SKNet Inc. adds the PC Card interface MPEG 1/2 capturing "MonsterVR Mobile" to their "Monster" product line.

The unit, scheduled to go on sale during the latter part of July, is officially listed as "Open Price". Speculation indicates the price to be around 20,000 yen. The supporting operating systems are Windows 2000 and XP. Also, the OEM version of the MonsterVR Mobile is scheduled to ship during the first half of July.

The MonsterVR Mobile employs Matsushita's MPEG-1/2 Encoder LSI, "MN85572". While PC Card Type 2 is supported, CardBus is not supported. Though other companies have produced their own PC-Card MPEG-1/2 capture boards, it is rare to see one with a hardware-based encoder.

For capturing, the card includes original software. Video capture can be done in both MPEG-1 and MPEG-2, while audio capturing is in the MPEG-1 Audio Layer II format. The maximum resolution for capture is 720x480, and CBR/VBR are also supported. Additionally, the DVD authoring software "DVD MovieWriter2 SE" is included.

For input, users may choose between S-Video or Composite, both of which utilize Stereo audio inputs. The cables are included with the device. Power is supplied via the PC Card slot, so there is no need for an external power source.

Sources:
http://watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20030707/sknet.htm
http://www.sknet-web.co.jp/sknet/news_release/movr.htm

Interpreter Notes:
I could have used a device like this for when I actually lived in Japan. It's a shame it has taken so long for hardware-encoding PCMCIA capture cards to come out. But at least they exist now. And if you ask me, 20,000 yen (like $175) is a bit steep for only S-Video and Composite inputs.