Home > Consumer Reviews > Panasonic DMRHS2 DVD Recorder

I've been editing with Hi-8/S-VHS/Mini-DV recorders for years, but this HDD/DVD recorder really takes the prize.

I'm now re-recording all my Hi-8 originals onto the HDD and then with minor editing, saving them to DVD for posterity.

Granted, it is not the most intuitive deck to operate but with practise it is readily mastered. Being familiar with VCRs et al, I did not read the manual... maybe I will sometime!

For a straight DVD recorder, I much prefer my Sony GX3, but for sheer versatility, you really need the hard drive of the HS2. System wise, it integrated into my video editing suite of Panasonic/Videonics effects, title generators and mixers (using S-video) with no problems.

Having read the other reviews, I was worried by the guy who said the deck was noisy... I have a JVC Mini-DV/S-VHS deck that sounds like a hovercraft, even in passive mode (it's the cooling fan that is the culprit) but I am pleased to say my HS2 is almost inaudible. Yes, I can hear high-frequencies, so his must have had a problem!

My only gripe... I heartily dislike the mirrored effect on the front panel... it looks really tacky. I much prefer a matt/brushed effect.

In summary, functionally very good, aesthetically... tacky.

I agree with all of the positive reviews of the HS2. It is my first experience of a DVD Recorder, so those who have had previous experience may not be as stunned as I was, but I was blown away by all the features and the versatility it offers. It is virtually silent in operation and as a previous reviewer has commented, the chap who was unable to cope with the noisy fan must have had a duff model(that's one which is faulty not one sponsored by Homer!)
In case you think I work for Panasonic, here is the machine's only fault, albeit a significant one. The lowest quality recording mode is poor and gives a picture which is obviously digital(jerky to watch). This effectively reduces the hard drive's capacity to 34 hours which may be a handicap in the future - I have only had the machine for two weeks.
If you can afford the extra it may be worth going for the 80Gb model.
Buy it, but don't pay the retail price!

If you are reading through these reviews, you are no doubt thinking of buying a DVD recorder and the big question in your mind is 'should I buy one with a hard drive?' YES. YES. YES. Life becomes so much simpler when you don't have to think about finding a blank disc to record to. Record to HDD - Watch program - Delete it. Its that simple! Want to keep the program forever? Now go look for a blank disc.
You will also be asking yourself whether you can copy the latest blockbuster from the hire shop. NO. There is a very effective copy protection system built in, so any copyrighted material simply won't record.
All the machines operations are via a menu system which can be a bit daunting at first sight. It does become second nature with a bit of practice.
This machine does averything and more that most people will want from a DVD recorder. It is easy to use and I for one would not be without it. Look out for the latest model though, with double the hard drive.

This has to be the best bit of recording kit ever. The hard disk on standard play (i.e. DVD quality) stores 20 hours and 60 hours at VHS video quality. That means you never have to hunt about for a blank video tape ever again !!. At Xmas I simply got the Radio Times and set up 14 films to record and just left the machine to it.

If you like the programme and want to keep it simply save it onto DVD, if you don't want to watch it again, delete it. Blank DVD-R's cost around 50p so you can soon build up a film libary which can be watched on any DVD player. The only mistake I made was to buy some DVD-RAM disks (the machine comes with 2). I have never used them because I either watch and delete or watch and burn to DVD-R. This really is the ultimate machine in terms of flexibility, quality and ease of use.

You can even plug your digital cameras memory card into the front and see your pictures on screen and save them to DVD and the same applies to digital camcorders where you have full editing facilities.

The DMR HS2 has to be the future of Home recording. Think of a VCR and a DVD player bundled together in one compact unit and you are only scratching the surface. On the recording side of things, the HS2 will record onto two formats, DVD-RAM and DVD-R. The unit has an internal hardrive,just like a PC, which allows you to directly record from TV or another external source from one of its comprehensive inputs, (DV in included). The Quality of recording is excellent in the highest quality mode and stills allows a respectable 7-8 hrs of video storage on the drive. This can be extended to 52 hrs if you use the lower quality settings. The hardrive is ideal for recording off-air as you can delete, save etc without burning any discs. Also, you can chase playback...ie. you can play recorded material while the machine is still recording!!. The hard drive format is DVD-RAM. You can also record onto DVD-R discs,effectively making a DVD video compatable with a large amount of existing DVD playres.