Panasonic DMR-EX85EB-S 250GB Hard Disk DVD Recorder - Freeview Tuner, HDMI

January 9, 2008 | By Doug In DVD Recorders |

Panasonic DMR-EX85EB-S 250GB Hard Disk DVD Recorder - Freeview Tuner, HDMI
Customer Review: Not over-rated
This is the third DVD/HD recorder I have owned. I bought the original DVD/HD machine, the Panasonic HS2, a basic machine, still going strong. I also bought a much better, but unreliable JVC, which finally died completely. Panasonic seem to have come back with better machines, picking up ideas like thumbnail menus, DVD-RW and no timer button, while retaining good features like automatic programming titling and cartridge DVD-RAM.

Contrary to one review here, this machine certainly can be used while it is recording. You can watch any disc or programme on the hard disk, including the programme you are recording (from the beginning). This is a feature of all the machines I have owned. You can not record while copying a disc, but that’s no big deal.

It seems a bit of a niggle to complain about how long it takes to power up. How long does you computer take? A lot longer than this machine. I don’t know about the clock not changing, mine comes up with the right time even after it has been unplugged all night. I like the freeview recording and the programme guide is fine, just like the ones on freeview boxes, except you can set a recording from there.

The remote is a lot better than the HS2, which was certainly bad. This one, while not being the most powerful, I find ok. My machine has worked perfectly and works with old discs that the previous machine could not read. I don’t find this machine to be at all difficult to use. It is also much quieter than my previous machines. My only criticism is that it only reads SD movie files from particular video cameras. It does not read the movie files from many cameras including Panasonic own Lumix range. I would like to see it read any popular format, anywhere on an SD card. My best machine so far and I’m very happy with it.

Customer Review: Good, but overrated
Just thought I’d make the effort to give some feedback, as I had read these reviews before I bought mine and think they are a little over generous.

I’ve had mine a couple of weeks and I will probably take it back as I don’t believe it’s as good as it should be for the money.

The most annoying thing is that you can’t use it while it’s recording a tv program.

It’s so slow to respond it’s painful. It takes around 30 seconds to switch on, which is frustrating. I have to turn it on twice for some reason to get it to come on.

The one film I have recorded doesn’t playback smoothly after about 1hr.

I guess the last two problems are because mine might be faulty.

It will play mp3s. but only off a dvd? You can’t save them onto the hard drive, or play them off the sd card slot. Although I have to be honest, that’s hyper critical because I was actually pretty chuffed to be able play mp3s on it at all.

On the plus side, the picture quality using a hdmi cable and a hd telly is great, as it the sound using my amp.

All in all, I’m taking mine back. (Didn’t get it from Amazon). I may get it replaced to find out it was just a one off. If that turns out to be the case, I’ll update this review.

Given that you can’t use it while it’s recording tv, I think I’ll just get my money back.

Hope that helps.

Samsung DVD-SR150M/XEU Multi Format Freeview HDMI DVD Recorder
Multi Format Freeview DVD Recorder
Amazon Price: ?132.15

Sony RDRHXD560S 80GB HDD DVD Recorder with Freeview
80GB Hard Drive DVD Recorder model with Digital Tuner.
Used Price: ?105.99
Customer Review: Switches off every 5-10 minutes - stay away from this!
It is too late for me to return the product to Amazon, but I will see what I can do with the Sony customer services. I have used it for a month and, with a few minor problems, it has worked OK for 3 weeks. In the last week, however, it keeps switching off VERY frequently. It does so when I watch TV and also when I am watching TV. On the TV, it freezes for a few minutes, so you lose 5 minutes every time it switches off - frozen image, switch off, switch on again and bring it back to the right channel. I am going back to my cheap freeview box + dvd player. If I cannot return the dvd recorder, I will only use it for the occasional recording, but then it is far too expensive for this!
Customer Review: Sony DVD recorder just keeps powering off
Bought this recorder in March 2007. Initially thought it was fantastic but after a few weeks started powering off at random times. This week, despite putting everything to the factory defaults I am now trying to return it to Amazon. It can be ok and then will power off and try to restart. My wife has missed loads of programmes and is not happy. We have loads of Sony gear, telly, camcorder etc and always thought Sony was great. First Sony product I have had which has been faulty (replaced a Sony video recorder which was brilliant) I think I am being harsh but I expect a really high standard from Sony - might have expected this from some unknown brand.