For our European readers, specifically those living in the United Kingdom, France and Germany, you will be happy to know that Sony is releasing a new 500GB USB 3.0 hard drive known as the HD-PG5U. This new portable drive, which weighs in at just 180g, will not only help fill in the void of available USB 3.0 drives, but also comes with software that is designed to help speed up your USB 2.0 transfers as well. However, the real magic of this drive is revealed when it’s used with other Sony products like a Bravia LCD TV. Once connected to one, you can directly record live television onto the HD-PG5U and plug it into another Sony Bravia for viewing. For owners of Sony’s Handycam lineup, say the recently announced DCR-SX21E and the DCR-SR21E, you can also plug in your camcorder for direct transfer of your footage with no PC in the equation. This is a perfect solution for a long vacation on which you don’t intend to take your computer with you. From there, you can even plug the HD-PG5U into a PS3 to view back your AVCHD footage via the Filmy app. Other little tidbits include a backup software management system for your PC and a 256-bit security software to help safeguard your files against unauthorised access.

No price point has been attached to this USB 3.0 drive yet, but with a mid July release date, expect that information to be coming soon. Sadly, there doesn’t seem to be any news in regards to a US release but that can always change. Hit the jump for the press release from Sony.

 First external hard drives from Sony offer reliable data storage and expanded home entertainment options
12 July 2011

HD-PG5 series drives are compatible with BRAVIA® TV and other devices by Sony

500GB portable external hard drives with stylish design
High-speed transfers via USB3.0 with supplied Data Transfer Accelerator software
Record HDTV programmes from BRAVIA® via USB connection
Direct Copy from Handycam® camcorders (HD-PG5U)
Includes Password Protection Manager, Backup Manager and FAT32 Formatter software

HD-PG5UB hard disk drive
The first ever range of external hard drives from Sony keep your precious data safe, while offering a range of exciting new home entertainment experiences.

With a generous capacity of 500GB, the new HD-PG5 series offers plenty of space to store and safeguard your videos, photos, documents, digital music and more.

The HD-PG5U connects via USB with compatible BRAVIA® models, allowing direct recording of HD television programmes from the TV’s tuner or connected cable/satellite service. The supplied USB adaptor cable also allows easy ‘PC-free’ transfers of video footage from compatible Handycam® camcorders with Direct Copy function, including the new DCR-SX21E and DCR-SR21.

PlayStation®3 users can connect the hard drive via USB and view stored AVCHD videos and photos via the ‘Filmy’ application – with no PC needed.

Available in a choice of black or white finishes and weighing a travel-friendly 180g, the stylish drives co-ordinate beautifully with your PC, BRAVIA® or PlayStation®3. The smoothly-contoured case is finished in a scratch-resistant paint layer that keeps your drive looking good for longer. The minimalist design is enhanced by a single blue LED that indicates drive activity.

Connection to your PC is via a single USB cable, with no separate power adaptor needed. Support for USB 3.0 SuperSpeed assures blazing data transfers up to 3x with compatible PCs. Even if you’re connected via USB 2.0, pre-loaded Data Transfer Accelerator software also doubles effective transfer rates to slash backup times when you’re in a hurry.

All HD-PG5 models are ready to use with a generous suite of security and backup applications. Easy-to-use Password Protection Manager software uses powerful 256-bit security to safeguard your files against unauthorised access. Just key in your personal password to lock or unlock data when the HD-PG5UB is connected to any PC. Backup Manager software takes care of protecting your precious files with automated scheduled backups.

Supplied FAT32 Formatter software allows re-formatting of the drive from NTFS, to support Direct Copy function with Handycam® or playback with PlayStation®3.

The new HD-PG5 series of 500GB external hard drives by Sony is available from mid July 2011 in United Kingdom, France and Germany only.