DVD-RW seems to be the particular DVD recording standard that's won the battle between the other DVD+RW, and DVD-R formats. However, all of the manufacturers we spoke with regarding retail DVD recorders promised that no matter which format their particular player utilized, it would be able to read from the other formats without a problem.

Pioneer's early DVD-RW recorder looked chic in its all-silver case, though this particular DVD recorder will debut first in Japan by early summer, and will then be slightly changed in design for release in the United States and Europe by the end of 2000. Changes are necessary to best appeal to the target consumer's wants, and they're mostly cosmetic in nature.

At $2,000 the Pioneer DVD recorder won't be cheap upon its introduction. But the ease of recording digitally to DVD will soon entrench itself in the popular culture and within a year of their introduction most manufacturers are estimating that DVD recorders will be at $1,000 or below in cost.

Continuing with the "DVD for every need" theme, Pioneer displayed its first DVD player that offers 480p progressive scan support.

Expected to cost upwards of $1,000 when it arrives in late spring, Pioneer's 480p player will wear the company's "Elite" brand name, and join other high-end home theater products under the Pioneer Elite banner.

Also expected to debut with an Elite tag is Pioneer's new DVD-Audio player, the DV-AX10. Unlike most of the other DVD players shown at CES that support the new DVD-A multi-channel audio format, the DV-AX10 adds 480p progressive scan video output, making the player perfect for both high end audio AND video DVD needs.