Sharp introduces into the Japanese market the BD-HP1 Blu-ray Disc Player, which has a Hybrid Recording function that works with the AQUOS LCD TV iLink connection to allow recording of high-definition programs on Blu-ray Disc.

With the ability to record high-definition images from video software and digital broadcasting sources and give high-definition, high-resolution images and high sound quality superior to that of DVD, the Blu-ray Disc is expected to become an indispensable part of the high-definition equation.

The BD-HP1 is one more way to enjoy the AQUOS Fami-link, a setup that combines the AQUOS LCD TV and AV equipment to provide entertainment. This player is installed with the industry’s first Hybrid Recording function, allowing users to record high-definition programs received by the AQUOS’ digital tuner through i.LINK. The player also has the Easy BD Dubbing function, which allows users to transfer programs recorded by an existing AQUOS HD Recorder to Blu-ray Disc without losing the high-definition quality. Sharp is promoting this player as a new product genre that enables users to easily record onto Blu-ray Discs from the AQUOS LCD TV and the AQUOS HD Recorder.

The BD-HP1 is just the beginning of a string of products that Sharp will bring out to give consumers new ways to enjoy high-definition images by combining Blu-ray Discs with the AQUOS LCD TV. Sharp announced the date of introduction: March 20, 2007, and the monthly production: 3,000 units.

The player will be able to record BD-RE Ver. 2.1 single-layer disc. It will support discs: BD video, BD-RE Ver. 2.1 single-layer, BD-R Ver. 1.1 single-layer, DVD video, DVD±RW/±R (video format finalized), DVD-RAM, standard audio CDs, CD-RW/-R (audio CD format). The BD-HP1 will use MPEG2 as recording compression method and MPEG2 AAC for audio.

For terrestrial digital broadcast HD, the recording time on a 25GB Blu-ray Disc is approx. 3 hours (at approx. 17Mbps). For digital broadcast HD, 2 hours 10 minutes (at approx. 24Mbps).

The external dimensions of Sharp’s BD-HP1 are 434 x 343 x 68 mm (17.1″ x 13.5″ x 2.7″) (W x D x H). Its weight is 4.4 kg (9.7 lbs) and power consumption, 30 W (0.8 W in standby).