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Hardware

New DVD Recorder With 52 hours Of HDD Recording Time 109

Posted by timothy from the technology-has-its-upside dept.
BlueQuark writes "I thought that this is cool. Everybody needs one. When I was liviving in Tokyo about a year and a half ago, Pioneer just released a DVD Recorder, which was quite nice. Now it looks like Panasonic will have one that does 52 hours. It's about 200,000 yen or about $1709.00 @ 117.76Tokyo's Y/$ rate. The blurb is a bit short, but can be found here. Or here is a more complete press release which is at Matsushita's site."
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New DVD Recorder With 52 hours Of HDD Recording Time More

New DVD Recorder With 52 hours Of HDD Recording Time

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  • Cool (Score:3, Funny)

    by SpanishInquisition ( 127269 ) on Thursday September 27, 2001 @02:47PM (#2359867) Homepage Journal
    52 hours of porn is what I need.

    • Re:Cool (Score:5, Funny)

      by hoggoth ( 414195 ) on Thursday September 27, 2001 @02:59PM (#2359967) Journal
      > 52 hours of porn is what I need.

      Actually, from what I hear, 30 seconds of porn is what you need.

      • What I NEED is a <$500 device that can save 4 different (porn-)channels at the same time for one day straight, while playbacking one saved stream at a freely choosable speed without missing frames, eg. @ 75 fps /w 150Hz refresh rate on the display device.
      • Hmmmph. Now I know the secret to Karma. Forget posting useful information... I'll just keep up the sex jokes.

  • Popup alert (Score:5, Funny)

    by Spootnik ( 518145 ) on Thursday September 27, 2001 @02:51PM (#2359904)
    MPAA would like to interrupt your DVD recording to inform you that your media will autodestruct in 3, 2, 1...

  • HDD not HD (Score:3, Flamebait)

    by meatplow ( 184288 ) on Thursday September 27, 2001 @02:52PM (#2359908) Homepage
    There is a HUGE difference between
    HARD DRIVE - HDD
    and
    HIGH DEFINITION - HD
    please update headline....



    http://www.fuckbunny.org

  • Media company responese? (Score:3, Insightful)

    by plaisted ( 449711 ) on Thursday September 27, 2001 @02:54PM (#2359922) Homepage
    Looks like TiVo that retails for $2000 and writes to DVDs. Won't the media companies try to block this in any way they can? With TiVo you had to hack your unit to be able to read from the hard drive and get the video on your computer so you could post it on the net, but with this you just write to a DVD and then read it to your computer.

    Of course, if this becomes popular then maybe CmdrTaco won't have to complain about having missed the Enterprise pilot episode.
    • Well it doesn't seem like it has all the cool TiVo features (thumbs up/down, guide, season passes). and remember, this isn't in the US.

    • Post it on the net? (Score:3, Informative)

      by oneiros27 ( 46144 )
      Why not just wait for the ReplayTV new offerings?

      $2000, and it's got an ethernet port, so you can just hook it to the internet and share it with others:

      (the $2000 model is 320hrs...they don't mention a drive size, so I'm going to assume it'll record about 200hrs of decent quality stuff, based on the way TiVo numbers their stuff...there's also a $700 model, with only '40 hours' [ie, 25hrs-ish] record time)

      And before you complain that 'but then the folks you send it to will have to have the same brand machine', you didn't think that even though thesre new boxes mentions write to DVD-RAM, that they'd be encoded in a way to read from a normal DVD player, did you? That encoding would take too long for 'em to be able to do in real time without it costing some serious cash.
      • or this just in!!

        spend $250 to get a wintv PVR, $400 to get 2x75GB HD and you have 150GB and a PVR that can record 12mbit/sec mpeg2 video at 5% processor utilization, store up to 290 hours at VCD quality, and you can you the disk space for other stuff, and ALL FOR LESS THAN the $700 model TiVo that gives you 25 hours. Pop on the net and get freeware/shareware PVR solutions and you're all set.

