Panasonic Introduces New DVD-Recorders with 400 GB Hard Disk Drives
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., best known for its Panasonic brand products, today unveiled five new models of DIGA DVD recorders. The recorders have 160 to 400 GB hard disk drives, providing massive recording and storage, high-speed dubbing, and superb home and mobile networking capabilities. The new products, DMR-E500H, DMR-E330H, DMR-E220H, DMR-250V and DMR-E87H will be introduced in the Japanese market from September 21. The DMR-E500H high-end model in the DIGA DVD recorder range, features a built-in 400GB hard disk drive with a recording capacity of 709 hours of video in EP mode. It offers high-speed dubbing from hard disk drive onto DVD-RAM at speeds of 40x and onto DVD-R disc up to 64x in EP mode. This makes the DMR-500H the fastest DVD recorder in the industry as it can record a one-hour program onto DVD-R disc in just 56 seconds. With its Ethernet port and a broadband receiver, the DMR-E500H offers convenience for home and mobile networking. With Ethernet connection, MPEG4 video and JPEG photos can be viewed by a PC*1 in another room. Using two DMR-E500Hs, MPEG2 video on one can be accessed by the other on the LAN. Broadband Internet access allows users to program recording through such mobile devices as cell phones*2 and PCs while away from home. Users can transfer pictures between the DVD recorder and their mobile device. The DMR-E500H has an SD Memory Card slot and a PCMCIA card slot to transfer MPEG data at high speeds for storage or use in other devices. Using an SD Memory Card, it's easy to transfer video and still photos recorded by other digital AV products, such as digital still cameras, to the DMR-E500H for editing or storage on the hard disk or DVD discs. It can record MPEG4 image data simultaneously while recording MPEG2 data onto the hard disk. The MPEG4 data can be transferred to an SD Memory Card and played back on a Panasonic D-Snap SD video camera. Other models in the new DIGA line-up include the DMR-E330H with 250GB hard disk drive, the DMR-E220H with 160GB hard disk drive, the DMR-E250V, a 3-in-1 DVD recorder with VHS recorder and 160GB hard disk drive, and the DMR-E87H with 160GB hard disk drive. Equipped with two TV tuners, the DMR-E330H and DMR-E220H can record alternate television programs simultaneously onto the hard disk drive. The DMR-E500H, DMR-E330H, DMR-E220H and DMR-E87H, all offer high-speed recording from the hard disk drive to DVD-RAM at speeds of 40x and onto DVD-R disk up to 64x (both in EP mode).
"Panasonic Introduces New DVD-Recorders with 400 GB Hard Disk Drives." PHYSorg.com. 8 Sep 2004. http://www.physorg.com/news1092.html

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The five new models take Panasonic's DIGA family to nine members, including the DMR-E700BD, BD (Blu-ray)/DVD recorder released on July 31, 2004. Panasonic continues to respond to the diverse needs of consumers and leads the way in the DVD recorder market.
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1104wv31 Panasonic DMR-E500H

