Reprinted from a JVC press release:

JVC today introduced a new line of full-featured multi-format DVD recorders, including a series of combination units that combine DVD recording with hard disk drive (HDD), VHS and Mini DV recording.

JVC’s 2005 DVD recorder line includes an array of technical innovations that ensure high picture quality and user-friendly features that offer unparalleled recording and dubbing capabilities. At the heart of the new JVC DVD recorder line is the DR-M100S, which records in the DVD-RAM and DVD-RW/-R formats. The line also includes the DR-MH300S DVD/HDD unit with 160GB hard disk drive, as well as the DR-MV5S DVD/VHS recorder, which features JVC’s exclusive VHS Progressive Scan for superior VHS mode playback.

Additionally, JVC will offer a new three-way combination unit — a DVD/HDD/MiniDV model. The DR-DX7S adds another innovative feature to JVC’s digital recorder line by combining a Mini DV deck with DVD and hard disk drive recording.

"The growth of the DVD recorder market over the last year shows that consumers are looking for more versatility in how they watch television and movies," said Dave Owen, General Manager, Consumer Video, JVC Company of America. "Our new DVD recorder line is designed to meet the needs of virtually every customer. We’re providing advanced recorders that offer an unprecedented merger of innovation and utility."

All 2005 DVD/HDD recorders offer several technical features that boost image quality, including:

Super MPEG Encode Pre-Processor — A three-step process that takes place before MPEG-2 encoding of the input signal. A time base corrector eliminates jitter, a frame synchronizer provides frame normalization, and Motion Active Noise Reduction provides a clearer image than with conventional frame noise reduction, such as 3D noise reduction, by using an algorithm that predicts motion and applies it between moving pictures to minimize image lag.

Super MPEG Post-Processor — Enhances playback image quality through block noise reduction circuitry, Color DigiPure which provides 3D noise reduction along with color and detail enhancement, and Hadamard noise reduction to eliminate mosquito noise.

Bit Rate Optimizer — (HDD–>DVD) — Improves DVD-recorded picture quality, especially in scenes with fast motion and many moving objects, which require a drastically higher bit rate than simple scenes with little movement. With direct recording, the recorder cannot change the bit rate flexibly enough to allocate the appropriate number of bits to each scene, which results in MPEG compression noise. JVC’s Bit Rate Optimizer first analyzes the video content while recording it to the hard disk drive, then transfers the signal from the hard disk drive to the DVD, using the first pass signal analysis to take into account the recording’s total bit requirement. This saves bit allocation for difficult scenes without wasting it on simple scenes.

The DR-M100S DVD recorder allows up to 16 hours of recording time (when using a dual sided disc) and shares all of its features with the line’s combo models. In addition to recording in the DVD-RAM and DVD-RW/-R formats, it offers true multi-format compatibility on playback, with the ability to play the DVD-RAM, DVD-RW/-R formats, as well as CD, CD-R/RW, VCD, SVCD, JPEG and MP3 files.

Other features include 10 bit/54MHz video digital-to-analog (DAC) converter, 192kHz/24 bit audio DAC, quick skip for jumping 30 seconds forward, instant/one-touch replay that replays the last seven seconds, natural reverse playback, and a multi-brand remote control. Connections include iLink; front DV input; front and rear S-Video and composite inputs; component, S-Video and composite outputs; front audio input; and optical, digital coaxial and analog audio outputs.

The DR-M100S will be available in March 2005 at a nationally advertised value of $349.95.

JVC’s DR-MH300S combines the DR-M100 DVD recorder with a 160GB hard disk drive into a single deck that provides extraordinary versatility. Among the new features this year in all JVC hard disk drive recorders is a new TV Guide On Screen program guide, an easy-to-use guide that allows users to simply select favorite programs for one time, every episode or every week recording. The DR-MH300 also offers JVC’s HDMI Direct Output, which provides a single cable for carrying digital video and audio signals to HDMI-equipped displays and AV receivers.

For advanced HDD to DVD dubbing, the DR-MH300S offers JVC’s original freezeless editing technology, which prevents DVD-dubbed scenes from being overcut or undeleted and eliminates any "freezing up" that is typically found in conventional recorders. The DR-MH300S adds additional flexible editing capabilities, including high-speed dubbing (64x max) that permits a one-hour program to be dubbed to a DVD-R disc (8x speed) in approximately one minute.

