Features:
- Record to DVD-R and DVD-RAM digital media
- Time Slip Playback allows you to watch any previously recorded show while simultaneously recording from the TV
- Direct Navigator function makes it easy to find a desired program on a heavily used disc
- Rapid Random Access lets you jump directly to any spot on a disc and begin playback or recording immediately
- Choose between five recording modes for better quality or longer playback; full-function DVD-Video player as well
Description:
As the popularity and uses of the DVD format expand, there's increasing demand for the ability to record high-resolution digital video and high-quality audio on DVD discs. The DVD-RAM standard answers this challenge, providing a recordable format that's compatible with not only PCs, but a variety of digital entertainment products. The DMR-E20 is Panasonic's award-winning second-generation DVD-Video recorder, which digitally records high-quality MPEG2 video on both DVD-RAM and DVD-R discs. In particular, the unit was engineered to take full advantage of DVD-RAM, which offers features never before possible with removable media: vast storage capacity, incredible speed, expansive memory, exceptional picture and sound quality, and enormous flexibility in writing, erasing, and rewriting. You can record up to 12 hours of video on two-sided 9.4 GB DVD-RAM discs. Discs can be played back on DVD-RAM-compatible DVD players or on a PC or laptop computer equipped for DVD-RAM playback. (PCs must have either a 4.7 GB DVD-RAM drive or compatible DVD-ROM drive capable of reading 4.7 GB DVD-RAM discs, and must contain installed support for Video Recording Format, or VRF.) The DMR-E20's innovative, proprietary Time Slip playback function lets you view the recorded portion of an ongoing program from the beginning while continuing to record the program in progress, much like the popular VCR-like digital video recorders. With a VCR, you either have to wait until the whole program has been recorded to view it in its entirety, or else view the ending of the program first and then the beginning. Unlike DVRs, this deck lets you easily share your recordings with friends and family. The Playlist function lets you perform simple nonlinear video editing, such as rearranging the order of scenes, skipping over unwanted scenes, and creating custom playlists of favorite scenes on a disc. Of course, original scenes recorded on the disc remain as they are. As a home-theater-ready DVD player, the DMR-E20 handles multiple entertainment formats, including DVD-Video, audio CDs, video CDs, CD-R/CD-RWs, and DVD-R discs recorded with this unit. It also passes Dolby Digital and DTS surround sound through its back-panel optical digital-audio output (for use with a surround-decoding receiver). Potential drawbacks to note: the unit is not designed to play MP3-encoded CDs; the machine compresses all audio recordings with Dolby Digital 2.0 (which is MP3-like in nature); CD-quality PCM audio recording is not possible. Video recording and home-theater-quality DVD playback are the priorities here, and that's where this piece excels. CNET's editorial staff selected the DMR-E20 as best of show in the personal technology category at the 2001 CNET/PC EXPO.
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