Audio Video News

JVC hopes to make a major splash in the video market this year. The company has announced plans to release a variety of new products in the coming months, including plasma displays, LCD TVs, DVD recorders, and big-screen rear projection HDTVs using displays its "Digital Light Amplification" (D-ILA) technology.

By mid-summer JVC will deliver two D-ILA HDTV rear-projection monitors, the 52" HD-52Z575 and the 61" HD-61Z575, priced at $4,499.99 and $5,499.95 respectively. On the way by fall are two integrated D-ILA models with built-in ATSC tuners, unidirectional CableCARD capability and IEEE-1394 interfaces. These two, the 52" HD-52Z795 and the 61" HD-61Z795, will be priced at $4,999.95 and $5,999.95 respectively. JVC's D-ILA models each will use three 0.7" D-ILA chips with 1280 x720 resolution, and will incorporate JVC's Digital Image Scaling Technology (DIST) and "Four-Point Color Management" technology. The use of three image chips is claimed to offer vastly better picture quality than the use of single chips, according to JVC.

This year, JVC plans to deliver four models of high-definition plasma TVs with HDMI/HDCP inputs. Resolution is specified at XGA level (1024 x 768) with DIST and the company's proprietary Four-Point Color Management system. Due in July, the plasma displays include 42" PD-42X795 at $5,999.95 and the 50" PD-50X795 at $8,999.95.

For customers who prefer uncluttered installations, JVC will offer two models with optical wireless HD video transmission capability, enabling wireless connection between sources and the display. A small transmitter and receiver send and receive uncompressed high-definition images at 1.5Gbps. JVC claims the system causes no loss of image quality. Also due in July, the 42" PD-42X995 will sell for $5,999.95 and the 50" PD-50X995 for $8,999.95.

Widescreen high-def LCD televisions are also on JVC's schedule this year, in four sizes: 17", 23", 26" and 32". Due in July and August, the LCD sets will range in price from $1099 for the smallest one to $2999 for the largest. DVD-RAM recorders are also due from JVC - the single-disc DR-M10SL at $699 and the combo DVD recorder/hard disk DVR model DR-MH30S at $999. In April, JVC plans to deliver a combo DVD recorder/VCR model DR-MV1S at $799. The DR-MV1S will upconvert VHS to 480P, according to a company announcement.