Panasonic UK Ltd. announced that it has released two new DIGA Blu-ray Disc (BD) recorders in the UK (DMR-BW880EB, BW780EBK) as well as a DVD Recorder with Freeview HD (DMR-XW380).

For more information visit: www.panasonic.co.uk

Unedited press release follows:

Panasonic presents Blu-ray DiscTM Recorders with Freeview+HD

DMR-BW880EBK & DMR-BW780EBK are leading the way into the HD age

Twin ‘Freeview+HD’ Terrestrial Tuners
Panasonic debuts two new DIGA Blu-ray Disc™ recorders in the UK. The DMR-BW880EBK and BW780EBK with Freeview+HD. Both Blu-ray Disc™ Recorders feature twin HD terrestrial tuners or satellite tuners, which enable customers to record digital broadcasts in full-HD quality. Besides their ability to record two digital broadcasts at the same time, the twin HD tuners also allow users without a digital TV to watch a digital broadcast and record it simultaneously. 5.1-channel surround sound (Dolby Digital or Dolby Digital Plus) signal and subtitles that are included in digital broadcasts can also be recorded, allowing users to enjoy surround sound and subtitles during playback.

High Definition Recording
These Blu-ray Disc™ recorders also record onto a dual-layer Blu-ray DiscTM, and they come with an SD memory card slot, making it easy to view motion (AVCHD format) and still images captured with an HD camcorder or digital still camera. All models also feature an HD Archiving function that makes it possible to save beautiful Full-HD images from an SD memory card onto the built-in hard disk drive and a Blu-ray DiscTM. Also, in addition to a High Speed Copying function, a DR File Conversion function makes it possible to convert TV programmes recorded in DR mode on HDD into HG, HX, HE, HL or HM mode (High Definition). This greatly shortens the time required to archive recorded programmes in HDD onto BD-RE or BD-R.

Easy to use graphical interface
The graphical user interface (GUI) has also become easier to use. More functions can now be accessed from the top menu, and an operating guide is displayed to help users to quickly find the function they want. The title of the selected content is displayed in an enlarged view, making it easier to confirm the selection.

High Quality Imaging
Image-enhancing features include the PHL Reference Chroma Processor Plus for Blu-ray Disc™ content, which reproduces films with colours that are exceptionally faithful to the original. The combination of the Blu-ray Disc™ software encoding technology cultivated by the Panasonic Hollywood Laboratory (PHL) and the decoding technology accumulated by Panasonic has led to the development of the “PHL Reference Chroma Processor Plus,” a high quality image technology for faithfully reproducing film content. For standard definition DVDs as well as 1080i and less sources, the P4HD renders progressive images superbly, expresses motion smoothly, and draws crisp diagonal lines.

DLNA Home Network
The Blu-ray Disc™ recorders are equipped with DLNA server functionality. By connecting to LAN and with compatible DLNA client device, the recorded programmes, AVCHD and JPEG files archived on DIGA’s hard disc drive can be enjoyed in a separate room. Also by connecting the DMR-BW880/BW780 to the Internet, VIERA CAST lets the user view videos on YouTubeTM, Web-based photos on PicasaTM, stock information on Bloomberg, news on Tagesschau as well as the weather forecast. BD-Live also allows Blu-ray Disc™ bonus content to be downloaded and Internet games to be played. For superior audio quality, the Blu-ray Disc™ recorders use the HD Audio codec based on the Blu-ray DiscTM standards to decode Dolby TrueHD or DTS-HD Master Audio Essential for up to 7.1-channel output.

Wide networking possible
These Blu-ray Disc™ recorders are built for wide, easy networking too. The VIERA Link function allows operation via a VIERA remote control. Design-wise, the depth of the new models is 76 mm slimmer than the previous models, providing a great match for today’s stylishly slim TV racks. Materials for the recorders themselves and for packaging have also been reduced, making it possible to raise transport efficiency for environmental friendliness. With their superior recording ability, outstanding image and sound quality, wide networking, easy operation and environmentally friendly design, the DMR-BW880/BW780EBK debut as high-performance recorders perfectly suited to the HD age.

Also introducing a new Panasonic High Definition DVD Recorder with Freeview+HD
Panasonic introduces a new DIGA video recorder, the DMR-XW380 with Freeview+HD offering users twin HD terrestrial tuners which enables customers to record digital broadcasts in full-HD quality. Besides its ability of recording two digital broadcasts at the same time, the twin HD tuners allow users without a digital TV to watch a digital broadcast and record it simultaneously. Users can enjoy surround sound and subtitles during playback, enabled by the 5.1-channel surround sound (Dolby Digital or Dolby Digital Plus) signal and subtitles that can also be recorded.

SD Memory Card Slot
The DMR-XW380 is equipped with an SD memory card slot, making it easy to view motion (AVCHD format) and still images captured with an HD camcorder or digital still camera. The recorder also features an HD Archiving function to save Full-HD images from an SD memory card onto the built-in hard disk drive. In addition to a High Speed Copying function, a DR File Conversion function can convert TV programmes recorded in DR mode on HDD into HG, HX, HE, HL, or HM mode (High Definition) DIGA compresses the recorded programmes at a lower bitrates but retain its high definition resolution, which takes up less space on the hard disc drive without compromising on picture quality as much.
More functions go along with easy handling

The graphical user interface (GUI) has been revised for easy use. More functions can now be accessed from the top menu, and an operating guide is displayed to help users quickly find the desired function. The title of the selected content is displayed in an enlarged view to facilitate the selection.

The High Definition Chroma Processor enables crisper, sharper videos with excellent detail on DVD and recorded programmes on HDD. With High Definition Chroma Processor, Colour reproduction becomes faithful to the original picture. Also the P4HD can render progressive images superbly, expresses motion smoothly, and draws crisp diagonal lines.

The DMR-XW380 is equipped with a DLNA server functionality. By connecting to LAN and with compatible DLNA client device, the recorded programmes AVCHD and JPEG files archived on DIGA’s hard disc drive can be enjoyed in a separate room. Also by connecting the DMR-XW380 to the Internet, VIERA CAST lets the user view videos on YouTubeTM, Web-based photos on PicasaTM, stock information on Bloomberg, news on Tagesschau as well as the weather forecast.

Easy networking and environmental friendliness
The DMR-XW380 features VIERA Link functionality. Hence, operation can be carried out via a VIERA remote control for wide and easy networking. In matters of design the depth of the new model has been flattened about 76 mm in comparison with our previous models in order to provide a great match for today’s stylishly slim TV racks. Materials for the recorder itself and for packaging have also been reduced, making it possible to raise transport efficiency for environmental friendliness. With its superior recording ability, outstanding image and sound quality, wide networking, easy operation and environmentally friendly design, the DMR-XW380 debuts as high-performance recorder perfectly suited to the HD age.