Panasonic was the first to introduce DVD-RAM format and remained faithful to it up to this day. Most of its standalone DVD recorders can burn DVD-R/RW and DVD-RAM. From high to low, we thought it's worth mentioning the following Panasonic DVD recorders: DMRHS2, DMR-E100HS, DMR-E95HS, DMR-E85HS, DMR-E80HS, DMR-E60S, DMR-E55S, DMR-E50S, DMR-E50K and DMR-E20.
An observation to make for the majority of Panasonic DVD recorders, the user's manuals are not that “friendly”. But they're still good as long as they help you figure out details that you couldn't learn anywhere else.
Panasonic DMR-E500HS
This is the newest model from Panasonic with a 400 GB incorporated hard drive. You can expect to pay up to $600 for it, but it offers more features than any other. With the Ethernet jack you can create a home network. You can use FR (flexible recording mode), and many other features to output a stabilized image and clear sound.
Panasonic DMR-HS2
Panasonic DMR-HS2comes equipped with a 40 GB hard drive. This feature is useful for editing the recordings before burning them on DVD discs. With the FireWire port you can transfer footage from your camcorder without losing any playback quality. You have progressive scan video output. It writes DVD-R/RW and DVD-RAM. DVD-RAM offers some smooth features like “time slip” or “pause live TV”.
“Time slip” means you can watch a recording from the beginning while the unit is still recording it. “Pause live TV” lets you pause, fast forward or replay in slow motion.
For DVD recording you can use Hybrid VBR technology to record at a variable bit rate. This means slow motion or static scenes will be recorded in a lower quality mode. The system will allocate more resources to demanding scenes. You can also use FR mode, that lets the unit choose the recording mode according to the length of the show and free space on the disc.
Using the “auto renewal recording” you can save every episode of your favorite shows with one-time set. With DVD-RW or DVD-RAM media, when the disc is full, the oldest episodes will be erased to make room for the newest.
The “Direct navigator” displays subtitles of recorded material on the TV screen, and makes it easy to navigate through.
Panasonic DMR-E100HS
This model incorporates a 120 GB hard drive. Besides S-video, composite video outputs and analog audio RCA jacks, you can find a FireWire port (IEEE 1394 input) to use for camcorder transfer.
Records in DVD-R/RW and DVD-RAM format, and the hard drive is nice for applying advanced editing features, otherwise limited to setting chapters. Maybe DVD-RAM is not enough to replace a DVR (not to mention a TiVo box). But some TiVo like features still can be used, just like with other models from Panasonic (time slip, simultaneous recording and play back, chase playback etc.) This model uses Hybrid VBR technology. The player on this unit is multi-region.
Panasonic DMR-E95HS
160 GB drive. TV guide on-screen, program recordings by point-and-click. This is similar to the ease of use you get with TiVo. You can program recordings also with VCR Plus+.
The unit also features a front-panel i.Link (FireWire input) and an IR blaster that controls the cable box. Image quality in the SP mode is very good and preferable to HQ mode that will take more space on the disc and won't really improve quality. The DVD player is region-code free.
Panasonic DMR-E85HS
The incorporated 120 GB hard drive, on-screen programming guide, time slip feature, progressive scan video output — this is more you than you could ask for this price range ($400 now on sales at Amazon.com).
More about the TV Guide On Screen™ Electronic Program Guide
The TV program is displayed 8 days in advance. It is easy to identify and select your favorites. You can set the unit to record the programs unattended. Unfortunately it doesn't feature an IR blaster, and the only chance for time shifting is to connect the recorder to a cable box that owns a blaster. The player on this unit is also multi-region.
Panasonic DMR-E80HS
This was the first ever DVD recorder with a built in hard drive of 80 GB capacity. It also has progressive scan video output, and some nice to have features like time slip, hybrid VBR and direct navigator.
Panasonic DMR-E55S, DMR-E50S and DMR-E50K
These three units offer pretty much the same features:
- Record in DVD-R/RW and DVD-RAM;
- One touch recording, time slip, on disc video editing;
- Progressive scan video output.
Their price range is not more than $300.
Panasonic DMR-E20
This is “the basic” DVD recorder model from Panasonic. DVD-RAM format is also backed up by DVD-R/RW to provide more playback compatibility of the media you record. It has a TV tuner and you can program recordings in VCR Plus+ mode. Its major drawback is lack of progressive scan output.