Pioneer Intros High-end HDD/DVRs

Pioneer's new DVD recorders are capable of recording high-definition TV broadcasts to HDD in the original HD picture quality, and moving recordings to DVD-R DL disc in VR mode.

Pioneer introduces in Japan the DVR-DT90 and DVR-DT70 DVD recorders with a built-in HDD (500 GB and 250 GB respectively). These new HDD/DVD recorders, equipped with a digital TV tuner for terrestrial, BS, and 110-degree CS digital broadcasts, are capable of recording high-definition digital TV broadcast programs directly onto the HDD in the original high-definition picture quality. Pioneer plans to launch these two models for the Japanese market in late November, 2005 with no retail price suggested.


The Pioneer DVR_DT70

These models have the ability to record high-definition digital TV broadcasts directly to the HDD and playback in the original picture quality. In addition, the new recorders feature simultaneous recording of a digital TV broadcast to the HDD in the DR (Direct Recording) mode and an analog TV broadcast to the HDD or a DVD disc, and digital transfer of high-quality video via an HDMI output terminal. The newly-developed high-resolution (1920 x 1080) EPG greatly enhances easy operations in timer recording.

Both of the DVR-DT90 and DVR-DT70 have realized VR-mode recordings to a DVD-R DL disc. In the XP mode (Pioneer's highest-quality recording mode), a maximum of 1.8-hour video can be recorded onto a DVD-R DL disc. It allows users to move high-definition digital video recorded in the HDD to a disc at a higher picture quality than before.

Digital video material, such as content recorded on the HDD and commercially-supplied DVD titles, can be directly put out in digital form via an HDMI output terminal. By simply connecting the recorder's HDMI output terminal to a high-definition TV or projector equipped with an HDMI input terminal, users can enjoy high-quality video and audio. The up-scaling function to convert a 480i signal to a 1080i/720p signal makes it possible to reproduce analog TV broadcasts or sell-through DVDs in a picture quality that approaches to the high-definition quality.

Other features of the recorders include writing on DVD-R at 12x and on DVD-RW at 6x speeds, playback of DVD-RAM, DVD+R/+RW discs as well as DVD-R/DVD-RW discs. in addition, a DV input terminal can be used for copying video material from a DV camera to the HDD or a DVD disc.


The Pioneer DVR-330H-W

At the same time, Pioneer announced the introduction in Japan of the DVR-330H-W (white) and DVR-330H-S (silver), DVD recorders with a built-in HDD (160 GB), mainly targeting the market for VCR replacements.

The DVR-330H-W and DVR-330H-S will be available in the Japanese market in the mid October 2005 with no retail price suggested.