Starpower Bows Zenith New PVR

DALLAS— Custom home-theater installer Starpower launched Zenith Electronics new HDTV-capable personal video recorder (PVR) at the retailer's biannual High Definition Expo-Spring 2003 event this month.

Zenith called the event "the U.S. unveiling of the world's first HDTV PVR" — Zenith model HDR230. The three-day expo also launched the four-store chain's newly-remodeled North Dallas location. The HD Expo featured new releases of HDTV, plasma televisions, LCD screens, and other HD-related and digital rear-projection and flat-screen digital televisions.

Zenith's HDR230 combines an new-generation ATSC terrestrial tuner with an 80GB hard disc recorder allowing storage of HD broadcasts and playback of more than eight hours of HDTV programming via RGB, component, S-video, audio-video outputs and Dolby digital outputs. It will be available in May at a $999 suggested retail.