With the DMR-E500H, you can record up to 709 hours on the built in 400GB hard disk. You can then edit the material before transferring it to DVD-R or DVD-RAM discs, which hold up to 8 hours of material on a single-sided disc (or up to 16 hours 1 on a double-sided 9.4GB DVD-RAM disc). There's a variety of recording modes from which to choose, or, simply use the Flexible Recording mode (FR), which calculates the time remaining in your program, as well as the unused space remaining on the disc, and automatically records at the highest picture quality setting that the remaining space will allow.

You can perform high-speed recording from the hard disk to a DVD-RAM (5x speed compatible) or DVD-R (8x speed compatible) at the touch of a button. For example, you can record a one-hour program from the hard disk to a DVD-RAM disc in just 1.5 minutes, or to a DVD-R disc in only 1 minute. What's more, you can also record from DVD-RAM to the hard disk.

The DMR-E500H features original quality rate control to achieve the bit rate that most effectively improves picture quality. By varying the compression rate to match image data volume and scene complexity, helps assure both high picture quality and efficient recording.

Visibility Modulation Technology discerns the range of attention of the human eye with respect to changes in picture brightness, saturation, color, and contours and other points in 16 x 16 pixel blocks. By lowering the compression rate for areas of the picture that command a high degree of attention, this reduces distortion. What's more, this advanced technology analyzes the characteristics of detailed images, and searches for areas degree. It then reduces compression for these areas to further reduce distortion. The result is clear, sharp reproduction of the parts in images that contrast strongly with the background.

The incredible noise reduction function helps eliminate noise components one pixel at a time, leaving the picture signal virtually untouched, for improved reproduction of fast-moving images. The effect of this noise reduction method is even more evident in longer recording modes.

Time Base Control helps reduce jitter and performs signal conversion to create a stable signal. At the same time, 3D DNR detects and virtually eliminates randomly generated noise to help minimize flicker. Thanks to these two technologies, you can enjoy even more beautiful digital recordings.

To help assure high sound quality up to the output stage, the unit features 5.1 outputs. Thanks to the built-in Dolby Digital decoder, analog 5.1-channel output is possible even with an AV amp that is not equipped with a decoder. In the DMR-E500H, other steps taken to provide the best sound possible include the use of gold plated output jacks.