Panasonic and Comcast Debut AnyPlay Portable DVR

January 7, 2008 – Panasonic and Comcast Corporation today unveiled the industry’s first Portable DVR/DVD player powered by tru2way technology at the 2008 Consumer Electronics Show. The Comcast/Panasonic co-branded AnyPlay Portable DVR (P-DVR) will let Comcast customers record programming at home and take it with them wherever they go. The P-DVR will be available beginning in early 2009.

Developed by Panasonic AVC Networks Company, the video, audio and computer development and manufacturing arm of Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., for Comcast, the AnyPlay P-DVR Model TZ-LC100 incorporates digital video recording functionality into a Panasonic portable DVD player platform. The AnyPlay P-DVR features 60GB of digital video recording capacity, an 8.5” folding LCD display screen, and integrated stereo speakers. Dual audio headphone jacks are included to support personal viewing. When placed onto a companion docking station that functions as a standard DVR set-top box, the AnyPlay P-DVR lets viewers watch and record their favorite television programs from their television sets. However, unlike a traditional set-top box, it can be taken out of its docking station, so recorded programs can be watched anywhere in or out of the home on the AnyPlay P-DVR. It also can playback DVDs and audio CDs.

“This is an historic step for both Comcast and Panasonic in delivering to consumers a product that gives them a far more expansive benefit as a Comcast customer,” said Toshihiro Sakamoto, President of Panasonic AVC Networks Co. “When Panasonic began developing the Portable DVR platform, we focused on creating a product that would give consumers flexibility in enjoying their recorded content wherever and whenever they wanted to.”

“Consumers have told us they want easy and convenient access to all the great content Comcast provides, and the AnyPlay P-DVR does that,” said Brian L. Roberts, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Comcast Corporation. “Panasonic has been a terrific partner in working with us to develop products powered by tru2way technology that continue to support our vision for changing the way people watch television. Tru2way technology will help us bring consumers the innovative products that world-class consumer electronics companies like Panasonic are developing, which will lead to a whole new category of consumer devices.”

Added Sakamoto, “The Panasonic P-DVR is an example of Panasonic’s drive to expand its consumer electronics offerings and support the Comcast AnyPlay initiative in the digital cable area; first with our Tru2way enabled HD-DVR set top box (Panasonic TZ-PCH-2180), next with the tru2way powered Plasma TV, and now with the portable DVR with tru2way technology.”

AnyPlay P-DVR can be powered through the docking station, which also acts as a battery charger, or through its own internal battery when undocked. It also comes with a 12V DC adapter for automotive use.

SOURCE Panasonic, Comcast