SECAUCUS, N.J., JULY 14, 2003 - Building on its technological
strengths and leading market position in recordable DVD products,
Panasonic introduces the DMR-E100H DVD recorder with built-in 120 GB
hard disk drive as the newest member of its "DIGA" line. During the
first three months of 2003, DVD-RAM/R-format recorders captured 70.2
percent of the U.S. DVD consumer recorder market, according to The NPD
Group. The new DMR-E100H reaffirms the growing strength of DVD-RAM/R
and Panasonic's leadership position in recordable DVD.
The DMR-E100H gives consumers the option of recording on either a
DVD-RAM or DVD-R disc or storing up to 160 hours of video on its hard
disk drive.
The DMR-E100H is ideal for compiling personal movie libraries or for
archiving, preserving, cataloging and enjoying family videos. The new
model can be used for storing and playing back digital video
(MPEG2/MPEG4 files) and photos (JPEG/TIFF files)*1 from a compatible
digital video camcorder/camera with an SD Memory Card slot or PCMCIA
slot*2.
The DMR-E100H will be available in August at an MSRP of $1199.95.
(Also announced today is the SC-HT1000 Recordable DVD Home Theater
Sound System, which will join Panasonic's DVD-RAM family this fall at
an MSRP of $999.95.)
One remarkable DMR-E100H feature is that it can record MPEG4 image
data at the same time it is recording MPEG2 data to the hard disk. The
DMR-E100H can also transfer MPEG data to an SD Memory Card at high
speeds for storage or for use in other devices. For example, you could
transfer a recorded TV program from the DMR-E100H to an SD Memory Card
and then use a compatible digital video camcorder/camera to view the
program away from the home. In addition, MPEG4 or MPEG2 data recorded
by such devices can be transferred to the DMR-E100H via an SD Memory
Card for editing or storage on the hard disk. The DMR-E100H can also
convert MPEG2 data to MPEG4 and copy it onto an SD Memory Card in a
single step.
One touch of a button is all it takes to record data from the
DMR-E100H's hard disk drive to a DVD-RAM or DVD-R*3 disc at high
speeds*4. Recording goes at a quick 12x normal speed to a DVD-RAM disc
or 24x normal speed to DVD-R*5 (both in EP mode). For example, a
one-hour program can be recorded to DVD-RAM in just 5 minutes or to
DVD-R in just 2.5 minutes. Recording from a DVD-RAM disc to the
DMR-E100H hard disk drive is also possible.
The DMR-E100H lets users view a previously recorded program onto a
DVD-RAM disc or the hard disk drive while simultaneously recording a
different program. With Chasing Playback, users can also view the
recorded portion of a live program, from the beginning, while
continuing to record that program until its completion. The Time Slipä
feature also allows viewers to replay a scene recorded 30 seconds
earlier without disrupting the recording process, simply by touching a
button on the remote.
"The DMR-E100H allows consumers to take full advantage of a hard drive
and DVD-RAM's capabilities," says Alberto Reggiani, National Marketing
Manager for DVD products. "They won't copy over previously recorded
shows by mistake. Also, they don't have to search for the beginning of
an earlier recorded program: one touch of a button brings them back to
the start for almost immediate playback."
The DMR-E100H offers a host of other useful and convenient functions.
Auto Renewal Recording, a PVR-like function, lets users automatically
record a favorite show every day or every week onto the hard disk or
DVD-RAM disc.
Creating an original video on DVD is easy with the DMR-E100H. Using
the DV input terminal and DV cable (IEEE1394), images can be recorded
from a digital camcorder directly to the hard disk drive or a DVD-RAM
or DVD-R disc. To make editing easier, the DV Automatic Recording mode
creates a playlist, which consists of a sequence of thumbnail still
images each representing a different scene.
Thumbnail display of contents is also possible for recording to a
DVD-RAM or DVD-R*6 disc. Since each scene is displayed with a
thumbnail image, it's easy for users to select the sequence of scenes
they want to play back.
The DMR-E100H also features Progressive Scan*7, which ensures optimum
picture quality when viewing DVD movies.
The DVD video recording technology used in the DMR-E100H complies with
the DVD-RAM recording formats standardized by the DVD Forum. DVD-RAM
provides a single format for computer and video-based applications.
The format offers high storage capacity on removable media, high-speed
data transmission, exceptional picture and sound quality, fast
random-access memory, and rewritability up to 100,000 times.
As the popularity and applications of digital video expand, there's
increasing consumer demand for digital equipment and media that can
record and store high-resolution digital images. The Panasonic
DMR-E100H is the ideal choice for today's expanding digital media
environment.
Panasonic consumer DVD recorders are marketed in the United States by
Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company. The company is a division of
Matsushita Electric Corporation of America, the principal North
American subsidiary of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.,
(NYSE:MC) of Japan, one of the world's largest developers and
producers of innovative digital and other electronic products for
consumer, business and industrial use. Media can access press releases
on Panasonic consumer products via the Panasonic Pressroom web site,
www.panasonic.com/pressroom, or through the company's toll-free
fax-back system at 888-734-7490.
1 The DMR-E100H is compatible with JPEG still images that conform to
the DCF standard.
2 The appropriate PC card adapter is required to use a memory card.
The DMR-E100H is compatible with the SD Memory Card, MultiMedia Card,
Compact Flash, Smart Media, mobile hard disk, and other flash memory
cards.
3 DVD-R media is recognized as being compatible with most existing DVD
video players and DVD-ROM drives. Ability to play back DVD-R discs is
dependent on the condition of the recording and the disc itself.
4 Recording from the Hard Disk to a DVD-RAM or DVD-R Disc cannot be
used with images for which only single-generation recording is
allowed. When recording these images to a DVD-RAM disc, the original
image on the hard disk is erased.
5 Record from the hard disk onto a DVD-RAM and DVD-R (X4 speed disc)
quickly.
Recording at 24x normal speed is possible for one program. Programs
recorded in XP mode also can be recorded at 24x normal speed only when
the audio is recorded in the AC3 format.
6 Finalizing DVD-R disc is needed.
7 To enjoy the full benefits of a progressive-scan picture, a TV with
progressive capabilities must be used.
Specifications subject to change without notice.
