Apple rumor book, launching a series of widescreen HDTVs with built-in DVRs, cutting out the pesky Tivo middleman. The idea itself is nothing new, having a DVR and HD tuner built-in to the TV set makes sense. What makes these Hitachi’s notable, however, is that the DVR’s discs are removable. Granted, the discs are in Hitachi’s own iVDR format, but it plans of releasing a series of non-TV products to interface with the drives, like USB computer devices. We like it. And the line of HDTVs is called the “Wooo”, also awesome.
What’s even more interesting is that Hitachi has partnered with Warner Home Video, who will be launching several titles from its library in HD on iVDR cartridges. If this catches on, then it will definately shake-up the HD-DVD/Blu-Ray wars. We’re going to make some popcorn, sit back, and watch the fight.
Hitachi Wooo series HD TV’s with iVDR hard disk [New Launches]
I am becoming quite annoyed with new TV’s being released every day with little to no improvements. Granted having a built in DVR is a nice touch, but wont that add to the overall thickness of the TV? Also Im unsure as to whether Hitachi can be trusted as an HDTV company, this of course, is just personal opinion.
As far as TV’s go, I give them a reluctant: “meh”
Out
I’ve heard of people’s DVRs dying on them, while mostly I’ve heard this from people with first gen TIVO I’d hate to have to buy a new TV or pay outrageous repair fees to have my TV fixed when the DVR functions died. On the flip side having less of a cable mess, or in my case, a smaller bundle of zip tied cables behind my TV/Stereo might be a nice change.
I agree with Ryan, I usually stay away from TVs that have “built in” peripherals such as DVD players etc, mainly because those peripherals usually don’t last as long as the tv.