        I don't know exactly why anyone would spend so much money on a TiVo ($2000????? PC +$15 for an ethernet card) when you can get much better use (and use the HD for other stuff) out of doing it yourself on your computer. Perhaps not _as_ simple, and you can't view it _directly_ on your TV, but if you really want that, drop another $100 and get a pretty decent 3d accellerator card with TV output and you're all set.

        is there something I'm missing here?

        Oh and BTW, Why would encoding in real time to mpeg2 be so costly to do in real time? You can get specialized hardware to do it for very cheap... For example, the $250 WinTV PVR card has a built in mpeg2 encoder. It's not serious cash.
        • This WinTV card would be great, if it were not for the fact that it is completely useless if you get your TV signal through a set-top box (satelite, microwave, digital cable).

          For an extra $5, they could have added an "IR blaster" output that you could program to your set top box specs, and it could then change the channel on your box and actually become useful.

          But like all TV cards on the market, they assume that you have old-fashioned analog cable service. Too bad.

      • Christ - read the article before replying!
        Employing an iLINK cable and incorporated DV input terminal, high quality digital images can be dubbed onto DVD-RAM and DVD-R discs through its easy-to-use "DV Automatic Recording" mode


        DVD-R uses standard DVD-Video formating. Hence it will playback in ANY DVD-Video player. This is what is really cool about this device - Make DVD Videos for the family from your home movies.
        • I appologize for skimming the article so quickly.
          After your pointing out that it writes DVD-R [I must've assumed DVD-RW (F, not D) or something], I'm really surprised that they mentioned DVD-RAM so many times, and DVD-R only once in the official press release, as for years, DVD-R writers were priced well over US$10k.

          [For those confused on the topic -- DVD-RW isn't 100% compatible with run-of-the-mill off-the-shelf appliance style DVD players. DVD-R is, however]

  • Mirror (Score:1, Informative)

    by robbyjo ( 315601 )

    Wednesday, September 26, 2001 at 18:30 JST TOKYO -- Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. said Wednesday it will introduce a new DVD video system Dec. 1 with a built-in hard disk drive able to record a maximum 52 hours of video. The DMR-HS1 can edit and store recorded TV broadcasts and images from digital video cameras, said Matsushita, best known for its Panasonic brand products.

    The recorder will sell for 200,000 yen. (Kyodo News)

    Now my question: Recording 52 hours of what quality of video? A DVD quality video or what? I hope that this is not a result of marketing mumbo jumbo...

      • Now my question: Recording 52 hours of what quality of video? A DVD quality video or what? I hope that this is not a result of marketing mumbo jumbo...
      From the article:
      • The internal 40 GB HDD makes possible up to 52 hours of extended recording in EP mode to the HDD and 12 hours to a double-sided DVD-RAM disc
      "EP mode" doesn't sound like DVD quality to me...

  • Here is the Press Release in case it gets /.'d (Score:5, Informative)

    by Cy Guy ( 56083 ) on Thursday September 27, 2001 @02:57PM (#2359947) Homepage Journal
    FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
    Media Contacts: Akira Kadota, International PR, Tokyo
    Tel: 03-3578-1237 Fax: 03-3437-2776
    Yoshihiro Kitadeya, International PR, Osaka
    Tel: 06-6908-0447 Fax: 06-6907-2013

    Matsushita Electric (Panasonic) Introduces New DMR-HS1 DVD Video Recorder with built-in HDD
    -- Offers a maximum of 52 hours of recording with built-in HDD --
    PIC [matsushita.co.jp]
    OSAKA, Japan -- Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., best known for its Panasonic brand of consumer electronic and digital communications products, today announced that it will introduce a new DVD video recorder with built-in hard disk drive (HDD), the DMR-HS1, to kick off its new lineup of DVD video recorders. By combining an HDD with a DVD recorder, the new unit enables a maximum of 52 hours of recording on the HDD and 12 hours on DVD-RAM discs to realize easy editing and storage of recorded TV broadcasts and images from digital video cameras. The DMR-HS1 will be launched in the Japanese market on December 1, 2001 at a price of 200,000 yen. In addition, the new DVD video recorder will be exhibited at the Panasonic booth at CEATEC JAPAN 2001, to be held from October 2 to 6 at Makuhari Messe (Nippon Convention Center) in Chiba, east of Tokyo.

