Here's a new DVR from Pioneer, and it is apparently the first to support writing to Dual Layer DVD-R.

Pioneer will release the "DVR-555H" hybrid recorder in early June, which can save digital images, write to DVD, and output to printers. It is Open Price. Estimates indicate it should cost around 80,000 yen.

The DVR-555H is a hybrid recorder that features both DVD drive capable of writing to Dual Layer DVD-R (with a maximum 8.5GB capacity) and 250GB hard drive. It is the world's first consumer-level hybrid recorder with a Dual Layer DVD-R drive. Writing to Dual Layer DVD-R is at a maximum of 6x. Recording will be done o­nly in Video Mode, and VR mode is not supported. Also supported is reading/writing of DVD-R and DVD-RW, as well as reading of DVD-RAM, DVD+R, and DVD+RW. The maximum MPEG-2 recording bitrate is 15Mbps.

In addition to recording from internal tuner capable of received VHF, UHF and CATV signals or external inputs, it supports the reading of images from PictBridge supporting digital cameras by way of USB. These images can be played o­n the TV, and also written to DVD. JPEGs up to 5120 x 3840 can be played back. It cannot read movies recorded by a digital camera. There are two USB ports o­n the front and back of the 555H.

Writing to DVD is done using the DVD Video format. Both slideshow and JPEG images are written to the DVD at the same time, so that the disc can be played in either DVD player or PC. The slideshow is automatically created. Also available is a function to choose which images are included in the slideshow. It does not have a transition of editing function.

By connecting the 555H to a PictBridge supporting printer, still images stored o­n the hard drive can be printed. Also planned is connection with USB card readers, USB memory, and USB keyboards, for inputting program titles. The unit itself does not feature any sort of memory card slots.

As a hybrid recorder, the unit features EPG (electronic program guide) for automatic recording, a ghost-reducing tuner, D2 output jack and DV input jack. The internal tuner supports o­nly terrestrial and CATV. Also available is a "Music Jukebox" function for storing music from CDs o­n the hard drive. It measures 420 x 273 x 59mm (W x D x H), and weighs about 4.1kg.

Announced at the same time was the lower end "DVR-530H." Its hard drive is 200GB (rather than 250GB), and it has no USB ports. It will be released in early May, and is scheduled to cost around 70,000 yen.

Inspired by:
http://dc.watch.impress.co.jp/cda/accessories/2005/03/31/1302.html

Press Release:
http://www.pioneer.co.jp/press/release480-j.html