Hitachi has another world's first under its belt. After inventing the first ever DVD camcorder way back in 1999 , the company now takes top honors for developing first hybrid DVD/HDD camcorder in the world. The Hitachi DZ-HS303E features an 8-GB hard drive as well as DVD-burning capabilities, allowing you to do fun on-the-fly editing using the hard drive and then burning it to disc for easy viewing.

Well, one might wonder wisdom behind including both the functions in one single camcorder, but we know DVD & HDD camcorders have their own inherent advantages and limitations. HDD camcorders might allow on board editing capabilities, but once you've filled it, you're not shooting any more. On the contrary DVD means no editing. But how about having both at your disposal, that's exactly what Hitachi has tried with its new line of DVD/HDD camcorders.

The two models included are, the 1.3 Megapixel DZ-HS301E and the 3.3 Megapixel DZ-HS303E have an 8 gigabyte hard disk, which is enough room for 110 minutes of video at full resolution. Unlike other devices, once you've filled this, you can easily transfer the entire/desired contents to DVD, without having to look out for a computer.

Via Ubergizmo

Hitachi’s newest sensation, the Hybrid HDD/DVD DZ-HS301 and DZ-HS303 Camcorders, are targeted to truly meet a customer’s needs. Both cameras will have 8GB worth of hard drive, which is enough to store 110 minutes of video footage. You can then burn the video footage onto a MiniDVD, without needing a PC or laptop.

The DZ-HS303 features a 2.7 inch widescreen LCD and 10x optical zoom. It can shoot three megapixel still photos, and has a battery life of 2 hours. The DZ-HS301 has the same size LCD, but a 15x optical zoom. It can take 1 megapixel still photos, and its battery lasts half as long.

The cameras should be available in the November, and the U.S. models will probably ship sometime after that. Pricing is estimated to be $999 USD on the DZ-HS301 and $1,279 USD on the DZ-HS303.

The high end DZ-GX3300 features:

Not to be left behind at this years at CES 2006, Hitachi unveiled its new camcorder, the Hitachi DZGX3100A DVD Camcorder . The new camcorder has a 1.3 mega pixel resolution at 1280 x 960 to go with 15x Optical Zoom and also 800x Super Digital zoom. The camcorder includes 700mah slim battery, which can record for more than an hour with the widescreen LCD open. Also the camcorder includes, Composite and S-Video Inputs, a USB 2.0 cable and PC and Macintosh compatibility.

Some of the other features are:

Literally supporting a versatile media range of DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD-RAM and DVD+RW discs and SD cards for digital stills.
To capture a distant subject the Super Digital Zoom feature works very well and the large 2.7-inch 16x9 widescreen LCD renders the shots and movies in true-to-life colors.
There is a "Quick Mode" Menu System that features Hitachi Disc Navigation to right away access much loved scenes via thumbnail images without having to fast forward or rewind.

The One Touch finalization button for quick and easy access to this essential last step is an amazing feature to the camcorder. Furthermore the Video-to-Photo Frame Grab Tool, which allows users to pull a photo still from video and route to SD memory card and thus preventing taking video without switching the "still mode" on and off and enabling users to easily create the photo image of any desired scene after recording onto DVD.

Hitachi understands the true value of consumer’s precious moments that are often missed out with other conventional Camcorders. By providing an instant sleep/restart battery saver function that puts the camcorder in hibernation to save battery power between recordings and enables users to begin recording within one second of activation to ensure no action is missed.

It is estimated at a retail price of at just $399. The great value for money DZBX35A will be available in March. http://www.hitachi.us/

– Four New Models Offer Premium Features at Unbeatable Price –

CES, LAS VEGAS – January 5, 2006 – The Home Electronics Division of Hitachi America, Ltd., a subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd. (NYSE: HIT), http://www.hitachi.us/tv, today introduced its sixth generation UltraVision® DVD Camcorders comprised of four new models offering blockbuster features for an affordable price. The advances in Hitachi's new DVD camcorder line satisfy the demands of both tech-savvy users wanting cutting-edge, premium features and enhanced CinemaRes™ image quality as well as price-conscious consumers focused on convenience and ease of use.

– Four New Models Offer Premium Features at Unbeatable Price –

CES, LAS VEGAS – January 5, 2006 – The Home Electronics Division of Hitachi America, Ltd., a subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd. (NYSE: HIT), http://www.hitachi.us/tv, today introduced its sixth generation UltraVision® DVD Camcorders comprised of four new models offering blockbuster features for an affordable price. The advances in Hitachi's new DVD camcorder line satisfy the demands of both tech-savvy users wanting cutting-edge, premium features and enhanced CinemaRes™ image quality as well as price-conscious consumers focused on convenience and ease of use.

Hitachi have just announced the Hitachi DZ-GX25M Camcorder

Hitachi DZ-GX25M Features:
With 1/3.6 type CCD of approximately 212 ten thousand pixels animated picture and photograph high picture quality

Reproduces clear picture quality the advanced multiple coating aspherical lens adoption

Natural color tone is reproduced, image processing Lsi ? Picture Master for DVD cam ? loading

Starting does not let escape photographing chance quickly, " entrust recognition "

Photographing with 16:9 wide angular modes possible

Is convenient to photographing the sleeping face of the child assist light/write loading

Photographs the photograph cleanly even at the dark place video flash loading

Product Specifications