LaCie Adds High Definition Its LaCinema Rugged HD

LaCie has added high definition output to its LaCinema Rugged HD portable hard drive/media player, so users can pack up their HD video and push it out to any HDTV.

Storage and peripheral maker LaCie continues to push into the digital media space and finding new ways to differentiate its hard drive and storage offerings from the competition. One example of that is the LaCie LaCinema series, which aim to function as media vaults rather than merely conventional storage: users plop their digital video onto the drive, then connect the drives directly to a television or other video output device for playback—no computer or convoluted media management required. LaCie’s new LaCinema Rugged HD adds to the appeal by offering high-definition output: now users can hook up the tiny portable hard drive to any HDTV with an HDMI input and watch high-def content.

“When it comes to viewing High Definition content, it is hard to find a mobile form factor that that doesn’t compromise important features and functionality, like built-in storage, format versatility, and integrated HDMI connectivity,” said LaCie’s multimedia product manager Christelle Dexet, in a statement. “The LaCinema Rugged HD not only provides the ultimate mobile design, but it allows users to store large amounts of HD content and play it wherever they desire.”

The LaCinema Rugged HD offers 500 GB of storage capacity and a USB 2.0 interface for loading up video from Macs, PCs, or Linux systems. The unit also sports an HDMI output and both analog and digital audio outputs for hooking up to an HDTV and/or a home theater system; the unit also comes with a remote control so users can play, pause, and rewind their content from the comfort of living room furniture. The LaCinema Rugged HD supports a variety of video codecs (including MPEG-1, MPEG-2/HD, MPEG-4, XVID, H.264 HD, WMV9, and VC-1) and video formats, along with a variety of audio and image formats. The drive also sports a scratch-resistant aluminum shell, rubber bumpers, and anti-shock components to help it survive life bumping around in a bag or box.

The LaCinema Rugged HD is available now in a 500 GB capacity for a suggested price of $349.99.