March 31, 2005, Tokyo,
Japan - Pioneer Corporation announced today the introduction in Japan
of the DVR-530H and DVR-555H, the world's first*1 DVD recorders with built-in
HDD to incorporate the Dual Layer DVD-R (DVD-R DL) technology, which allows
recording up to 24 hours*2 of content on a single DVD-R DL disc.
In accordance with a rapid
expansion of the DVD recorder market in Japan, the DVD format has now practically become
the de-facto standard for recording TV programs at home in Japan. Pioneer's
new DVD recorders realize superior performances in terms of recording time,
operability and dubbing convenience by offering DVD-R DL recording as well as a
variety of easy, convenient functions including: "Quick Disc Navigator," "Help
Navigator," and the industry's fastest*1 high-speed dubbing of 100X max (HDD to
DVD). They are likely to appeal to a wide range of customers, from beginners to
serious users of home-use DVD recorders.
The DVR-530H and DVR-555H will be
available in early May and early June respectively in the Japanese market. No
retail prices of these models are suggested.
Pioneer
DVR-530H
Pioneer
DVR-555H
[Main
features]
1) World's first -the DVD-R DL
format compatible: capable of recording up to 24 hours on a single-side disc
A newly-developed MPEG encoder
allows even higher picture quality and longer recording time for both DVD and
HDD. Onto a DVD-R DL disc, the new DVD recorders can record up to 24 hours of
video content in the MN1 recording mode, or a maximum of about 6 hours with the
same picture quality as commercially available DVDs*3. For the HDD, the DVR-530H
(equipped with a 200 GB HDD) can record up to about 569 hours*4, and the
DVR-555H (with a 250 GB HDD) up to about 711 hours*4.
2) A variety of high picture
quality functions including the "XP+ recording mode" (around15 Mbps transfer
rate, capable of recording in super high quality to the HDD)
The new recorders are equipped
with the "XP+ recording mode" (to HDD), which allows recording even better
quality images at 15 Mbps*5, besides the previous highest picture-quality
recording mode "XP" (10 Mbps).
Based on the designing concept for
the "DianaCircuit," the full-digital signal processor employed in Pioneer
high-end DVD recorders, the new recorders' high-quality video engine realizes
finer, clearer videos.
A TV tuner with ghost reduction
functionality enables clear reception of terrestrial broadcasts. (DVR-555H only)
3) New "Quick Disc Navigator" and
"Help Navigator" support easy, comfortable and smooth operations
Through human-friendly designing
approach, a new, easy-to-use on-screen interface (GUI) for the new recorders has
been developed in cooperation with the Research Center for Advanced Science and Technology (RCAST) at
the University of
Tokyo. Even when users
operate these new recorders for the first time, they will sufficiently enjoy
their simple, convenient, and clear on-screen controls thanks to the following
new functions:
"Quick Disc Navigator" offers
rapid scrolling and title display options. Users can find the programs they want
to view quicker than ever before with rapid scrolling and several title display
options (number of titles displayed: 4 or 8; order of title displayed: from the
latest recording to the oldest one, priority to new programs,
alphabetical/numerical by title name, or from the oldest recording to the newest
one). In addition, users can select multiple titles at the same time in the
delete, edit or other operation modes.
"Help Navigator" displays the
operation guide screen to tell users the next operation even if they haven't
read the instruction manuals*6. With this function set to ON, a pop-up operation
guidance is automatically displayed to give tips on convenient playback
functions, etc.
4) Advanced Electronic Program
Guide (EPG)*7 functions
In addition to popular
auto-recording features such as the "Automatic Key-word Recording," new search
functions for easier timer recording are available: "New Program Search" to
search for new programs, and "Show Me Search (Omakase Search)" to search for
programs based on user-specific genre preferences. Thus, the new recorders'
timer recording is now more simple and powerful than ever.
5) The industry's fastest
high-speed copy capability of approximately 100x speed (HDD to DVD-R) makes it
possible to copy a one-hour program in about 40 seconds*8
Thanks to Pioneer's proprietary
DVD-R/DVD-RW drive capable of recording on DVD-R at 12x and on DVD-RW at 6x
speeds, the new recorders can copy the one-hour program recorded in the MN1 mode
onto a DVD-R disc in about 40 seconds, while the previous models needed over one
minute to copy the same program.
In addition, the "Two-Path Pro
Dubbing" automatically optimizes the copy bit rate allocation depending on the
images, and copy the program recorded on the HDD in the "XP+ mode" to a DVD disc
in the optimum picture quality.
6) Equipped with USB terminals
(Pict-Bridge compatible) - the industry's first*1 - to allow transferring images
from a digital camera onto the HDD (DVR-555H only)
Via the USB terminal, users can
connect their digital cameras to the DVR-555H, and transfer and store digital
camera images directly onto the new recorder's HDD. In addition, they can copy
the stored data from the HDD onto a DVD disc in a slide show and picture format
to distribute the data to their friends and family easily. With a Pict-Bridge
compatible printer connected, users can print images stored in a digital camera
without a computer. Connecting a keyboard to the USB port enables users to
easily enter title name.
7) Other advantageous features
'¹New'º Supporting the playback of
DVD-RAM and DVD+R/+RW discs*9 as well as DVD-R/DVD-RW discs.
'¹New'º "Jukebox" function allows
one-touch recording of music CDs to the HDD.*10
Bilingual recording and variable
resolution (2/3D1, 3/4D1) recording onto the HDD
The compact, stylish design
(height: 5.9 cm, depth: 27.3 cm) can be installed in a narrow space.
8) Environment-conscious design to
realize low energy consumption
Power consumption in the standby
mode (FL off): 0.38W
Notes:
*1 As of March 31, 2005, in terms of DVD
recorders (according to Pioneer survey).
*2 In the "MN1" recording mode.
*3 Resolution: 720 x 480, when recording on
a single-sided DVD-R DL disc (8.5GB).
*4 In the "MN1" recording mode. The
recorders may not record up to the maximum time, ex. when the total number of
recording titles exceeds the limit.
*5 The "XP+ mode" is available only for HDD
recording.
*6 On some operation screens, the "Help
Navigator" cannot be used.
*7 The Electronic Program Guide (EPG) uses
the G-GUIDE technology developed by Gemstar-TV Guide International, Inc. G-CODE
and G-GUIDE are trademarks of Gemstar-TV Guide International, Inc.
*8 This is the time for high-speed copying
of a program recorded on the HDD in the MN1
mode onto a DVD-R Version 2.1 /
16x (recordable at 1x to 16x speeds), and should be
considered as a reference only.
Copying time and speed may change depending on used
discs and copying conditions.
*9 DVD-RAM discs must be removed from
cartridge for play.
For DVD+R and DVD+RW discs, the
recorded data can be reproduced when it has bee stored in the video format and
finalized. However, all editing changes may not be reflected upon
playback.
For DVD-RAM and DVD+R/+RW discs,
playback is possible but recording is not.
Some discs may not play depending
on their characteristics, condition, dirt, etc.
*10 The recording speed to HDD is 1X, and
the audio signal is recorded in AC3.
Source: Pioneer Japan