    Panasonic's DMR-HS1 DVD video recorder offers a wide range of recording versatility. The internal 40 GB HDD makes possible up to 52 hours of extended recording in EP mode to the HDD and 12 hours to a double-sided DVD-RAM disc. Timer recording can automatically reuse the recorded program settings every week for serial TV programs, freeing viewers from having to delete last week's episodes to retrieve space for new ones when disk space is limited.

    In addition, a "Time Slip" function is offered that includes Chase Playback and Simultaneous Recording and Playback capabilities. This function enables playback from any point in a previously recorded or currently recording program while recording continues until the current program's end.

    Employing an iLINK cable and incorporated DV input terminal, high quality digital images can be dubbed onto DVD-RAM and DVD-R discs through its easy-to-use "DV Automatic Recording" mode. The "Play List," a list of still images representing a sequence of scenes, can be made automatically to make editing easier. High-speed dubbing at 22 Mbps from the HDD to DVD-RAM can be done with the touch of a single button, enabling 12x speed in EP mode at its quickest (e.g., a one-hour program can be dubbed in just 5 minutes). Dubbing from DVD-RAM to the HDD is available as well.

    The DVD video recording technology used in this new unit complies with the DVD-RAM recording formats standardized by the DVD Forum. DVD-RAM is not only compatible with both audio/video and PC applications, but its optical format also boasts superior rewritability, allowing approximately 100,000 rewrites per disc.

    The global demand for DVD players in fiscal year 2001 (year ending March 2002) is forecast to reach 25 million units, with more than 11,000 DVD software titles. With its vast capacity, high-speed data transmission, high-speed random access, exceptional image quality, and high sound quality, DVD-RAM is the optimal choice in today's expanding digital media environment.

    About Matsushita Electric Industrial
    Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., best known for its Panasonic, National, Technics, and Quasar brand names, is a worldwide leader in the development and manufacture of electronics products for a wide range of consumer, business, and industrial needs. Based in Osaka, Japan, the company recorded consolidated sales of US$61.45 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2001. In addition to the Tokyo and other Japanese stock exchanges (6752), Matsushita's shares are also listed on the Amsterdam, Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, New York, Pacific (NYSE/PCX: MC), and Paris stock exchanges. For more information, visit the Matsushita web site at http://www.panasonic.co.jp/global/top.html [panasonic.co.jp].

  • Copywrite Implications? (Score:2, Insightful)

    by vstat ( 456161 )
    I can imagine the number of bootleg movies will be up, since you can record and burn the material with the same machine. Won't hurt the movie theater industry since the movies on television have usually been out of theatres for a while, but don't you think that companies might be a little concerned about DVD sales? Just like music, why buy if you can get it for free? Or get from someone for a fraction on the cost?
  • ...a PVR service. If they teamed up with TiVo, they'd have a killer product, and several lawsuits to boot...
    • Panasonic already makes a TiVo competitor, the Showstopper (which is a re-badged ReplayTV).

      I obviously don't know the terms of their agreement with Replay (now SonicBlue), but if they want PVR functionality, they have an existing partnership...

  • some specifics (Score:3, Insightful)

    by Alien54 ( 180860 ) on Thursday September 27, 2001 @03:00PM (#2359977) Journal
    By combining an HDD with a DVD recorder, the new unit enables a maximum of 52 hours of recording on the HDD and 12 hours on DVD-RAM discs to realize easy editing and storage of recorded TV broadcasts and images from digital video cameras. [...] The internal 40 GB HDD makes possible up to 52 hours of extended recording in EP mode to the HDD and 12 hours to a double-sided DVD-RAM disc. [...] High-speed dubbing at 22 Mbps from the HDD to DVD-RAM can be done with the touch of a single button, enabling 12x speed in EP mode at its quickest (e.g., a one-hour program can be dubbed in just 5 minutes). Dubbing from DVD-RAM to the HDD is available as well.

    don't forget those essential copy protection features!

