So many companies have been talking about putting Blu-ray into other CE devices. Panasonic is getting in that game—with a VHS combo?

Yes, it seems that old technologies never die… at least not if you pair them with newer technologies. The DMR-BR630V has a VHS/Blu-ray recorder combo.

Gizmodo says the unit has a 320GB hard drive and can write BDRs at six times speed. It also has the latest “MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 encoder” chips, HDMI and analog connections,  and Panasonic’s Viera link technology. Of course, the machine will also allow you to dub all of your old VHS onto Blu-ray, or vice versa as well as standard-def DVD—if you want to party like it’s 1999 (or probably more like 1989).

One thing it doesn’t have: a U.S. release date. According to AV Watch, the DMR-BR630V is expected to hit in Japan on October 1. The price will be somewhere in the $1,450 range.

Rachel Cericola - Contributing Writer

Over the past 15 years, Rachel Cericola has covered entertainment, web and technology trends. Check her out at www.rachelcericola.com.