The DR-MH300S can pause a live recording and provides several simultaneous recording and playback options — recording on the hard disk while playing back from the hard disk or DVD, or recording on DVD while playing back from the hard disk. Editing using the DR-MH300 DVD Navigation system is made simple with its user-friendly thumbnail image system that makes it easy to find the desired scene. Editing from the hard disk to DVD is as simple as creating a playlist. Dubbing is just as easy — just select the desired scenes and press "ENTER".

The DR-MH300 will be available in July 2005 at a nationally advertised value of $699.95.

For those with a collection of VHS recordings they would like to continue to use or archive onto DVD, JVC offers the DR-MV5S, which combines all of the features of DR-M100S DVD recorder with a VHS VCR featuring JVC’s VHS Progressive Scan and a one-touch intelligent dubbing system. The dubbing system includes three new features: auto record speed optimizer — calculates total recording time on VHS tape then automatically selects the most suitable recording speed for dubbing to DVD; auto thumbnail creation — automatically creates video thumbnail chapter references when dubbing to DVD based on the number of recordings on the tape; auto blank-cut dubbing — eliminates blank space between recordings on the tape being dubbed when recording to DVD or HDD. In addition, VHS playback is possible during DVD recording, and DVD playback is possible during VHS recording.

The DR-MV5S will be available in April at a nationally advertised value of $449.95.

Rounding off this year’s line-up is the DR-DX7S, which combines 250GB hard disk drive and DVD recorder with a Mini DV deck — a versatile deck for camcorder users. Simply load a Mini DV cassette into the deck to easily edit home videos on the hard disk drive and then dub onto DVD. Mini DV is recorded onto the hard disk drive in the original Mini DV format, so footage can be dubbed, edited on the hard disk drive and then transferred back to Mini DV without a loss in quality. The DR-DX7S be available in July at a nationally advertised value of $1,799.95.

For those who want the flexibility of all three formats, JVC will continue to offer its DVD/hard drive/VHS combo unit, the DR-MX1S, that offers three different recording and playback options, and the ability to dub between any two. The hard drive in the JVC DR-MX1S has an 80GB capacity. The VHS section of the DR-MX1S provides VHS Hi-Fi recording and playback, and includes VHS Progressive. The JVC DR-MX1 is currently available at a nationally advertised value of $999.95.

Reprinted from a Verbatim press release:

Verbatim Corporation announced today that it will begin shipping 1-16x speed DVD-R media later this month. With the ability to record video, photos, music or data files at about 21 MB/sec, users will be able to fill an entire 4.7GB disc to capacity in about six minutes. To ensure broad compatibility, Verbatim 1-16x speed DVD-R discs are compliant with the DVD Forum’s 16x DVD-R Specifications. Leading drive manufacturers such as BenQ, Hitachi-LG Data Storage, Lite-On, NEC, Plextor, Sony and others have announced 16x DVD-R compatible drives. The new write-once media, which can be used at all recording speeds between 1x and 16x, is also backward compatible with existing DVD recorders and 1-8x DVD-R burners when appropriate firmware upgrades are installed.

The reliability, high-speed recording and broad compatibility that Verbatim’s new 16x DVD-R discs provide make them ideal for sharing computer data, home videos, photos, and music. With write-once security and 4.7 GB of capacity, the media is also an excellent storage solution for fast backups, archiving and library applications.

Like Verbatim’s certified 1-16x speed DVD+R media which is now in daily use around the globe, the new DVD-R discs are produced with the proprietary Advanced AZO recording layer technology developed by Verbatim’s parent company, Mitsubishi Kagaku Media (MKM). The patented AZO dye provides a unique combination of features including increased sensitivity to laser light-the key requirement for high-speed recording, control of the heat interference between consecutive recorded marks for substantially less jitter and reduced degradation of recording marks, as well as a wide power margin for very stable recording.

To minimize errors during high-speed recording, the premium quality 1-16x DVD-R discs are produced using precision molding technology to ensure that the surface of each disc is consistently flat.

