-RAM, 48x for CD-R and 24x for CD-RW.

The BRXL-14FBS-BK is bundled with DiXiM BD Burner 2011 and a heap of CyberLink software (PowerDVD 10, PowerDirector 8 HE, PowerProducer 5, Power2Go 7, InstantBurn 5, PowerBackup 2, MediaShow 5) and is scheduled to ship (in Japan) at the end of this month priced at about $232.

LG Electronics has just announced the European arrival of its slim and curvy BP40NS20 optical drive which is capable of writing Blu-ray discs at up to 6x speeds. Seen below, LG's external Blu burner features 3D Blu-ray and BDXL support, an anti-scratch UV coating, a USB 2.0 interface, 4 MB of buffer memory, the Silent Play technology for reducing noise during movie playback, and the Jamless Play function which smoothes out playback of damaged discs.

The BP40NS20 also has LightScribe support and offers writer speeds of up to 6x for BD-R, 2x for BD-RE, 8x for DVD-R/+R/+RW, 6x for DVD-RW, 5x for DVD-RAM,, and 24x for CD-R/CD-RW. The drive can be found on sale at 109 Euro.

Pioneer is working on a new Blu-ray disc writer, the BDR-S07, capable of writing 100 GB Blu-ray XL (BDXL) discs at speeds of up to 6X. The drive burns more conventional BD-R double-layer and single-layer discs at speeds up to 12X. BD-R LtH are written at 6X; single, double, and triple-layer BD-RE discs are written at 2X. The drive is built in the conventional tray-loading 5.25" form-factor, supporting the SATA interface. It comes in three variants that differ only with their bezels: BDR-S07-BK has a piano-black bezel, the BDR-S07-KR has a matte-black bezel, and the BDR-S07-W has a matte-white bezel. These drives will be priced at 25,000 JPY (US $328).

Today Pioneer revealed to the world its newest optical drive, the slim (0.55-inch thick) and light (~ 240 grams) BDR-XD04 external Blu-ray writer boasting support for triple-layer and quad-layer BDXL discs.

The BDR-XD04 has a USB 2.0 interface and features 4 MB of buffer memory, the PowerRead and PureRead2+ technologies for smooth video and audio playback, an Auto Quiet Mode that minimizes its operating noise, plus a manual eject lever. The drive also offers write speeds of up to 6x for BD-R(-DL), 4x for BD-R TL/QL, 2x for BD-RE, 8x for DVD-R/+R/+RW, 6x for DVD-R DL/+R DL/-RW, 5x for DVD-RAM, and 24x for CD-R/RW media.

The Pioneer BDR-XD04 is bundled with CyberLink's PowerDVD 10 BD3D, PowerDirector 9 and Power2Go 7 and is set to become available as of mid-January priced at $150.

Pioneer announced a new internal SATA Blu-ray disc burner drive in Japan, that's capable of burning Blu-ray XL (BDXL) discs at speeds of 6X. Carrying the model number BDR-207JBK, the drive can burn double-layer BD-R discs at 12X, and quad-layer BDXL discs at 6X. The drive features a few of Pioneer's proprietary technologies, PureRead2 and Peak Power Reducer. Slated for market availability in January, the Pioneer BDR-207JBK internal SATA Blu-ray disc burner is priced at 18,000 JPY (about US $231).

Japanese company I-O Data unveiled its latest portable Blu-ray drive, the BRP-U6XE, which is capable of writing the new BDXL format, with disc capacities of up to 100 GB. Measuring 137 x 154 x 20 mm, the drive relies entirely on USB 2.0 for its connectivity. Its USB cable is built into it, and is retractable. Corel WinDVD BD3D and Nero Express Essentials come bundled.

The drive is capable of burning single and double layer BD-R discs at 6X, triple and quadruple layer (BDXL) BD-R discs at 4X, BD-RE at 2X, DVD-R/+R and DVD+RW at 8X, DVD-R/+R double-layer and DVD-RW at 6X, DVD-RAM at 5X, CD-R at 24X, and CD-RW at 16X. Backed by a one-year warranty, the I-O Data BRP-U6XE is priced at about $233.

I-O Data unveiled its own external, and portable Blu-ray XL (BDXL) disc writer drive. This release comes shortly after Buffalo announced such a drive. The BRP-U6X from I-O Data measures 137(W)x 154(D)x 20(H) mm, weighing 620 g (incl. the 320 g AC adapter). It can burn 100/128 GB BDXL discs at speeds of up to 4X, and BD-R/R, DL and LTH discs at up to 6X speeds. And of course, the various kinds of DVDs and CDs can be burned at speeds typical of notebook disc burners. The drive connects to the host over a single USB 2.0 cable, it takes in power using an AC adapter. The drive is priced at 23,205 JPY (about US $284).