  • so does this mean i no longer have to get ripped off to watch my favorite tv shows in series? (rentals) finally, a digital recording option, so all those tv marathons that were recorded in the past can make their way to a respectable media format!


    'course, at these current prices i could probably just buy every set of every show i want, but that's not the same. :)

  • DVD-RAM?!? (Score:2, Interesting)

    by vanyel ( 28049 )
    It's an interesting idea, but DVD-RAM?!? That means it won't play on any real dvd players. Which wouldn't be so bad, except they slipped in that little line about "compatible with PC audio/video applications" so that you would see that keyword "compatible" and if you're just skimming it, that's what might stick. That seems like a pretty slimy marketing trick to me. In any case, as far as I'm concerned, if it's not compatible with a regular DVD player, what's the point?

    • Re:DVD-RAM?!? (Score:1, Informative)

      by Anonymous Coward
      Open up the DVD-RAM cartridge via the tab on the top, slide out the DVD and pop it into a player.
      • That will only work for the newest DVD players that have been specifically engineered to read DVD-RAM (not a whole lot of work, just a matter of laser wavelength, but still, incompatible with most pre-2001 DVD players)
      • ...and then never be able to use it again as a RAM?
    • Panasonic/Matsushita Electric have backed both the PD and the DVD-RAM formats for a while, which is why they wouldn't choose a competiting format like DVD-RW or DVD+RW.
    • Read this [slashdot.org] comment before continuing this thread. Blah blah lameness filter won't let me post blah blah hope this is enough padding blah blah

      Phillip.

  • 52 hours = 40 GB = $80 (Score:4, Informative)

    by peter303 ( 12292 ) on Thursday September 27, 2001 @03:05PM (#2360003)
    The press release says 52 hours is 40 GB.
    (Most DVCR users would recommend 2GB / hour.)
    Even so, the disk cost should be $80 at current
    commodity disk prices.

    • Re:52 hours = 40 GB = $80 (Score:2, Interesting)

      by fux ( 68906 )
      not bad. 40gb = near one month of mp3 music = no cd changers anymore! :]
      • not bad. 40gb = near one month of mp3 music = no cd changers anymore! :]

        Actually, I have about 6.5GB of mp3's, and that is a lot more than I listen to on a regular basis. About half of it is stuff I downloaded because somebody else wanted to hear it. I haven't even listened to a CD in about 3 months (since my car died, the last place I was using them). It will be nice when I can do the same with video, and have all of Star Trek on my hard drive.

  • Does this use ReplayTV? (Score:3, Interesting)

    by crow ( 16139 ) on Thursday September 27, 2001 @03:10PM (#2360038) Homepage Journal
    This is from the one company that has previously partnered with ReplayTV. I didn't see anything about the software they're using; whether it's their own or from a partner. I wouldn't be surprised if it turns out they're partnering with ReplayTV on this, just like they did with the Showstopper.

  • 200 hour tivo (Score:2, Insightful)

    by Anonymous Coward
    I love my 200 hour tivo. After the 2 new hard drives and lifetime subscription, it cost about $700 less than this 52 hour unit. Hrmmm.
  • 40GB?? thats 'bout 10 dvds? if you divx them, maybe you can fit enough pirate stuff on a disk to make the price of that disk worthwhile... unless you break the disk :(

    I wonder how long it will take for the price fixing on blank media to stop.
  • Lots of data...too expensive for now. Wait a year or two...

    Btw, what's liviving?

  • WOW (Score:1, Offtopic)

    by ryanvm ( 247662 )
    Man I think I'm going to move to Tokyo. Just so I can tell people back home, "Yup, I'm pullin' down a cool 6,000,000 Yen a year.".
  • isnt this format a bit outdated? Last i heard was that most dvd players will not play dvd-ram discs (though dvd-rom drives will and presumably dvd players based on dvd-rom drives such as most of the apex players). I would only consider buying one of these if it supported dvd-rw+ discs.
  • ......cause that would be cool....and allow more pirated movies to be more easily available for trading ...heh heh heh!

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