Availability
Backed by a limited lifetime warranty, Verbatim 1-16x DVD-R discs will have an estimated street price of $2.00 and will be available in January through leading retailers, Internet resellers and distributors across the country. The new media will be packaged in jewel cases, multi-packs and spindles. Blank inkjet printable and thermal printable discs will also be available.

Reprinted from an LG press release:

LG Electronics, the largest optical storage manufacturer in the world and leading supplier of drives in the U.S., introduces its latest additions to its groundbreaking Super-Multi optical drive series. LG was the first manufacturer to introduce a multi-format reader/writer to the marketplace and it continues to propel technology forward, introducing “industry first” innovative and premium optical storage drives to its product lineup. LG’s optical drive offerings, which include both internal and external models, have the fastest multi-format reading/writing abilities available on the market today. The new series of drives are on display this week at the 2005 International Consumer Electronics Show (LG Electronics booth #8214, Central Hall, Las Vegas Convention Center).

Super-Multi Drives Speed Things Up
The new 16x Super-Multi series is perfect for anyone with advanced storage needs — allowing users to back-up MP3 files, videos, digital pictures or any large files at speeds 30 percent faster than before. LG’s new Super-Multi drives give users the ability to read or write in all three DVD formats — DVD+R, DVD-R and DVD-RAM. Equipped with the latest Double Layer writing technology, LG’s new 16x Super-Multi series pushes the limits of data storage, offering users an impressive 8.5GB capacity.

LG’s newest addition to the Super-Multi series is a True 16x speed internal optical drive that can read and write both DVD+R and DVD-R formats at 16x speeds. With the device’s ability to read and write in all formats, this new drive provides multiple options for businesses and consumers to back up and protect their vital data quickly and easily.

Another new member to join the LG family of Super-Multi drives is a 16x external version which is ideal for MAC, PC and Laptop users or anyone in need of portable storage. Equipped with two firewire ports, the external 16x Super-Multi can be “daisy chained,” further broadening its optical storage capabilities.

About LG Electronics U.S.A.
Based in Englewood Cliffs, N.J., LG Electronics USA, Inc., (LGEUS) is the North American subsidiary of LG Electronics, Inc. LGEUS’ key product areas — consumer electronics, home appliances, information technology products and mobile phones — are designed to deliver on the promise of its “LG: Life’s Good” 2005 marketing theme. For more information, please visit http://www.lgusa.com/ .

Reprinted from a Hitachi press release:

Hitachi Global Storage Technologies (Hitachi GST) today announced an expanded product line that will take on the 3.5-inch ATA hard drive segment with a three-prong, performance-focused approach. Hitachi is adding three new 7,200 RPM drives to its family of Deskstar products, targeting the broadest range of 3.5-inch consumer and commercial applications: mainstream PCs and workstations, digital video recorders (DVRs), nearline storage and other enterprise ATA applications.

The Hitachi drives being unveiled today include the industry’s first half terabyte (500 GB) Serial ATA (SATA) drive for audio/video and other capacity-intensive applications — the Deskstar 7K500. In the mid-range category, Hitachi offers the Deskstar T7K250, a two-disk, 250 GB product, while the Deskstar 7K80 rounds out the portfolio with an 80 GB offering, targeting the most popular capacity point. From industry-leading capacity to best-of-breed performance, Hitachi is also the first hard drive vendor to deliver all of the major design enhancements identified in the SATA II specification, including a 3 Gb/s data transfer rate increase across all three of the new drives. The new transfer rate represents a doubling of the previous SATA 1.0 rate and rivals that of enterprise-class SCSI drives.

The new Deskstar drives all feature a single-chip, native SATA chipset and Native Command Queuing (NCQ), which enables fast data transfer rates for enterprise ATA and other performance-based applications. NCQ is a method of controlling commands sent from the host processor to the drive to enable faster application activities for the end user.

Hitachi’s three new Deskstar drives meet the Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) compliance directive recently issued by the European Union (EU). The EU directive requires electronics manufacturers to significantly reduce lead and other selected content from their products by August 2006. Hitachi recently announced that all Hitachi hard drive products introduced in 2005 and beyond will be RoHS compliant.

