Hitachi preps quad-tuner HDD-equipped TVs

Hitachi has unveiled a set of big-screen plasma and LCD TVs boasting not only four integrated tuners - two digital, two analogue - but also built-in hard disks with PVR functionality. The wonderfully named Wooo 9000 series contains six models offering 32in, 37in and 42in screen sizes.

The two larger sizes are plasma panels, while the two 32in displays are based on LCD technology. At each size, Hitachi will offer a Wooo with an integrated 250GB HDD and one without.

The 42in and 37in panels have a 1,024 x 1,080 resolution, while the 32-incher's resolution is 1,366 x 768. It has a viewing angle of 178° and a brightness of 500cdpm*sup2; - the plasmas run up to 1,400cdpm*sup2;. It's not clear whether the bigger screens will go up to 1080p or 1080i, but the LCD looks set for 720p. Sound comes courtesy of stereo speakers and a sub-woofer, all enhanced with SRS 3D Wow technology.

All six displays will be equipped with HDMI ports, an SD card slot, 10/100Mbps Ethernet and a variety of AV I/O connectors.

Hitachi said the HDD-equipped Wooos will ship on 29 April, with the PVR-less versions following on 15 May. It did not provide prices, leaving them up to retailers, but the range is likely to run from ¥350,000-510,000 ($2,964-4,318/£1,710-2,492/€2,452-3,572), according to local reports. ®