CES, LAS VEGAS - JANUARY 5, 2005 Continuing to drive the industry with innovation, Toshiba America Consumer Products, L.L.C., (Toshiba) announced today its 2005 line-up of new Digital Audio Video models with key feature enhancements that follow the industry trends in emerging technologies.
"Toshiba's new DVD line showcases our commitment of responding to consumers with quality products that incorporate features to provide a more complete entertainment experience," said Jodi Sally, Assistant Vice President of Marketing, Toshiba America Consumer Products Digital A/V Group. "We have added Memory Card slots and expanded our line-up of models with HDMI™ connections."
Also on display at CES 2005 are Toshiba's expanded lines of TV combination products, and the newly introduced gigastyle family of products.
DVD Recorders
Responding to the emerging DVD Recorder market, Toshiba announced three new models in key configurations designed to meet the increasing demands from consumers seeking easy to use, high performance recorders. Continuing with its multi-drive strategy, the new DVD recorders give users the widest selection of recording and viewing choices.
Designed for ease-of use, one of the key features included in several of the models is the EASY NAVI menu. This portal is designed to simplify operations by offering users direct access to key operations, such as locating and playback of recorded content.
Leading the line-up is the new RD-XS34 Multi Drive (DVD-RAM, DVD-R and DVD-RW) DVD Recorder which will feature a 160GB hard disc drive allowing users to record and playback their favorite TV shows as well as building personal movie libraries for archiving and preserving family videos. To help consumers with their digital recordings, The RD-XS34 features TV Guide On Screen® Interactive Program Guide for simple channel navigation and recording scheduling. In addition, the unit comes with the EASY NAVI menu, offers high speed dubbing (24x to DVD-RAM and 32x for DVD-R) and comes with a DV input to allow the transfer of camcorder recordings directly onto DVD media.
Combining the features and benefits of two technologies, Toshiba also introduced the D-VR4 "dual deck" DVD recorder with a 4 Head Hi Fi VCR allowing users to easily archive home VHS tapes to DVD-RAM, DVD-RW or DVD-R within the same device. This Multi Drive recorder includes ColorStream Pro® Component Video outputs, and one-touch bi-directional dubbing between DVD and VCR as well as four different recording modes.
Rounding up the DVD Recorder line is Toshiba's new Multi Drive D-R4 DVD Recorder also offering recording and playback of DVD-RAM, DVD-RW or DVD-R media. The unit features the EASY NAVI portal, ColorStream Pro Component Video outputs and five different recording modes.
All Toshiba DVD recorders feature Digital Cinema Progressive Scan output, Multimedia playback for JPEGs and MP3 titles, and a Zoom mode. The line also features 3-D Virtual Surround Sound and Digital Noise Reduction.
Digital Media Servers
Toshiba also showcased its two Digital Media Server models that feature TiVo® technology with DVD recording. Currently shipping, both models include high capacity hard disc drives with the capability to record the user's favorite programs. With the addition of a front panel DV input, both models offer the ability to transfer camcorder material to the hard drive and then to DVD quickly and easily.
With TiVo Basic™ service included, users can select programs to record from a 3-day program guide, save them to the hard drive and view them at their leisure, or they can record their shows to DVD quickly and easily. The TiVo easy to use interface can automatically create a DVD Menu based on the user's selections, or titles can be manually entered. In either case, simplicity is the key. Additionally, both units come with a 45-day free trial of the TiVo Plus™ service, offering users the opportunity to try features unique to the TiVo Plus service including the ability to search for programs by title, set up Season Pass™ recordings for their favorite shows, and create WishLists™ to find their favorite shows.
Other key features include Progressive Scan Component Video Outputs for both DVD and DVR signals, capability to record in DVD-R and DVD-RW formats, as well as an IR blaster for Cable Box and Satellite Receiver control. The TiVo Basic service includes a 3-day rolling program guide, TV "Trick Play" features including the ability to pause and
rewind live TV, and manual recording capability with repeat function. Both units are fully upgradeable to the TiVo Plus service (subscription required), which includes the newly added Home Media Option.
The RS-TX20 with 120GB hard disc drive (up to 140 hours of recording time) and the RS-TX60 with 160GB hard disc drive (up to 200 hours of recording time) are both available now.
DVD Players
Continuing on its legacy in the DVD category, Toshiba's new DVD player line features an expanded line-up of models with HDMI™ connections offering uncompressed digital signals as it up-scales video to high definition (1080i/720p) resolution and transmits high quality audio through the connection. Toshiba DVD players with HDMI connectivity offer a solution to consumers who have upgraded their home theater system with HDTV sets to enjoy full HD resolution while watching DVD movies. HDMI is the first industry supported uncompressed, all-digital, audio/video connection in a single interconnecting cable. Toshiba has also added Memory Card slots with select models that support up to ten different formats of today's most popular memory cards. These cards are used in digital cameras and digital audio players, all with capabilities of playing unencrypted MP3 and WMA titles, in addition to JPEGs.
Leading this year's DVD lineup in single tray players, is the new SD-6980 featuring multi-media capabilities, such as playback of both multi-channel audio formats, DVD-Audio and SACD, a built-in Dolby® Digital Decoder, HDMI output with video upconversion to 720p/1080i, and Divx™ playback all in one unit. In addition, it includes an innovative HD JPEG viewer and Memory Card slots supporting ten different formats (Secure Digital™, Mini SD™, Memory Stick™, MS Pro™, MS Duo™, MS Duo Pro™, Compact Flash™, XD Picture Card™, Smart Media™ and Multimedia Memory Card).