“The three Deskstar products announced today will help punctuate Hitachi’s leadership in the 3.5-inch ATA segment in capacity, performance and breadth of applications,” said Bill Healy, senior vice president, product strategy and marketing, Hitachi Global Storage Technologies. “These new drives make up a comprehensive and diverse product line that will accelerate Hitachi’s growth into the highest-growth 3.5-inch hard drive segments — spanning the low to high-end and consumer to enterprise ATA applications.”

SATA 3 Gb/s Features
Hitachi has a demonstrated track record for delivering technology advancements that boost the performance characteristics of its hard disk drives. The 3Gb/s data transfer rate, which is available on all three of the new Deskstar drives, represents a doubling of the current industry-standard SATA interface speed. The performance breakthrough is expected to benefit customers that require fast data access for bandwidth-intensive applications, such as digital video editing and PC gaming.

Silicon Image has completed extensive interoperability and performance testing, which combined the new Deskstar drives with the company’s 3Gb/s SiI 3124-2 host controller and 3Gb/s SiI 3726 Port Multiplier. “Silicon Image is pleased to see the 3Gb/s Hitachi Deskstar drives delivering burst rate performance that is 61 percent faster than competitive SATA 1.0 products,” said Mark Hartney, Silicon Image’s SATA Evangelist. “We expect the benefit of this link speed increase to be most beneficial in demanding, high-bandwidth application environments.”

The drives include another key feature of SATA II, staggered spin-up. Staggered, or delayed, spin-up enables the host to individually “spin-up” drives in multi-drive configurations. This reduces the power draw of a booting system, enabling system designers to reduce the size of the power supply and minimize the total cost of ownership for end-users.

The new drives also include an error correction code feature that protects customer data throughout the drives’ circuits.

Smooth Stream Technology
The new drives are expected to fuel the growth of high-capacity DVRs, which require hard drives that are optimized for storing and retrieving digital video content. Hitachi has addressed this need by integrating its “Smooth Stream” technology into the new drives to enhance the video streaming functionality. Based on newly ratified ATA-7 AV Streaming Feature Set standard, Hitachi’s Smooth Stream enables the host to control the drive’s error recovery process. This feature tunes the drive to capture video data streams. Hitachi was the first hard drive vendor to integrate such a capability in its products.

“Hitachi’s new high-capacity drives allow DVR manufactures to expand the storage capacity of their products and incorporate innovative home media options, which enable users to store vast amounts of digital photos and music,” said John Donovan, Vice President of TrendFOCUS, a California-based research firm. “We expect these high-capacity DVRs to comprise the fastest-growing segment of the market, which is already growing at 90 percent annually.”

New Deskstar Drive Portfolio
Deskstar 7K500 — The Hitachi 7K500 offers 500 GB, the industry’s largest available capacity for high-end media center PCs, DVRs, nearline storage and other enterprise ATA applications. The SATA version of the drive ships with a large 16 MB buffer to deliver breakthrough performance for bandwidth-intensive applications. In addition to the complete set of SATA II features, the drive includes Rotational Vibration Safeguard (RVS), a technology used to ensure drive performance in high rotational vibration environments, where there are multiple drives in a single enclosure.

Deskstar T7K250 — The Deskstar T7K250 uses industry-leading areal densities to offer 250 GB of storage capacity in a two-disk design. The new drive is built on a proven architecture with demonstrated product quality and high performance. The Deskstar T7K250 continues this tradition, while adding SATA II features and Smooth Stream technology for use in DVR and other AV applications.

Deskstar 7K80 — The Deskstar 7K80, which will ship in 40 and 80 GB capacities, has been designed for high-volume manufacturing. It includes the key SATA II features — 3 Gb/s data transfer rate, NCQ and Staggered Spin-up. As with all the other models, the drive also includes Hitachi’s unique load/unload technology, which is a safety ramp for the read-write heads that protects user data in non-power mode.

SATA Interface Technology
SATA is a scalable interface technology that currently delivers a maximum data transfer rate of up to 1.5 Gb/s. Hitachi is expected to be first to ship second-generation SATA drives, which transfer data at 3 Gb/s.

