Hitachi today announced another step forward in packing more data into the same sized hard disks with what is now the world’s smallest read-head technology for hard disks. While others (Hitachi themselves included) are starting to turn to solid state drives or hybrid drives with advantages of moving parts, faster response times and less power consumption, Hitachi continues to make advances on the HDD front stating it continues to provide a better capacity to cost ratio than other technologies.

Today Hitachi has announced two new Blu-ray disc camcorders which they are calling the worlds first camcorders that can record high-definition video to Blu-ray. Both camcorders have the ability to record full high-definition video directly to a single-side, single-layer Blu-ray disc giving up to one hour of 1920×1080 resolution video on the disc.

The DZ-BD7H model is actually a “hybrid” camcorder with the ability to record the high-definition video to either the Blu-ray disc or an internal 30GB hard drive which can hold up to four hours of the 1920×1080 high-def video. Once recorded onto the hard drive the camera itself can transfer the video onto the Blu-ray disc without the need for any external components.

Both cameras have all the same features but the DZ-BD70 model does not have the internal HDD and has only the Blu-ray disc. Both Hitachi Blu-ray camcorders make use …

Hitachi has been busy this week showcasing their Fall 2007 line up of plasma displays for the masses. These models range in size from 50- to 60-inches and price from around $3,000 to $8,000.

The most impressive of the models Hitachi is preparing is a 60-inch Director’s Series plasma (P60X901). This model, like select others in the new plasma line up, comes loaded with cutting edge viewing technologies. These include, in a nut shell, 1920 x 1080 resolution, 2-million pixels and something the company is calling Reel60. This last feature is designed to “accurately and automatically eliminates the jittery or stuttering visual effect called ‘judder’ which results from outdated methods for 3:2 pulldown correction (i.e. converting from 24 frames used in film to 60 frames used in television).”

I always like other nice touches like stylish looks, a remote control with glow in …

When the CeBIT show arrives in Hannover, Germany later this week one of the must-see pieces of hardware will be Hitachi-LG Data Storage’s first dual Blu-ray/HD-DVD internal drive for PCs. This baby was just announced and bears the swank product name of GGW-H10N Super Multi Blue. It can read, record and re-write CDs, DVDs, play and record single and dual-layered Blu-ray discs (4x or 3.5x speeds) and play HD-DVDs (no record on those babys just yet.)

The Super Multi Blues will start arriving in stores sometime in May, and as is always the case for first gen new product, expect to pay a lot for the privilege of being the only person on your block…or your neighborhood…or your city…that has one. How much? How does around $1,200 sound to you?

Gizmowatch

Today Hitachi has announced that it will be the industries first in the world to offer a 1 terabyte hard drive. The 1,000 GB drive (for those having trouble with the metric system) will be available to retail consumers in the first quarter of this year, and will come under the name ‘Deskstar 7K1000′ retailing for $399. Hitachi states that the 40 cents per gig (for those having trouble with the math) will make the larger capacity an accessible price for more customers.

This announcement comes within hours of Seagate’s announcement of also offering a 1 TB drive sometime during the first half of this year. Seagate did not have specifics as to a release time or price and since missed out on the race to be the first.

“The industry’s first one-terabyte hard drive represents a milestone that is …

Not long after Seagate announced its disc level security encryption, Hitachi was right behind them unveiling new 2.5 inch notebook drives for 2007 that have greater capacities, require less power due to flash memory utilization, and have encryption security right on the disk.

The encryption, similar to what is being done with disk level encryption by Seagate, happens right on the disk which allows it to be “bound” with a device and helps avoid having data stolen or lost since it encrypted at the disk level and doesn’t need an application to implement it.

Hitachi is also increasing the total drive capacity on their notebook hard drives starting in 2007. The company will be coming out with increased capacities of 200GB and 250GB for the 2.5″ drives. By the end of 2007 Hitachi says they could be looking at creating notebook drives with …