Thomson has announced the retail availability of the new LYRA X3030 personal multimedia recorder. The new LYRA X3030 is a 30GB device capable of recording audio and video content from a variety of sources and is capable of storing and playing back movies, videos, music, and digital images. Features of the LYRA X3030 include:

  • 3.6 inch full color TFT display with 320 x 240 resolution
  • 30GB HDD
  • Record video direct from source (DVD, TV, Set top box, camcorder, VCR) into MPEG4 format
  • Supports MPEG1/2/4/DivX/WMV-9 – also DRM protected content
  • Supports MP3/WMA/WMA DRM/WAV/Audible/Janus compatible
  • Supports JPEG/BMP/TIF/GIF/PNG
  • Record direct from source (CD player, mp3 player, radio) from analog input source into to MP3 format
  • Schedule timed recordings like a DVR
  • Comes with DivX Create software bundle
  • Composite Video Output
  • Built in speaker
  • Voice Image Labeling – record audio commentary on photos and images
  • Home Theater Docking Station – connect in between your TV and your set top box
  • USB host support
  • SD Card slot
  • Extensive accessory set included

As mentioned, the new LYRA X3030 supports the Microsoft PlaysForSure spec which means it’ll work nicely with providers like Amazon’s Unbox. The LYRA announcement mentions that you can also purchase content from ZVUE.com that will work with the device. You can even sign up for three free video downloads from ZVUE.com for the device. 

The suggested retail price for the LYRA X3030 is $399.

[Check it out]

LYRA Personal Multimedia Recorder Meets Consumer Demand for Portable Video Content

Compatibility with ZVUE.com and Amazon Unbox Video Download Services and Direct Recording From TV Source Are Key Features

INDIANAPOLIS –(Business Wire)– Oct. 10, 2006 Thomson (NYSE:TMS)(Euronext Paris:18453) today announced retail availability in the U.S. of the LYRA X3030 by RCA, a pocket-sized 30GB Personal Multimedia Recorder that enables direct recording of audio and video content from multiple sources and is capable of storing dozens of movies, hundreds of hours of music and thousands of photos, all in the palm of your hand.(a)

Because the new LYRA unit utilizes secure Windows Media (WM10), video-hungry consumers can easily access purchased content from ZVUE.com, the video download store from HandHeld Entertainment(TM),(NASDAQ:ZVUE)(NASDAQ:ZVUEU), to download more than 120 hours of DVD-quality music videos, TV shows and movies onto the LYRA X3030. The unit also works with other Microsoft PlaysForSure subscription and download stores such as Amazon’s newly launched Unbox(TM) service.

ZVUE.com offers more than 3,000 digital music videos, cartoons, independent films, documentaries, news, entertainment, and sports programs for download and HandHeld Entertainment has more than 10,000 video selections under contract. To assist LYRA X3030 owners in starting their download library, three free downloads are available at http://www.zvue.com/lyra. Amazon offers video content from more than 30 Hollywood studios and network partners.

Perfect for watching TV shows and movies right in the palm of your hand, the LYRA X3030 has a vibrant 3.6-inch color LCD screen with 320 x 240 resolution for brilliant color reproduction. Consumers will enjoy versatility and flexibility with the array of recording options. Using an included home theater docking base, consumers can easily record audio/video directly from an external source, such as analog TV, CD player, or camcorder. Video and audio recording can even be time shifted when using the docking base in conjunction with the included infrared Blaster. When transferring video, the included DivX transcoder software enables conversion of video files to DivX format for playback of any video. Using a removable lithium ion battery, the LYRA X3030 provides up to four hours of constant video playback, enabling consumers to watch multiple video files on a single charge.

“This player brings together numerous popular entertainment products into one portable, high quality device,” said Dan Collishaw, chief operating officer of Thomson’s Americas Audio/Video and Accessory business. “The LYRA X3030 also adds great value to the booming portable video player market through its ability to record directly from any video source and its compatibility with a wide range of audio and video download services, including Amazon Unbox and ZVUE.com.”

“We have taken a completely open approach with the ZVUE.com video download store so that all video content is compatible with any Windows Media Video portable video player on the market, including the RCA LYRA X3030 from Thomson,” said Jeff Oscodar, chief executive office and president of HandHeld Entertainment. “That is why we are happy to have Thomson join us as the first company for delivering great video content to LYRA users throughout the country.”

Not Just Video

The LYRA X3030, suggested retail price $399, is compatible with both pay-per-song and subscription music services, as well as audio book files from Audible.com. Ready to entertain right out of the box, the LYRA X3030 comes with a free 7-day trial to Yahoo! Music Unlimited and 100 free music downloads from emusic.com. ID3 tag song data with artist, album, song title and genre is displayed on the viewing screen. Music buffs can listen to their collection of mp3 files using one of nine playback modes, including normal play, shuffle and repeat. The included free Yahoo! Music Engine enables creation of playlists and facilitates management of personal digital music catalogs.

In addition to its video and audio capabilities, this versatile jukebox also offers the ability to create image slide shows with zoom and photo rotation, as well as music accompaniment. Up to 15,000 JPEG photos are easily transferred from an SD memory card or compatible camera without a computer. Image files, along with audio and video files, can also be moved from a PC to the device using the high speed USB connection. Further, a built-in microphone located on the top of the unit lets consumers record voice notes describing individual photo slides, and also lets the LYRA X3030 function as a voice recorder.

The LYRA X3030 is packaged with a full accessory kit, including:

– Sliding cover case to protect the X3030’s display from scratching and denting

– Two RCA input/output cables for recording in near DVD quality and playing back video with 480 lines of resolution.

– Home theater docking station for easy re-charging and transfer of content from a video source

– AC adapter and DC adapter for charging in the car

– Earbud style headphones

– 3- Device Universal Remote Control for recording from or playing content on the TV set

This lightweight portable entertainment device weighs less than eight ounces and is only 3/4 of an inch thick.

(a)1GB =10 to the 9th bytes. Actual play time for audio and available storage space and capacity for video and photos will vary depending on system requirements, bit rate, photo resolution, and other factors.

Certain statements in this press release, including any discussion of management expectations for future periods, constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the future results expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements due to changes in global economic, business, competitive market and regulatory factors. More detailed information on the potential factors that could affect the financial results of Thomson is contained in Thomson’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

About Thomson – World leader in digital video technologies

Thomson (NYSE:TMS)(Euronext Paris:18453) provides services, systems and technology to help its Media & Entertainment clients – content creators, content distributors and users of its technology – realize their business goals and optimize their performance in a rapidly changing technology environment. The Group is the preferred partner to the Media & Entertainment Industries through its Technicolor, Grass Valley, RCA and Thomson brands. For more information: http://www.thomson.net

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