SATA simplifies device configuration, improves data integrity and offers “hot-plug” capability, which enables the drives to be installed or removed while the host system remains operational. SATA drives enable a compact cabling structure with the smaller SATA connectors, thus enhancing air flow and reduce system complexity.

Hitachi includes a latching SATA connector on its new Deskstar drives, which is designed to prevent accidental disconnect due to shock or vibration.

Storage systems that integrate 3 Gb/s SATA-based components are expected to provide substantial performance for high data-throughput applications such as video editing, scientific calculations and CAD processing. Hitachi has been a leader in the transition to serial technologies and recently hosted a 3 Gb/s SATA demonstration at the Intel Developers Forum in San Francisco, CA.

Hitachi is currently shipping the Deskstar 7K80 and expects to begin shipping the Deskstar T7K250 and Deskstar 7K500 in Q1 2005.

In a related CES 2005 announcement today, Hitachi unveiled two new consumer-electronics-focused products planned for the latter half of this year:

“Mikey,” the baby Microdrive — the world’s smallest, highest-capacity one-inch hard drive at 8-10 GB;

Travelstar “Slim” — the world’s smallest and lightest 1.8-inch hard drive

Technical Specifications
Deskstar 7K500

500 GB (GB = 1 billion bytes, accessible capacity may be less)

817 Mb/s max. media data rate

8.7 ms average seek time

7,200 RPM, 4.17 ms average latency

ATA-133/Serial ATA 3.0 Gb/s

Smooth Stream Technology

25.4 mm in height

76 billion bits per square inch maximum areal density

5 aluminum platters

10 GMR recording heads

225 G (2ms) non-operating shock

9.0 watt idle power (Parallel ATA)

9.6 watt idle power (Serial ATA)

3.1 Bels typical idle acoustics

Fluid Dynamic Bearing (FDB) spindle motor

Deskstar T7K250

250/160 GB (GB = 1 billion bytes, accessible capacity may be less)

843.2 Mb/s max. media data rate

8.5 ms average seek time

7,200 RPM, 4.17 ms average latency

ATA-133/Serial ATA 3.0 Gb/s

Smooth Stream Technology

25.4 mm in height

92 billion bits per square inch maximum areal density

2 aluminum platters

4/3 GMR recording heads

350 G (2ms) non-operating shock

5.2 watt idle power (Parallel ATA)

6.2 watt idle power (Serial ATA)

2.8 Bels typical idle acoustics

Fluid Dynamic Bearing (FDB) spindle motor

Deskstar 7K80

80/40 GB (GB = 1 billion bytes, accessible capacity may be less)

757 Mb/s max. media data rate

8.8 ms average seek time

7,200 RPM, 4.17 ms average latency

ATA-133/Serial ATA 3.0 Gb/s

Smooth Stream Technology

25.4 mm in height

61 billion bits per square inch maximum areal density

1 aluminum platter

2/1 GMR recording heads

350 G (2ms) non-operating shock

4.7 watt idle power (Parallel ATA)

5.7 watt idle power (Serial ATA)

2.6 Bels typical idle acoustics

Fluid Dynamic Bearing (FDB) spindle motor

Reprinted from a Samsung press release:

Samsung Electronics America, Inc., the fastest growing consumer electronics brand, expands its innovative digital camcorder line with the new SC-D557 DVD Camcorder. The compact camera sets a high standard for convenience and ease-of-use, enabling consumers to capture their most important moments as DVD movies that last a lifetime. The SC-D557 DVD Camcorder will be on display during CES 2005 in the Samsung booth, #11024 in the Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center from January 6th – 9th.

The SC-D557 features a robust package of audio and video capabilities that let users create top-notch DVD home movies. A 1.3 Megapixel CCD ensures superior video capture quality and the 12x Optical Zoom lens gives users plenty of shooting flexibility. Dolby AC3 Audio provides precision sound recording. Users can map the perfect shot through the color viewfinder, and the 2.5″ LCD screen provides ample space for video playback and editing.

“With the addition of the SC-D775, our first entry into the DVD Camcorder market, Samsung now offers consumers a full suite of camcorder options that includes our compact Mini-DVs as well as our innovative DuoCam and Sports Cam models,” said Claude Frank, Director of Marketing for the Digital Audio/Video Products Division of Samsung Electronics America. “The SC-D557 offers customers DVD video production capabilities with the quality and value they have come to expect from Samsung.”

