The BDXL format that can store upwards of 100GB in a single disc has been around since last year, so they aren’t necessarily “new,” but they’re certainly rare. They’re also certainly awesome if you’re into saving every darn TV show that’s on your weekly schedule, since the high-capacity format will allow you to save hours of high-quality 1080p video on a single disc. The format just got a lot better recently, after Panasonic announced the LM-BE100J BDXL Blu-ray discs. They’re basically triple-layer BDXLs that can store 100GBs of data (or up to 12 hours’ worth of high-quality video), and it’s rewritable, which technically makes these BD-RE XL discs. Anyway, the key here is the rewritable part. That’s a pretty handy feature in case you don’t have 12 hours of video to record right now, but you just want to save whatever you have to a disc while waiting for, say, a TV series’ season to end.
If you’re a 3D movie collector, then Avatar has got to be high on your wish list. Actually, it’s on everyone’s 3D movie wish list, since it’s pretty good. Problem is, Panasonic scored the exclusive rights to distribute the movie until February of 2012, which makes it a bit difficult to get a copy of the 3D version. Simply put, it’s out there but you’re going to have to buy a Panasonic Viera 3D TV to get it off a bundle if you want a copy right now, or you can wait for the regular release when Panny’s deal expires in early 2012.
The 3D-capable Samsung LED HDTV series, made up of the LED7000, LED8000, and flagship LED9000 (a.k.a. “the 0.3-inch HDTV that comes with the really awesome remote”), will start shipping by March… at least in the UK, according to the announcement made during Samsung’s 2010 Forum in Vienna.
Ok, lots of players can actually flash a polite “Hello” when switched on (and unlike you, they never forget to say “goodbye” when turned off), but LG’s new flagship Blu-ray player does bring a few new features to the table. Besides its programmed politeness, the BD590 is listed as the only BD player to pack an integrated 250GB hard drive. As a bonus, it also comes with a connection to Vudu’s online service and a CD-ripping function.
Universal Studios Home Entertainment has announced that they’ll be releasing dual-format discs that contain both Blu-ray and DVD versions of their best titles. Built under the BD-59 spec, the new flipper discs combine a 50GB dual-layer Blue-ray format on one side and a 9GB dual-layer DVD format on the other.
