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The 100GB BDXL Blu-rays Sharp unveiled today are nice and all, but they’re useless with all Blu-ray recorders that are currently on the market.  That’s why Sharp Japan also announced [press release in English] not one but two new Blu-ray recorders (the BD-HDW700/pictured and BD-HDW70) that will actually support the BDXL format. 

Both devices are compatible with triple-layer Blu-rays (100GB capacity) and even quadruple-layer discs (with up to 128GB capacity).  The recorders were developed by Pioneer Digital Design & Manufacturing Corp, a joint venture of Pioneer Corp and Sharp, which was established last year.  Apart from BDXL, both devices also support 3D Blu-rays (the drive is pictured below). 

Sharp Japan plans to start selling the recorders in Japan on July 30.  Prices: $2,300 for the BD-HDW70 with a built-in 1TB HDD, and $3,500 for the BD-HDW700, which comes with a 2TB HDD.