hi-vision
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Fujitsu's next-gen Milbeaut image processor does single-chip Hi-Vision video, 20MP stills
Fujitsu's latest image processor, the Milbeaut MB91696AM, has a new bag of tricks on tap, and it's fixing to unload them in April. The new Milbeaut sports ARM processors and a "newly-developed" Full HD H.264 codec engine, making for 14-megapixel shooting at 8fps (or about 20 megapixels at 5.5fps) and low-noise Hi-Vision video recording at 1920 x 1080. So the processor, in its sixth iteration, sports high resolution photos and HD video all on the same chip, and features continuous photography speeds up to five times faster than its predecessors. Fujitsu's got plans to show off Milbeaut's mobile solutions at MWC next week, and we wouldn't be surprised to see the MB91696AM make its debut in Barcelona as well. Either way, samples of the new processor is scheduled to ship starting in April for ¥3,000 (right around $36) a pop, which means new Milbeaut-equipped cameras won't shouldn't be far behind. Full PR after the jump.
JVC unveils duo of VHS / DVD / HDD recorders
For the folks that just can't let go, JVC is introducing a new duo of recorders that handle VHS, DVD and HDD-based logging. Predictably, the DR-HX500 holds 500GB while the DR-HX250 gets a 250GB drive, and outside of that, both units are identical. You'll find a built-in analog / digital TV tuner, an HDMI socket and all the dubbing features you (or your grandmother) can handle. It should be noted that digital TV recordings can only be stored on the HDD, but it is possible to capture a digital show there while copying an analog broadcast to VHS / DVD. The pair is all geared up to land in multi-generational homes this July, with prices being pegged at ¥95,000 ($906) and ¥75,000 ($715), respectively.[Via Pocket-lint]
Japan's NHK demonstrates 33MP image sensor prototype for SHV
Considering that we just doused you with acronyms in that headline, let us break it down real quick. Japanese public broadcaster Nippon Hoso Kyokai has recently demonstrated a prototype 33-megapixel image sensor -- which enables engineers "to use one chip per color" -- for its baffling Super Hi-Vision technology. With this device, each color sensor can operate in full resolution, whereas previous iterations relied on a foursome of 8.3-megapixel sensors (two green, one red, one blue) in order to reach 7,680 x 4,320 pixels. No worries if all these huge numbers are blowing your lid -- this stuff is still years away from being away close to mainstream.
I-O Data's 24-inch LCD-MF241X offers dual HDMI ports
It had been a tick since we'd heard from I-O Data's LCD department, but its latest offering steps it up from the 22-inch version seen earlier this year by expanding the screen real estate and adding new inputs. The LCD-MF241X sports a 24.1-inch 1,920 x 1,200 panel, comes in black or white motifs, and offers up DVI, VGA, composite, S-Video, and twin HDCP-compliant HDMI connectors. Additionally, you'll find a trio of USB ports mounted on the side, and a wireless remote can switch the inputs for you while kicked back on your couch. Unfortunately, you'll just have to wonder what the eventual price and release date will be, but feel free to click on through to see that port assortment up close.[Via Electronista]
Sharp's AQUOS DV-ACV52 HD DVR handles DVD, HDV, and VHS
Sharp's HD DVR lineup has been steadily (albeit quietly) growing for a few years now, and while the company did loose five new offerings in the AQUOS DVR arena earlier this year, the multi-faceted DV-ACV52 has the stage all to itself now. Besides packing a built-in digital TV tuner, 250GB hard drive, and HDMI outputs, this convergence device allows playback and dubbing on a variety of formats including VHS, DVD, or DV / HDV via the i.Link FireWire connector. Other niceties include composite / S-Video outs, optical audio output, and the ability to record one OTA broadcast to the HDD while another goes straight to VHS / DVD. Sadly, we don't envision this Japanese-bound unit ever gracing US shores, but it will be making smiles across the sea next month for around $925.[Via MediaMentalism]
Sharp HN-IR1 beams cameraphone pics on your HDTV via IrSS
Sure, there's already a way to beam high-definition content onto your TV if you keep all of your media stored on your iPod, but for whimsical shooters that wield their cameraphone or IrSS-enabled digital camera most of the time, Sharp's kicking out a bantam liaison just for you. Designed to ideally operate with high-speed infrared devices, the HN-IR1 enables cellphones and other IrSS gizmos to transmit high-quality photos wirelessly, where it's then channeled onto your set at resolutions up to 1,920 x 1080. Of course, it'll automatically downscale if you aren't plugged into an HDTV, and interestingly enough, it purportedly interfaces with a few of Sharp's AQUOS HD recorders in order to burn your photos to HDD / DVD. The wee device checks in at just 3.1- x 2.8- x 1.1-inches, handles photos up to eight-megapixels, and boasts a maximum transmission rate of 4Mbps, and while no exhaustive list of compatible devices was noted, a good deal of NTT DoCoMo handsets should fit the bill. So if you never seem to have time to transfer your photos over to entertain the family with a big screen slideshow, those in Japan can snag the HN-IR1 in late April for ¥14,000 ($116).[Via Impress]
Sharp's AQUOS BD-HP1 Blu-ray HD recorder
