The new recorder establishes a new benchmark in home video versatility by conveniently handling playback of a VHS and DVD video library, offering three different recording options, and providing the ability to dub between any two.  VHS recordings, for example, can easily be archived onto DVD.  TV programs can be recorded onto the hard drive for later viewing, then selectively archived onto DVD.   Live recording can be paused, and there are several simultaneous record and playback options – record onto the hard disk while playing back from the hard disc, a DVD or a VHS, or record onto DVD or VHS while playing back from the hard disk.  What’s more, two built-in tuners allow two TV programs to be recorded simultaneously.

The DVD recorder portion of the DR-MX1S offers multi-format capability, recording in DVD-RAM and DVD-R/RW and playback of the DVD-RAM, DVD-R/RW, as well as of CD, VCD, SVCD, JPEG and MP3 files.  Convenience features include live memory, which allows fast forwarding, rewinding and slow replay during recording (DVD-RAM only), and DVD Navigation, which can accommodate information about 2,000 recorded programs, including disc number, title and other details, without loading a disc.  Load a disc, and DVD Navigation displays a thumbnail of recorded programs so content can be easily identified.  The thumbnail image can be animated with sound when selected with the cursor.

The hard drive in the JVC DR-MX1S has a 160GB capacity.  It allows high speed dubbing up to 32 times normal speed between the hard drive and DVD recorder.  It also offers flexible editing capabilities, made even easier thanks to the navigation system.  The quality of digital-to-digital dubs from the hard drive to DVD is enhanced by JVC’s Bit Rate Optimizer, which, in contrast with conventional recording, recognizes that fast-motion scenes need to be recorded differently than other scenes for the best possible quality, and makes these adjustments on the fly.

The VHS section of the DR-MX1S provides VHS Hi-Fi recording and playback, and includes VHS Progressive, a JVC exclusive that presents VHS material at the higher 480p resolution for a better quality image.  VHS Progressive also allows VHS signals to pass from the deck to the TV using the deck’s component outputs – the same outputs used by the DVD and hard disk.  As a result, a single cable is all that’s required to connect the DR-MX1S to the television, simplifying set up.  Playback is easier, too, because with all three sources – VHS, DVD and hard disk – connected to the same TV input, there’s no confusion about which input selects which source.

The DR-MX1S includes two new features for use when dubbing from VHS.  On a videotape with multiple programs, Auto Blank Cut Dubbing automatically eliminates the blank sections between programs originally created when the VCR was stopped and started.  Another convenience when dubbing from a tape containing multiple programs with VISS signal is Auto Title Creation, which allows a title to be placed before each program and displayed on a DVD’s disc title menu.

Other DR-MX1 features include JVC’s Super MPEG Pre- and Post-Processor that boosts image quality, and a Firewire (IEEE 1394) input which, among other things, allows direct connection of a digital camcorder.

The JVC DR-MX1 will be available in September at a nationally advertised value of $1,299.95.

About JVC Company of America
JVC Company of America, headquartered in Wayne, New Jersey, is a subsidiary of JVC Americas Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Victor Company of Japan Ltd., and a holding company for JVC companies located in North and South America.  JVC distributes a complete line of video and audio equipment, including high definition displays, home theater products, camcorders, VCRs, D-VHS recorders, DVD players, satellite systems, home and portable audio equipment, mobile entertainment products and recording media. For further product information, visit JVC’s Web site at http://www.jvc.com or call 800-526-5308.