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Panasonic DMR-E500H
This monster of a recorder features a colossal 400GB hard disk and more features than you can shake a stick at. So is Danny Phillips in heaven?
FEATURES Records: DVD-RAM/DVD-R; plays DVD, DVD-R, DVD-RW (Video mode, DVD+RW, DVD+R, DVD-RAM, CD, CD-R, CD-RW, VCD, MP3; 400GB hard-disk drive; four recording modes (XP, SP, LP, EP) with 6hr or 8hr EP mode; Flexible Recording; Home networking functions; JPEG viewer; high-speed recording (up to 64x DVD-R or 40x DVD-RAM); MPEG4 simultaneous recording and conversion; Variable Bitrate Control; Integrated Noise Reduction; Time Base Control; DV Auto Recording & Automatic Playlist Creation; Timeslip (Chasing Playback, simultaneous record & play); 1.3x Quick View; Direct Navigator with moving thumbnails; PAL/NTSC progressive scan; one-touch record & play; Playlist Playback; Relief Recording; recording mode conversion; PCM sound recording in XP; audio recording level control; CPRM compatible; dimensions: 430(w) x 79(h) x 302(d)mm SOCKETS Front: S-video input; composite video input; stereo audio input; DV input; PC and SD card slots Rear: 2 Scarts (1 RGB, S-video & composite in, 1 RGB, S-video & composite out); component video output; RF input/output; optical digital output; stereo audio output; 5.1-channel audio outputs; composite video output; S-video output; ethernet terminal CONTACT www.panasonic.co.uk TEST DATA DVD PLAYBACK Video jitter: 6ns (good) Signal-to-noise ratio: (composite) -68.9dB (average) (S-video) -74.4dB (very good) (component) -74.2dB (very good) Chrominance AM/PM: -70.5dB/-68.4dB (excellent/excellent) Chroma crosstalk: -51.4dB (average) Frequency response at 5.8MHz: (composite): -0.35dB (excellent) (S-video): -0.54dB (excellent) (component): -060dB (very good) Audio jitter: 202.7ps (very good) RECORDING Chrominance AM/PM (SP): -59.0dB/-56.3dB (very good/very good) Frequency response: EP: 0.03dB@ 2MHz (excellent) LP: 0.04dB @ 2MHz (excellent SP: -0.70dB @ 4MHz (very good) XP: -0.73dB @ 4MHz (very good) For a full explanation of test data, see page 128
he DMR-E500H could be the closest youll come to the ultimate recorder. Not only is it equipped with all the fancy tricks and gimmicks youd expect from a Panasonic DVD-RAM recorder but its also the first model to boast home networking capabilities. This allows you to access files stored on its hard disk from your PC or from a second DMR-E500H in another room. And at 400GB, this recorder also boasts the largest hard-disk ever seen on a DVD/HDD combi. This allows you to store up to an incredible 709hrs of programmes in the lowest quality recording mode.
DVD-Audio playback, youll also find six-channel analogue audio outputs. Finally, the set of component outputs now a common feature of DVD recorders is PAL progressive scan capable. Just one socketry gripe theres no electrical digital audio output, so amps with optical input only will require a converter.

OPERATION

If you think all this brain-blowing technology makes the DMR-E500H too complex to use, youre in for a surprise. The remote is straightforward to use, boasting a luxury brushed aluminium finish and terrific button placement. All of its functions are presented in a clear, non-intimidating manner, using a newly designed menu interface with bright colours and bold text. Only the network options are likely to cause trouble for novices, but once youve sorted your IP from your DHCP youll find this quite a novelty, if a little limited. What youll need is a PC with a Local Area Network (LAN) port, running Windows XP, Internet Explorer 6.0 or later, and Media Player 8.0 or later. Connect the DMR-E500H directly to the PC using a crossover LAN cable (or standard patch cables if youre using a hub), key the recorders IP address into your internet browser and youll access the basic-looking but functional Diga Manager website, though make sure any pop-up blockers are turned off, or you wont be able to enter. From here, you can access the DMR-E500Hs hard-disk and choose to view MPEG4 or JPEG files on your PC, or rename (but not watch) MPEG2 recordings. Alternatively, if you have a second

