I found that this new recorder has an network connection. I found also link with FAQ http://panasonic.co.jp/pavc/global/cs/dvd/e500h/faq/faq_nf.html .

Now the question that I have is... what is it that people are using it for. I don't see any usefull use of it like copying recorded titles to PC for easy edit or somethink like that... am I missing something or is it realy "extra" function that will be used very rarely ?

Hmmm... as I can see... you can "Edit of the title name of the MPEG2 video".... and it made me thinking... would it be nice if they would allow all the editing and rest of the functions through PC ??? Let's say that you would go on vacation and then you sudanly remember that you forgot to set timer for some TV show. You could just connect to your home network and set everythink remotly... this is where I see future...