News Release：Pioneer Introduces New DVD Recorders with Built-in HDDs

DVR-RT50H	HDD-S250
DVR-540H	DVR-640H

March 14, 2006, Tokyo, Japan - Pioneer Corporation announced today three new HDD/DVD recorders supporting the industry's first HDD add-on function^*1, the DVR-540H (with a 160 GB built-in HDD), the DVR-640H (with a 250 GB built-in HDD), and the DVR-RT50H (combination VHS/DVD with a 160 GB built-in HDD), and a 250 GB add-on hard disk drive HDD-S250.

The new lineup realizes longer recording hours, one of the basic requirements of all DVD recorders, and takes its popular easy-to-operate feature to a higher level, allowing users to record more with greater ease.

All of the three new HDD/DVD recorders can simply connect to the HDD-S250, an add-on HDD, to hold additional storage space of 250 GB. It allows users to copy recordings between the built-in HDD and the add-on HDD connected to the recorder, set timer recording directly to the add-on HDD, and select chase play during recording onto the add-on HDD.

To further improve convenience and user-friendliness in operations, the new recorders offer various functions including: the Simple Remote Control to help even entry-level users easily and smoothly record and playback, Disc Navigation's quick view mode where the thumbnail video plays short excerpts from throughout the selected title, and Jukebox to store and playback WMA/MP3 data on the recorders' HDDs as well as music CDs.

Pioneer HDD add-on compatible HDD/DVD recorders and add-on HDD will be available in Japan in April and late June 2006 respectively. No retail prices are suggested.

Main features:

[Common for DVR-540H, DVR-640H and DVR-RT50H]

1 ) The industry's first HDD add-on function increases available space for recording TV programs.

The HDD-S250, 250 GB add-on HDD, can be easily connected to the new recorders. By replacing the add-on HDD, users can increase the available space for recording as many times as needed. Dubbing between the built-in HDD and HDD add-on connected to the recorder, timer recording directly to the add-on HDD and chase play of recordings stored on add-on HDD are possible.

2 ) User-friendly 'Simple remote control' for easy operations in record and play

On the new remote control, the EPG^*2 button for setting timer recording is large and green in color, while the View button for viewing the recorded program is large and blue, for quick, easy-to-understand operation. Users can easily accomplish record and play operations with these two large color buttons and the cursor button on the remote control.

3 ) New Disc Navigation- Quick-View mode

When in the Disc Navigator, the thumbnail video plays short excerpts from throughout the selected title. It allows users to locate their desired recording more quickly and easily.

4 ) A wide range of compatibility in recording and playback

The new DVD recorders support the recording and playback of Dual Layer DVD-R, DVD+R Double Layer, DVD-RAM^*3, DVD+R/+RW, and DVD-R/DVD-RW discs, including the VR-mode recording to a Dual Layer DVD-R disc.

5 ) Environment-conscious design to realize low energy consumption

Power consumption in the standby mode (FL off) is 0.36 W for DVR-540H/DVR-640H, and 0.8 W for DVR-RT50H.

6 ) Other features:

• Jukebox function^*4 stores and play WMA/MP3 data as well as music CDs. WMA/MP3 data stored on CD-R/CD-RW can be transferred to the recorder's HDD.
• The Electronic Program Guide (EPG) display can be selected from a TV page style (like in a newspaper) or a list style.
• Help Navigator displays the operation guide screen to tell users the next operation even if they haven't read the instruction manual.
• Simple and powerful auto-search functions in EPG timer recording are available including Keyword Search (using the specially tailored data containing about 220,000 words), New Program Search to quickly search for new TV programs, and Rough Genre Search to search for TV programs related to the user's desired genre selected from 12 selections.
• Program trace functions are available to automatically/manually adjust the ending time of timer recording each for selected programs in case of the extension of the broadcasting time.

[Unique to DVR-640H] (Equipped with USB and DV input terminals)

1 ) Equipped with USB terminals (Pict-Bridge compatible) to make it possible to enjoy JPEG photos and MP3/WMA music

Via the USB terminal (Pict-Bridge compatible), users can connect their digital camera to the DVR-640H, and import JPEG images directly onto its HDD. In addition, they can copy the JPEG data stored on the HDD to a DVD disc in a slide show & JPEG format to distribute the data to their friends and family easily. With a Pict-Bridge compatible printer connected, users can print images stored on a digital camera without a computer. Plus, when using the Jukebox function, the recorders can play back or import MP3/WMA music files to the HDD via the USB terminal

2 ) 'Slideshow with music' for playing back pictures as a promotion video

During playback of the slideshow, users can enjoy music from the Jukebox.

3 ) Equipped with a DV-input terminal for easily copying video material from a DV camcorder to the HDD or a DVD disc

[Unique to DVR-RT50H] (Combination VHS/DVD)

1 ) 'One-button Auto Dubbing' to copy an entire VHS tape of video content onto a DVD

After setting a VHS tape to be dubbed and a blank DVD into the DVR-RT50H, what users do is simply press the "Auto Dubbing" button. The recorder will automatically perform all of the operations for dubbing: fast-rewinding the VHS tape, measuring the recorded time, selecting the optimum recording mode to DVD, and dubbing from VHS to DVD. This feature is perfect for customers who want to easily transfer their valuable video archives from VHS tapes to the DVD medium.

2 ) Equipped with two terrestrial analog tuners and a BS analog tuner

Users can record two programs simultaneously onto the HDD/DVD and VHS tape.

3 ) '6-way Dubbing' for easy copy among VHS, DVD and HDD

[Unique to HDD-S250]

1 ) The HDD-S250, 250 GB HDD, can store recordings of up to about 106 hours in the SP mode or up to about 711 hours in the MN1 mode^*5.

2 ) The power will automatically turn on/off in conjunction with the power of the DVD recorders connected to the add-on HDD.