Elegant design and a compact size make the SC-D557 the perfect option for busy families. The camcorder offers DVD-R and -RW support and produces movies that are compatible with most DVD players. Users have the choice of recording standard DVD video or extending their recording time by capturing footage in MPEG4 format. The SC-D557 supports PC connectivity via USB 2.0 cable or standard IEEE1394 fire wire. A remote control allows users to operate the unit from a distance.

The SC-D557 incorporates Samsung’s most popular camcorder options, such as a Multi-language display and smooth GUI for camera setup and feature navigation, while introducing some improvements that place it firmly in the “most user-friendly” bracket. Samsung has replaced the previous 3-bar graphic battery indicator with an arc style time indicator that allows users to see exactly how many minutes of playing time and recording time remain on the battery. An Instant-ON feature brings the device to ready in less than a second, so no important memories are lost while waiting for the camera to warm-up. And a versatile Multi Card Slot allows users to choose the type and size of flash memory that best suits their needs.

The SC-D557 DVD Camcorder will be available in July 2005 with an MSRP of $799.99.

Reprinted from an InterVideo press release:

From the makers of WinDVD, the world’s ultimate DVD playback, and WinDVD Creator, an easy-to-use DVD and VCD creation software, InterVideo, Inc. (NASDAQ: IVII) announced today it will showcase the new release of Instant Movie Maker at CES this week. This simple-to-use video editing and production solution is for people who want to quickly create professional-looking videos of special memories and events.

Designed for ease of use, Instant Movie Maker gives consumers a brand new movie-making experience. From novice users to professionals, Instant Movie Maker can take raw video footage and instantly change it to an entirely new look and feel. With three easy steps, users can create their own movie with various movie clips, audio tracks, and scene transitions. Step one imports media sources such as video or image files, and allows for insertion of the desired background music. In step two, users select one of the twelve preset movie styles. In step three, users specify the output preferences such as DVD, VCD or SVCD, as well as output to the hard drive. Additionally, users can use the preview button to view the movie before it is actually output to the source.

“With Instant Movie Maker, InterVideo kept in mind digital video camcorder owners who want to make home movies without the hassle and time-consuming process of complicated editing and post-production work,” said Steve Ro, CEO and founder of InterVideo. “These users want to create a movie with as few steps as possible and an automatically generated friendly user interface. Instant Movie Maker is the solution to deliver an entertaining video with titles, scene transitions, special effects, audio and music background.”

Instant Movie Maker contains two modules: Instant Movie and Archive Video to Disc. It is aimed to simplify the user’s efforts in creating a home video from DV camcorders and saving them to a disc or a file. Editing videos can be tedious, difficult and time-consuming while capturing audio and video clips. Now, with Instant Movie Maker, it only takes a few minutes to create a movie. With InterVideo’s superior editing and filter technology, the editing mechanism integrated in the software will automatically go through captured video clips while intelligently analyzing and detecting key scenes from video footage. Once the analysis stage is completed, it automatically cuts and synchronizes these highlights to the rhythm of the chosen music; edits them together into a completed video production along with video effects, transitions, and background music. Also integrated with Instant Movie Maker, is InterVideo’s patented UniPass technology that skips the rendering until the end so it gives users an added benefit by saving them hours of movie-making time.

Another feature included is the twelve movie styles that are available for users to choose the output file. From a wedding theme to a musical video, users can take a piece of unrefined video and produce a dozen different productions in just a few minutes with a finished and professional look. Exclusive to InterVideo, is its Direct Recording technology that allows users to burn videos from camcorders directly to a disc with an added menu. This advanced technology does all the buffering, rendering and burning in the background, in real time. The finished video can be saved in a variety of formats, including DV for playing and recording back to a camcorder, AVI for play back on a PC, ASF for streaming out over the Internet, MPEG-1 for burning onto CDs/DVDs and MPEG-2 for burning to DVD. With its broad compatibility, Instant Movie Maker supports most popular video input and output formats: CD-R/RW, DVD+/-R/RW/-RAM disc or hard drive.