Philips DVDR615
 | Panasonic DMR-ES10K DVD Recorder (Black) Too Low To Display  Click here for more information |
Customer Reviews
Awesome DVD Recorder At Resonable Price.
The actual DVD recorder is awesome. Solid crisp clear play back on recorded media I tested. This unit is VERY Easy to program and use once you figure it out. Instructions on how to use the unit are almost useless making what should have been straight forward simple directions badly writen, overly complicated and pitifully incomplete. The directions jump, skip, bob and weave from subject to subject explaining nothing in detail. The directions assume so many things that they are laughable. Also this unit lacks a quick start guide which is usually better at explaining the unit than ponderous bloated confused instruction manuals like this one.
The Grits N Gravy of the issue is how well does the actual DVD recorder work. I tested it on may DVD types and found the recordings to be solidly good on all DVD types tested. This recorder makes a better quality recording on EP Extended Play 6 hour mode than any DVD reorder I have seen. It is a work horse, as I have been recording many of my videos to DVD and this recorder has been nothing less than flawless.
I have burned 26 DVD's thus far and not a coaster in the bunch. This unit takes a long time to finalize a disk but when it is done it Finalized it is done right. I could care less how much time it takes to Finalize so long as it is done right. The format for navigating the menus is well thought out and intuitive. Anyone with 2 brain cells should have this DVD recorder player all figured out in a day.
My only negative about this DVD player is its lack of an onscreen indication of the currely selected record speed. You have to look at the unit itself to figure out what record settings you have really selected. It is really a dumb system but after you get used to this quirk you can start burning your heart out on this machine because it loves to work well.
For the little bit of money this DVD recorder costs it is a steal at this price. This DVD recorder does not have all the bells and whistles of higher priced units but neither does it have lots of useless crap that can too easily screw up a DVD. This is a good honest hard working DVD recorder for a good honest low price more things should be this good!
I am seriously considering buying another one of these in the near future.
Comes from a long line...
This model shares the same construction/internals as the hard drive equipped EH50, at half the price. Panasonic is the earliest developer of DVD recorders and this is a very mature product with premium components, R & D benfits shared by higher end models all the way up to their Blu-ray recorders. The ES10 Black version has pure white lettering, which looks a bit cheap, but otherwise a high quality product. The accessories, esp. the stylish remote and bonus DVD-RAM, make it an excellent buy.
DVD-RW is not editable (cutting chapters, etc.), but after finalizing, the disc is divided into convenient 5- minute segments (chapters). Editing features require DVD-RAM, I've yet to try it out. I transferred several non-macrovision protected VHS tapes and the picture is great. According to forums, Panasonic may not have the best MPEG compressor, but its analogue to digial circuitry is one of the best. This makes it best for ironing out the "wrinkles" in your old VHS tapes.
It's amazing that a low cost unit could replace the VCR and DVD player, greatly reducing wire clutter behind the cabinet. I can finally put away those bulky VHS cassettes, contents transferred to more accessible, and maybe better looking, DVDs.
Leap of faith rewarded
I bought the Panasonic to record shows I wanted to keep from my TiVo. After reading some Amazon reviews and Consumer Reports, I decided Panasonic was a great DVD recorder brand and went with it.
I've already recorded to DVD-R and DVD-RW and both were easy and turned out great. The 1-hr and 2-hr quality is excellent. It also has a "flexible" recording mode that maximizes the quality of a recording if it's just over a certain length, but just below the next recording mode. The unit itself doesn't feel like it's built very solid, but I'm not too concerned. The unit also seems to get pretty hot while recording, so make sure you have ample ventilation and don't put it right on top of your amp.
My only usability complaint is that to finalize the disc, you have to go through a ton of menu options. I wish there was just a finalize button on the remote and then one confirmation option. I guess I also don't really like the random thumbnail images that it displays in the disc menu either. It'd be nice to pick a thumbnail that might better display what the recording is, but this is a very minor complaint.
I couldn't be happier with the performance and value of this unit. BTW, pick up a Verbatim 100-pack spindle of DVD-R's from Amazon. They're a steal right now at under $35 (ASIN: B0002IQ1FS).
Related Links
 | Panasonic DVD-RAMs (LMAF120LU5) (LMAF120LU5) * 4.7 GB of storage * holds up to 2 hours of MPEG2 video (standard mode) * re-writable up to 100,000 times * compatible with write speeds up to 3X * non-cartridge style Click here for more information |
 | Panasonic LM-RF120LU10 DVD-R for Video Recording * 4.7GB storage capacity * Up to 6 hours record time * Compatible with DVD video recorders and DVD-RAM drives * Jewel cases Click here for more information |
 | Sima CT-2 Video Signal Processor * Supports NTSC and PAL formats * Digital technology reduces noise * Easy connection to any DVD recorder * S-VHS, VHS-C, VHS, 8mm and DVD compatible * 4 output signal enhancement modes - normal, enhanced, darker, and black/white Click here for more information |
Click here for more information |
 | Panasonic DMR-E55K Progressive-Scan DVD Recorder/Player (Black) * Offers one-touch record, TimeSlip, chasing playback (watching a recording in progress from the beginning), on-disc video editing * Progressive-scan video output for seamless, flicker-free picture on high-definition and HD-ready televisions * Measures 16.9 x 3.125 x 11.2 inches (W x H x D) * Records DVD-R, DVD-RAM for best of both worlds; plays DVD-Video, DVD-R, DVD-RAM, CD-R/RW, and MP3 CD * Up to 16 hours on a double-sided 9.4 GB DVD-RAM disc; up to 8 hours on a single-sided 4.7 GB DVD-RAM or DVD-R Click here for more information |
Article
home > feedster
This entry-level DVD recorder offers a FireWire input, but its confusing menus and useless remote will confound beginners. Lowest Price: $146, Average price: $206
- link to Philips DVDR615 -
Last update: 06/18/2005