The Blu-ray Disc camp just unrolled another: the BD-HP1 AQUOS hi-vision recorder from Sharp. Yes, it records, to single-layer (only) BD-R/RE in MPEG-2 format with AAC audio for about 2-hours and 10-minutes of 1080p video at 24Mbps. Of course, it will also playback DVD±R/RW and DVD-RAM discs as well. It comes packing 1x HDMI (presumably with Familink support), Japanese D4, S-Video, and composite video outputs; optical/coaxial digital audio; and support for 7.1ch sound. It also brings 2x Firewire allowing the BD-HP1 to augment your existing hard disk recorder set-up for BD dubbing. Hitting Japan like a mutated lizard for ¥150,000 (about $1,238) starting March 20th. [Via Impress]
Hitachi's DV-DH1000D WOOO DVR maxed out at 1TB
Yesterday we joked that we'd all have 1TB storage devices hard-wired to our brains by 2056. We're not quite there yet, but today we're taking some of the first steps: Hitachi has just announced three new models of its WOOO DVR, which top out at 1TB. These sleek little players, the DV-DH1000D, DV-DH500D and the DV-DH160D all record in Hi-Vision (Japan's version of HDTV) and come in three colors including "piano black," "champagne silver" and another metallic color that Google couldn't translate for us. Hitachi's latest range from ¥120,000 and ¥200,000 ($1,020 and $1,700), and while the two higher-end versions will be released in early October, the DV-DH160D won't be out until the middle of that month. Each recorder comes loaded with two terrestrial digital tuners and two BS / CS digital tuners (a Japanese digital stream standard), along with three sets of component and S-Video ports on the back, HDMI, iLink (on the DV-DH1000D only), Ethernet, an SD card slot and a DVD-R / RW recorder. So if you're in Japan, get ready to smash your piggy bank or whatever it is that the Japanese are keeping money in these days -- knowing them, it's probably something way kawaii-er than ceramic swine anyway.[Via Akihabara News]
I-O Data unveils LCD-TV241 LCD monitor with TV tuner
In a world full of LCD TVs that treat PCs as second rate, I-O Data is taking a stand for those who'd like just a dash of television with their PC monitor. The LCD-TV241 rocks a 24.1-inch screen, 1,920 x 1,080 resolution, Japanese D4 input (which supports Hi-Vision), HDCP compatible DVI-D input, 1,000:1 contrast ratio, and 8ms response time. You'll also find a built-in analog (sorry, no ISDB-T love) TV tuner with integrated PIP, a rather uninspiring remote, and a sleek array of touch-sensitive controls gracing the frame of the black (or white) panel. While that analog tuner won't do you much good past 2011, this LCD knows your PC is your first love anyway, and can be picked up in Japan later this month for ¥133,000 ($1,130).[Via Akihabara News]
Panasonic unveils two new DVRs with DVD, VHS, and SD
We all know Panasonic likes to mix it up by giving us a dash of something fresh with a pinch of something retro -- at least that's definitely happening in its new convergence recording devices. The two newest productions in the DMR lineup have everybody from HD junkies to their mother's grandma covered, as they give three alternatives on which to record your standard and Hi-Vision (1080i in Japan) television broadcasts. Of course, the obligatory hard drive is here, but you also get a DVD burner and VHS deck, you know, so you have choices when recording two anime episodes simultaneously via the dual ISDB-T digital tuners. While both units make use of the included SD reader by playing back previously stored video files on your TV, the high-end model (DMR-XW40V) rocks a 400GB hard drive and includes an "SD Music" function that makes ripping CDs, acquiring ID3 tags, and transferring them to SD a painless procedure; the DMR-XP20V sports a 250GB HDD and forgoes the extra functionality on its SD slot. While we aren't sure what these new DVRs will run you when they drop in October, it's always nice to see a blast from the past, and hey, the death of VHS gets put on hold just a bit longer if nothing else, eh?[Via Impress]
Sony's RDZ-D97A, RDZ-77A, and RDZ-87 HDD/DVD recorders record directly to PSP
Sony just announced three new HDD/DVD recorder additions to their RDZ series. The new RDZ-D97A (pictured) and 77A bring 400GB and 250GB of storage respectively, to the show with one digital Hi-Vision (1080i HDTV in Japan) tuner and apparently two-analog tuners allowing you to record not one, not two, but three teeveelicious broadcasts simultaneously. They also feature the ability to record directly to your PSP to take your recordings on the go. And in what appears to be an industry first for HDD / DVD recorders, these two also feature DTCP-IP (Digital Transmission Content Protection over IP) to legally stream Hi-Vision recordings to other designated, media kickin' boxes on your home network. Rounding out the lot is the RDZ-87 which packs in a 500GB disk like the D97A but lacks direct PSP recording and DTCP-IP support. Expect these to drop for an as of yet unannounced price on May 19 in Japan.[Via Akihabara News]
Hitachi's DV-DH-1000D 1TB HDD/DVD recorder
Yeah we know, those wimpy 800GB video recorders are for chumps. The cool kids are all hangin' with Hitachi’s new 1TB, DV-DH1000D HDD/DVD video recorder. Yeah, that's 1,000GB of freakin' storage to fix that high-def recording jones. The rest of the details are sketchy. The best we can make out from the machine translation is that the device sports HDMI and includes both terrestrial analog and digital Hi-Vision (HDTV) tuners for simultaneous recording and/or playback. But hey, it's only available in Japan so other than reigning as the "world's largest" video recorder, what more do you really need to know?[Via Akihabara News]
