Combining the features of a video player, mp3 music player, digital picture frame, and a computer hard-disc peripheral in a compact device that fits easily in a coat pocket, Thomson today announced-the-shipment-of-the-THOMSON-LYRA-Audio/Video Jukebox PDP 2860 to-its-European-retailers-under-the-THOMSON-Brand. Aimed-at-frequent-travellers-and-movie and music buffs, the 20GB THOMSON-LYRA-Audio/Video-Jukebox-provides-an-innovative-solution for-digital-entertainment-aficionados. The versatile LYRA Audio/Video Jukebox is compatible-withmultiple audio and video codecs, including MPEG-4, MPEG-1, mp3, Windows Media Audio, and-is-also-upgradeable to mp3PRO.

About-the-size-of-a small picture frame with a 3.5-inch TFT LCD screen, the PDP 2860 measures 5.31 x 3.15 x 1.06 inches (13.5 x8.00x 2.70cm and weighs less than 300 grams. It contains a built-in MPEG-4 encoder and decoder, enabling consumers to watch up to 80 hours of pre-recorded television-shows, feature films, or home videos at 320 x 240 resolution, and more than 20 movies. The LYRA Audio/Video Jukebox connects to TV via an analog composite-video output and respects analog copy protection signals from pre-recorded-media.

With built-in separate audio-and-video-recording modes, recording on the device is quick and easy. Since the LYRA Audio/Video Jukebox is essentially a computer peripheral with a hard drive and the unit can also be used for storage of other types of data, including word processing documents and presentations. The player easily connects to PC via the included high-speed USB 2.0 port. The LYRA Audio/Video Jukebox is also compatible with Mac OS (drag and drop only.)

The Lyra audio/video jukebox will be commercialised as THOMSON LYRA PDP 2860 in Europe at a suggested retail price of 749 euros.