Home > Consumer Reviews > Panasonic DMR-E50K DVD Player/Recorder , Black

Easy to use, and perfect quality recordings. I purchased additional Fuji DVD-RAM and Memorex DVD-R discs and they work fine. The DVD-R recordings are also compatible with my other (Sony) DVD player.

After spending a few hours getting to know this unit, I boxed it up and took it back to the store for a refund. They say that it takes DVD-R, but what you can do with that format is very limited. Do not buy this expecting that you can use it with the same freedom as a VCR. The unit does not take DVD-RW's, so you can't erase and re-use in that format. It doesn't allow you to create chapters or menus with the DVD-R format -- just a straight, plain old record. No markers (after you finalize the disc), no chapters, no multiple programs, nothing! On the other hand, it allows you to do all that with the DVD-RAM format, but it's not a format that's compatable with other DVD players, so you can't share things with your friends & family because it's got this obscure format that nobody can use! So, unless you're in love with the DVD-RAM format, stay away from this one.

Easy to use and record. The quality of the recording is perfect. I converted all my Hi8 tapes to DVD and able to play on all kind of DVD players. I was also able to create the menu on my recorded Disk. It won't record the movies, If they are copy protected, otherwise you can record the movies from TV.

I have owned this recorder for several months and found it to be the most frustrating piece of electronics I own (including my computers). I finally took a hammer to the unit and it felt so good! I have on several occasions tried to record long movies and have this unit "crash" near the very end (forcing me to re-record the movie and spending another 3 hours). I have often spent much time getting this unit to record to a disc -- restarting the recording process after a crash -- perhaps as much as one out of four recrodings. Often I cannot get the unit to open and give access to discs that have crashed. (The on/off button has no over-ride, like a computer, to reset memory.) I have been using Memorix blank DVD's and would suspect that they are of fairly good quality -- yet I probably lose 10 to 20 out of a 100. I must wonder if the hard drive isn't just too wimpy to be a good recorder. The manual says that it may be necessary to clean the lens for the laser. I ordered a panasonic lens cleaner for over $30 (they sell the same type of device at Wal-Mart for $9) and cleaning the lens has no effect on performance. I will not be buying any more Panasonic products for some time to come. This is a rip-off.

Mike in Buchanan, MI

This Panasonic machine offers tremendous value for the price. The video and sound quality are excellent, as are the numerous features, and there is an overall sense of quality about the recorder and its workings. The machine will record to both DVD-R and DVD-RAM discs and offers high functionality in both formats. Using DVD-R, I have transferred several VHS tapes and have had no trouble viewing these on any recently manufactured DVD players. Further, users can input names for both the disc and the individual titles recorded on it. In the finalizing process for DVD-R discs, the recorder inserts chapter stops into each program at 5 minute intervals, which structures the DVD-R programs so they are very similar to those contained on standard DVD-Video discs. As for DVD-RAM, I can't heap enough praise on this format. While it (surprisingly) does not enjoy high compatibility, RAM is certainly the most versitile of the recordable DVD formats available. It is also the most expensive; however, the fact that it can be rewritten about 100,000 times offsets the higher price. DVD-RAM is nothing less than a removable hard drive. It allows for seemingly endless program editing options, such as erasing portions of programs, creating playlists, and more. The time slip feature of RAM allows the user to begin watching a program from the beginning while it is still recording or to watch an already recorded program while recording a separate program on the same disk. Other manufacturers should realize the value of the DVD-RAM format and begin the move toward higher compatibility. Nothing better currently exists in rewritable media. Outstanding.