News Release：Pioneer Introduces the DVR-2000 DVD Recorder

DVR-2000

DVS-R47	DVS-RW47A

Tokyo, Japan, November 20, 2000 --- Pioneer Corporation today announced its introduction of the company's 2nd generation DVD Recorder, the "DVR-2000", to the Japanese domestic market. The DVR-2000 is the world's first DVD recorder that enables playback of both recorded DVD-R discs (for General Ver. 2.0; write once) and DVD-RW discs (Ver. 1.1; re-recordable approx. 1000 times) on many existing DVD players^*1 and DVD-ROM drives^*2.

< Planning Concept >

DVD, standing for "Digital Versatile Disc," is noted for its space-saving, long-term storage and rapid random access as well as high picture and sound quality. Consequently this format is currently experiencing phenomenal growth. In Japan, sales of DVD players are expected to exceed 1 million units during the current fiscal year, a 2.5-fold increase over the previous year, raising the accumulated total of DVD player shipments to more than 1.8 million units (excluding DVD-Video ready game machines).

The DVR-2000 provides the world's first "Video Mode" recording feature compliant with DVD forum standards, in addition to "Standard Mode" and "Manual Mode" recording that offers a wide range of functions including easy editing (for RW discs only). DVD-R discs (For General version 2.0) and DVD-RW discs (version 1.1) recorded in "Video Mode" can be played back on many existing DVD players and DVD-ROM drives installed in personal computers.

The DVR-2000 is also equipped with a DV in/out terminal (i.Link)^*3 for easy DV camcorder recording on a DVD-R or DVD-RW disc, to meet user demands.

The "DVS-R47" DVD-R disc for Video Mode recording, and "DVS-RW47A" DVD-RW disc enabling recording by Video Mode and Standard/Manual Mode will be released soon after the DVR-2000.

< Main features of DVR-2000 DVD Recorder >

1 ) Three recording modes to suit the application or disc type

The DVR-2000 provides 3 recording modes^*4-"Video Mode", "Standard Mode" and "Manual Mode"-to suit the application or type of disc being used.

1. "Video Mode", a new recording mode that allows playback on many existing DVD players
   "Video Mode" is a recording method based on the 'DVD-Video Format'. DVD-R (for General Ver. 2.0) and DVD-RW (Ver. 1.1) discs^*5 that have been recorded in Video Mode can be played back not only in Pioneer-made DVD players but also on many existing DVD players^*1 from other manufacturers, as well as on personal computers outfitted with drives^*1 and software supporting DVD-Video^*2. Recording time in V1 mode is 1 hour and in V2 mode is 2 hours.
   *5 Video Mode recording is not possible on Version 1.0 DVD-RW discs.
2. "Standard Mode" and "Manual Mode" for easy editing functions
   The "Standard Mode" and "Manual Mode" supports both version 1.0 and 1.1 DVD-RW discs^*6 and uses the 'Video Recording Format'. This format applies MPEG compression technology and realizes real-time recording of high-quality images, while also providing a wealth of editing functions.
   Recording time in Standard Mode is 2 hours and in Manual Mode ranges from 1 to 6 hours on a blank disc.
   *6 Standard/Manual mode cannot be used for recording on DVD-R discs.

2 ) Write-once recording on DVD-R discs

"DVD-R" is a global standard approved by the DVD Forum, which allows 'write-once' recording having the same 4.7 GB capacity of DVD-Video discs. It can be recorded on only once, so there is no danger that precious images will be inadvertently erased, making it the ideal media for archiving. The DVR-2000 allows Video Mode recording on DVD-R (for General Ver. 2.0) discs.

3 ) DV terminal (i.Link) for digital editing from a DV system camcorder

The DVR-2000 is equipped with a DV in/out terminal (i.LINK), allowing connection of a DV System camcorder. This terminal lets users perform digital dubbing from a DV camcorder to a DVD-R or RW disc, or from a DVD-R or RW disc to camcorder. This terminal also enables the DVR-2000 to operate the Play, Pause, Fast Forward, Rewind, and Slow controls on the connected DV camcorder^*7, making editing tasks on DVD-R and RW discs quite easy.

4 ) Copyright Protection Technology

The DVR-2000 is equipped with copyright protection technology currently used to protect the copyrights of video authors-CGMS^*8 signal judgment and Macrovision signal detection-and therefore cannot make recordings that violate the rights of copyright holders. Furthermore, blank DVD-R and DVD-RW discs also contain protection technology that prevents the copying of discs protected by CSS (Content Scrambling System).

5 ) Innovative DVD Recorder features

1. Easy recording without any 'cueing' (Video/Standard/Manual Modes)
   The DVR-2000 allows instant, one-touch start of recording without the cumbersome task of index searching (cueing) like needed with videocassette recorders. When a disc is inserted, the DVR-2000 automatically searches for recorded content and available recording space, then displays the details.
2. Title List for displaying recorded chapters on screen (Video Mode only)
   When replaying titles recorded in Video Mode on a DVD player, these chapters can be displayed neatly in a list. The user only would have to choose the desired chapter, and press the 'enter (or play) ' button.
3. Disc Navi (Navigator) for instant index viewing (Standard/Manual Mode)
   When the "Disc-Navi" button is pressed, the contents recorded on a disc can be seen in a directory of still pictures ("thumbnails"). A chapter can be played immediately by simply selecting one on the screen. Chapter titles can be input and scenes displayed on the "Disc-Navi" screen can also be changed to a desired image.
4. Easy editing through MD-like operations (Standard/Manual Mode)
   Non-linear program editing is also very easy with the DVR-2000. Chapters can be deleted or saved and editing markers can be added while viewing the images to delete or copy any desired segment. The DVR-2000 also lets users create a 'Play List' of scenes they want to see in any desired order.
5. Disc Program Recording System (Standard/Manual Mode)
   The DVR-2000 can store information about programmed recordings by the user on the disc itself. This feature is convenient for a user who wants to record a TV program that is shown the same day and time every week. All the user has to do is insert the disc into the recorder.

