Numark has announced the HDX, a tabletop HD/CD/MP3 player with an ultra-high torque, motorized 12-inch platter that holds a vinyl record for true vinyl scratch capability. Incorporating an onboard hard drive loadable via USB 2.0 and a slot load CD drive, the HDX is designed for professional and aspiring performing DJs, mobile DJs, as well as club installers.

The new HDX includes a removable 80 GB hard drive in a rugged, extruded aluminum caddy, and additional caddies are available from Numark. In addition to supporting CD playback, the hard drive supports playback of MP3, WMA, WAV, Ogg Vorbis, and FLAC (lossless) media formats—ensuring the broadest file compatibility. With support for these compressed media formats, DJs can now dramatically reduce the volume/weight of the music library they transport—making their work easier. Adding further convenience, the HDX features an onboard Gracenote CD database to automatically recognize and tag audio CDs. The unit's enhanced search capabilities facilitate easy file location by artist, album, genre, track, plus BPM. The HDX includes support for keyboard connectivity—enabling searches and navigation through the menus via the included keyboard. And with high-speed USB 2.0 connectivity providing full access to the hard drive for both Mac and PC, updating content has never been faster.

Featuring an ultra-high torque motorized 12-inch platter that holds a real user-replaceable vinyl record, Numark calls the HDX interface is as good as it gets. The new HDX features an industry maximum 4.7 kgfcm torque direct drive motor, aluminum platter, dual "battle-style" controls, and forward/reverse toggle. Additionally, this player incorporates a Vacuum Fluorescent Display (VFD), provides DSP functionality, and the slot load CD transport is CDR compatible.

With its ability to rip CDs directly to the hard drive for playback and storage, the HDX makes it easy to build one's onboard music library. The HDX also records live via its analog inputs and encodes the input signal directly to the hard drive. Recording can even take place during playback —enabling DJs to record their live performances—making the HDX the only device on the market with this capability. Further, the HDX offers an S/PDIF digital output.

Additional HDX features include several modes for scratching and looping, including auto beat matching and smart looping via Numark's proprietary Beatkeeper technology. Onboard beat-synched digital effects include sonar, slide, filter, echo, plus chop—and effects can be manipulated via a separate control wheel interface. The HDX also offers a pitch slider programmable up to ±100% pitch control, as well as a high quality, 100% key lock.

Numark CEO Jack O'Donnell commented on the new HDX, "With support for a wide variety of media formats, the highest torque direct drive motor available, a full size platter, and TTX turntable styling and control, the new HDX provides today's DJ with the ultimate in true vinyl scratch capability while offering the benefits of random access only a hard drive can provide—eliminating any need for compromise."

With a suggested retail price of $1,899, Numark's new HDX HD/CD/MP3 player is an exciting new tool for today's demanding DJ. The HDX will be available Q1 of 2006.

More information is available at the Numark site.