Panasonic DMR-EZ27

[DB7]

My old faithful dvd recorder is heading to silicon heaven, so I was wondering whether anybody owned a Panasonic DMR-EZ27 and recommend it?

Had a look on the Tests and price comparisons on otest.co.uk site and it came in 3rd of the Top 10.

[smudge]

Don't have this one, but must advise that (as a dedicated Panny user) I have been very disappointed with the last two Hard Drive Models I've bought. In both cases (same model type) it's been the DVD-R drive which has shown signs of not keeping the pace.

The current one has the occasional fit and discs 'fail finalising' - although when you put the DVD in another machine it plays fine, albeit without menus and then if you use the 'failed' disc to run off another copy via DVD Shrink, the Shrinked copy comes out perfect, menus et al.

Mind you (as you know) my machines do have to work hard for their living...

Smudge

[booby trap]

this is the one i use, frame accurate editing, speed copying to dvd or real time copy, digital tuner, choice of menu's to put on your finalised disc's, thumbnails that play the video on menu, watch hard drive recording or dvd while recording,will fit recording to dvd and select mode to fit space, video adjustment to suit your tv type manual or auto, video ajustment for copying from vcr or sky box manual or auto, Guide plus timer menu just find the programe you want to record be it from it's own tuner or Sky as it lists both and click it's done, it has infra red eye to change Sky channels when timer has been set to record from Sky box so once you have set timer it does the rest, records on all these formats DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD-R dual-layer
DVD+R, DVD+RW, DVD+R dual-layer
DVD-RAM, dedicated juke box for mp3 or wma files on hard drive this is seperate from video so you can store and play albums make playlist's play albums in order that you want etc.etc. all the bells and whistles you can think of, but no HDMI

DVR-540HX-S HDD & DVD Recorder - - Pioneer Product Archive

[DB7]

Bought and it's a beaut. Even picked up a HDMI cable today from Amazon for 2.99.

I can now get round to storing all the films from Sky+ to dvd; having nearly maxxed out my storage.

[Windthrop]

Bought the DMR-EX77 a sister model and am very impressed

Have always stuck with Panasonic and have always been satisfied

[bertie]

Very interested to see this thread. Two years or so ago I bought a Panasonic DVD Recorder - model DMR-ES20DEB. I then spent some time transferring my video collection to DVD only to find - a little after the warranty expired! - that when I came to play many of them back, I got picture break up or picture jam. You can imagine my frustration!

But like Smudge I found that, if you copied to another disc (either via DVD Shrink or the Sonic progamme which comes with my Dell PC), you could produce a good playable disc with menus etc.

Also, in general I had made the original recordings on the SP timing (ie 2 hours) where it covered most films. I then tried recording on the LP timing (4 hours) where most films covered only about half the disc time. These recordings seemed to fare better and were much less prone to break up. Incidentally, in both SP and LP recordings, the discs had appeared (according to the machine) to have finalised properly.

As I said, backing up the original recorded discs does seem to provide a reliable
disc but also means that you end up with 2 processes to get a viable disc. You can, of course , still use the original recording as a back up albeit that you would need to burn again for a reliable disc.

I contacted Panasonic about these problems. Their website directs you to a local repairer who acts on their behalf. I e-mailed this repairer, outlined the problem and asked the question about whether a repair would be good value bearing in mind the original purchase price (about £180). The answer I received was to the effect that the problem is probably the RAM/DIGI pcb assembly and replacement would cost in the order of £200! Apart from the fact that I did not really understand the reply (I am no techical expert on anything electronic) this clearly was not an option.

I suppose ultimately I may have just got a 'rogue' machine but it was interesting that Smudge has encountered similar problems. I will carry on with the two process method for a while but, in the end, I will have to get a different machine. Will it be another Panasonic? - well..........................

[Fellwanderer]

Originally Posted by Windthrop Bought the DMR-EX77 a sister model and am very impressed Have always stuck with Panasonic and have always been satisfied

My dvd recorder seems to have almost completely given up the ghost so I've just ordered one of those. Should be home when I get back next week.

[David Brent]

DB, how much life did you get out of your old DVD recorder? I've often wondered what is the lifespan of an average recorder?

I always used to be a Sony man and used to buy all of my entertainment products with that brand. I had found Sony products to be always top quality and very reliable. Shame that their products are usually the most expensive too.

Two years ago though I bought a Panasonic 200GB hard drive DVD recorder and must say it is one of the best things I've ever bought.

So far (touch wood) I haven't had a single problem with it, and it does get used daily.
When the time comes to get a new recorder Panasonic will be top of my list.

Dave.

[Wee Sonny MacGregor]

Originally Posted by David Brent Two years ago though I bought a Panasonic 200GB hard drive DVD recorder and must say it is one of the best things I've ever bought. So far (touch wood) I haven't had a single problem with it, and it does get used daily. When the time comes to get a new recorder Panasonic will be top of my list. Dave.

Dave,

That's what I've got - had it 18 months and have had the same experience as yourself. I would recommend Panasonic unhesitatingly.

WSM

[A Pemberton]

Originally Posted by DB7 Bought and it's a beaut.

Is this model multi region?

[Windthrop]

Originally Posted by A Pemberton Is this model multi region?

Panasonic don't make multi-region machines but most shops (Richer Sounds etc) adapt them.

[orpheum]

Originally Posted by Windthrop Panasonic don't make multi-region machines but most shops (Richer Sounds etc) adapt them.

This information is not correct.I have a dvd/vhs panasonic machine which is multi region.

[Windthrop]

Originally Posted by orpheum This information is not correct.I have a dvd/vhs panasonic machine which is multi region.

My Panasonic is too but they are not manufactured as such, they are adapted later.

[orpheum]

I beg to difer.The machine has the NTSC logo on it and the instructions refer to it as being multi region

[Windthrop]

Originally Posted by orpheum I beg to difer.The machine has the NTSC logo on it and the instructions refer to it as being multi region

Mine does not have VHS on it and is a DVD HDD machine.

NTSC is to do with analogue signals and not digital DVD. If your machine has a video component, and therefore analogue, it may indeed be multi region in that sense. Panasonic themselves said when I contaced them that their current UK released DVD machines were not multi region when I contacted them to query the contradiction between the box label and the instructions. They did indicate as I have stated that shops do doctor machines hence that label on the box.