Disc burners can only get so small, but Pioneer thinks it has hit the threshold. The company has unveiled the BDR-XD04, the “world’s smallest and lightest portable burner supporting BDXL currently available.” It measures only 5.2 inches by 5.2 inches, is only half an inch thick and weighs about half a pound. If you record at slower speeds, the unit can also be entirely powered by USB.It can read and write to all BDXL formats (DVD and CD too), and watch films and discs as well.
“As the popularity of drive-less ultrabooks continues to rise, the BDR-XD04 becomes the ideal accessory because of its compact size and portability,” said Steven Cohn, director of Optical Sales for the Home Electronics Industrial Department at Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. “There’s a growing need for a drive that’s highly transportable for playing CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray discs, as well as for storing valuable personal files on a secure, removable medium.”
Indeed. Most new Ultrabooks and laptops are ridding themselves of bulky disc drives entirely. This trend began with the netbook and accelerated with the success of Apple’s super-thin MacBook Air.
For a more detailed look at the capabilities of Pioneer’s new Blu-ray burner and player, check out the official press release. The drive will launch in mid January and cost about $150. We’ll be covering Pioneer’s CES press conference on Monday, so stay tuned for updates.
