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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Panasonic DMREZ25 ?DVD Recorder with Freeview 
Record hours of your favourite TV programmes on DVD supports with the DMREZ25 player-recorder! This device has a built-in Freeview tuner so you can access free digital TV channels. It also has TimeSlip and other functions for storing your videos!The DMREZ25 has a multi-standard burner that is compatible with most recordable DVD supports, too.The DV input on the DMREZ25 lets you connect your camcorder to the player and save your footage to a digital support. The DMREZ25 DVD player-recorder also has a digital HDMi connection, so you can enjoy high-definition image quality for all your video files.The easy-to-use DMREZ25 has all the functions and technology you need to create your own digital video library.
Used Price: ?86.00
Customer Review: fair-to-middling, bit pricey
Have owned one of these for 18 months, is still working well with regular use — mainly for recording a few Sky programs per week via SCART and watching DVDs. Average DVB tuner (the one on my Philips LCD suffers less break-up), good picture, reasonable analogue sound. Fan often comes on when recording and noise can be a bit distracting. Occasionally get disc noise on playback. 1hr and 2hr recording modes via SCART are good, 4hr is a little poor for my liking. Recorded DVB picture often seemed a bit poorer than the live picture was (more blocking, especially with smoke or large areas of same colour). OK otherwise.
Customer Review: re previous reviews
had this recorder for about a month now and i have had no problems with the manual nor any problems recording from sky+. picture quality is very good, it records on all discs, for the money i dont think you will buy a better machine
The 2007-2012 World Outlook for DVD Recorders 
Daewoo DF4501P DVD Recorder/VCR combi with I-link 
Copy old VHS tapes to DVD before it’s too late. Record TV programmer to DVD and VHS. Copy analogue & digital camcorder recordings to DVD. Play DVDs and VHS. Preserve all your precious memories for years to come with this ingenious, multi-purpose DVD recorder that’s so easy to use. You can transfer your cherished collection of videos to DVD at the touch of a button. You can also copy directly from your camcorder or digital camera and you can record your favourite TV programmes onto DVD (or even video if you want) with the same one-touch simplicity. What’s more, it records nearly three times faster than standard digital copying - copying 40 minutes of material in just 15 minutes. It’s space-saving, too, housing a video recorder and player and DVD player and recorder in a single unit, completely hassle free (no more swapping scart leads around), and there’s just one remote control. A recordable DVD, 2 x AA batteries for the remote and a scart lead supplied. DVD+RW, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD-R playback and recording, DVD video, VCD, audio CD, CD-R (CD recordable) Audio CD/CD-RW (CD re-writable) Audio, JPEG video format, CDDA/MP3 audio format playback. Unit measures: 3 1/2” x 17” x 12”.
Customer Review: Oh dear, what a huge disappointment!
Our old video recorder started to give up the ghost so we decided to join the 21st Century and go DVD. Based on the reviews this machine seemed just the job as, as well as updating our recording media, it would allow us to retain our favourite videos on DVD. Unfortunately, as we eagerly replayed our first attempt at DVD recording we found the picture quality was truly dreadful: beetrooty orange coloured human faces, bleeding reds and areas of fuzzy definition. Tests with commercially recorded videos and DVDs showed no improvement whereas re-connecting up the failing 17 year old Sony presented us with perfect pictures (its the sound that was failing!)- so it wasn’t our telly. Frankly, the picture reproduction quality was unwatchable so we immediately arranged to return the machine and have now purchased a Panasonic which reproduces superbly. Maybe we just got a bad example but I certainly wouldn’t want to try another.
Customer Review: It gets the job done.
While difficult to set up on my ancient (as far as technology goes anyway) portable television, once set up it is a thing of beauty. It is simple to use and does exactly what it says on the box. I purchased this to copy VHS tapes to DVD, and while there is some crackling in the sound and a black border on one side of the picture on some of the copies, the technology itself is swift, quiet and little quality is lost. And it’s all done at the touch of a button! It is invaluable in further preserving those old family memories from a format with a short life expectancy to something more lasting. I can’t say I’ve tried the competition, but I would highly recommend this if it claims to do what you want it to do. It may be pricey, but it’s a worthwhile investment.
