Toshiba is going to be showing off their new HD DVD desktop writer at CES 2007 next week. This is the world’s first HD DVD writer in a half-height format. Toshiba announced a slim-line HD DVD writer in 2006 for portable systems.

The new SD-H903A is the first HD DVD writer with the 5.25” format for desktop users. The drive will also read and write CDs and DVDs in addition to HD DVD media. A single HD DVD disc can hold 30 GB of content. Write and read speeds are as follows; 1x HD DVD, 2.4X DVD+/-R Dual Layer Write, 2.4X, 4X DVD+RW Write, 8X DVD-ROM Dual Layer, DVD+/-R Read, 2.4X HD DVD-ROM (Single & Dual Layer) Read, 24X CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW Read.
Using this HD DVD drive you can store up to 7500 MP3’s or up to 30,000 images in addition to watching HD DVD programming with an appropriate display and video card. No word on pricing at the time of writing or when we can expect them to be in stores.