DVD-RAM is a rewritable recording format for DVDs generally perceived to be the most error free and efficient for computer usage. DVD-RAM also allows for specialized recording and playback features, such as "Chasing Playback."

Chasing Playback is a feature on many recorders (DVD recorders, TiVO, etc.) that allows a user to watch a program from the beginning, even while the same show is currently being recorded. This feature is often used to fast-forward through commercials, letting the user "catch up" to the current, real time of the broadcast.

DVD-R is a DVD recording format readable by most DVD players. A DVD-R disc can only be recorded onto once.

DVD-RW is a DVD recording format similar to DVD-R, but it can be recorded over many times without losing quality.

DVD+R DL is a double-layered version of the DVD-R recording format, which can hold almost twice as much data.

DVD-RW is a DVD recording format similar to DVD-R, but it can be recorded over many times without losing quality.

DVD-R DL is a double-layered version of the DVD-R recording format, which can hold almost twice as much data.

DVD+R DL is a double-layered version of the DVD+R recording format, which can hold almost twice as much data.

A Digital Tuner is the device through which televisions and radios receive signals. These signals can arrive through airwaves, satellite, or cable, after which they are decoded and translated into a displayable sound or image. Digital tuners are often included within televisions, but can also be hooked up through a box placed on top of the set.

High Definition (HD) is a television and movie display technology that offers a significantly higher image quality than Standard Definition and features a wide screen format and surround sound capabilities. High Definition boasts either 720 or 1,080 lines of resolution (presented in either interlaced or progressive scan format), and uses a 16:9 aspect ratio (width:height), which is wider than the 4:3 ratio of standard televisions.

Analog-digital TV Signal Switchover is the process by which analog broadcast television is phased out and replaced with digital television. In the United States, this is scheduled to occur on February 17, 2009. After that date, television sets will need a digital tuner to be able to receive television broadcast signals.

HDMI (High Definition Multimedia Interface) is a new high quality standard digital connection between A/V devices, such as a cable TV set-top box, DVD player or A/V receiver, and a digital television. HDMI offers exceptional video and audio quality with a single quick-disconnect connector. It supports multi-channel digital audio transmissions and component video color spacing for true rendering of HD video. HDMI supports the HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) standards, allowing transmission of copy-protected digital content to your display.

EZ Sync™ HDAVI is an exclusive Panasonic feature, whereby multiple compatible components, linked through an HDMI cable, are turned on with the touch of a single remote control button, providing immediate playback. This eliminates the need for multiple remotes. Panasonic products equipped with EZ Sync™ HDAVI offer an easily located EZ Sync™ remote control menu button.

Secure Digital (SD) Memory Cards are a widely used format for flash memory in portable devices like digital cameras and handheld computers. When you take a picture with a digital camera, that data is stored on the camera's SD Memory Card, a postage stamp-sized flash memory drive that can be popped in an out of your camera or other compatible devices. SD cards are available in 8, 16, 32, 64, 128, 256, and 512 MB¹, and 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 GB¹.

Footnotes
1. One MB = one million bytes. One GB = one billion bytes. Usable capacity will be less.

DVD Finalization is the last step in the process of writing a DVD. It is during the finalization process that menu and directory data are written to a disc, and it is the finalization process that makes the DVD playable in other systems. Once a DVD has been finalized, no more data can be written to it.

720p is a High Definition (HD) video mode with 720 lines of vertical resolution, normally presented in 16:9, widescreen format. The letter "p" stands for progressive scan, or non-interlaced, which is an image display method that yields faster, more detailed pictures than those on standard displays, which are subject to occasional flickering or distortion.

1080p is a High Definition (HD) video mode with 1,080 lines of vertical resolution, normally presented in 16:9, widescreen format. The letter "p" stands for progressive scan, or non-interlaced, which is an image display method that yields faster, more detailed pictures than those on standard televisions, which are subject to occasional flickering or distortion.

Long Play (LP) is a recording option on devices (camcorders in particular) that allows for more time to be recorded, but at a lower sound quality. LP mode uses less tape to record the same amount of data as Standard Play (SP) mode. This is a helpful feature when trying to conserve recording space when sound quality is not an issue.