14 DAY TRIAL // 3D playback may have only just kicked off in popularity, but displays and media players capable of it are rapidly growing in number, so Buffalo decided it would make an external Blu-ray writer that not only supports Blu-ray 3D, but can even convert 2D to 3D when given the necessary software assistance.
As the most capacious means of storing files on optical disks, the Blu-ray disk format has, naturally, become a media for the propagation of 3D video content.
In fact, the recently-released BDXL disks are sure to make it even easier to store multiple 3D films in high quality.
As it happens, there are already a number of 3D-capable multimedia players on the market, among other things, so Buffalo catered to the mobile segment.
Thus, it put together the BP3D-PI6U2-BK, an external Blu-ray writer that, though not BDXL-ready, fully supports Blu-ray 3D and, with the assistance of the CyberLink PowerDVD 9 software, can convert 2D into 3D.
Design-wise, the electronic measures 137 (W) x 20 (H) x 147 (D) mm, weighs 340 grams and has an all-black coating that should let it fit in, aesthetically, with most PCs.
Also, as one may expect, the device connects to laptops and PCs through the USB 2.0 connector.
As for actual performance, the units can read and write a wide variety of optical disks, including CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray disks.
Speeds include 24x for CD-R/-RW, 5x DVD-RAM, 6x for DVD-R/+R DL and DVD-RW, 8x for DVD-R/+R and DVD+RW, 6x for BD-R (SL/DL) and 2x for BD-RE (SL/DL).
The device has already been added to its maker's official website and should reach Japanese stores sometime later this month. The price will be of ¥28,500, which is the equivalent of $338.
There is no way of knowing when, if ever, Buffalo will send this new piece of hardware to other regions.