Toshiba enters hi-def camcorder market

Following the death of its HD DVD format, Toshiba is moving on with some exciting new products including its first high-definition camcorder.
The Gigashot camcorder range comprises the A Series and K Series of Hard Disk Drive models, which offer 1080i HD recording.
Graeme Simons, business unit manager EMEA, PC Options Peripherals and Services, Toshiba UK commented, “Toshiba is making an aggressive move into the HD camcorder market, with the aim of being the number two player worldwide within 2009.
“With the Gigashot series, we are confident of a strong start to 2008.”
Despite ceasing production of its HD DVD players, Toshiba still has unveiled a strong range of standard DVD decks and has grown into one of the top brands on the market.
The ten new models cover the DVD recorder, DVD/VCR combi, portable and standalone DVD player sectors. Upscaling to 1080p has been included on high-end players as standard and all DVD recorders equipped with integrated Hard Disk Drive (HDD) storage are now Freeview Playback compliant.
What’s more, all of Toshiba’s DVD recorders for next year will be EST approved.
The manufacturer has also strengthened its successful REGZA range of TVs with the introduction of the entry level CV Series, step-up XV Series and the affordable ZF Series, which combines the thin bezel of last year’s XF Picture Frame TVs with the high spec of the Z Series, along with some new features including a gaming mode.
The manufacturer also hinted at some of the technology that will be available in the future, including a range of ultra thin TVs, due out later this year, and an upscaling chip with will be able to upscale standard definition broadcasts to near HD quality, which is expected by 2009.