Mitsubishi has announced two models from its new "REAL Blu-ray" Blu-ray Disc recorder series. The two models are the "DVR-BZ200" with a 500-Gbyte HDD and the "DVR-BZ100" with a 250-Gbyte HDD. These are Mitsubishi's first Blu-ray recorders.

For easy playback, recording and other operations, Mitsubishi incorporated its new "REALINK" capability compatible with its "REAL" LCD TVs in the recorders.

In addition to a standard remote controller, the Blu-ray recorders come up with another remote controller equipped with a touch screen LCD panel. To realize even easier operations, this controller displays necessary buttons on the LCD panel in accordance with the option chosen by the user.

Both models feature two tuners for each of terrestrial digital, BS digital and 110-degree CS digital broadcasts, so they can simultaneously record two digital broadcast programs in high definition (HD) mode. A terrestrial analog tuner is housed as well.

MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 image compression technology has been employed for HD video recording. This technology allows significant recording times. Applying AVCREC function, which uses the same compression technology, for recording onto external media, they can record videos on DVD without degrading the HD quality. They can also record AVCREC format videos stored in SD cards on the HDD and replay them, Mitsubishi said.

The company will make these recorders support Japan's "Dubbing 10" copy regulation system through a version-up using broadcasting radio, it said.

There is no MSRP. The company is planning a monthly output of 3,500 units for each model. Their market debut is slated for May 24, 2008.

Story source: nikkeibp.