Affirming its industry-leading position in recordable DVD products, Panasonic has announced the Middle East launch of the latest DVD recorders from its DIGA series. The 4 newly-introduced models - DMR-EH65, DMR-EH55, DMR-ES35V and DMR-ES15 – all boast easier-than-ever operation, higher image quality in both recording and playback, and improved networking capabilities.
Panasonic offers attractive enhancements in each of the 4 DIGA models. All DIGA DVD recorders offer the ease and convenience of super multi-format recording and playback, which allows users to play all of their DVDs, regardless of the recording format. Operating ease is further improved by the popular 1-second quick start recording function, and the Panasonic recorder adds a task-based navigation menu that makes it easy to select the desired operation. Auto Drive Select eliminates the need to use the remote control to switch drives, so playback can begin immediately after a DVD disc or an SD memory card is loaded. New features such as the auto DVD-R finalizing pop-up menu also improve ease of use.
Koji Naka, Product Manager, Panasonic Marketing Middle East, said, “Panasonic has led the way in the home entertainment market by consistently raising the bar in product innovation, and we reaffirm our preeminence in the sector with the launch of the latest DIGA models. All three newly-introduced DIGA models combine never-before ease-of-operation with superior image quality, and are designed to deliver an enriched user experience.”
The new DIGA line-up also accommodates DVD-R DL (single-sided dual-layer) discs, +R DL (single-sided double-layer) discs and offers extended recording on a single DVD-R/+R disc. All three DIGA models are equipped with a DV input terminal for easy image uploading from video cameras. The images are saved in a playlist format, so it is easy for anyone to retrieve and edit them into archives for long-term storage.
Giving the new DIGA models an even better playback quality is a new 108-MHz/12-bit DAC (digital-analogue converter). With the acclaimed 2x LP mode recording capability, DIGA models capture up to 500 lines of horizontal resolution, producing images about twice as sharp as those from conventional models in LP mode. DIGA matches these stunning pictures with equally impressive sound quality, faithfully reproducing sound sources. HDD models also use SILMIC electrolytic capacitors, which feature a silk-fiber based electrolytic paper that is extremely resistant to vibration.
“Across Middle East markets, there is growing demand for top-of-the-line home entertainment systems. Panasonic remains the preferred choice for a fair percentage of regional consumers, and our success lies in our ability to cater to the changing needs of the market by consistently bringing out products that offer unmatched capabilities,” Naka added.
The DMR-EH65, Panasonic’s flagship model, features a new HDMI terminal that allows easy, single-cable connection to other HDMI-compatible equipment. The DMR-EH65 can record in LP mode with the same horizontal resolution as it records in SP mode, making it possible to store around 222 hours of high image quality recording on the unit's 250GB hard disk drive. It also offers Viera-Link (HDAVI Control) which eliminates the need to turn each component on or off separately, or to manually select the input source. When the unit is connected to a Panasonic VIERA TV, for example, pressing a single button on remote controller switches on the DVD recorder and TV, makes the appropriate selector settings, and starts playback automatically. Likewise, when the DVD recorder is connected to a compatible receiver, the entire home theatre system can be switched on or off by pressing a single button. The EH65 also offers superior image quality, with its HD Up-Conversion function giving DVD movies and other content a level of quality on a par with full high-definition images.
The DMR-EH55 comes with a 160 GB hard disk drive, and features universal design GUI (graphic user interface) and 1-second quick start for recording and EPG display. The SD card slot on EH55 allows users to view movies recorded on an SD Memory Card, and makes it easy to transfer digital still photos and SD video to the hard drive or copy them onto a DVD-RAM disc, providing for a simple way to gather photos from several sources and store them together in a single location. Also, the EH55 can record both moving pictures and still images onto the same DVD-RAM disc, so users can put their favorite photos and videos together on a single disc and create discs with a specific theme.
Panasonic’s DMR-ES35V and DMR-ES15 models also come equipped with universal design GUI and 1-second quick start for recording on DVD RAM. Boasting superior picture quality, the two models feature VCR refresh copying with TBC and DNR, and allow for DV auto recording and playlist creation. ES35V also offers one-touch two-way copying.
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., (MEI) best known for its Panasonic brand, 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 posted consolidated sales of US$81.44 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2005. For more information, visit the Matsushita web site at http://www.panasonic.co.jp/global/top.html. Panasonic Gulf FZE (PGF) is MEI’s first subsidiary company in the Middle East, followed by Panasonic Marketing Middle East FZE (PMM), which is the regional marketing headquarters of MEI for operations in the Middle East and African countries.
