Blu-ray Guide
05/11/2007
Toshiba writes High Definition content to DVD

The Toshiba Vardia RD-A301 is the first digital Recorder to support "HD Rec", a format for recording High Definition (HD) to conventional DVD discs. "HD Rec" has been created to offer a simple method for recording HD and SD broadcasts to standard DVD.

The Vardia's appeal however, is that this function is just one of many on a highly featured and (as a result) extremely versatile recording device.

With a built-in 300GB hard drive, the Toshiba RD-A301 has the ability to record two digital HD broadcasts simultaneously. In fact, the Vardia supports the recording and playback of broadcasts for HD DVD-R, DVD-R, DVD-RAM and DVD-RW discs.

The Vardia has just a single HDMI output, but it does also come with an Ethernet and S-Video port. The Vardia RD-A301 will retail for the equivalent of around £400 when it becomes available in Japan next month.