A terrific all-around player and recorder, the Panasonic DMR-E30 offers the flexibility of recording on both DVD-RAM--ideal for instant chapter access and for multiple rerecordings--as well as DVD-R, regarded as the most widely compatible of the many DVD formats (great for sharing camcorder footage with loved ones). With the DMR-E30S you can digitally record superb picture and sound--up to 12 hours on a double-sided DVD-RAM disc and up to six hours on a single-sided DVD-RAM or DVD-R disc, thanks to Panasonic's original Hybrid VBR (variable bit rate) technology. (Rewriteable DVD-RAM discs can be rewritten over 100,000 times and offer 4.7 to 9.6 gigabytes per disc.) The unique Time Slip feature lets the DVD recorder be used like a personal video recorder, or PVR. Because of DVD-RAM's extremely fast transfer rate, it's possible to view the recorded portion of an ongoing program from the beginning, while still recording the program in progress. In addition to recording new video content, the DMR-E30 lets you transfer favorite VHS recordings to durable, space-saving discs. The Direct Navigator instantly accesses recorded material from an onscreen menu that lists recording dates, times, channels, and titles. Finding and viewing recorded material are simple, because there's no need to search, fast-forward, or rewind.
As a player, the DMR-E30 offers a progressive-scan video output for optimal picture quality when viewing a DVD movie on a high-definition or HD-ready TV. Progressive scanning doubles the scan lines of an interlaced signal by scanning all 525 lines in 1/60 of a second for each full pass. The higher-density video signal creates filmlike DVD images with rich detail, extraordinary depth of field, and precise color reproduction.
