Fusion Digital Technology Intros Digifusion pPVR Portable Video Player/Recorder
by David Chait [Theater, Mobile]
Another cool-looking portable media player, and recorder, is on the way from the UK. Will it match up to the Windows PMC devices?
Fusion announce launch of worlds-first Portable Personal Video Recorder – pPVR
Fusion Digital Technology Ltd announce the launch of a world-first Portable Personal Video Recorder (pPVR) allowing users to access both audio and video content whilst on the move, and the ability to store such content on its internal Hard Disk Drive without the need to interface with a PC.
The Digifusion pPVR can access content in one of three ways. 1) Conventionally via its USB port, images, audio files, movies etc can be transferred from a PC. 2) By direct connection to an audio or composite / S-VHS video source using the units inbuilt MPEG encoder. 3) By direct digital connection to a dedicated Digifusion set top box or Digital Video recorder.
Featuring both MPEG 2 and MPEG4 playback, plus MP3 and WM9 audio support, the pPVR’s integral 20 GB hard drive enables storage of up to 40 hours of video programming. With a built-in, back-lit LCD display, the Digifusion pPVR is a transportable media centre which can be used whilst travelling or at home through a home entertainment system, It allows users to watch their favourite TV programmes or listen to their favourite music wherever they are.
Unlike any similar portable products currently available which are PC-centric, the Digifusion PPVR is able to interface with content without the need for a PC.
Downloading content from the internet and other sources is now an established method of acquiring audio and video files. The already buoyant market for personal jukeboxes is set to rise dramatically in the next few years and is likely to be fuelled even further with the introduction of personal entertainment centres such as the highly versatile Digifusion pPVR.
Barry Rubery, CEO of Fusion Digital Technology Ltd commented, “There are two major markets for this product. Firstly the retail market where consumers can use the product to store audio and video content and record in much the same way as they would with a static VCR. Secondly, it provides supplementary product opportunities for Pay TV operators, who as we know, are continually searching for new revenue streams and ways to reduce ‘churn’.”
For a demonstration of the pPVR as well as a host of other exciting consumer electronics solutions, please visit Fusion Digital Technology on Stand D12 at Mediacast ExCel, London, 25-27 May 2004. Steve Lister, Vice President of Marketing will be available on the stand for press questions every morning between 10-11AM.
For further information, or product images, please contact:
Diane Mckaye on Tel: + 44 (0) 7771 926726
e-mail: d.mckaye@fusiondigitec.com
Notes
Digifusion PPVR Key Features
– Offers ‘Personal video and audio on the Move’
– The unit has an integrated back-lit LCD screen
– Supports MPEG2 and MPEG4 playback
– The unit will accept MPEG2 streams from appropriate Digifusion set-top boxes to store on it’s HDD
– 20Gb Hard Disk Drive (up to 40 hours of video programming)
– The pPVR can download music and video from an analogue source or from the Internet via a PC and is portable to play in the car, or at home through a home entertainment system.
– Incorporates Timer for recordings
Market Statistics
Music Downloads
– European digital rights operator OD2 sold 1 million tracks in Q1 2004, a tenfold increase than the same period last year. (Source: Guardian 7 April 2004)
– 19.2 million tracks were downloaded in the US from June – December 2003. (Source: Guardian 7 April 2004)
– European market for music downloads was ¤24 million in 2003, estimated to rise to over ¤1 billion by 2007 (Source Forrester)
– Apple iTunes customers are currently downloading tracks at a rate of 2.5 million a week (Source: The Register 15 March 2004)
Portable Audio/Video Player Market
– This year, 2.2 million personal jukeboxes will be purchased in Britain 9Source: Understand & Solutions March 2004)
– Music industry analysts predict 12.5 million Britons will own products similar to the Apple iPOD in the next 4 years (Source: Independent 21 March 2004)
About Fusion
Fusion Digital Technology Ltd design, manufacture and supply innovative digital consumer electronics products for the international marketplace. The range includes both free to air and pay TV digital receivers for satellite, cable and terrestrial platforms alongside integrated LCD and plasma televisions. Fusion is a joint venture between industry pioneer Barry Rubery, founder and former Chief Executive of Pace Micro Technology plc, together with one of Europe’s largest consumer electronics manufacturers Beko Elektronik A.S. With its headquarters in Harrogate, North England, Fusion manufactures its products from its affiliated plants in Turkey.
For more information, or to obtain product images, please visit www.fusiondigitec.com
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