Panasonic DMR-E10 Progressive-Scan DVD-RAM Recorder and Player
The future is here. CD recording, once only a dream twinkling in the eyes of audiocassette buffs, is now commonplace. Likewise, VCR lovers can now rejoice at the advent of DVD recording--a consumer reality for more than a year, but only a remotely affordable one since the advent of Panasonic's DMR-E10 DVD-RAM recorder-player.
The unit encodes and stores video information in the MPEG2 encoding format using hybrid VBR (Variable Bit Rate), which ensures superb picture quality by merging two earlier encoding technologies: Real Time VBR and Visibility Modulation Technology.
What it means for you is cool features like video noise reduction for actually improving upon the images coming off your VHS tapes. You get three record modes: XP (60 min.), SP (120 min.), and LP (240 min.); recording quality diminishes slightly as compression levels rise with the longer record times. Chapter search eliminates blind, tedious tape scanning.
If you're playing a finished recording, Direct Navigator lets you find a desired program quickly, and even if you're playing a disc in progress, the DMR-E10 will find blank recording space in a snap and play your most recent recording immediately.
The DMR-E10 functions as a full-featured DVD player, as well, with high-end progressive-scan video outputs and Dolby Digital and DTS surround-sound output (for use with a surround-decoding receiver) and Dolby Digital decoding (for use with a receiver with 5.1-channel analog inputs).
Progressive scanning (480P) output renders seamless, true-to-film picture playback of DVD movie discs (from discs with 24-frame-rate film source material), and virtual-battery operation uses an internal rechargeable battery to power the DMR-E10 during use, eliminating video- and audio-degrading AC power "noise" and recharging itself after hours.
A headphone jack is a welcome touch, and V.S.S. virtual surround provides enveloping sound even through headphones. Advanced V.S.S. also delivers a remarkable surround-sound effect while using only your front two speakers.
Chapter search helps you refresh your memory when you have only watched part of a movie and are viewing it again at a later time, and high-speed smooth-motion scan allows crystal-clear scan quality while locating desired locations on a disc.
Other features include a backlit universal remote control, a jog/shuttle dial, timer recording with VCR Plus+, five-year clock backup, one-touch recording, and compatibility with video CDs.
Two potential drawbacks to note: 1) the unit is not designed to play CD-R or CD-RW discs, whether audio- or MP3-encoded; and 2) the machine compresses all audio recordings with Dolby Digital 2.0 (which is MP3-like in nature). CD-quality PCM audio recording is not possible on this unit. You do get an audio meter, however, to help you maximize the bits allotted.
Video recording and home-theater-quality DVD playback are the priorities here, and that's where this piece excels.
Read a more detailed account of the features.
- Make your own DVDs!
- Encodes and stores video information in the MPEG2 encoding format using hybrid VBR (Variable Bit Rate) on DVD-RAM discs
- Dolby Digital 2.0 audio recording (two-channel stereo, using Dolby compression to allow greater recording time)
- 3 recording modes: XP (60 min.), SP (120 min.), and LP (240 min.)
- Fully equipped DVD-Video player with progressive-scan video and Dolby Digital and DTS surround audio outputs; 5-speed (up to 100x) crystal-clear scan quality
- Binding: Electronics
- Label: Panasonic
- Model: OUTLET-DMR-E10D-N
- Product Group: Home Theater
- Warranty: 1 year parts/90 days labor
