Rating: 
Summary: An Excellent Device
Review: Have had mine for about a year now. I am amazed that is still works, just as well as when I first bought it. A few times, the recorder would fail to read blank disks correctly or record onto them. This had me scared. Then, I found out that the problem was my own, as I had failed to properly clean the unit as recommended, after every ten hours of use. For a machine like this, doing this is critical, as the laser used to read and record onto the optical disks quickly becomes dirty. You can buy a cd/dvd laser lens cleaning disk from any electronics store. If you haven't bought a defective unit, you should have no problems, as long as you remember to properly clean its lens frequently. As for DVD-RAM, I've read a review stating problems recording with it. I've had no problems, but have learned that this unit seems to prefer harder-to-find DVD-RAMs which are in the non-removable cartridge casing. These can be ordered on-line, but you probably won't them in many stores, which tend to sell the removable cartridge disks. As for normal DVD-R disks, I haven't noticed that this unit favors one particular manufacturer over another. If you don't properly clean it, it will begin rejecting disks, no matter the manufacturer. I have used disks made by Memorex (my favorite), Maxell, Verbatim, Fujifilm, and others. They all work as good as any others. This means you can shop to find the cheapest! When buying any unit of this type, you must expect that the unit will rejest a certain proportion of disks (at most, I'd say about 10%). It's just the nature of the beast. This means you either have a malfunctioning unit, the disk is dirty, or the laser lens needs to be cleaned, and last but not least - no particular reason, the unit just doesn't seem to like the disk. With a Panasonic, however, the chances are your machine won't be a malfunctioning one, as it is of excellent, reliable manufacture. Once again, it's very easy to underestimate how important it is to clean the unit religiously. If you don't, it'll play dvds, but won't record them after a while. Video quality is exactly as expected. You can record up to 6 hours of video on one DVD-R or DVD-RAM disk. Don't ecpect superb quality, though. At worst, it'll look like a two year old video tape. At best, it'll look like a video tape you have used to record onto. I very rarely use any of the higher quality recording settings, as I want to cram as much content as I can onto disks, but they work as expected. If you record on the higher settings, you end up with better quality. In conclusion, I don't have any regret whatsoever spending $500 on this unit. This unit is the sturdiest and most reliable electronic device I have ever owned (besides my computer). Once you have learned its peculiar quirks (every machine has it own), it will become a welcome member of your family.
Rating: 
Summary: An update to my earlier post.
Review: Have had my 2nd DMR-E20S for about 2 months now. This unit formats perfectly, unlike my first one (See my 1st post>April 20, 2002). If you have a unit that doesn't format correctly, return/exchange it! You spent a Lot of $$$ on the recorder and if you're gonna spend your $$$ on something-Get a unit that works perfectly {You deserve and are entitled to a Completely working unit, John P.} I don't use 6 hour mode. My 3 year old Panasonic S-VHS records a better quality picture than the DMR-E20S 6 hour mode does. 4 hour mode is what I use most for everyday recording, very good quality. Picture quality in 1 hour & 2 hour mode is excellent. I can only give this product 3 stars because of it's price, the Total lack of a Response by Panasonic's Supp. Dept. to my Call(s) and you Must have very good finger control to use the Joystick Control on the remote- forget it if you have any arthritis! Be aware that some units don't Format properly or at all! And don't count on Panasonic for help!! I read somewhere on the Web that something like 3 other companies are coming out with their own DVD-Recorders > Check out the new Philips DVDR985 Progressive-Scan DVD Recorder and the others before you buy a Panasonic.
Rating:
Summary: An update to my earlier post.
Review: Have had my 2nd DMR-E20S for about 2 months now. This unit formats perfectly, unlike my first one (See my 1st post>April 20, 2002). If you have a unit that doesn't format correctly, return/exchange it! You spent a Lot of $$$ on the recorder and if you're gonna spend your $$$ on something-Get a unit that works perfectly {You deserve and are entitled to a Completely working unit, John P.} I don't use 6 hour mode. My 3 year old Panasonic S-VHS records a better quality picture than the DMR-E20S 6 hour mode does. 4 hour mode is what I use most for everyday recording, very good quality. Picture quality in 1 hour & 2 hour mode is excellent. I can only give this product 3 stars because of it's price, the Total lack of a Response by Panasonic's Supp. Dept. to my Call(s) and you Must have very good finger control to use the Joystick Control on the remote- forget it if you have any arthritis! Be aware that some units don't Format properly or at all! And don't count on Panasonic for help!! I read somewhere on the Web that something like 3 other companies are coming out with their own DVD-Recorders > Check out the new Philips DVDR985 Progressive-Scan DVD Recorder and the others before you buy a Panasonic.
Rating: 
Summary: Unit does not make compatible DVD-R disks
Review: I bought this unit, not for the DVD-RAM features, which are very good, but to transfer my video tapes to DVD's. I made 3 DVD-R's and none of them would play in any of my machines, my friends, or even a number of machines at Circuit City where I purchased the unit. The disks would play fine for 30 secs to a few minutes, then the picture would freeze as if I has pushed the "pause" button. Panasonic doesn't guarantee that the DVD disks you make will play on any other machine nor any future machine after the one you buy needs replacement. Buyer beware.
