Panasonic will Launch a Blu-ray Disc Recorders with BD discs Playback

Panasonic announced a Blu-ray Disc (BD) recorders capable of playing back BD discs. The Blu-ray DIGA DMR-BW200 and DMR-BR100 can record high-definition imagery on BD-RE rewritable discs and dub from the built-in hard-disk drive (HDD) to BD discs at 4x speed without compromising video or audio quality.

The new models support single and dual-layer discs (BD-RE and BD-R). The Blu-ray recorders comes with a built-in 500 GB or 200 Gb HDD.

The new Blu-ray recorder should be available November 15. The units will retail at $2,045 and $2,556.

The new DIGAs' image processing engines include Panasonic's HD Optimizer that automatically detects and suppresses noise that is unique to digital broadcasting. The engines also incorporate a video converter that can record images with details when down-converting from HD to SD (standard definition) to store on DVD discs. The reverse is also the case - when connected to a TV via an HDMI cable, the converter can up-convert SD content to HD to reproduce high resolution images.

The new BD recorders exemplify Panasonic's efforts in making high-tech products easy-to-operate. For example, the two models feature Playback Navigation that can automatically sort programs recorded using weekly or daily programmed recording function into appropriate folders. They also provide easy operation with VIERA Link single remote control. When used with other home theater components that support the VIERA Link, users can operate the components including a recorder, TV and home theater receiver with just one remote.

In addition, the DMR-BW200 supports i.LINK that enables users to copy D-VHS high-definition videos onto the built-in HDD.(2) Users can create a library of high-definition videos by transferring from the HDD to BD discs. The two models also have an SD Memory Card slot to provide connectivity with other SD enabled products.

The DMR-BW200 and DMR-BR100 support a variety of media including HDD, BD-RE, BD-R, DVD-RAM, DVD-R, DVD-R DL and DVD-RW for recording, and HDD, BD-RE, BD-R, DVD-RAM, DVD-R, +R, DVD-R DL, +R DL, DVD-RW, +RW, DVD-Video, BD-Video, music CD, CD-R and CD-RW for playback.