Audio Video News

Just one day before the start of HE 2004 in New York, Toshiba America hosted its own new line show in Austin, Texas. Among the new products arrayed there were DVD recorders, combo TVs with disc players, digital media servers, and more.

Toshiba America Consumer Products' Digital A/V Group showcase included two new "digital media servers" offering DVD recording and TiVo technology, three new DVD recorders, and two new LCD TV/DVD combination units with slot loading DVD drives. Toshiba's new line also includes HDMI (high-definition multimedia interface) compatible DVD players, multichannel audio models, and a new portable DVD player with a swivel screen that maximizes viewing angles.

The company's digital media servers (DMS) leveraged a deal with TiVo, Inc., and feature high-capacity hard-disk drives and DVD recording for archiving the user's favorite programs. A front panel DV input on both new models offers the ability to transfer camcorder material onto the hard-disk drive and then to DVD quickly and easily, without the need for a computer. A 45-day free trial of the TiVo Plus service is included with each DMS, which outputs progressive scan component video from both DVD and DVR sections. Available in August, the RS-TX20 with 120GB hard disc drive and the RS-TX60 with 160GB hard disc will be priced at $600 and $700 respectively.

Toshiba introduced three new DVD recorders in Austin. The new recorders come in three different combinations to address the varied desires of this emerging market: DVD Recorder, combo DVD recorder/VHS, and a DVD recorder with a built-in hard disc drive. Due in October at about $700, the top of the new DVD recorder line is the RD-XS53, with a 160GB hard disc drive, capable of over 275 hours of recording time. The RD-XS53 is one of the first DVD recorder models to include HDMI and upconversion capability to 720p or 1080i. This model is said to "provide the highest quality interface available today between a DVD player and a compatible HD television" via a single digital cable.

Folks with large collections of VHS tapes they'd like to transfer to DVD should take a look at the new Toshiba D-VR3 that combines Toshiba's high quality DVD recorder technology with VHS capability. Due in July at about $500, the D-VR3 allows users to archive favorite VHS tapes to DVD within one device. In October, Toshiba will also deliver the D-R3, a $350 DVD recorder that offers DVD recording capability on either DVD-RAM or DVD-R. It also includes a front panel DV input and front panel A/V input jacks allows for easy transfer of camcorder recordings directly onto DVD.

Want to watch DVDs from your bedside table? Toshiba also announced two new LCD TV/DVD models: the SD-P7000, due in August at $1000, and the SD-P4000, due in June at $600. The SD-P7000 features a 17" LCD TV with a 16x9 high definition screen with 1280x768 pixel resolution—perfect for viewing high definition, standard television signals and DVD movies. The SD-P4000 offers a 14" 4x3 LCD screen with 640x480 pixel resolution. In both models, Toshiba has incorporated a convenient built-in slot loading, progressive scan DVD player. Also due in August, at $800, is the SD-P5000 a 15" LCD TV with a 4x3 high-rez (1024 x 768) screen, and a DVD player in an innovative design. The LCD display's double hinge allows for multiple placement options for either a tabletop or wall mounting with VESA-compliant 100mm hole configuration. Designed for the home or mobile use, the product offers AC/DC operation and an optional battery pack.