Rating: 
Summary: Had same format problem.... :-(
Review: I had the same format problem as "Reviewer: An Electronics Fan - March 23, 2002 review" and called up Panasonic. (Could only format 2 out of 15 Memorex DVD-RAM 9.4GB Disks, then bought a "Panasonic DVD-RAM Disk" and that wouldn't format either!!) Phone Tech. said only problem people have called about is how to set unit up. Figuring it was a fluke, I returned the unit and ordered another which should be here by April 23. Unfortunately, I didn't see the other review until just now. A "Fluke" or a "Machine which should be Recalled"? I'll know in a couple days. BTW - Still have not heard Anything from Panasonic about this problem, going on 4 weeks now.
Rating:
Summary: The best your money could buy
Review: I have been enjoying my Panasonic DVD R/P ever since March. I enjoy recording my favorite shows and watching them when I get done hot-tubbing. Sometimes I fall asleep in the pool and record hours of Iron Chef by mistake. Silly me. I don't miss my favorite shows when I'm out on my yacht or in my racecar, and my video library barely takes up one of the rooms in my enormous palace. I can afford to devote virtually my entire life to my video collection now that I've won Powerball, and this model is a great big confident first step toward that.
Rating:
Summary: High Quality Video Reproduction
Review: I have owned this unit for approx. a month now, it reproduces DSS video very very well, better that S-VHS, I am a video technician for several of the local studios, and when we fed a Y/C input from a Betacam SP deck and also a direct feed from one of the high end camera's and hit the playback, we had an almost perfect reproduction on DVD-RAM media as well as DVD-R
This Unit was well worth the money spent, and will save us money in the long haul as DVD-R media is much less expensive than Betacam SP stock.
Rating:
Summary: A must buy DVD recorder. tThe best format--DVD-ram
Review: i have use this recorder for quite a few weeks ad its good, really good. especially the chasing play back function, or the simultaneous record and play feature. this is great. picture quality is superior, and the media can be used for 100,000 times! that is why DVD RAM format should be the future recordable DVD format as u can use the media between your pc and DVD recorder!
Rating:
Summary: 6 Months of Trouble-Free Recording
Review: I haven't had any DVD-RAM format issues as of yet, but DO use only Panasonic DVD-RAM discs. I've had two or three out of 300 or so DVD-R discs (of differing CHEAP brands) to fail - you could usually find an obvious flaw in the media. The E-20 doesn't suffer from the "black screen bug" of the later E-30 to 50s and has excellent recording in the higher quality SP or better modes. I do use the flexible recording mode for recordings exceeding 2 hours (to maximize the bitrate and quality of the final product - usually half D1). I did take the time to ensure adequate ventilation (Panasonic didn't put a fan on it for nothing). DVD players that require UDF 1.02 or 1.50 format will not play the finalized DVDs (i.e. Apex 1100W), but my JVC and Pioneer players will - as do most computer DVD-ROMs.
Rating:
Summary: You will not be sorry that you bought this product...
Review: I purchased the DMR-E20s about 3 weeks ago. Let me start off by saying that you will not be sorry if you purchase this machine, it is amazing. You can record DVD-R which is playable in most current DVD players, (HOWEVER these discs can only be written to once) or you can record DVD-RAM, which is much more versatile and recorded programs can be edited without losing the time (any part of a recording that is erased is then RECOVERED in the total remaining time). Having the DVD-R option means this machine will never become obsolete even in the unlikely event that DVD-RAM does not become a popular format(one of my biggest concerns).
There are many many options, but expect to use the 2 or 4 hour speeds the most (6 hour speed is not a quality picture---to me at least!). If you are stockpiling your favorite sitcoms and want to keep them commercial free, then editing all of the commercials out of 4 half hour episodes will give you enough room for a fifth half hour episode on the disc in 2 hour mode. The setting of the timer is easy because VCRplus is included on the unit. You turn the unit off to "set" the timer to record, you dont have to put it in a "timer" mode.
The price of the discs has also dropped dramatically, but even a DVD-R at the current market price is still alot for a recording you weren't planning to keep. I hope to soon get a laptop with DVD-RAM capability so I can watch my discs on the road then ERASE and REUSE them.
As for picture quality, it is very good, however you have to have a clear sharp picture for the recorder to capture a clear sharp recording. If the broadcast is grainy, the recording will suffer and look even more grainy. But if your cable quality is good, this will be a non issue.
I bought this machine because my VCR was on its last legs (it really was a great VCR) and I just could not see myself buying outdated technology again when this amazing piece of equipment was available. It's alittle pricey, but if you are used to this kind of quality like I am, nothing less will do. The Memorex 9.4 GB double sided DVD-RAM is an VERY VERY ECONOMICAL alternative to the other brands ... I have 4 of the Memorex 9.4 double sided discs. The only problem I noticed was the little sliding door on the cartridge will sometimes stick when it is being loaded into the machine. I could imagine that because of their fantastic price (usually being less than 15 bucks each), that maybe Memorex is still working out all the quality control bugs, but in my experience with all of the different discs I have used none has refused to format. I seriously doubt this problem would be caused by the machine itself.
Someone mentioned a PANASONIC DVD-RAM not formatting. That might be because there is an older generation of DVD-RAM out there---easily recognized by the size (2.6 GB single sided and 5.2 GB double sided) that are from an earlier version of DVD-RAM, and these are NOT compatible with this new unit, which only accepts 4.7 GB single sided and 9.4 GB double sided discs.
|
