Toshiba DVD Players Go Portable

LAS VEGAS--Toshiba has announced two new portable DVD players and a high-definition projector, along with a digital media server that is part of its new collaboration with TiVo.

The first product born of Toshiba's partnership with TiVo, which began in November, will be a combination DVD/DVR to be released within six months, according to Toshiba representatives at the Consumer Electronics Show here. New product details were not discussed, but Toshiba may incorporate some features of its recently released DVD-RAM/HDD recorder (RD-X2), which comes with an 80GB hard drive.

"We believe the DVR market possesses tremendous potential for both consumers and technology innovators," says Yoshi Uchiyama, vice president of strategic business development for Toshiba. "Together with our leadership in DVD, we plan to build on a new domain of digital media server to bring consumers the enhanced lifestyle DVR technology can offer."

An On-the-Go DVD

Both new portable DVD players from Toshiba feature JPEG viewers and 3.5-hour lithium batteries. They are scheduled to ship in May.

The SD-P2500 has an 8.9-inch-diagonal high-resolution LCD screen with progressive scan output and surround-sound speakers mounted on either side of the display. Suggested retail price is $800.

The SD-P1200 features an easy-grip rubberized design with a 7-inch-diagonal wide-screen TFT LCD, and a credit card-size remote control. Its suggested retail price: $600.

Toru Uchiike, president of Toshiba American Consumer Products says portability, recording capability, integrated DVD, the TiVo partnership, and new technology like HD DVD9 and Advanced Optical Disk (AOD) are the cornerstones of Toshiba's emerging new product lineup.

"Toshiba has a long history of innovation as a DVD pioneer," Uchiike said. "The present categories will continue to expand and fuel even larger growth."

Projectors Ahead

Part of Toshiba's anticipated growth will be in the projector market.

Toshiba has just begun shipping the TDP-MT8U, its newest high-definition DLP front projector, aimed at the home theater market.

The new flagship of Toshiba's projector line, which carries a $10,000 price tag, comes with a high-contrast HD2 DLP chip from Texas Instruments. The unit provides 1280 by 720 pixels for 16:9 high-definition images and uses an advanced all-glass lens from Germany's Carl Zeiss.

"Toshiba has truly raised the bar in front projection with the MT8, utilizing all of the newest and best concepts available to create this flagship model, and really demonstrating Toshiba's commitment to high-quality home theater," says Scott Ramirez, vice president of marketing for the company.