Panasonic introduced four new DVD recorders to its DIGA line of DVD recorders. The 2004 DIGA line marks Panasonic’s fifth generation of DVD recorders. Two of the new models, DMR-E85H and DMR-E65, feature the TV Guide On Screen (TVGOS) Electronic Programming Guide (EPG), and the DMR-E75 marks the debut of a dual DVD Recorder/VHS deck to the Panasonic DIGA family. The DMR-E85H features a built-in 120GB hard disk that can hold 284 hours of programming. The DMR-E55 completes the DIGA line. This year’s DIGA models feature a new Direct Navigator that simplifies the process of previewing recorded programs. All DIGA DVD recorders support recordable DVD-RAM and DVD-R, and will also play DVD-Video, music CDs, video CDs, and CD-R/CD-RW and MP3-formatted discs. All the Panasonic DIGA DVD Recorders are progressive-scan players, which ensures optimum picture quality when viewing DVD movies.
The 2004 DIGA line continues to offer enticing Panasonic features, such as Time Slip, Chasing Playback, Simultaneous Record & Play, One Touch Two-Way Dubbing, and Relief Recording (on the hard disk models). The Time Slip feature lets you replay a scene recorded 30 seconds earlier without disrupting the recording process. With Chasing Playback, you can also view the recorded portion of a live program, from the beginning, while continuing to record that program until its completion. Simultaneous Record & Play lets you view a previously recorded program on a DVD-RAM disc or the hard disk while simultaneously recording a different program. Relief Recording automatically checks the remaining disc space when you're recording onto a DVD-RAM or DVD-R disc. If there’s not enough space, the DIGA video recorder shifts the recording to the hard disk.
The DMR-E85H costs $799.95, the DMR-E65 costs $599.95, the DMR-E55 costs $449.95, and the DMR-E75V costs $599.95.