Fall launch of DTV broadcasts and high-definition DSS (HD-DSS) satellite channels has rekindled interest in availability of digital VCRs. At CES, licensor JVC demonstrated prototype D-VHS deck operating in HD mode needed for terrestrial DTV, but offered no timetable for announcing standard. Hitachi meanwhile touted merits of current D-VHS model, co-developed with Thomson, for recording HD-DSS signal. But digital VCRs will have negligible impact this year, which CEMA consensus forecast said would see slight gains for analog video recording devices (TVD Jan 12 p15). VCRs, camcorders and TV/VCR combos each achieved record year in 1997 (see related report, this issue).
Energy_ Star rating also will appear on RCA-brand VCRs. Line ranges from $179 to $329 and includes 5 hi-fi decks, 3 mono 4-head VCRs, single mono 2-head entry. Besides under 4 w standby mode, VCRs have automatic turn-off function when VCR power remains on during long period on nonuse. RCA said auto-off function also would prevent user from missing time-shift recordings by inadvertently leaving VCR on.Top-of-line TwinCam has 2 discrete lenses that can be used separately or in tandem - one is fixed-focus wide-angle, other is variable focal-length zoom (10x optical, 20x digital). When used together, camcorder records panoramic background through wide-angle optic, with closeup from zoom recorded as picture-in-picture - although viewpoints can be swapped as main image is seen in 4[inches] LCD and on 8mm tape. Camcorder has automatic fader for smooth transitions between lenses.Not only that, if you were to play a video game that you play oft in HD and then switched it over to standard definition it would be enough to make your self displeased. Also it is a great excuse for you to go out and buy a HD DVD player. That way you can start buying HD movies and when you see an ad on TV about a flick and it says also comes in HD you can go out and buy it. The only down side to buying HD movies is the increase in cost of the movie. You can ordinarily get a normal DVD at around twenty dollars, for a HD film you will be spending up wards to around thirty dollars.In order to browse the internet, the handset relies primarily on 3G coverage, whereby an HSDPA connection provides download speeds of up to 7.2 Mbps. An enhanced web connection can be achieved however, thanks to full Wi-Fi connectivity. This provides a faster and more reliable connection whenever users have the appropriate access to local wireless networks.At CES, Sony showed unique digital feature in 2 hi-fi VCRs and new adhesive label for videocassettes. Company's SmartFile system has memory chip on cassette label that stores list of contents and time-durations when programs are recorded on new $499 and $449 VCRs. Later, user simply holds cassette in front of VCR to get onscreen readout of its contents, including amount of blank-tape time left.For home theater audio, Panasonic added VCRs with Spatializer feature that simulates surround sound ambience from 2 loudspeakers, including TV set's stereo pair. System is in 2 of company's 5 hi-fi VCRs and 27[inches] hi-fi TVCR combo. Another 2 hi-fi VCRs comply with Environmental Protection Agency's Energy Star program, which requires VCRs to consume less than 4 w in standby mode. Panasonic also introduced two 4-head VCRs but just one 2-head model, priced at $150. TVCR combo line includes 2 models in 27[inches] and 3 in 20[inches], with one hi-fi entry per category, and 4 combos in 13[inches]. All have FM radio built in. Company's Quasar brand has 20[inches] and 13[inches] TVCRs available in black or white; and single hi-fi, 4- and 2-head mono VCRs. Latter has $140 price tag. All Panasonic and Quasar VCRs, and TVCRs under 20[inches], qualify for Energy Star logo.NightShot camcorders have $799-$1,399 price range and will ship next month and in March, sources said. Optional beam that attaches to HandyCams with NightShot receptor extends range to 100 ft. New Sony line begins at $599 for 8mm model with color viewfinder and conventional light; 7 models in line have color LCD monitors in 2.5-4[inches] range, we were told. All models also can use optional lithium-ion battery rated for 12 hours' recording time. Sony, which first produced and introduced that battery chemistry for camcorders, will offer it exclusively in future, sources said.The manufacturers seem to have hit the nail on the head, and have come up with the perfect product to dominate the luxury smartphone market. But it�s not just the aesthetics and branding that make the Samsung Galaxy S Giorgio Armani such an appealing phone; its spec list is every bit as impressive as the majority of the smartphones currently available.Although Toshiba wins Energy Star for all TVs 27[inches] and up, including projection sets, company hasn't staked claim for its 10-model VCR line that includes 7 hi-fi models, with single 2-head