Customer Reviews

Panasonic DMR-ES35VS DVD Recorder / VCR Combo with DV Input

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(5)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(12)

 

 

The DMR-ES35V dvd/VHS recorder is just ok. It needs a few more features that are found on cheaper older models. A zoom function would be cool, also being able to eject the dvd or vhs from the remote would be handy. The instructions as usual from Panasonic are very poor. The manual seems to have been written by someone that has a poor understanding of technology. The instructions are not precise and spaced all over the manual. The simple instructions on how to record from the vhs to dvd was hard to find, and it kept referencing other pages for tips on how to do it.

The machine works as advertised. I used Verbaitim dvd-r disks and Verbatim +r dual layer disks. Both worked fine. The reason I selected this recorder was for the ability to record on DL disks, and I was not disapointed.

The remote control is poorly layed out. Also the lack of a cover on the front of the player to cover the optinal inputs was poorly thought out. But at least the port for the firewire was coverd. Why they did not place them all under one covered door is confusing to me.


All in all this recorder will do what you want, as long as you are recording non protected vhs tapes to dvd it works great. As with all recorders of this type Macrovision is in effect and not to be over ridden.

This combo unit has a good DVD player/recorder and a good quality VCR. It is only 2-head but the quality is good -- much better than Samsung's 4-head VCR. If you want to transfer VHS to DVD and want a combo unit to do this, then this is probably your best bet (or the 45VS if you want upconversion to HD).

That said, this unit has several flaws. First, you really cannot edit your DVD titles before you finalize them -- even when using -RW discs. Granted, you can do this with RAM discs, but I wanted a DVD that would work on other players. Second, you cannot pause or easily stop recordings (unless a RAM disc), so editing out commercials (for example) is very difficult. Third, the remote is rather confusing and mine did not work very well. Sometimes I had to shake it to get it to work. Poor quality. Finally, I've heard that Panasonics can have trouble plaing discs burned on other recorders or computers. I have not tested this, but I've heard that the newer models still have this issue.

Bottom line: for basic recording, this works well, and it's great for transferring VHS when you want to just transfer the whole tape (as is) without editing. The resulting DVD quality is very good -- much better than expected. Its probably the best of the combo VHS/DVD recorders, but unfortunately, that is not saying very much.

I purchased this item 5-20-06. I wish I would have never have bought it. I also read another review about this dvd recorder and they had the same promblem I had. It did not work. This other person who bought this item bought 2 and returned both of them with the same problem. I bought it also and had the same problem also. Here is the problem. I hooked it all up and it worked great for about 5 minutes. Then I could not even get the remote control to work at all. It would not do anything. So I read the instuctions again for 2 hours to be sure I was not doing something a wrong. It still locked up. The Dvd recorder would not do anything at all. I thought the other person that wrote that bad review maybe did not read the instructions . He was correct with his bad review. He had to return both of his defective dvd recorders. I should have listened to what he said. I think Panasonic should pull this product off of the shelves to get the problem fixed. Seems kind of strange that 3 of these dvd recorders had the same exact problem.

I bought this item in May. First exchanged it and then returned it. My problem was jittery (shaky) images while watching a still picture and some animated movies (like South Park). The other problem mentioned in the other reviews about remote control is fixed now. You need to download the patch by use of a computer.

It's a shame that an otherwise great product has a lot of bugs in it.

Hookup was a breeze.. I used a Cable splitter so I could bypass the unit when watching TV - My Sony TV has a better tuner.
The unit played well with a fantastic picture with both VHS and a phenominal DVD image.. near HD on my regual set.
It recorded well with only a slight loss in quality to bot DVD and VHS.
The manual was a little confusing since there is So Much gadgetry this thing can do..I sat down to read it until I understood what it said FIRST, before getting frustrated.
Once I had that down it's a very sweet unit for the price.
HOWEVER, and thats a big HOWEVER - First try at transferring vhs to DVD TOASTED the laser and I had to return it for exchange.
It was very nice of Panasonic to put in a error message that said
" U61(power interupted) Self check failed, refer to service"
Thats the best thing when a unit quits..a message that states don't even bother to fiddle with it.

I just purchased this item and haven't had a chance to use all of the features. I bought it mainly to copy my old vhs tapes to Dvd. I've called panasonic for technical help which was outstanding. I didn't know you can copy short vhs recordings that you may have from an old camcorder to the same Dvd and I have already done this and it has come out great. The DVD knows where to pick up the spare space on any DVD until you get near filling the DVD and you can title each new entry onto the same DVD. It also has timed recording either to VHS or DVD. I highly recommend this product. Frank Nielsen

The first time I went to use this I put in a VHS tape to dub to dvd.
Discovered the entire left side of the machine did not work and remote had no eject button. I called panasonic but everything they suggested involved hitting buttons on the nonfunctioning left side. They finally said I should take it to their repair shop 30 miles from my house. FORTUNATELY I had put in a tape with stuff I didn't care alot about- I'm just gonna return the dmr.
My advise: any time you buy a new dvd player, recorder, or vhs put in a disc, or tape you don't care about when you are first trying it.
By the way, I have no idea if any other parts worked/ or didn't work: I repacked it up immediately.

I love this combo. I have had it for two months and it has worked wonderfully. Transfers are easily achieved. The DVD recorder also accepts all DVD recordable media including DVD-Ram. Playback quality is very nice. Scheduled recording is simple with an intuitive on-screen interface. The DVD player is a little loud during recording but I have gotten used to that. I have found this to be the best DVD/VCR recorder I could buy at this price range. Very satisfied.

I have just really started to use this DVD recorder. It seems to work ok, but it is extremely complicated to use, and the manual is poorly organized with poor descriptors. Also, note they give you no instructions on connecting it to a DVR (i.e. ReplayTV or Tivo) so you need to call them - they were very helpful, however, on the phone.

Anyhow, I am no newbie to tech stuff, but find this manual difficult to read, and the remote is anything but intuitive. In fact, the remote is downright terrible. This might be a good purchase for those who don't mind reading manuals cover to cover and going back to them from time to time. I am not that guy - I like to be able to plug it in, mess around with the remote and get going. If you are like me, this DVD recorder is probably not the one for you.

One lvel up from the ES30VS, much more capable of the last generation the ES35VS is a versatile unit capable of handling all home recording needs and MOST professional needs as well, remote control is easier to use than the last generation, the addition of the DVI input gives it ease of recording from Camcorders with a clikc of a button, I am VERY happy with this unit