Mitsubishi Launches Blu-ray Recorders

Mitsubishi announced on its Japanese website two new Blu-ray recorders in a series that it is dubbing 'REAL Blu-ray.' Mitsubishi Electric Corporation showed off the new players along with an included touch-panel "GUTTO" LCD remote control. The models, the DVR-BZ200 and DVR-BZ100, launched on May 24th and feature a 500GB and 250GB hard drive respectively. These are the first Blu-ray Disc recorders from Mitsubishi and they are specifically designed to interact well with other Mitsubishi-branded televisions carrying the new "REAL" moniker. Features such as HDMI CEC control features and preprogrammed remote codes will ensure that users with both a Mitsubishi recorder and television will get some added benefits.

Both recorders feature direct AVC encoders, which guarantees they can record and store 1080p content on either DVD-R, BD-R, BD-RE or the internal hard drive. HDMI inputs and output are provided on the recorders as is a Japan-only ISDB tuner for recording broadcast television.

Features of the new product

• LCD touch panel remote control
  In addition to the standard remote, both players come with a "GUTTO" LCD touch panel remote which can be programmed from the normal remote and used to operate other devices in your AV system. During various "Record", "Play" and "Watching TV" functions, the screen will adapt to deliver buttons specific to the task being performed.
  

• "REALINK" CEC
  LCD TVs utilizing the "REAL" branded system will be able to have themselves be controlled seamlessly from the Blu-ray recorders. This will provide easier input switching and set adjustments without having to use the television's remote control.
• MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 video compression system
  MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 video compression allows for extended recordings at 1080p. Also, in response to AVCREC standards, 1080p will be able to be recorded to the HDD, BD-R/RE discs AND standard DVD video discs as well. About 2 hours of H.264 video can be recorded to a single 4.7GB BD-R disc.
  
• Advanced Help System
  A new on-screen Help system will enable "smart" help that will take feedback from the user and resolve questions on the spot.
• Headphone surround
  A DSP-driven virtual headphone surround system will be available to allow for surround sound enjoyment from standard headphones.
  

Both players obviously support 24p, however other details like BD-Live haven't been specified (they must be at least BD Profile 1.1-compliant). Both players also feature an SD card slot for storage of video content. The player/recorders are already available in Japan and will hopefully hit the US shelves before Christmas, though no formal announcement has been made. Pricing has yet to be determined.