deck at $180. Of hi-fi VCRs, 4 use Toshiba's V3 chassis with flying preamp built into 6-head drum, which has separate 19-micron heads to yield SP quality in EP mode. Company will continue to build those in its own plants in Japan. Toshiba Vp-Video Mktg. Stephen Nickerson confirmed that rest of line will be sourced from Shintom.Unique feature making comeback is dual-lens system from Sharp. Company is reintroducing 1992-vintage TwinCam function in new SlimCam line, which has conventional fore-and-aft camcorder styling with flip-out LCD monitor that supplements color eye-level viewfinder, compared with camera-style ViewCams that have rear-mount LCD panel. New SlimCams ($799-$999) are just 2-1/4[inches] wide and weigh under 1-1/2 lbs.Progressive-scan recording is latest trend in digital video camcorders, now employed in JVC's new GR-DVL9000 CyberCam ($2,799) following introduction in Canon Optura last Sept. Each company touts 480p vertical resolution for digital stills and for sharper images when viewing freeze-frames of fast-action motion video such as sports. Like Canon Optura, new CyberCam has IEEE-1394 output for direct digital connection to PCs and other devices with digital input such as JVC's new DV-GT1 multimedia color printer ($1,000). Company also previewed prototype of its first digital still camera, along with printer about size of CD jewelbox for making wallet-size snapshots. Tiny digital camera uses removable CompactFlash memory, JVC spokesman said. No prices or delivery dates were announced. Also at CES, Ricoh introduced "sub-$1,000" digital camera with choice of SXGA megapixel resolution or 640x480 pixel VGA.A simplified way to explain it is that the resolution of the image is greatly improved. Improved? One may ask, well yes that is just it. So you should go out right now and see for your self. Now back to video games on a HDTV. For starters the image is much clearer. When it is not in HD the image has what looks like to be a fuzz effect going on with it. Now if you are one of those people that have never seen HD then you will not note it and would have to look for it. But if you do have a HDTV and play your video games on it normally you will in fact observe a fundamental difference the calibre of picture.Consumer industry first is Sony night-vision feature that company is expected to introduce Jan. 22 in half-dozen Hi8 camcorders among 10 new HandyCams. Sources told us feature is called NightShot and projects infrared light to illuminate subject up to 10 ft. away; user sees monochrome green image in viewfinder and on recorded tape. "If you were in a pitch black room where you couldn't see your hand in front of your face, you could read text from 10 feet away," said source who saw demonstration. Function has been incorporated in video surveillance and security products in past, but not in consumer camcorders.JVC's DualCam and Panasonic's PhotoShot Palmcorder each is claimed to be industry "first" with built-in flash memory for digital still photos and direct output to PC for subsequent manipulation or communication. Actually, function was featured first in add-on module in 2 Sharp Digital ViewCams (TVD Nov 25/96 p10). Analog VHS-C model from JVC ($1,000) stores 44 standard- or 22 fine-mode stills and has 22x zoom lens, while 2 Panasonic models have storage for 30 shots and 23x optical zoom.Otherwise, camcorders are similar, with 3[inches] flip out color LCD monitor, built-in auto light, direct connection to PC, bundled software for photo enhancement. Panasonic models ($1,100 and $1,000) also offer motion and audio sensor for automatic recording, including time-lapse mode that records every 3fd frame to get 6 hours' storage from 40 min. tape. Panasonic line includes 3 Palmcorders ($700-$900) similar to PhotoShots but without digital-still feature, while sibling Quasar brand has one. Panasonic also introduced $500 and $600 camcorders without flip-out LCD monitor.
Progressive-scan recording is latest trend in digital video camcorders, now employed in JVC's new GR-DVL9000 CyberCam ($2,799) following introduction in Canon Optura last Sept. Each company touts 480p vertical resolution for digital stills and for sharper images when viewing freeze-frames of fast-action motion video such as sports. Like Canon Optura, new CyberCam has IEEE-1394 output for direct digital connection to PCs and other devices with digital input such as JVC's new DV-GT1 multimedia color printer ($1,000). Company also previewed prototype of its first digital still camera, along with printer about size of CD jewelbox for making wallet-size snapshots. Tiny digital camera uses removable CompactFlash memory, JVC spokesman said. No prices or delivery dates were announced. Also at CES, Ricoh introduced "sub-$1,000" digital camera with choice of SXGA megapixel resolution or 640x480 pixel VGA.
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