Electronics manufacturer Sharp has developed two new blue-violet semiconductor lasers for use in Blu-Ray disc burners.

The version to be used in laptop drives has a diameter of 3.3mm while the version for pcs has a diameter of 5.6mm.

The most notable feature that these new lasers have is that they allow dual layer burners to write at speeds of 6X all the while using less energy when operating.

PC and Notebook drives that include the new laser will be priced at 500,000 yen (or approximately $460 US) each. Sharp expects to produce 700,000 units a month.

[source: Slashgear]

At the IFA 2007 Sharp announced their new BD-HP205 Blu-Ray disc player.

The player’s most unique feature is its ability to support discs with BD-Java and therefore make use of their special features. …Continue reading … »