Customer Reviews

Panasonic DMR-E20S DVD Recorder and Player, Silver

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

You can record up to 6 hours on one side, then afterwards delete
unwanted sections (e.g. commercials and PBS Pledge Breaks),
The deleted parts become free to record over, at the end of the disk.
(Works like a computer disk.)

Also, Memorex makes an afforable 9.4GB disk that works on this
unit (#32025900 Double Sided DVD-RAM Type 1). (...) They need to be formated when first used, but that only takes about 1 minute (on the DMR-E20 machine).
They are equal to the more expensive brand names.

I bought this unit, not for the DVD-RAM features, which are very good, but to transfer my video tapes to DVD's. I made 3 DVD-R's and none of them would play in any of my machines, my friends, or even a number of machines at Circuit City where I purchased the unit. The disks would play fine for 30 secs to a few minutes, then the picture would freeze as if I has pushed the "pause" button. Panasonic doesn't guarantee that the DVD disks you make will play on any other machine nor any future machine after the one you buy needs replacement. Buyer beware.

I purchased the DMR-E20s about 3 weeks ago. Let me start off by saying that you will not be sorry if you purchase this machine, it is amazing. You can record DVD-R which is playable in most current DVD players, (HOWEVER these discs can only be written to once) or you can record DVD-RAM, which is much more versatile and recorded programs can be edited without losing the time (any part of a recording that is erased is then RECOVERED in the total remaining time). Having the DVD-R option means this machine will never become obsolete even in the unlikely event that DVD-RAM does not become a popular format(one of my biggest concerns).
There are many many options, but expect to use the 2 or 4 hour speeds the most (6 hour speed is not a quality picture---to me at least!). If you are stockpiling your favorite sitcoms and want to keep them commercial free, then editing all of the commercials out of 4 half hour episodes will give you enough room for a fifth half hour episode on the disc in 2 hour mode. The setting of the timer is easy because VCRplus is included on the unit. You turn the unit off to "set" the timer to record, you dont have to put it in a "timer" mode.
The price of the discs has also dropped dramatically, but even a DVD-R at the current market price is still alot for a recording you weren't planning to keep. I hope to soon get a laptop with DVD-RAM capability so I can watch my discs on the road then ERASE and REUSE them.
As for picture quality, it is very good, however you have to have a clear sharp picture for the recorder to capture a clear sharp recording. If the broadcast is grainy, the recording will suffer and look even more grainy. But if your cable quality is good, this will be a non issue.
I bought this machine because my VCR was on its last legs (it really was a great VCR) and I just could not see myself buying outdated technology again when this amazing piece of equipment was available. It's alittle pricey, but if you are used to this kind of quality like I am, nothing less will do.

The Memorex 9.4 GB double sided DVD-RAM is an VERY VERY ECONOMICAL alternative to the other brands ... I have 4 of the Memorex 9.4 double sided discs. The only problem I noticed was the little sliding door on the cartridge will sometimes stick when it is being loaded into the machine. I could imagine that because of their fantastic price (usually being less than 15 bucks each), that maybe Memorex is still working out all the quality control bugs, but in my experience with all of the different discs I have used none has refused to format. I seriously doubt this problem would be caused by the machine itself.
Someone mentioned a PANASONIC DVD-RAM not formatting. That might be because there is an older generation of DVD-RAM out there---easily recognized by the size (2.6 GB single sided and 5.2 GB double sided) that are from an earlier version of DVD-RAM, and these are NOT compatible with this new unit, which only accepts 4.7 GB single sided and 9.4 GB double sided discs.

Have had my 2nd DMR-E20S for about 2 months now. This unit formats perfectly, unlike my first one (See my 1st post>April 20, 2002). If you have a unit that doesn't format correctly, return/exchange it! You spent a Lot of $$$ on the recorder and if you're gonna spend your $$$ on something-Get a unit that works perfectly {You deserve and are entitled to a Completely working unit, John P.} I don't use 6 hour mode. My 3 year old Panasonic S-VHS records a better quality picture than the DMR-E20S 6 hour mode does. 4 hour mode is what I use most for everyday recording, very good quality. Picture quality in 1 hour & 2 hour mode is excellent. I can only give this product 3 stars because of it's price, the Total lack of a Response by Panasonic's Supp. Dept. to my Call(s) and you Must have very good finger control to use the Joystick Control on the remote- forget it if you have any arthritis! Be aware that some units don't Format properly or at all! And don't count on Panasonic for help!! I read somewhere on the Web that something like 3 other companies are coming out with their own DVD-Recorders > Check out the new Philips DVDR985 Progressive-Scan DVD Recorder and the others before you buy a Panasonic.