6 ) Innovative Technologies for High-Quality Picture and Sound Recording

1. 3-Dimension Y/C Separation Circuit for high-quality picture recording
   Video signals-both luminance and color difference-are separated with greater precision for improved color reproduction and reduced noise, resulting in more realistic reproduction of the images' depth and luminance of recordings.
2. Double-Precision DDCE for state-of-the-art sound quality
   By applying the same DDCE (Dolby^*9 Digital Consumer Encoder) technology used in the DVR-1000, Pioneer succeeded in doubling the computing accuracy carried out through sound compression processes, to result in a higher quality audio recording.
   *9 'Dolby' is a trademark of Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation.
3. New, high-output recording pickup and signal processing LSI to take advantage of large 4.7 GB disc capacity
   When a DVD is played, a laser beam is projected onto the disc, and the strength of the reflected light is read as a "0" or a "1" to produce a digital signal. Similarly, when a disc is recorded, laser light representing a "0" or a "1" is illuminated onto the disc, creating crystallized or non-crystallized data known as pits (in the phase change recording method). Pioneer developed a high-output pickup for both recording and playback and a set of recording signal processing LSIs to generate these crystallized and non-crystallized conditions. The laser beam is controlled with exceptional accuracy to match the recording signal, making possible high-density 4.7-GB recording on both DVD-R and DVD-RW discs.
4. MPEG Video Encoder for dramatically improved picture quality
   By observing the relationship between the quantum coefficients used in MPEG encoding process and the quality of the picture being recorded, Pioneer developed its own algorithm that selects a quantum coefficient in real time. This makes it possible to allot a greater number of codes to complex video images where portions move rapidly and colors change drastically as the scene changes. This technology, known as Variable Bit Rate (VBR) Control, is one of the high-picture-quality MPEG-encoding technologies used in the production of DVD discs. The incorporation of Pioneer's VBR technology enables the DVR-2000 to perform ideal video image compression encoding, resulting in significantly improved picture quality compared with conventional Constant Bit Rate (CBR)* Control technology.
   *CBR is used in Video mode recording.
5. Time Base Corrector LSI for efficient jitter-free, high-quality recording
   When recording from VHS, 8mm, or other VCR tapes, jitters caused by analog video signals often occur. To overcome this problem, Pioneer developed a new LSI incorporating a digital Time Base Corrector (TBC). This technology successfully stabilizes the digital signals and removes troublesome jitters, resulting in a high-quality picture recording.

< Other Features >

1. 525i D1 video output terminal
2. Digital Video Noise Reduction for high-quality DVD picture playback
3. 96-kHz,/24-bit D/A converter to reproduce high-quality DVD sound
4. Component video output terminal for direct output of luminance (Y) and color difference (Cb, Cr) video signals
5. Supports DTS digital output
6. 4-speed Fast-Forward and Fast-Reverse (scan)/Chapter title skip
7. Wealth of Play functions including Slow (4-speed Forward, 2-speed Reverse), Repeat, and Program
8. Best-Rate Recording for checking recording time and available space on disc, and automatically calculating optimum transfer rate.
9. CS Broadcast Synchro Recording Function for automatic start of recording of a signal from the connected CS tuner.
10. LCD Display/ Jog&Shuttle Dial/G-code ready Remote Controller

< Features of "DVS-RW47A" DVD-RW disc and "DVS-R47" DVD-R disc >

The "DVS-R47" is a 'write-once' DVD disc compliant with the DVD-R for General Version 2.0 standards. The DVS-R47 uses materials that are highly resistant to deterioration of image and sound quality that due to numerous playbacks of pre-recorded discs. Since this disc can be recorded on only once, there is no danger that important images will be inadvertently erased, making it ideal for archiving.
The "DVS-RW47A" is a 're-recordable' DVD disc compliant with the DVD-RW Version 1.1 standard established by the DVD Forum. High-density phase change material that is resilient against repeated rewriting has been used to ensure that repeated recording and playback will not cause any deterioration in picture or sound quality. This disc can be used in both the Standard/Manual and Video recording modes on the DVR-2000 to allow a wide range of editing, and features playback compatibility^*1 with DVD players.^*4

< DVR-1000 Upgrade Service >

For a moderate fee, Pioneer Corporation will provide the following upgrade service for its "DVD-1000" DVD recorders released in December 1999.
Currently, these recorders are capable of recording on DVD-RW discs in Standard/Manual Mode. With this upgrade, the DVD-1000 DVD recorder will have the added capability of recording on DVD-R (for General Ver. 2.0) discs^*11 in Video mode.

< Main Specifications of DVR-2000 >