Hitachi Announces Four New DVD Camcorders

For instance, many of Hitachi’s new DVD camcorders support bare-disk recording of DVD-RAM discs. Last year, Hitachi and Panasonic DVD camcorders recorded to DVD-RAM discs with plastic coverings; this year, these plastic covers are no longer necessary, which allows for a 15 percent reduction of product size. Furthermore, this year’s Hitachi line-up includes quick start and quick menu features also seen on this year’s Panasonic camcorders. All of Hitachi’s new DVD camcorders feature 16:9 recording capability.

DZ-MV730

Hitachi’s new line shows improvements to its imaging specifications, both in video capture and still recording. The new Hitachi Image Engine, included in all camcorders provides a 20 percent improvement in video noise reduction. It is comprised of the camcorder lens and LSI circuitry as well as the DVD optical drive.

The most advanced camcorder in this new line, the DZ-GX20, includes a 2.12 MP, 1/3.6 inch CCD with the ability to record digital stills at 1600 x 1200 pixels. The penultimate camcorder, the DZ-MV780, features a 1.3 MP, 1/4.5 CCD with 1280 x 960 pixel stills. The two least advanced camcorders this year retain the 680K, 1/6 inch CCD. The camcorders have optical zooms of 10x, 10x, 16x, and 16x, respectively.

DZ-MV750

The new DVD line also exhibits upgrades to the available ports for enhanced connectivity. All four of the new camcorders include A/V input/ouput, external microphone, and S-Video ports. The GZ-MV750, DZ-MV780, and DZ-GX20 feature USB 2.0 ports as well.

DZ-MV780

This year’s Hitachi DVD camcorders use the same Disc Navigation feature found on last year’s Hitachi camcorders. This navigational system allows for thumbnail view of captured images as well as rudimentary editing options available on the camcorder.

All of the new Hitachi DVD camcorders utilize MPEG2 video recording technology. When using a DVD-RAM disc, the camcorder utilizes either variable bit rate (VBR) or constant bit rate (CBR) recording formats. With a double-sided DVD-RAM disc inserted, the camcorders record nearly 40 minutes of video in extra-fine mode (640x480, 3-6Mbps VBR), 60 minutes in fine mode (640x480, 6Mbps CBR) or 120 minutes in standard mode (352x480, 3Mbps CBR). A double-sided DVD-RAM disc can also hold 1,998 still images recorded at high (640x480) resolution.

DZ-GX20

Manual controls and automatic controls remain identical to last year’s models, as does the option for Digital Image Stabilization. Inter-lineup differences include the DZ-GX20’s built-in flash and hot accessory shoe, as well as the above mentioned CCD and zoom differences; all other camcorder feature cold shoes and lack flashes.

One of the biggest differences between last year’s Hitachi DVD camcorders and this year’s DVD camcorders is magnificent affordability of this year’s camcorders. The the 2005 lineup will be available for the following recommended prices: DZ-GX20, $999.99US; DZ-MV780, $799.99US; DZ-MV750, $699.99US; GZ-MV730, $499.99US. All camcorders will be available this month.