Press Release

Panasonic Introduces Backward-Compatible DVD Video Recorder

New, More Affordable Model DMR-E20 Simultaneously Records and Plays Back; Can Record Onto DVD-RAM or DVD-R Discs

SECAUCUS, NJ (May 30, 2001) -- Reaffirming its leadership position in DVD recording technology, Panasonic announces its second-generation DVD video recorder, which will be available in stores this October. The unique recorder allows consumers to digitally record high-quality, MPEG2 video on DVD-RAM or DVD-R discs. DVD-R discs can be played back in most DVD players. The DMR-E20 will have a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $1499.95.* (The company's first DVD video recorder, model DMR-E10, introduced last year, carried an MSRP of $3999.95*.)

 

 Panasonic DMR-E20 DVD recorder
(click on image to enlarge)

The DMR-E20 was engineered to take full advantage of the DVD-RAM format's capabilities, such as simultaneous playback and recording. DVD-RAM provides a single format for computer and video-based applications. With its vast storage capacity, incredible speed, random access memory, exceptional picture and sound quality, and writing/erasing/rewriting capability, DVD-RAM is highly adaptive to the expanding digital media environment.

"The DMR-E20 provides a whole new way to enjoy the world of digital entertainment,'' said Rudy Vitti, National Marketing Manager for Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company's Entertainment Group.  "It not only offers consumers recordability and rewritability, but it's also a practical and flexible way to manage multiple DVD applications.''

As the popularity and applications of the DVD format expand, there's increasing consumer demand for the ability to record high-resolution, digital video and high-quality audio onto DVD discs. The DVD Forum-approved DVD-RAM recording standard answers this challenge, and provides a recordable format that's compatible with both PCs and a wide variety of digital entertainment products.

The DMR-E20 can also record video onto a DVD-R disc, which can then be played back in a conventional DVD video player.

As an optical media format, DVD-RAM enjoys huge advantages over tape media, including random access and rewritability. Recording is activated instantaneously because the user doesn't have to first search for blank space on the disc. Finding and viewing recorded material is fast and easy because there's no need to search, fast-forward or rewind. The DMR-E20 has a super-fast data transfer rate of 22.16 Mbps, thereby making simultaneous recording and playback possible -- a first in the industry.

The DMR-E20's innovative Time Slip(TM) playback function lets users view the recorded portion of an ongoing program from the beginning, while continuing to record the live program in progress. With a VCR, the user would have to wait until the whole program has been recorded in order to view it in its entirety, or else view the ending of the program first and then the beginning.

Of course, users can also record a live program while watching any other program that's been previously recorded on a disc.

Finding and viewing recorded material is fast and easy with the unit's Direct Navigator function. Users can instantly access recorded material from an on-screen menu that lists recording dates, times, channels and (user-entered) titles. Moving the cursor and clicking on a listed recording will begin playing a preview of the selection behind the menu. Playback or deletion of the program can begin immediately upon selection. Up to 99 programs can be handled by this system.

The Playlist function lets the user perform simple non-linear video editing -- such as rearranging the order of scenes, skipping over unwanted scenes, or copying selections -- and create custom playlists of favorite scenes on a disc.

Users can record up to 12 hours of video on the new, 2-sided, 9.4GB DVD-RAM discs. Discs can be played back on a DVD-RAM compatible DVD player -- such as Panasonic's DVD-RP91 or DVD-H2000 -- or on a PC or laptop computer equipped with DVD-RAM playback capability**. Users can also edit their videos on a multi-media computer with video editing/production software.

In addition to recording new video content, the DMR-E20 also allows consumers to transfer their favorite VHS tape recordings to space-saving discs. Personal movie libraries and family videos can be archived, preserved, and easily cataloged and accessed. The DVD video recorder offers another important advantage: it actually enhances old videos. Thanks to the DMR-E20's noise reduction processes, input time-base corrector, 3D Y/C separation and 3D DNR, the transferred video is capable of having better picture quality than the analog original.

When connected to home theater components, the DMR-E20 enables consumers to enjoy playback of multiple digital entertainment formats, including DVD video, and audio and video CDs.

Panasonic will also market DVD-R discs, to be available in stores at the same time as the DMR-E20. Panasonic brand DVD-RAM media is currently available. (See chart below.)

The DMR-E20 will be available in both black and silver.

Panasonic also offers companion DVD-RAM playback products, including the DVD-RP91 DVD video and DVD-Audio player, the VDR-M10 DVD-RAM camcorder, and a new DVD-RAM playback-capable portable player to be introduced later this year. Panasonic consumer DVD products are marketed in the United States by Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company, a division of Matsushita Electric Corporation of America, which is the principal North American subsidiary of Japan-based Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., (NYSE: MC - news), one of the world's largest producers of electronic and electric products for consumer, business and industrial use. Consumers seeking more information on Panasonic products can call the Panasonic Customer Call Center at 800-211-PANA, or access the Panasonic home page at http://www.panasonic.com/electronics . Media can access press releases via the Panasonic Press Room web site, http://www.panasonic.com/pcecnews (or type the Internet Keyword Panasonic Press Room in your browser's address bar), or through New Directions Public Relations' toll-free fax-back system at 888-734-7490.

* Prices are in U.S. dollars.
** To play back a DVD-RAM disc on DVD player or on a PC or laptop computer, playback device must have either a 4.7GB DVD-RAM drive or compatible DVD-ROM drive capable of reading 4.7GB DVD-RAM discs, and must have Video Recording Format support installed.  Operating systems currently supported are Windows 95 and higher and Mac OS 7.5 and higher.

Specifications subject to change.

source: Panasonic

The Panasonic DMR-E20 DVD-RAM and DVD-R recorder is available from Crutchfield for only $999.95 (list price is $1,499.95) - Special: new Crutchfield customers get $25 off

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