14 DAY TRIAL // Hardware makers have been developing portable hard disks for years, but while most such hard drives are just regular storage solutions with support for external connectivity, they don't normally boast any unusual feature, and I-O Data aims to remedy this with the HDPN-U500/V, a HDD capable of video playback, among other things.
The HDPN-U500/V is a portable hard disk drive which has an USB port and, oddly enough, a HDMI connector.
The USB port is in no way surprising, considering that this interface, whether in its 2.0 or 3.0 iteration, is used by the majority of portable HDDs or SSDs.
It is the HDMI port that is uncommon, as it puts the device in the fairly unique position of being able to connect to TVs.
The storage space available on this unit is of 500GB, which is enough to hold a very large number of films or other videos.
Nevertheless, while the HDPN-U500/V is fully capable of communicating with a PC or MAC system without any sort of difficulties, its maker went ahead and added another pair of capabilities.
For one, the USB 2.0 port allows one to copy video directly from Sony Handycam, JCV Everio or Sanyo Xacti camcorders.
But the arguably more interesting part is that, by plugging the HDD into the camcorder and then plugging the HDMI port into the TV, one can play said videos directly from the HDD itself.
Finally, the company built its new electronic with a shock-resistant design, so that simple, accidental drops don't end up rendering it useless.
Unfortunately, I-O Data's latest invention has been announced, for now, only in Japan. There it will be priced at ¥15,330, the equivalent $180, and shipments are only slated to start by the end of September. It is unknown when, if ever, other regions will receive it.