Toshiba unveils LCD TVs, DVD recorders, more

Toshiba recently unveiled several new lines of LCD TVs, portable and home DVD players, DVD recorders, and some LCD TV-DVD combo units. The AV500 series LCDs range from 19- to 42-inches in size, and feature a 720p HD image resolution. Dynamic backlight controls can adjust for deeper black levels, and the display is housed in a glossy black cabinet. LCDs in the AV500 series will range from $430 to $1300, and Toshiba expects to ship the various models between February and May.

The Regza CV510 series ($900 - $1100) is designed for TV and game enthusiasts, and will be available in 32- and 37-inch sizes at 720p. Toshiba’s PixelPure 4G 14-bit Internal Digital Video Processor provides smoother images with over 4,000 levels of gradation; audio is reproduced through the company’s 1.5-inch SoundStrip speaker system. The new Gaming Mode provides more direct video signal-to-screen throughput, allowing for faster display response time. The Regza CV510 series will ship in March.

Also new is the Regza RV530 series ($1100 - $2700), which are ideal for home theatre enthusiasts. The LCDs come in sizes ranging from 32-inces to 52-inches, and include the same features as the CV510 series. In addition, the RV530 series is capable of displaying 1080p video, and have a 15,000:1 contrast ratio. The Regza RV530 series will ship during February and March.

For sport and action lovers, the Regza XV540 ($1700 - $2900) series features a 120Hz refresh rate at 1080p, and is available in 42-, 46-, and 52-inch sizes. The display features over 16,000 gradation levels, using the 14-Bit PixelPure processor with a 10-bit panel. ColorBurst technology is also included, providing 108-percent of the color gamut of standard NTSC, which gives users a rich color palette. The 42- and 46-inch models will ship in March, with the 52-inch version following in April.

The Regza XF550 series ($2000 - $3200) is framed by a 0.9-inch bezel, and uses the thinner SoundStrip 2 speaker system to deliver audio content. Available in 40-, 46-, and 52-inch sizes, the LCDs take advantage of 1080p video resolution, and display the same 16,000+ gradation levels found in the XV540 series. The 120Hz panel also uses the same color gamut as the former series, and features three HDMI connectors that are compatible with X.V. Color and Deep Color, as well as HDMI CEC. Toshiba expects to ship the Regza FX550 series in February.

Even while heavily backing the transition to HD DVD, Toshiba continues to develop upconverting DVD players that can scale from 720p to 1080p. The SD-6100 ($70) connects through HDMI CEC, or through ColorStream Pro component video. Supported formats include DivX, WMA, MP3, and JPEG, while the entry level SD-4100 ($40) lacks support for DivX and WMA. The SD-4100 will ship in January, with the SD-6100 following shortly after in February.

Toshiba’s single deck D-R410 DVD recorder ($120) connects through HDMI CEC, and supports DVD±R/RW formatted discs. It has the ability to upconvert video to 1080p, and can playback JPEG and MP3 files. The D-R560 ($180) shares these capabilities, and adds an ATSC/NTSC tuner, with WMA and DivX playback.

Two combination DVD/VHS recorders were also unveiled, providing 720p, 1080i, and 1080p upconversion through HDMI. These units also record to DVD±R/RW formatted discs, and include ATSC/NTSC tuners. The D-VR660 ($250) offers bi-directional dubbing, while the D-VR610 ($180) includes a line input connector to record from cable boxes and satellite receivers. With the exception of the D-VR660, all models will ship in February; the former will follow in March.

Toshiba’s portable DVD offerings consist of the SD-P71S ($130), SD-P91S($180), and SD-P101S ($300), which feature a 7-, 9-, and 10.2-inch swiveling widescreen, respectively. The entry-level SD-P71S has a new durable rubberized black cabinet, and features up to three hours of battery life. The two larger models have up to five hours battery life, and support for WMA, MP3, JPEG, and DivX file formats; the 7-inch model does not support DivX. All three units feature a car cord adapter, and will be available by April.

Toshiba also revealed two new LCD TVs with built-in DVD players: the 19-inch 19LV505 ($480), and the 22-inch 22LV505 ($600). The 22-inch version features a screen resolution of 1680 by 1050, and a 1000:1 contrast ration, with a 5ms response time. Using HDMI and VGA connections, it can be connected up to computers and home theatre equipment. The 19LV505 also comes in a high-gloss white finish version, called the 19LV506. All models support DivX, MP3, WMA, and JPEG playback. The 22LV505 will ship in April, with the two 19-inch models available the previous month in March.

[images via Engadget]

Filed under: peripherals
Other story tags: Toshiba, LCD, DVD, HDMI, recorder