Panasonic to Release Networked DVD Recorder

[James Fee]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,117723,tk,dn090904X,00.asp' target='_blank'>http://www.pcworld.com/news/article/0,aid,117723,tk,dn090904X,00.asp</a><br /><br /></div>"<i>The DMR-E500H has a 400GB hard drive that can store up to 709 hours of recording in extended play (EP) mode (which is typically considered about VHS-quality). The DMR-E500H has a maximum effective speed of 64X when recording in EP mode from a hard drive to DVD-R, allowing it to record a 60-minute program in 56 seconds, which Panasonic claimed is the fastest in the industry. (Panasonic says that the speeds quoted are effective speeds, not data transfer speeds, since they're referring to how many hours you can record for a given amount of data.) The recorder has a maximum speed of 40 X when recording in EP mode from hard drive to DVD-RAM. The unit will go on sale in Japan on September 21 for $1715, and will be offered outside of Japan shortly thereafter, says the company. The product is geared towards higher-end users; Panasonic says it will initially produce only 3000 units per month. The DMR-E500H has an Ethernet port that allows consumers to view MPEG4 video and JPEG photos stored on the recorder on their PCs. Multiple recorders can also be linked by LAN, so that a DVD playing on one machine can been viewed in more than one room. In Japan, people using Panasonic's online video recording service can program their recorder through their cell phone.</i>"<br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/b602720.jpg" /><br /><br />Looks like Panasonic just loaded everything they could think of into this unit and unlike <a href="http://www.snpp.com/episodes/7F16.html">Homer Simpson and his "car"</a>, they pulled it off. The only confusing thing is how can someone afford, "multiple recorders"? At about $2k a pop, these things are pricey. 8O

[Chris Gohlke]

I have had the DMR-E80H for about 6 months and I have to say, it is probably on of my favorite purchases ever. Being able to record shows, edit out the commercials and burn to DVD is way cool. Already have all of season 3 of Enterprise and am doing season 1 of Stargate: Atlantis as they are broadcast.

[mcsouth]

:way to go: Woooowwwww!!!!! I want, I want! (hey, where's the drool emoticon like at PPCT?)

Now this is a "converged device" that I can totally appreciate...except the price is a bit overwhelming! I would love to have one of these in my living room - hey Jason, do you want to get one for me to test? :D I promise I'll write a great review for you! :way to go:

[James Fee]

I promise I'll write a great review for you! :way to go:
Get in line. I already asked him before I posted the item. Something tells me this would never leave Canada if it ever showed up.

[Chris Gohlke]

You can get 85% of the functionality for 25% the price on some of the older models. The Panasonic DMR-E85HS is currently $483 on Amazon. Slower at recording to DVD, smaller HD, and no networkability. Since you would need more than one to make use of the network features, no big deal.

Add the Philips DVP642 Progressive-Scan DVD Player for $66 for a great home theater setup from the player end. This player will play almost anything, DVD-Video, video CD, audio CD, JPEG image CD, and CDs loaded with MP3, MPEG-4, or DivX 3.11/4.x/5.x files, plus I have read that there is a firmware update that will allow it to play some other things too.

[mcsouth]

I checked out the DMR-E85HS over at Amazon - in general, the reviews were not very good for that unit. One reviewer proclaimed the unit to be a big step backward from the E80 that you indicate you have, Goldkey. I think I'll pass until I've had a chance to check some other reviews.....

[ctmagnus]

Something tells me this would never leave Canada if it ever showed up.

I have no issues with that ;)

[Chris Gohlke]

I checked out the DMR-E85HS over at Amazon - in general, the reviews were not very good for that unit. One reviewer proclaimed the unit to be a big step backward from the E80 that you indicate you have, Goldkey. I think I'll pass until I've had a chance to check some other reviews.....

I just read that same review. Wow, somebody dropped the ball in product development. The 80 is just great, but it really appears that they did make it worse in trying to improve it.