Zenith Demonstrates HDTV Digital Disc Recorder

Jan. 11 /PRNewswire/ -- The first high-definition, high-density video disc recorder (HD-VDR) -- featuring a built-in ATSC digital television tuner and offering about five times more data capacity than conventional DVDs -- is being demonstrated by Zenith Electronics Corporation at the Consumer Electronics Show which concludes here today. Developed by Zenith's parent company, LG Electronics Inc. (LGE), the HD-VDR is designed to record and play back more than two hours of digital high-definition television (HDTV) programming.

The HD-VDR doubles as a digital set-top box that receives and demodulates digital HDTV signals using the Zenith-developed, industry-standard VSB (vestigial sideband) technology. The HD-VDR's set-top box capability supports user-friendly GUI (graphic user interface) features for simple operation.

The Zenith HD-VDR is a next-generation digital video product that can record and play back high-definition video on a 23GB HD optical disc (about 5 times greater capacity than the conventional 4.7GB DVD). It also features an IEEE 1394 digital interface.

Zenith plans to introduce the HD-VDR in 2003.

Technical Background: One of the key technologies LGE has developed is an HD/DVD Compatible Pick-Up technology.

In order to record and play back the high-definition video from a 23GB HD Disc, a blue laser diode and an objective lens with high NA 0.85 are used. The substrate thickness of this HD disc is only 0.1 mm to optimize recorder performance even in cases of severe disc tilting or bending.

These technical specifications are quite different from those of current DVD based on a red laser diode, an objective lens with NA 0.6, and substrate thickness of 0.6 mm. Previously, it is necessary to use two different pick-ups or at least two different objective lenses to play and record both HD and DVD discs.

Newly-developed technology by Zenith's parent company enables the HD-VDR to read and record both DVD and HD Discs with only one objective lens. This technological breakthrough has been achieved by controlling the phase of light with an inexpensive optical element.

Further cost reduction has been made possible by adapting LGE's "single high NA objective lens." Until now, a high NA 0.85 objective lens had been manufactured by assembling two or even three pieces of small lenses, which increased the cost of the optical pick-up.

About Zenith: Zenith Electronics Corporation, founded in 1918, is a leader in digital television technologies and inventor of the U.S. digital HDTV transmission system adopted by the FCC. Zenith's Emmy award winning technologies include digital HDTV, flat-screen CRTs, stereo television and TV remote controls. For 2002, Zenith is capitalizing on its digital HDTV leadership and on the extensive technologies and resources of its parent company, LG Electronics Inc. (LGE). (Zenith merged with LGE in November 1999.) Zenith's corporate headquarters are in Lincolnshire, Ill. Visit us on the World Wide Web at www.zenith.com .

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SOURCE Zenith Electronics Corporation