Panasonic's DMR-HS2 offers an exciting new approach to video recording. It's a DVD recorder with features and capabilities that are nearly identical to Panasonic's own DMR-E50. It makes ultra-clear, ultra-durable recordings to blank DVD-R and DVD-RAM discs. And it excels at playing DVD movies in either progressive- or interlaced-scan mode. But what makes the DMR-HS2 different is its built-in 40GB hard drive — it can hold up to 52 hours of video recorded in EP mode!

This is one versatile recorder. You can record from the hard drive to DVD-RAM or DVD-R, or from DVD-RAM to the hard drive. A front-panel DV (i.LINK) input makes it easy to record directly from a digital camcorder onto the hard drive or a disc. Using the Play List function you can rearrange the sequence of video segments on the hard drive before recording to disc. Preserving family videos and personal movie libraries just got a lot easier. Think of the possibilities!

With a built-in TV tuner, clock/timer, and VCR Plus+®, the DMR-HS2 has the familiar recording capabilities found on most VCRs. For example, the Auto Renewal Recording feature lets you automatically record a favorite show every day or every week. But this deck also includes many advanced recording and playback options no VCR can match. Check this out: If you're recording to a DVD disc and run out of space, the DMR-HS2 automatically begins "relief recording" onto the hard drive!

Using a double-sided rewritable DVD-RAM disc, you can record up to 4 hours of high-quality video in SP mode or up to 12 hours at VHS quality in EP mode. Jump directly to any spot on a disc and begin playing or recording immediately. Time Slip® playback lets you watch the beginning of a recorded program while the same show is finishing recording! You can record one program while watching another program you've previously recorded. A handy control on the remote lets you search through recorded segments quickly and precisely. And would you believe that DVD-RAM discs can be erased and re-recorded up to 100,000 times?

For optimum picture detail and accuracy, the DMR-HS2 features Hybrid VBR (variable bit rate) recording. This technology monitors the incoming signal and automatically dedicates more data to scenes that need it. When transferring video from analog sources (like a VCR) to DVD, time base correction and a 3D digital comb filter actually improve image quality. And during playback, three different types of digital noise reduction combine to provide image clarity that will surprise you.

Finally, the DMR-HS2 also features a PC Card slot that lets you view digital photos in JPEG format on a TV screen, or easily store them to DVD-RAM discs or the built-in hard drive without having to connect a PC. (We carry special adapter cards that allow you to transfer material from other media, including SD memory card to PC Card and Memory Stick® to PC Card).

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