If you're one of those who already have a high end home theatre PC with a HDCP compliant graphics card and HDTV set, but don't want to fork out $800+ on a dual format Blu-ray / HD DVD player nor have two extra boxes under the TV, Addonics has announced its Zebra Blu-ray / HD DVD external optical drive, retailing from US$409.  This drive hooks up to a PC or laptop via USB or eSATA depending on the model and is bundled with Cyberlink's High-Def Suite for playback. 

The drive comes in a choice of two versions - one with an eSATA interface and the other with a combination of an eSATA and USB 2.0 interface.  It features 6x BD-ROM, 3x HD DVD-ROM, 16x DVD-ROM and 40x CD-ROM read performance.  It also functions as a DVD±R/RW and CD-R/RW burner.  The external drive is 10.16 x 6.61 x 2.36 inches (25.8 x 16.8 x 6 cm) and weighs 3.72 lbs (1.69kg). 

The drive is available with an manufacturer's suggested retail price of US$409 with the eSATA interface or $429 with a combination of eSATA and USB 2.0 interfaces. 

Further info can be read in this source Business Wire Press Release.