Toshiba's new SD-5980 also incorporates HDMI output with video upconversion to 720p/1080i and a HD JPEG viewer. The combination of the HDMI output and specialized MPEG Decoder/Scaler chipset, provides consumers with a solution that maximizes viewing of high resolution digital images, realizing up to six times greater resolution than component video on a 1080i display. In addition, the model also features a Memory Card slot that supports nine different formats (Secure Digital, Mini SD, Memory Stick, MS Pro, MS Duo, MS Duo Pro, Compact Flash, XD Picture Card, and Multimedia Memory Card) and a universal remote control with TV Controls.
Toshiba's line-up begins with the SD-3980. This new model designed for the style conscious consumer stands out due to its super slim chassis - only 42 mm. It features Digital Cinema Progressive Scan (3/2 Pulldown), ColorStream Pro component video outputs, multi-disc compatibility, MP3 and WMA playback and a JPEG viewer so users can view their digital images on TV.
With consumers building multi-media libraries, Toshiba will continue to offer the SD-5915 five-disc carousel DVD/CD model. This model features Digital Cinema Progressive Scan output, ColorStream Pro Component Video Outputs, multi-disc compatibility, a JPEG viewer, 3-D Virtual Surround Sound, a coaxial digital output and a universal remote control.
DVD/VCR Combination
Toshiba's new 2005 lineup includes three new DVD/VCR combination models; all models offer a full-featured DVD player offering Digital Cinema Progressive Scan and ColorStream Pro Component Video Outputs. Continuing with the HDMI strategy, the SD-V593 leads the line-up featuring HDMI output with video up-conversion to 720p/1080i, HD JPEG viewer and a Memory Card slot supporting nine different formats (Secure Digital, Mini SD, Memory Stick, MS Pro, MS Duo, MS Duo Pro, Compact Flash, XD Picture Card, and Multimedia Memory Card). In addition, the unit comes with a universal glow remote control. The SD-V493 also offers a Memory Card slot and the SD-V393 ideal for the DVD novice with easy-to-use convenience features and a new slimmer design. All DVD / VCR models permit DVD playback while recording a TV broadcast on VHS.
Portable DVD
Also on display is the CEA Innovations Award-winning SD-P2700 portable DVD player. The SD-P2700 was awarded for its high resolution 8.9" widescreen TFT LCD display with a swivel screen designed to offer many different viewing angles allowing for better viewing of content. The unit's screen can also turn and fold to fit like a tablet PC giving users more flexibility and space saving benefits, which can be particularly convenient in tight seating spaces, like airplanes or buses.
The SD-P2700 is designed to take full advantage of the DVD format in both video and audio and comes equipped with technology features like Super ColorStream Pro Progressive Scan Component Video Outputs for a high quality connection in the home. The SD-P2700 also features a Memory Card slot that supports three different formats (Secure Digital, MultiMedia and Smart Media), a JPEG viewer, Digital Picture Zoom and new Bass-Reflex speakers with titanium drivers. A DC car cord is also included. With a redesigned, lightweight 3.5-hour "quick charge" (charges in approximately 3 hours) Lithium Ion rechargeable battery pack, the Toshiba SD-P2700 is a portable theater that permits users to enjoy high-quality audio and video entertainment anytime, and almost anywhere.
Toshiba's portable DVD line begins with the new SD-P1600 featuring a 7" widescreen TFT LCD display. The player offers a new sleek, stylish design that is so compact; it is just about the size of two stacked DVD cases, easy for pack-and-go traveling. Additional features include dual headphone jacks, multi-disc compatibility and a JPEG Viewer, several zoom modes and 3-D virtual surround sound. For added portability, this model includes a rechargeable Lithium Ion battery and comes complete with a DC car cord.
DVD Home Theater Systems
Toshiba also announced two new DVD Home Theater systems with an array of advanced entertainment options. The new systems were designed to compliment Toshiba's display line with a simple, single box solution. The new SD-V57HT includes an integrated receiver with a progressive scan DVD player and a four head HiFi VCR. In addition to Digital Cinema Progressive Scan outputs it offers component and S-video outputs for flexibility in connectivity, as well as an optical digital input and two analog A/V inputs to support additional products such as DBS and cable. The model offers six-channel amplification for a surround sound experience. The system offers five discreet channels at 70 Watts and a 150-Watt subwoofer channel (500 Watts total).
The new SD-C67HT features a 5-disc changer. The system includes a HDMI output with video up-conversion to 720p or 1080i, in addition to Memory Card slots supporting seven formats (Secure Digital, Multimedia Memory Card, Memory Stick, MS Pro, Smart Media Card, Compact Flash and MD). The SD-C67HT provides five discrete channels at 90 Watts with a 150-Watt subwoofer channel (600 Watts total). The 2-way speaker system is comprised of semi-tower front speakers, slim profile center channel and satellite rear speakers and a ported subwoofer with a 7" driver.
Suggested retail pricing and availability information:
DVD Recorders:
D-R4 ($229.99, March 05); D-VR4 ($349.99 March, 05); RD-XS34 ($499.99 March, 05)
DVD Players:
SD-3980 ($59.99, February 05); SD-5980 ($149.99, March 05); SD-6980 ($199.99, July 05); SD-5915 ($99.99, Available now)
DVD Player / VCR Combination:
SD-V393 ($99.99, March 05); SD-V493 ($129.99, April 05); SD-V593 ($179.99, May 05)
Portable DVD Players:
SD-P1600 ($229.99, January 05); SD-P2700 ($499.99, Available now)
DVD Home Theater Systems
SD-V57HT ($299.99, March 05); SD-C67HT ($399.99, April 05)