Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc. introduced today two new DVD recorders, including one of the first in the market to combine DVD recording with a hard disc drive for both short- and long-term storage of television programming and an entry-level model that will introduce DVD recording to a much broader range of consumers. The DVR-002H, with its 80-gigabyte hard disc drive, offers expanded capabilities including the ability to playback a DVD while recording onto the hard drive or to play programs from the hard drive while recording onto DVD. The hard drive also enables consumers to watch programs from the beginning while the recorder simultaneously finishes the recording. Content from the hard drive can also be transferred to a DVD for long term storage. A one- hour program can be transferred to DVD-R in as little as 2 1/2 minutes.

The DVR-001 is a great entry-level DVD recorder for anyone interested in replacing an outdated VCR with simple one-button recording.

Both DVD recorders offer more features than a VCR ever could, placing recording and editing functions at consumers' fingertips. They deliver on the promise of 'entertainment on your terms,' enabling storage of television programming for later viewing at the consumers' convenience.

"These new products represent the rapid advancement in DVD technology that is making VHS obsolete in the home. DVD recording is fast and easy, providing capabilities unheard of with videotape. And, now, it's very affordable, with new recorders at prices that make them much easier to purchase for a wide range of consumers," said Craig McManis, vice president of marketing for the home entertainment division of Pioneer Electronics (USA) Inc "These new recorders make a great replacement to the family's VCR, but don't get rid of the VCR until you've transferred your home movies from tape to DVD."

Transfer Videotapes to DVD

Both units are equipped to transfer your old videotapes to longer-lasting DVD-R or DVD-RW discs for more permanent storage. Unlike videotape, DVD will not degrade over time when exposed to heat and humidity. It's a good idea to transfer any home movies from tape to disc in order to preserve them for future generations. DVD-R discs are best for archiving because they are write-once discs (like CD-R) and can not be accidentally erased.

Create New Home Movies

The DVR-002H offers a firewire connection on the front panel, enabling consumers to connect a digital camcorder to the DVD recorder for basic viewing and editing functions. The camcorder can be controlled with the remote control from the DVR-002H, making it simple to edit out sections of video that are no longer wanted and create simple menus to navigate the home movie. The newly created DVD-R disc can be played back on most other DVD players and DVD-ROM computer drives.

Record from Television

Both DVD recorders come equipped with a 181-channel cable TV tuner for instant one-touch recording from television to a DVD-R or DVD-RW disc. When a disc is inserted, it automatically searches for recorded content and available recording space, so the consumer doesn't have to go through the tedious process of finding the appropriate place to begin recording that exists with today's VHS recorders. Through automatic menus, consumers can simply locate and play a desired portion of the recorded material instead of fast-forwarding and rewinding through videotape.

Watching Movies

Both DVD recorders offer Pioneer's PureCinema™ progressive scan circuitry for outstanding image quality when watching DVD movies.

The DVR-001 and DVR-002H will be available in summer 2003 with a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $625 and $999, respectively.