LG Electronics today introduced its first dedicated "digital media recorder" with the Microsoft Program Guide service.

The LG LRM-519 Digital Media Recorder is a combination digital video recorder (DVR) and DVD recorder powered by Windows Media Center Technologies with a 160-gigabyte hard drive. The device is being demonstrated to high-end retailers for the first time this weekend at the 2005 Custom Electronic Design and Installation Association (CEDIA) Expo, Booth # 114.

The LRM-519 can record and store cable, satellite or over- the-air programs anytime. In addition, the LG Digital Media Recorder's two USB ports to plug in a compatible external hard drive of any size.

The Microsoft Program Guide service allows searching up to 14 days of programs by title, keyword, actor, director or category; allowing new programs and old favorites to be discovered and automatically recorded at the touch of a button. Any scheduled recording can be configured to record only once or for an entire season of shows. The Microsoft Program Guide also provides the engine for the "parental controls" features that allow parents to monitor the programs their families can access.

The LRM-519 Digital Media Recorder's TV control supports up to 90 minutes of "live" TV pause, stopping to take a TV break or going back to review an earlier scene or program is no problem. And for those less- interesting TV moments, one press of the remote control's skip button automatically jumps forward 30 seconds in time.

With support for the widest variety of major DVD recording formats, including the latest DVD+R Dual Layer recordable discs, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R and DVD+RW, DVD recording and playback compatibility are not a concern.

In addition, the LG LRM-519 Digital Media Recorder can be easily added to the home network via wired Ethernet or an 802.11a/b/g wireless connection. Using a high-speed connection through the home network or even through a standard analog telephone modem connection, access to the Microsoft Program Guide service data is fast and easy.

With a connection to the home network, TV shows can quickly be sent to the home office for viewing or archiving on Windows XP or Windows XP Media Center Edition -based PCs. Further, JPEG photo files, MP3 and WMA music files stored on the PC -- or even on a variety of portable devices such as portable digital music players, digital cameras and USB thumb drives that had previously been confined to the PC's small screen and tiny speakers -- can now be accessed through the LRM-519 for slideshow playback in the home theater environment.

Available in the US in October, the LG LRM-519 Digital Media Recorder has a manufacturer's suggested retail price of $599. The Microsoft Program Guide service subscription is available for a $249 one-time fee, $99.99 for a one-year subscription, or for $9.99 for a one-month subscription.