Hitachi pocketsize 16x8 DVD camcorders have USB. 2.0 link

By Bernard Cole
iApplianceWeb
(06/02/04, 3:22:09 PM PT)

San Diego, Ca. -- The Home Electronics Division of Hitachi America, Ltd. is now delivering to retail outlets two fourth generation DVD camcorders small enough to fit into your pocket with an optional 16 x9 widescreen recording format. 

The newest models, the UltraVision DZ-MV550A and DZ-MV580A, offer a lighter chassis, a more user-friendly grip and a new Quick Mode menu function that allows for easier navigation through  the camcorder's menu system. Additionally, the DZ-MV580A includes an optional 16x9 widescreen filming format. This new widescreen format records in a native 16x9 aspect without croppingor zooming.  

Users can select between increased recording quality or extended recording time. When using a DVD-RAM disc, the camcorder uses either variable bit rate (VBR) or constant bit rate (CBR) recording formats. With a double sided DVD-RAM disc inserted, the camcorders record about 40 minutes of video in extra-fine mode

(704x480, 3-9Mbps VBR), 60 minutes in fine mode (704x480, 6Mbps CBR) or 120 minutes in standard mode (352x480, 3Mbps CBR).  

The double-sided DVD-RAM disc can also hold 1,998 still images recorded at high resolution (1280x960 for DZ-MV580A and 640x480 for DZ-MV550A). The DVD-R disc recordings can be played on most DVD players and DVD-ROM drives.

 The camcorder's DVD-R function shoots about 30 minutes of high quality DVD video in fine mode (704x480, 6Mbps CBR) or about 60 minutes in standard mode (352x480, 3Mbps CBR).   

To get around the fact that DVD-Rs are not re-writeable and in most cases must be finalized before they will play in most DVD players and DVD-ROMs. However, to simplify the process and to save time for the user, Hitachi's new multi-format DVD/VCR combo recorder (DV-RF7U) can playback non-finalized DVD-R discs recorded on Hitachi DVD camcorders. 

Because the devices have an external USB2.0 connection, video can be uploaded to a PC and edited with the included PC software. After editing, the video can be transferred back to the camcorder and burned onto a DVD-R for playback on most DVD players. If the PC has a compatible 4.7GB DVD-RAM drive the user can simply place the DVD-RAM disc in the drive and download the information directly to a PC.  

The camcorders can record digital still photos directly to the DVD-RAM disc or to a Multi Media or Secure Digital flash memory card. Depending on the model of camcorder, the compression and the selected resolution, the camcorders can record between 22-400 JPEG images on a 16MB memory card. 

The DZ-MV550A features a 680k pixel 1/4-inch CCD, 18x optical zoom lens with 500x digital zoom expander, a six-mode auto exposure, auto and manual white balance and full auto and manual focus. Fitted with a 2.5-inch TFT LCD color monitor, the unit has a 113K pixel color viewfinder and digital stereo sound. 

In addition to the USB2.0 PC connection, the camcorder includes an S-video output, an A/V input/output and microphone jack. The unit comes equipped with a Li-ion battery, remote control, 8cm single-sided DVD-RAM disc, A/V cable with S-video, USB cable and PC software, CD-ROM with USB driver, UDF file system software, VR editing software and DVD authoring software. 

Measuring only 3.5 x 2.50 x 5.8 inches and weighing 1.09 lbs., it is available now for $699.99. 

The DZ-MV580A offers a 1 mega pixel CCD which increases the resolution of still pictures to 1280x960. An S-Video input enables optimal transfer of high resolution tape-based material. Additionally, the  DZ-MV580A offers a 10x optical zoom lens with 240x digital zoom expander and a hot accessory shoe forflash. Other specs and accessories match the DZ-MV550A. It is available now for $899.99. 

For more information on the products, go to www.hitachi.com.