Panasonic E65D digital PVR - Australian release 2006?

[Ext User(MJT)]

In aus.dvd a chap has suggested that Panasonic's DVD/HHD recorder with a
digital tuner will be released here in Oz in 2006. It currently sells
online in the UK for around $1,100 AUD (converted from GBP).

I was wondering if any of you chaps have seen anything on this unit and
possible release dates. Panasonic Oz itself isn't saying anything.

I'm debating whether to hold off and get one when it's released, or to
spend the dough now on a basic PVR and connect it onto my existing
Panasonic E85 DVD/HDD recorder (for archiving shows to DVD that I may
wish to keep.

I'm hoping that the new Panasonic will be able to take AV inputs so I
can connect the pay TV box to it, thus allowing me to record either off
digital FTA or off Austar as I don't know if any current digital PVRs
have this ability.



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"Solutions are not the answer." - Richard Nixon

[Ext User(Justin)]

"MJT" <mjpt57@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:439fd652.10773367.bm009@gmail.com...
> In aus.dvd a chap has suggested that Panasonic's DVD/HHD recorder with a
> digital tuner will be released here in Oz in 2006. It currently sells
> online in the UK for around $1,100 AUD (converted from GBP).

I think there are a couple of different models. The $1100 one with a 200GB
hard drive is the DMREH60D
http://www.panasonic.co.uk/dvd-recorders/dmreh60d/index.htm. There is a $600
one with no hard drive - DMRES20D. They both accept extenal inputs. The AV
install industry is crying out for these as you can run Foxtel in & simplify
things for the customer.

My guess is they'll try & screw us & the DMREH60D will hit the market at
around $1500 & fall to $1000 within 6 months. As it will be a unique product
at first, they'll try & cash in on it.

> I'm hoping that the new Panasonic will be able to take AV inputs so I
> can connect the pay TV box to it, thus allowing me to record either off
> digital FTA or off Austar as I don't know if any current digital PVRs
> have this ability.

As above, yes it will & no they don't.

[Ext User(MJT)]

Justin wrote:

> http://www.panasonic.co.uk/dvd-recorders/dmreh60d/index.htm. There is a
> $600 one with no hard drive - DMRES20D. They both accept extenal inputs.
> The AV install industry is crying out for these as you can run Foxtel in
> & simplify things for the customer.

Should be something worth waiting for, then. We're with Austar. It plans
to release its own PVR, similar to Foxtel's iQ, in mid-2006. Apparently
it will have the ability to receive digital FTA as well as the pay TV
transmission. That'll be something to look forward to. If only it had a
DVD recorder as well. I'll probably get the Panasonic digital DVD/HDD
unit for the lounge and move the E85 into the family room and connect to
this new Austar box when it's available (we have two pay TV outlets).
That way the missus can record her shows as per normal (she does it to
VHS at the moment) and those she wants to keep she can then transfer to
the E85 for burning to DVD. I don't record that much off Austar, so my
setup will be mainly for FTA usage.




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"China is a big country, inhabited by many Chinese." - Charles De Gaulle