Pioneer recently unveiled a new BD/DVD/CD writer - the BDC-202. This things is quite flexible, here’s what it can do:

BD-ROM Read 5X
BD-R/-RE Read 5X
BD-R DL/-RE DL Read 2X
DVD-ROM Read 12X
DVD-RAM Read 5X Write 5X
DVD-R/+R Read 12X Write 12X
DVD-RW/+RW Read 8X Write 6X
DVD-RDL/+RDL Read 8X Write 4X
CD-ROM Read 32X

This drive will be available in the 2nd quarter of 2007.

Pioneer Unveils the BDC-202 Blu-ray Disc Combo Drive

Several computer manufacturers have voiced support for the Blu-ray format, and Dell is one of them. To prove it, they’re releasing a laptop with an included BD drive. The XPS M1710 is a Media Center laptop with a 1920 x 1200 resolution.

It doesn’t come without a cost, however. The 2GB RAM laptop with 100GB HDD costs $4,249.

The big thing, though, is that there’s no HDMI output. That’s a shame - how are you supposed to hook up the laptop to a high-def display?

First Look: Dell XPS M1710 with Blu-ray

On my other site, PS3Blog.net, I’m holding a contest for giving away two HDMI cables. If you’re a Canadian or US resident, check out this opportunity to get a free HDMI cable from eHDMI.com.

PS3Blog.net - Win an HDMI Cable from eHDMI.com

HP has announced a trio of HD DVD PV products.

One: a 17″ widescreen home entertainment laptop.

Two: a media center PC with 7.1 surround sound.

Three: an external HD DVD drive.

It looks like HP has done a big turnaround from their Blu-ray only days!

HP Unveils HD DVD Products