CES 2008: Panasonic's AnyPlay Portable DVR Allows Comcast Customers to View Recorded Progams on the Go

Although we've talked in a previous article about Panasonic's lineup for this year's CES, there is one collaboration worth mentioning, namely the one with US services provider Comcast. Thus, the Japanese company has unveiled what it touts to be the industry's first Portable DVR/DVD player, namely the Comcast/Panasonic co-branded AnyPlay Portable DVR (P-DVR), designed to let Comcast customers record programming at home and take it with them wherever they go.

Developed by Panasonic AVC Networks Company for Comcast, the AnyPlay P-DVR Model TZ-LC100 is actually a combo between a digital video recorder and a portable DVD player platform, which sports a 60GB of digital video recording capacity, an 8.5-inch folding LCD display screen and integrated stereo speakers. Dual audio headphone jacks are included to support personal viewing, and the device also includes tru2way technology, which is based on CableLabs' OpenCable specifications known, tru2way technology that are being adopted by cable providers nationwide.

As the company's press release reads, "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. 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."

The P-DVR will be available beginning in early 2009, which means that we'll probably have to wait for next year's CES in order to see the final version of this product, not to mention any significant pricing details.

We are just a few, but there are many of you, Softpedia users, out there. That's why we thought it would be a good idea to create an email address for you to help us a little in finding gadgets we missed. Interesting links are bound to be posted with recognition going mainly to those who submit. The address is .