The Register® — Biting the hand that feeds IT

Feeds

Panasonic strengthens Blu-ray recorder range

More worry for HD-DVD supporters

Agentless Backup is Not a Myth

Panasonic yesterday unveiled its latest Blu-ray recorders, pitching the three Diga-brand models as the 'world's slimmest' machines of their kind.

Panasonic_Bluray
Panasonic's latest Blu-ray recorders

The DMR-BW900 will ship with a 1TB hard drive, the DMR-BW800 with a lesser 500GB capacity and the DMR-BW700 with a 250GB drive. All three can write to BD-R/RE discs, in addition to most older formats, such as DVD±R/RW.

Both the DMR-BW900 and DMR-BW800 can output at 1080p resolution and cinema-style 24p 24 frames per second playback, while the DMR-BW700 works at 1080i. Each recorder also supports 7.1-channel surround sound and has one HDMI output.

Panasonic claimed all three models are the industry's slimmest Blu-ray recorders, each standing at 5.9cm high.

Panasonic's announcement comes hot on Sharp's heels. Last week, Sharp unveiled 1TB and 500GB capacity Blu-ray recorders that also record to Blu-ray discs.

Panasonic also launched three new Diga DVD recorders, each equipped with an HD TV tuner. The DMR-XW300 has a 500GB storage capacity, while the DMR-XW200V and DMR-XW100 models both have 250GB of storage. All three sport a single HDMI output, but the 200V also integrates a DVD/VHS combo recorder, so the analogue tape format's not dead just yet, it seems.

All three recorders have SD memory card slots, allowing users to record and playback AVCHD-format videos from, say, compatible HD camcorders. Such content can also be ripped onto DVD discs by the player.

All six models will be available in Japan on 1 November, although a price hasn't been confirmed yet. There's no word yet on an European launch either.

Customer Success Testimonial: Recovery is Everything

More from The Register

Samsung Galaxy Note 8: Proof the pen is mightier?
Sammy’s iPad Mini killer has a stylus to stab other rivals too
First look: iOS 7 for iPad
No, Apple hasn't released it yet, but that doesn't stop intrepid devs
 breaking news
Curtain drops on Apple Store ahead of WWDC: What lies behind?
Steve Jobs watching from on high. No pressure, lads
 breaking news
Cold, dead hands of Steve Jobs slip from iPhones: The Cult of Ive is upon us
Billionaire biz baron's death clears way for uber-shiny iOS 7
Airbus imagines suitcases that find themselves
Point your mobe at your smalls to track their every move
Microsoft lures buy-curious vixens, corduroys with a cheap fondle
Surface slab sales latest: Will no one rid Ballmer of these turbulent tabs?
Surprise! Intel smartphone trounces ARM in power trials
Tests show equal performance while sipping significantly less juice
Samsung plans LTE Advanced version of Galaxy S4
1Gbps download capability could stiffen drooping S4 sales forecasts
Apple said to be 'exploring' 5.7-inch iPhone
Who's the copycat this time, Mr. Cook?
Google Chromebooks now in over 6,600 stores
Major, worldwide retail push begins this summer