
The Sony VBD-MA1 is an external and autonomous Blu-ray/DVD burner that allows you to record photos and videos to a Blu-ray/DVD disk directly from your camera or camcorder without connecting to your computer. The gadget comes equipped with a built-in 2.7-inch color LCD screen, so you can preview your videos and photos before you press the record button. The Sony VBD-MA1 external Blu-ray/DVD burner will be launched next month in Japan. [Akihabara]

Other World Computing (OWC) has introduced a new member to its Blu-ray burner line-up by launching the Mercury Pro 12x External Blu-Ray Burner. Based on Pioneeer BDR-205 writer, the drive offers four different connection interfaces including FireWire 800, FireWire 400, USB 2.0 and eSATA, an 8MB of buffer memory and provides 12x write speeds for Blu-ray Disc media, 16x for DVD and 40x for CD media. The OWC Mercury Pro 12x retails for $349.99. Read more