All 2007 models boast Accutune High-Precision Analog/Digital Tuners
Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company announced that’s its full line of DVD recorders and DVD/VHS combination recorders is now in complete compliance with both the letter and spirit of FCC regulations requiring incorporation of digital tuners into all devices capable of receiving an analog signal as of March 1, 2007.
Alberto Reggiani, Panasonic DVD marketing manager, noted that Panasonic has chosen not to take advantage of a regulatory “loophole” that allows manufacturers to sell products without digital tuners if they also omit analog tuners.
“While many of our competitors have introduced barebones units to avoid the expense of putting digital tuners in their models, we decided not to take that route,” Reggiani said. “Not incorporating any tuner at all is an excellent way to comply with the new law but in the end it’s a real disservice to consumers.”
“Unless the consumer has a DVD recorder with a digital tuner, he or she will need a separate set-top box to be able to record content. In a room without a set-top box the consumer will have to leave their TV on and tuned to the channel when they want to record,” Reggiani added.
“Our research shows that a great many owners connect their DVD recorders to secondary TVs in bedrooms or dens and use the tuners in the recorders in lieu of buying and/or paying an extra monthly fee for a second or third cable box.
“Basically, we felt it was important for all Panasonic DVD and combo recorders to continue to offer record-and-watch, and cable-box-free recording capability. Another reason and benefit to have the digital tuner built-in is the improvement in picture quality that is synonymous with digital.”
All four of Panasonic’s 2007 DVD recorder line-up adhere to the FCC digital tuner mandate – The DMR-EZ47V DVD/VHS recorder and player; the DMR-EZ37V DVD/VHS recorder and player; DMR-EZ27 DVD recorder and player; DMR-EZ17 DVD recorder and player. In addition, the EZ47V and EZ27 feature 1080p digital video up-conversion, HDMI 1.3 output and SD Card slots for viewing and transferring JPEG or TIFF formatted still photos.
Other high-end features included in all current model Panasonic DVD and VHS combo recorders include Super Multi-Format recording and playback technology for compatibility with virtually all DVD and CD formats, EZ-Sync™ HDAVI control for one-touch operation of Panasonic high-definition plasma TVs and other home-entertainment components, a DVI input for precise, lossless transfer of camcorder videos to DVD, and resolution-doubling long-play recording.
About Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company
Based in Secaucus, N.J., Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company is a Division of Panasonic Corporation of North America, the principal North American subsidiary of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co. Ltd. (NYSE: MC) and the hub of Panasonic’s U.S. marketing, sales, service and R&D operations. Information about Panasonic products is available at www.panasonic.com.