DESCRIPTION

With so much inside, its no surprise that the DMR-E500H is far from slimline. But no matter, snazzy hi-tech touches on the fascia, such as the mirrored disc tray flap, make up for its chunkiness. Youll also find slots for SD and PC cards on the front, enabling you to access JPEG and MPEG4 files. Whip open one of the front flaps and youll find an i.Link input, alongside standard S-video/composite/stereo audio inputs, enabling DV camcorder users to transfer footage to the hard disk or DVD with no loss of quality. Under the second flap is a cluster of basic controls. The rear is packed with connections. Most of the basics are present and correct, such as two RGB-capable Scarts. More unusual ones include the Local Area Network (Ethernet) terminal, which is crucial to the home-networking function (more on this later). And because the DMR-E500H is the first DVD recorder to offer multichannel
DMR-E500H in another room, you can hook the two up with a LAN cable and use one recorder to access files stored on the other. Playback of files is instant and slick, but its a pity you cant also copy MP3 files to the hard disk and access them via the network. There are four video recording modes: XP, SP, LP and EP. These offer between 89 and 709hrs of recording time on the hard disk, or between 1 and 8hrs on DVD-RAM/DVD-R. Theres also a Flexible Recording mode, which calculates the best possible picture quality depending on remaining disc space and length of the programme. Stored programmes are accessed from Direct Navigator, a neat graphical index that now boasts moving thumbnails (you can change the scene that is played). Its a shame that the recorder doesnt take programme information from teletext but you can enter names manually. All our favourite DVD-RAM features are found elsewhere, such as Timeslip and Playlist editing. The former allows you to play back and record simultaneously including playback of a programme while its still being recorded. The latter lets you trim unwanted parts of a recording by creating new chapters and piece them together in any sequence. The editing interface looks and performs differently to that of previous Panasonic recorders but its still slick and easy to follow. Edited playlists can be transferred to DVD or SD card (the deck converts to MPEG4 in the latter instance). Other features include high speed and Rate Conversion dubbing, and the deck can simultaneously create an MPEG4 version of

Dressed to kill, easy to use
74 November 2004 I WHAT VIDEO AND WIDESCREEN TV
Basic controls under one flap.
.and secondary inputs under another

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HDD/DVD recorder 1,300

PRODUCT

the regular MPEG2 recording, which you can transfer to SD card and replay on a portable device. Only two grumbles theres no digital tuner, which a recorder of this calibre really should have and the machine performs an annoying self check every time you turn it on.

FACT FILE

G 400GB hard disk G Ethernet connection

PERFORMANCE

From our experience of previous Panasonic Diga recorders, we expected high-quality recordings and thats exactly what you get. XP modes bitrate is higher than digital TV broadcasts, so Freeview pictures look exactly the same as the source, particularly when using RGB. And in SP, the drop down in
for home networking Timeslip MPEG4 recording High-speed dubbing PAL/NTSC progressive scan G SD/PC card slots

G G G G

A phenomenal machine, packed to bursting point with features
quality is imperceptible, apart from some hardly noticeable shimmer during detailheavy scenes. Recordings in LP and EP (in both 6hr and 8hr) modes are inevitably fuzzier and less stable, with very blocky colour gradation, but the results are tolerable and no worse than any other recorder. Pre-recorded DVD playback is also of the highest order, with the PAL progressive scan-enabled component outs delivering smooth, sharp and vibrant images to a compatible display. RGB is similarly dazzling. Inevitably, with so much technology crammed into one box, compromises had to be made somewhere. Sadly, sound quality is the victim, with DVD-Audio not scaling its usual heights and stereo CD material sounding distinctly ordinary.

WHATS GOOD

Huge hard-disk capacity; recording quality; features

WHATS BAD

Analogue tuner only; no electrical digital audio output; average sonics
PICTURE SOUND FEATURES EASE OF USE VALUE ALSO CONSIDER.
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SONY RDR-HX1000 Due out in October, this 250GB DVD+RW/-RW hard disk recorder offers the next largest storage capacity, and a 15Mbps mode for high-quality recordings. No networking though (see News October 04) Not yet reviewed PIONEER DVR-920H Another high-capacity recorder worth waiting for. Due in December, it boasts 250GB of hard-disk space, DVD-RW/-R recording and much more Not yet reviewed

CONCLUSION

The DMR-E500H is a phenomenal machine, packed to bursting point with impressive features. Were not entirely sure that they quite justify the 500 premium over the next-best Panasonic recorder, but theres no denying that the network feature is a very significant development. These advanced features arent for everyone though - if networking or a 400GB hard-disk arent for you then you might as well save your cash and opt for the DMR-E95H or E85H. That said, there are plenty more strings to the E500Hs bow, such as excellent recording quality and unparalleled ease of use, which make this the DVD recorder by which all others should be judged

OVERALL VERDICT

Panasonic takes digital video recording to the next level with this awesome machine
RGB Scarts, a LAN terminal and six-channel outputs, but no electrical digital
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