The drives write single BD-R media at up to 12X and dual layer BD-R media at up to 8X speeds, recording a full 25GB disc in about 10 minutes.

ENGADGET: Sony Optiarc debuts 12x Blu-ray writers, makes 'em friendly with BD 3D

The player's software ships on a disc -- not a full-sized one, mind you, but the kind of miniature disc that simply won't play nice with my laptop's slot-loading optical drive.

ENGADGET: IRL: Nexus One, Sansa Clip Zip, DeLorme PN-60 and the HP TouchPad

Released last fall, the disc is chock-full of new songs written by Haggard, with a little help from his wife, Theresa, and daughter Jenessa.

CNN: Country star Merle Haggard on religion, poverty and family