Panasonic DMR-EX85EB-S 250GB Hard Disk DVD Recorder - Freeview Tuner, HDMI
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.
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Sony RDR-GX120 Dual Format / Dual Layer DVD Recorder
DVD Recorder with Auto Programme Title Labelling.
Used Price: ?69.99
Customer Review: You get what you pay for…
I was looking for a decent quality DVD recorder to back up my sky + box. This is it. It was with fear and trepidation I went to the back of the TV, but set up was a breeze. It does exactly what I want. I don’t need a freeview tuner I don’t need multi format recording I don’t need instant start up I don’t mind it taking time to turn on I don’t want all the bells and whistles So, I have not paid for them. What I have got is an easy to use system to back up my Sky +. Result.
Customer Review: Cheap but flawed product
Similar story here as others who have been disappointed by this unit. Bought a Sony Bravia (from John Lewis) and it came bundled with this DVD recorder. The lack of in-built digital tuner is infuriating as, even when you do figure out how to record digital signals from the TV, you can’t record a digital channel and watch another. The only time you can record one channel and watch another is when recording using the in-built analogue tuner (so just the old 5 analogue channels) and watch another channel on the TV’s digital tuner. For those confused about recording digital shows from the Sony Bravia TV to the RDR-GX120, you connect from AV2 on the Bravia to AV1 (I think it’s that one) on the RDR-GX120. Then when recording, tell the RDR-GX120 to use L1 as the source. To select the digital channel simply use the normal TV guide via the Bravia remote (can initiate timer recordings this way) or the prog up/down buttons on the DVDR remote and select the show to tape. It squirts the signal out via AV2 to the RDR-GX120. It’s not intuitive but once you’ve done it a few times you’ll remember. It’s potentially a great system but falls down flat by preventing you from changing channel. You have to record what you watch, when usually you’ll want to record a show and watch something else. Oh, and when timer recording a digital channel the TV must be switched ON. That means either leaving the TV on all night when recording things late night / when you’re away from home or else delving into the manual to suss out the TV’s on/off timer options. Unless you have an additional Freeview box you can hook up somehow, you’ll soon be pretty fed up with the limitations and flaws of this DVD recorder. As others have mentioned, it can be infuriatingly slow to access discs. Browsing and renaming recorded titles on a DVDRW disc is woefully slow. I fail to understand why it takes so long to translate my button presses to action on-screen. The Bravia’s on-screen menus are really nippy and responsive, the juxtaposition damning the RDR-GX120 all the more. In its favour, I was able to make the unit multi-region with a remote hack. This didn’t go particularly smoothly but was eventually successful and I can now throw in any Region disc without thought and it’ll play fine. It’s not enough to justify purchasing this product though. ?150 or so can get you a DVD recorder from another manufacturer that features a Freeview tuner, DVD-RAM support, plus DVD upscaling to 1080p and HDMI output for those wanting to benefit from their HDTVs. Don’t even consider this product.
Dvd-recorder Px-608cu Double Layer Dvd+/-r 8x Dvd+/-r Dl 4x Dvd-ram 5x Clamshell Usb 2.0 
Plextor’s new shape ultra-portable DVD writer is the smallestavailable in the world. Measuring just 15.9mm high and weighing250g the pocket-sized PX-608CU is ideal for mobile laptop usersand those requiring a modern stylish and compact unit to useanywhere
LG RH266 DVD Recorder - 160GB HDD 
Amazon Price: ?152.35
Customer Review: Pretty good piece of kit
First of all i paid a price to good to print. Once you get used to it, quite user friendly. Mine is linked to a virgin bok but get a freeview for around ?15-?20 and you wont have to worry about anolouge switching off.If you get it for a good price then buy it.
Customer Review: Don’t waste your money on LG
As first time to DVD recording, I am disappointed by the user un-friendliness of this machine, will someone please produce a DVD recorder that is as intuitive to use as the good old video recorder. This machine: a)documentation assumes you are already an expert, it omits key information and is poorly organised; b) the machine has a mind of its own, sometimes does what you ask, other times it is too busy doing something else to respond to the remote or even the front panel buttons; c) it may be possible to edit the HDD recordings as the manual suggests, but I’ve not yet worked out how. d) so far it’s ruined several blank DVDs but only once recorded one, and that took 2 hours. It’s supposed to offer fast speed (x4) dubbing, but I’ve not yet found how to get it to do so. I gather from others that buying a LG DVD recorder is like buying a Lada car, so it serves me right. Don’t make the same mistake.
Toshiba DR17DT DVD Recorder with Digital Tuner 
Integrated digital tuner. Playable formats: DVD-R/-RW, DVD+R/+RW, DVD-RAM, CD, CD-R/-RW, VCD, SVCD, DivX.
Amazon Price: ?131.98
Customer Review: not that impressed (yet)
I’ve only had this player 2 days but I must say my first impressions are not that great. On paper this machine seems to do everything, but I took a risk buying it as I couldn’t find any reviews for it online. My first comment is that it’s so s……l……o…….w. Put in a DVD movie and it takes an age for the menu to appear. Once playing a movie things are not much better. The 1080p upscaling (via HDMI) seems to work - however Iam not sure it’s any better than the xbox360 over VGA. The user interface looks dated and again is very slow to nativate around. I’ve yet to attempt any recording, but I hope it will score better in that area! So far only 3 stars (for HDMI output and styling).
