Mitsubishi Digital Electronics introduced its line-up of DVD players and Digital/Analog recording solutions. In the DVD category, the company introduced three new models of progressive players, the DD-6040, DD-7040 and the DD-8040. The DD-6040 features a slim chassis, improved remote control and full compatibility with standard DVD discs as well as CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-R and decodes JPEG, MP3 and WMA. The DD-7040, in addition to all the features of the DD-6040, also includes DVD-Audio, with both six channel and Dolby® Digital 5.1 output. The DD-8040 has all the features of the DD-7040 coupled with the Faroudja® DCDi(TM) video processor. The DD-6040, DD-7040 and DD-8040 have a suggested value price (SVP) of $179, $249 and $299, respectively.

In the Digital/Analog recording solutions category, the company is continuing both the HS-HD1100U and HS-HD2000U HDTV Digital Recorders, and the HS-U448, HS-U748 and HS-U778 VHS Analog Recorders. The company is also introducing a silver version of the HS-U448, the HS-U449. The company announced SVPs as follows: HS-HD1100U -- $449, HS-HD2000U -- $549, HS-U448 -- $99, HS-U748 -- $199, HS-U778 -- $249 and the HS-U449 -- $99.

"We are pleased to introduce this line of DVD players which not only feature progressive 480P output as a baseline, but also include such key consumer features such as digital photo viewers and `ripped' audio player capability," said Max Wasinger, senior vice president of sales and marketing.

"And to meet today's digital television recording needs, the HDTV Digital Recorders, which simply and easily record from the FireWire(TM) (IEEE1394) connections found in the best home theater systems, are the solutions of choice," he noted.

"The Faroudja DCDi(TM) video processor found in the DD-8040 provides silky smooth video images and fluid motion without artifacts, an expensive circuit normally reserved for extraordinarily expensive DVD players," said Robert A. Perry, vice president, marketing. "And since we are still several years away from an optical HD home recording solution, our Digital VHS recorders are not only the best HDTV recording value, they are the only HDTV home recording technology available today," he added.