I'm sure that more advanced DVD recorders will come on the market soon, but the Panasonic DMR-E20 is good enough for me. I have used it to make back up copies of laserdiscs and VHS tapes, and also some DVDs (Digital Video Editior is required for this to bypass Macrovision and CSS. See "Prospec DVE 773"). The quality has been very good (in 2 hour speed, I've not tried the other speeds yet), and the recorder was very easy to use! I would put the manual away after you've set the clock, it will only confuse you further!

I've used DVD-Rs made by Optodisc [money], Apple [money], and Legacy/Ritek [money] all with success. I would point out to potential buyers that your TV must have a dedicated "video channel" for this unit to display on your TV. I had to purchase a new TV because my 20 year old Zenith didn't have a video channel (time for a new one anyway!) I've had success playing back finalized DVD-Rs on my portable DVD player (Panasonic DVLA-95) and my Pioneer 525 with no problems.

In short, if you have laserdiscs or VHS tapes (including camcorder footage) that you want to preserve of make portable, this unit is a good choice. The only real con is a lack of digital inputs, but that's all I've found so far!

This unit is very high quality. However, I did have problems formatting many of the Ram Discs by Panasonic. I called the Panasonic Support Number and the Telephone Representatives had trouble understanding the format problem. One person there offered to send me a box to return the discs that were defective, but I have not received it to date and it has been many weeks. I would recommend holding off on buying these units unless you have alot of funds for them and time for testing them etc. They may not be quite ready yet due to their newer technology.

I had the same format problem as "Reviewer: An Electronics Fan - March 23, 2002 review" and called up Panasonic. (Could only format 2 out of 15 Memorex DVD-RAM 9.4GB Disks, then bought a "Panasonic DVD-RAM Disk" and that wouldn't format either!!) Phone Tech. said only problem people have called about is how to set unit up. Figuring it was a fluke, I returned the unit and ordered another which should be here by April 23. Unfortunately, I didn't see the other review until just now. A "Fluke" or a "Machine which should be Recalled"? I'll know in a couple days. BTW - Still have not heard Anything from Panasonic about this problem, going on 4 weeks now.

When I first purchased the Panasonic DMR-E20, its performance was excellent. Picture quality was outstanding. The only negative comment at this time was the "way over complicated switch actions required" for different functions and the silly joy stick on the remote control. But soon, the switch actions became second nature and all was well. For awhile. When the unit was three months old, I discovered it would no longer play RAM discs I recorded on this unit. When I questioned Panasonic tech support on this, I never received a reply. Thinking it was a flaw with RAM discs, I switched to DVD-R discs. At five months, the unit would no longer record on those either. The unit just shuts off with no error code. Still have not receive a reply from Panasonic tech support. Last night, I ran a complaint report on this unit and discovered this is a common read failure with the DMR-E20. The unit is still under warranty and I'm sending it back for repair/replacement. I understand that DVD recorders are new and I expected some bugs with the new machines. What I didn't expect was the lack of support or answers from Panasonic. Due to this, I can not recommend the Panasonic DMR-E20 as a good buy. 2 stars, buy at your own risk.

I wanted a dvd recorder and this is what the salesman put in my hands. I was mislead at circut city thinking that i could back up my dvds as well as download my tivo recordings from direct tv. it works really good for the downloading the tivo stuff. but forget about the dvd backups, which is why i don't like it. as for a recorder, it works great. The manual is thick, and complicated and it will take me a lifetime to figure out probably. I hope to use it in the future for making dvd of my cam corder. It would be great if someone contacted me and told me of a way to record my dvd feed. I called panasonic and they told me it won't record copy my dvds. Bummer.....

I've had a similiar experience when I bought one of the first CD recorders years ago (HP). The technology isn't ready yet. First of all my $[money]Maxwell DVD RAM can't be formatted - it is 'locked' and the product won't let me unlock it until I format it ; but I can't format until it is unlocked. The physical lock on the DVDRAM wasn't set. Panasonic didn't provide a DVD-RAM disk or a DRD-R disk with the product. I also bought a $12 DVD-R disk. That worked, but it won't play on my Toshiba DVD player; it does play on my Samsung player; it poorly plays on a AudioVox personal DVD player (the player make a lot of noise like it doing lots of retries to get the data). I also bought a bunch of cheaper (no name) DVD-R disks ...When using those disks, the unit turns itself off (no error messages) after exactly 30 seconds when recording.

I don't think I have a bad recorder; that's just the state of the technology.