Specifications

Page 4
storage capacity from 4.7Gb to up to
8.5Gb, while remaining compatible
with existing DVD Video players
and DVD-ROM drives. Final
specifications and the format book
are expected to be available within
this year and recordable media and
recorder products that will use this
new dual layer technology are
expected in the course of 2004. The
technology will allow consumers to
record DVD quality video up to 4
hours and up to 16 hours in VHS
video quality on a single dual layer
DVD+R disc. It will also enable PC
users of dual layer DVD+R discs to
enjoy increased storage capacity of
up to 8.5Gb. They also said the new
8X speed DVD burners will be
followed up with a 16X in late 2004.
Further in the future is the
Blu-ray. By employing a short
wavelength blue violet laser, the
Blu-ray Disc successfully minimizes
its beam spot size. The Blu-ray
Disc’s tracking pitch is reduced to
0.32um, almost half of that of a
regular DVD.
Information from the
Samsung website
The BD Recorder is designed to
be compatible with the Blu-Ray disk
format which writes HD digital
broadcasting source to a 23Gb disk.
The Blu-ray Disc was established by
9 companies (Sony, Panasonic,
Samsung, LG, Thompson, Hitachi,
Philips, Sharp, Pioneer) under BDF
(Blu-Ray Disc Founder). Currently,
the DVD recorder writes analog
broadcasting source to a 4.7Gb disk,
and the BD Recorder is considered
to represent the next generation of
DVD Recorders. In April of 2003,
Sony introduced the first model to
the Japanese market, and currently
other companies have models under
development or are ready to
introduce this futurist product. It is
forecast the market will rise after
2005, when digital broadcasting will
become widely available. The key
advantage of this product is that it
incorporates a number of cutting
edge technologies in one product. It
is a futuristic product that combines
a digital broadcasting receiver (Set
Top Box), recorder and DVD
Player, and also provides an editing
function for recorded media. The
easy to use, convenient GUI
(Graphic User Interface) is also a
key selling point. Their BD
Recorder is the BD-R1000. They
have no time set for its launch.
I won’t bother with DVD
players—too many of them. I did
find some interesting portables.
Even recordable DVD’s are
common so I collected information
about those set up for home TV
recording (video and data also).
There were a couple of DVD
recorders I found interesting.
Portables
AMW – Amphion
MediaWorks
http://www.a-mw.com
They had some really
cool-looking portable DVD players,
including their UFO brand. These,
of course, look like UFOs. They
also have several other models with
7” and 10” LCD displays. All have
3-D surround-sound technology,
S-video input/output, and can play
CD/MP3/CD-R/CD-RW/WMA/Kod
ak Picture CD, besides DVDs.
Mintek
http://www.mintekdigital.com
Thinnest line of portable DVD
players. Their latest the MDP-1010
is a 16:9 TFT widescreen format.
Screen size is a big 10.2”, and it can
play up to 3 hours using a lithium
battery. They are made with A level
glass, with up to 170 degree
viewing. They include an AV car
adapter, and remote control. It
weighs 3 pounds with battery. Two
built-in speakers, S-video, AV
input/output, memory stick reader
and USB port. They include parental
control. It will be out April at an
MSRP of $700. The MDP-1810 is a
8" 16:9 TFT widescreen display,
built-in stereo speakers. It can play
DVD/MP3/CD/CD-R/CD-RW/Koda
k Picture CD. The MSRP is $349
Norcent
http://www.norcent.net
The MV 0702 has a 7” with a
built-in CF Card reader. Playback
format: DVD+RW, DVD-RW,
DVD, CD-R, CD-RW, CD-DA,
Photo-CD, JPEG, MP3. Simulated
surround with 2 speakers. AC/DC
power, the Li-Ion battery pack last 3
hours. Both S-video and Composite
video output capable. The MV 1000
is a 10’’16:9 Wide-Angle TFT LCD
display. Built-in stereo speakers,
with Lithium battery that will play
for 2.5 hours.
Panasonic
http://www.panasonic.com
The DVD-LA95 has a 9-inch
LCD widescreen monitor with an
MSRP of $700. Their DVD-LV65 is
a 5-inch widescreen for an MSRP of
$500. Both have built-in stereo
speakers and Dolby Digital®
Surround Sound decoder.
Multi-Format Playback (Playable
Disc Type) including DVD-Audio,
DVD-Video, DVD-RAM, DVD-R,
Video CD, CD, CD-R, CD-RW.
Playback time for both with battery
pack is approximately 2.5 hours,
and comes with a built-in recharger.
SD Card playable file formats are
AAC, MP3, JPEG, and MPEG4.
Pixa
http://www.pixainc.com
MP-710 comes with a 7” LCD
Wide Screen, with 400 lines
hi-resolution and 350 nits
hi-brightness. Viewing angle is 170
degrees, aspect ratio: 16:9, AV input
for Game/camcorder, build-in stereo
speakers, and Dolby Digital
decoder. S-Video, and PAL/NTSC
out. Rechargeable battery pack will
last 3 hours. Supports DVD, CD,
SVCD, VCD, HDCD, MP3, CD-R,
CD-RW, MP3, JPEG, Kodak Picture
CD.
CES 2004
Continued from page 1