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Panasonic DMR-ES20DEBS DVD RAM Disc Recorder
Average Customer Rating
(4.0 out of 5)
Amazon Customer Reviews
Most Helpful First | Newest First | + Share21 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
DMR-ES20DEBS - Disappointed
(1 out of 5) by I. Lavery on Aug 26, 2006 (UK)Bought as 2nd recorder to allow some recording/playing of DVD's & freeview in the bedroom. This seemed to be the ideal solution for my needs, picture quality and recording quality are both excellent, however, the following issues mean that I am very dissapointed with this purchase
1. Freeview guide is very slow to respond and frustrating to use. The lag in the response means that you often 'overshoot' the station you are looking for.
2. Cannot see additional info for programs on the freeview guide so need a TV guide to find out what an interestingly titled programme actually is.
3. Cannot unfinalise a disk once finalised, which would allow additional programs to be recorded. Have to re-initialise the whole disk to record on it.
4. Takes a long time to start up when a disk is already in the machine.
5. Takes a long time to read disks.
6. Have to use a timer-record button to put the recorder into timer mode (which switches the machine off). Having a record request programmed will not on it's own mean the programme will be recorded. This is frustrating and inconsitent with the manner in which other recorders work.
7. Can only record in certain modes, FINE/SP/LP/XLP. This means that a 2hour 10 min film can only be recorded using LP quality.
8. Switches itself on to update the program guide at 3 am, when a disk is in the machine this is read when the unit turns on, which makes enough noise to wake me. As using in bedroom this means I don't leave disks in the machine overnight and I don't record overnight.
9. Can't dim the display, annoying when using this is the bedroom, but wouldn't be a problem elsewhere in the house.
1. Freeview guide is very slow to respond and frustrating to use. The lag in the response means that you often 'overshoot' the station you are looking for.
2. Cannot see additional info for programs on the freeview guide so need a TV guide to find out what an interestingly titled programme actually is.
3. Cannot unfinalise a disk once finalised, which would allow additional programs to be recorded. Have to re-initialise the whole disk to record on it.
4. Takes a long time to start up when a disk is already in the machine.
5. Takes a long time to read disks.
6. Have to use a timer-record button to put the recorder into timer mode (which switches the machine off). Having a record request programmed will not on it's own mean the programme will be recorded. This is frustrating and inconsitent with the manner in which other recorders work.
7. Can only record in certain modes, FINE/SP/LP/XLP. This means that a 2hour 10 min film can only be recorded using LP quality.
8. Switches itself on to update the program guide at 3 am, when a disk is in the machine this is read when the unit turns on, which makes enough noise to wake me. As using in bedroom this means I don't leave disks in the machine overnight and I don't record overnight.
9. Can't dim the display, annoying when using this is the bedroom, but wouldn't be a problem elsewhere in the house.
14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
Excellent product with one slight flaw
(4 out of 5) by Amazon Customer on Feb 3, 2006I agree with the other reviews here. Just one slight niggle. When hooked up to a Sky digibox via scart I can't find a straight forward way of recording Freeview via the recorder whilest watching Sky. I've resorted to using an extra scart from digibox to TV. A passthrough toggle option would have been nice. Nit picking really!
10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
An excellent buy!
(5 out of 5) by Amazon Customer on Mar 30, 2006I purchased an ES-10 before xmas to back up some old VHS tapes and i must say that this recorder is very good, simple to use with good connectivity. Although my model does not have Freeview built-in it is still very easy to record from digital TV (Sky for me). Just set the program reminder on Sky to 'Auto view' and set the recorder to 'EXT link' and that's it never miss a program again!! You can even use the 'Series link' function!.
A great recorder and definitely recommended!!
5 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
6 months then bang
(1 out of 5) by Arthaard on Jan 1, 2007 (London, UK)I purchased the Panasonic recorder because it had good reviews and also did all the things I wanted - play DVDs' ,record plus freeview all in one neat box. But all I had is trouble.
From the start the machine would not keep any preferences when it is turned off, so it has to remain on all the time unless the machine decided to turn it self off - for a self check - which it does, often.
Now 7 months since purchase it no longer records or plays any disk!
DO NOT BUY THIS MACHINE - YOU WILL WASTE YOUR MONEY!
From the start the machine would not keep any preferences when it is turned off, so it has to remain on all the time unless the machine decided to turn it self off - for a self check - which it does, often.
Now 7 months since purchase it no longer records or plays any disk!
DO NOT BUY THIS MACHINE - YOU WILL WASTE YOUR MONEY!