Hitachi Brings Hybrid DVD/HDD to the US

Hitachi DZ-HS500A

January 8, 2007 – Hitachi announced today at CES that it will import the immensely popular Woo series of hybrid DVD/hard disk drive (HDD) camcorders to the US market beginning this year. Two models, the DZ-HS300A (Review, Specs, $0) ($599 MSRP) and the DZ-HS500A ($799 MSRP) will make their debut, though the “Woo” moniker will be dropped. For three consecutive months in late 2006, the 3MP version of the Hitachi hybrid was Japan’s number one-selling camcorder unit and the number one dollar share.

 

“It’s the world’s first,” said David Yang, a Hitachi spokesperson. “It shows that we’re innovative. Our message to the consumer: ...It’s a no-PC, hassle-free solution. No need to buy discs before you go out to film.”

 

One of the hybrid DVD/HDD’s key features is the ability to transfer data from hard drive to disc and then burn it internally. This provides a workaround for the problem of a HDD that has reached its capacity when the user does not have access to a computer (e.g. on a long vacation). This archiving issue has remained an area of concern since the introduction of HDD camcorders. Both new Hitachi models sport a prominent Dubbing button on the left side for one-touch transfer and burning.

 

“We don’t think using the camcorder as your permanent storage solution for your whole memories for a year at a time is a good idea,” as Yang explained the concept. “We want to promote the idea of getting it to DVD and burning it off.”

 

The DZ-HS300A features an 8GB internal HDD, good for approximately 3 hours of recording in the highest quality and 6 hours in standard quality. Imaging specs include a 1/6” 680K gross pixel CCD and a f/1.8 – 3.2, 34mm filter diameter lens. The zoom ranges to 25x optical / 1200x digital. The maximum still is 640 x 480. Stills can be saved to DVD, HDD, or SD card. A USB 2.0 port allows for video and still transfer.

 

Hitachi DZ-HS300A

 

The DZ-HS500A upgrades the HDD to 30GB thus boosting recording time considerably – 11 hours of the highest quality video and 23 hours of the standard quality. The 30GB HDD puts the camcorder on par with most of the entry-level Sony HDD camcorders in terms of capacity, but the new Sony DCR-SR200, announced yesterday, features a much more advanced imaging system. Despite the $200 price difference from the entry-level model, the DZ-HS500A does not include an upgraded imager. However, it does offer an analog input which is absent on all of the Sony HDD camcorders. Zoom power has also been increases to 30x optical / 1500x digital.

 

 

Both camcorders share the look and feel of past Hitachis, including a menu operated by a left-mounted touchpad, and a Quick menu / full menu arrangement. In addition, both feature electronic image stabilization, a widescreen 2.7” LCD, and a 0.2” EVF. Compatible DVD formats include DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, and DVD-RAM. Hitachi does not currently support Dual Layer DVDs.