LaCie (http://www.lacie.com) has announced the LaCinema Rugged, which
the company says is the first multimedia hard disk with HDMI
connection. Mirroring the functionality and mobility of the Rugged
drive, LaCinema Rugged provides the convenience of a centralized
media library with a graphical interface and a remote control.
Designed by Neil Poulton, the Rugged features a scratch-resistant
aluminum shell, internal anti-shock absorbers, and a shock-resistant
rubber bumper to better protect media files against everyday
blunders. Compatible with both Mac and Windows environments, the USB
2.0 interface connects to the computer for multimedia loading. Once
the data is transferred to the portable drive it is ready to be
viewed on any display, where the user’s media can be accessed through
an HDMI connection or legacy composite video connection.
Optimized viewing through HDMI 1080i upscaling will allow you to play
back videos on your HDTV or enjoy photos in clear HD resolution. In
addition to the multimedia features, the LaCinema Rugged functions as
an external hard drive.
The LaCie LaCinema Rugged is available through the LaCie Online Store
and LaCie resellers at the suggested retail price starting at US$199.