It has a great tuner and pulls in many stations with good HD content and recording is solid, if not perfect. So-called Flex recording enables very good picture quality by filling up your blank DVD rather than having unrecorded space. Empty space on a DVD goes wasted when it could have been used to record more data for a better picture. Ability to record on dual-layer DVDs extends this level of quality even further, but some say that double layer disks don't help quality because of limitations of the media on DL disks. I haven't tested this out with a really good video source yet; but I believe there will be a slight increase in quality. If you love breathtaking special effects, then buy the movie DVD (or Blu-Ray disk) rather than trying to record. This unit will not record any Dolby Surround info so again buy the DVD if you have a surround system.Read full review
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
The box was poorly packed the face plate was cracked in half the remote is intermittent on certain button functions and the HDMI PORT HAS A FAULT CODE HDR71 ever time it boots I using it on-red blue green jacks.at least the tuner works.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
These are good recorder units...the most features that can be had for the money. But, it's important to remember they are CPU-based machines. This means long boot-up time and cooling problems. If you're asking this machine to do any time-shift recording (which, let's face it, it was designed to do), the little cooling fan will fire up every 15-20 minutes even with the unit turned off and set to its most efficient setting. As a matter of fact, don't bother with the efficient settings when time-shift recording because I utilized a watt-meter and verified it draws maximum watts no matter what. I know, I've used four different ones. This aforementioned fan noise may seem an insignificant problem until you have one in a bedroom and quickly notice the fan fires up full speed, then reduces to quieter. It will wake you up if you're a light sleeper. They can also be very fickle in reading discs recorded in other units, but I've never had a problem reading discs formatted in the same unit. Otherwise, like I said, a lot of features for your money.Read full review
Is it easy to use? EVENTUALLY! Does it have good image quality? YES. Is it well designed? PROBABLY BY AND FOR ROCKET SCIENTISTS.... This is a quality product, but very complex and very complicated for one who is used to previous generation units of this nature; and, it comes with a book of directions which is almost the size of a phone book; but, it is capable of many tasks.....
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
it has some extra features I haven't had before. The unit is working very well. it's very reliable recording technology which can be used effectively on a daily basis for VHS or disc recording.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Would I purchase this again if I knew about its limitations? Probably not. I would though purchase another Panasonic unit that allows editing of DVD-RAM discs. What this machine does well is record from VHS to DVD and from DVD to VHS. However, it does not edit or shorten the DVD recording, in other words it will not edit out commercials or unwanted material from the recording. Also, when dubbing from VHS to DVD it dubbs the entire content of the tape, not allowing you to edit out the unwanted parts as you go. I have two other Panasonic DVD recording units, one with it's own internal DVR. These two units allow any recording done on RAM discs to be edited. Another drawback to these Panasonic units, ONLY Panasonic media can be used. I tried to use media from other companies and sometimes the recording would work, but most of the time it would not. I do like that the Panasonic units use all the different formats of DVD media. Of the three units that I own, the internal DVR unit is by far the best and most flexible.Read full review
We live in an area where cable is not an option. Our old Panasonic DVD Recorder/Player/VCR Combo finally gave up the ghost after 8 years, and no stores (in our area, anyway) stock them anymore. We were DELIGHTED to find this on-line! The price was reasonable, the seller sent it out and it arrived earlier than anticipated, and the unit has more features than our old one, even tho the product# is the same. What a nice surprise! The remote control also works perfectly, and we just needed to relearn how to use it as it should be used again. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! I can now record shows and watch them in the evening again. I would highly recommend this product AND the seller! Hmmmm ... I may turn into a couch potato! HA!
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
With Flexible Recording and Variable Bit Rate (VBR) on all speeds, there is no better DVD recorder on the market. That is why I bought this unit. However, the VCR to DVD copying is limited. If you are into perfect DVD recordings and have a seperate VCR, this unit is for you. Here are the cons that gave this a Good instead of Excellent rating: 1. This unit creates Chapters but not Chapter Menus. You can create Chapter Menus on a RAM disc, but RAM disc recorded movies cannot be converted into regular DVD format, and therefore are incompatible with regular DVD players. Copying the RAM disc to say a DVD-R does not work as the file format is totally different. The same goes for +RW and +R D/L discs. However, this is true for any DVD Recorder. If you need Chapter Menu screens, the newer DVD players will show them. They also play +RW and D/L discs. This is not important to me, but perfect recordings are (no pixil breakup at lower speeds, excellent LP recordings). 2. The Status screen does not show the total number of Chapters though you can go to any chapter with the numbers key pad. 3. The response to commands is slow. Start recording about 2-3 seconds before source material starts when doing flexible recording. 4. The VHS (VCR on this unit) to DVD copy feature will automatically split the redording at index marks. This cannot be turned off. If you have a recording where you deleted commercials, your source will be split. Very annoying. Use a separate VCR. However, if you have 2 or more not edited movies on a tape this can be a bonus as you do not have to monitor the recording. 5. The Flexible Recording mode cannot be used during COPY (VHS to DVD) feature. 6. During COPY (VHS - DVD or DVD - VHS) the display shows COPY and not the time. You have use the STATUS button to see where you are at. 7. The VCR sounds like a jet engine in rewind or fast forward modes (Very FAST!). 8. There is NO go to zero feature on the VCR. 9. There is no eject feature on the remote for VCR or DVD, you must go to the unit. However, you can close the DVD drawer by pressing PLAY. Since I do not depend on this units VCR and don't need Chapter Menus (My Newer DVD Player shows them), these cons are not important to me. The Pros are strong and as mentioned above but here is a recap: 1. Flexible Recording. This is a Panasonic Patent only feature. If you have a 90 minute movie, set SP (2 hr mode) set FR to 1hr 30min and when the disc is written it will fill the disc. The writing speed will be between XP and SP! Also, it will automatically stop recording at 1hr 30min! Same with LP and EP. 2. Finalized FR recorded discs are compatible with all DVD players including DVD-RW. (Newer players only for +RW, and D/L discs.) 3. Includes a Digital/analog tuner if you do not use a cable or satellite box. 4. You can control your TV and cable box with the remote. 5. Inputs for USB, DV. Creates jpeg albums. 6. Plays CD's and MP3 Cd's/DVD's with awesome display from folder to folder! 7. Plays DIVX movies. 8. HDMI output for up to 1080p. 9. Excellent Surround Sound simulation on DVD playback for those with 2 speakers (like me). 10. Awesome playback of pre-recorded (commercial) movies. Star Trek never looked or sounded better! NOTE: -R D/L discs do make a file like regular DVD's but can only be played on newer players. My computer will copy 1st layer only. If you want the best possible DVD home recordings and playback and don't care about the cons (Like ME) then this is for you!Read full review
I have owned a number of different makes of DVD Recorder in the past. This is my favorite for durability, quality images (3 choices of speed), and ease of use. You can record VHS tapes onto discs, providing it is not copyrighted. My only complaint is they stopped making them.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
This what I needed to play my old VHS tapes and record parts onto DVDs for posterity. everything seems to be functioning well. I will have to play with it some more to see how well it function. So far, I really like the unit.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Best Selling in DVD & Blu-ray Players
Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Save on DVD & Blu-ray Players