SAMSUNG DVD-R2000

Home DVD Player/Recorder

Present in the Home Cinema market uniquely in the domain of DVD players for the general public, Samsung is launching into the marketing of a DVD-RAM Player/Recorder sold under the name of DVD-R2000.


Recording

The video recording section has been designed in a "quasi-computer" manner, because the support chosen by Samsung is that of DVD-RAM. This principle is effectively utilised by certain computer manufacturers, and consists of recording the signals on a support that is somewhat akin to the mini-disc: The DVD is installed in a plastic-coated cartridge, avoiding it being damaged or deteriorated by scratches or fingerprints.

It should be underlined that the storage capacity of a DVD-RAM is up to 4.7 GB, meaning the recording time will be variable, depending upon the definition chosen by the user – high definition taking up more space and meaning consequently less recording time… low definition being the contrary.

Following the example of VHS which allowed one to define the running time of the tape, the DVD-R2000 will also have this capacity, with the speed of rotation of the disc able to be set at three different speeds for recording:
- FP (10Mbps, or one hour recording time);
- SP (5Mbps, or 2 hours’ recording time);
- LP (2.5Mbps, or 4 hours’ recording time).

Other functions, such as TBC (Time Base Correction) image correctors and DNR (Digital Noise Reduction), mean that during the transfer of the video onto the DVD-RAM, it is possible to obtain a recording quality which is in fact better than the original!

The audio section is managed, during the recording, by a DDCE (Dolby Digital Consumer Encoder) Analogue/Digital and Digital/Digital encoder, jointly developed with the Dolby Laboratories. Here, the format is limited to a Dolby signal on two channels, instead of six. One will have to wait in order to have an encoder "maybe one day" capable of independently transferring, on several channels, a mono or stereo signal (perhaps a futile wish in the domestic domain).


Video Section

The DVD-R2000 offers a video section worthy of the name: equipped with a chip for video dis-interlacing (progressive-scan), it also disposes of a 10 bit video converter that samples at a frequency of 54 MHz (This section is of course only able to be used on NTSC formats).

In terms of interfacing, it disposes of a component output, as well as S-video and composite. Note also that it disposes of inputs of the same type, allocated for the transfer of video signals for recording.


Audio Section

The audio elements particular to DVD imply compatibility with multi-channel formats… the DVD-R2000 thus deciphers, without any problems, all DVD software containing Dolby Digital and DTS streams. In order to perfect the unit, the machine is equipped, in the "play" department, with a 24 bit Digital/Analogue converter running at 96 kHz. The transfer of digital streams is undertaken by optical and coaxial output, added to by an analogue output.

As is the case with the video interfacing, the recording of audio streams is managed by an analogue input (a chip taking charge of the conversion of analogue into digital), as well as a coaxial cable input meaning that digital/digital conversion is possible during recording. Note also that a headphone socket allows the user to listen with VSS (Virtual Surround Sound).


Price and Availability

Marketed for a price of US$2000 in the month of December 2000 in the USA, the DVD-R2000 is a DVD recorder/player with an unbeatable price.
Its availability in Europe is not yet known: as usual, we will not hesitate to keep you informed as soon as the information comes to hand.