Toshiba to launch RD-A1, the world's first HD DVD recorder

Toshiba has announched the launch of its first HD DVD recorder, the RD-A1, in Japan.

Toshiba has announced that it will launch the first high-definition optical HD DVD recorder on July 14, in Japan. Called RD-A1, the recorder will provide a 1-terabyte hard disk and two TV tuners for digital and analog. The RD-A1 can record two programs at the same time. In March, Toshiba has launched the first HD DVD player.

The RD-A1 provides support for recording to 15 GB-single layer and 30GB dual-layer HD DVD-R discs, that can store HD material for up to 115 minutes and 230 minutes, respectively.

Apart from HD-DVD, the RD-A1 supports DVD-RAM, DVD-R, DVD-RW formats.

The RD-A1 outputs images via the digital HDMI connection at 1080p resolution and provides Internet connectivity via Toshiba's Net de Navi software. It enables existing DVD titles to be converted to HD resolution. The RD-A1 supports Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby True HD, and DTS-HD codecs.

You can control the RD-A1 remotely through e-mail over the Internet or by using an online electronic programming guide.

Recently, Sony and Samsung launched the rival Blu-ray format in the US. Toshiba's high-defintion HD DVD optical disc technology competes with the Blu-ray format. Right now a full-scale war between the two formats is being played out, with no unified format that can be used. In both the formats, the core is blue lasers that have a shorter wavelength than the red lasers that are usually used in DVDs. The shorter wavelength enables discs to store data at higher densities that is required for high-definition programmes.

The RD-A1 will be priced at 98,000 Yen in Japan or $3,466. As of now, Toshiba has no plans to sell the RD-A1 outside Japan. The company is looking at selling 10,000 units of RD-A1 by December. However, it will eventually look at the overseas market. Many feel that the product will definitely hit the US markets soon as there is a huge demand for the product.