Samsung Adding To Its Camcorder, DVD/VCR Combo Lines During CES
By Greg Tarr -- TWICE, 1/9/2003
LAS VEGAS— Samsung will also be introducing during International CES additions to its DVD/VCR combo and camcorder lines, the former with improved prices and the latter featuring both new digital and analog products.
In DVD/VCR combination products, Samsung plans to show two models while making "aggressive pricing moves," said J.R. deSouza, Samsung digital A/V product group marketing manager. Added to step-up models will be Samsung's Single Digital Connection (SDC) technology, which allows output of either standard or 480p DTV signals from both the DVD and the VCR sections through a single set of cable connections.
In camcorders, Samsung will continue offering "new and improved analog products" along with "value-driven MiniDV models," some of which will include MPEG4 video clip recording to Memory Stick and improved NightPix shooting, which produces full color images in zero lumen lighting situations.
The line highlight will be a hard-drive-based MPEG4 camcorder designed to fit in a shirt pocket. Model ITCAM-7 (shown above), which is due at mid-year at an estimated retail price of between $600-$700, is "designed for people who want to carry a camcorder with them everywhere," and still have "near MiniDV-quality" video at a 30fps, 2.5Mbps rate, said deSouza. The hard drive will enable users to record digital music and voice files in MP3 format, and users can store still photos to Memory Stick, through an included flash memory slot.
A docking station will enable easy battery recharging as well as a link to a PC for fast downloads and uploads. Specs are being finalized, but the demonstration model at CES will use a 1.5GB hard drive.
