Panasonic DVD Recorder with Freeview HDD and 500 GB HDD and Amazon Basics High-Speed HDMI Cable - 6 Feet

A bit slow at startup, it takes a couple of minutes whilst you wonder if it is doing anything. After that it works fine though does not cope with "overlapping" programmes ie one finishes at 9pm another starts at 9pm.

I only use this for recording from TV aerial (Freeview) to hard drive (HD) and from HD to discs. The timer is not reliable in that on occasions the last few minutes get chopped off if the programmes don't run to schedule. To solve go to PROG/CHECK and alter the time start and or finish Takes getting used to but editing out ads and trailers is better than the older model as you store up your cuts as you progress through the recording. Then you remove them all in one go. Another upgrade is the extra tuner.This recorder doesn't enable me to record virgin media 360 box programmes - so no permanent recording of sports matches or documentaries broadcast on Sky or Virgin. No appropriate socket on latest Virgin or Sky box.

personal entertainment

To say I am somewhat disappointed in an understatement.As someone who already owns two Panasonic Recorders (DMR EX78EBK – HDD/DVD) and (DMR EX99 VEBK - HDD / DVD / VHS) I thought I knew what to expect from this model. However, I was not expecting that they would have changed the format of how you view the recorded programmes. Instead of the ‘tile’ effect (6 boxes in a horizontal mode – stacked 3 above and 3 below) of the older models where you were able to see the programmes recorded listed in an easy to see and read format , they have changed this to a ‘list’ format, meaning that you have to keep scrolling up and down to find what you are looking for. The light writing on a grey background does not help someone to read easily what is on the screen either.There are several things that I find ‘irritating’ about this model, the major one being that irrespective of which format you choose to record in, the remaining time left to record constantly shows it to be in DR 133h 27m – (it does decrease incrementally – but still not easy to gauge what recording time you have left). I switched off the DR and then I changed the recording format to EP (extended play) and the time remaining should have shown somewhere around 300 hours for this model. When I rang Panasonic to query why this was, they told me that that is the way this particular model has been configured and cannot be changed. Although once recorded, the programme does save as EP, there is still no clue as to how many hours you actually have left (surely a design fault!). I am now left trying to guess how many hours recording time I have left. Unless I keep a pen and paper handy and write down all my recordings and keep a running total of hours used, I will remain in the dark! When I asked if I changed it to a different model, would that solve this problem, I was told that all the newer models show the time in this way. Not very useful to the user!Its plus points are that is has a twin tuner and will record two programmes at the same time, whilst you are viewing a third. The other thing I like is that you can delete whilst it is in recording mode, and you can also look at the programme guide – something that you cannot do on my other two machines. Once they are recording, you cannot do any ‘housekeeping’ by deleting programmes or searching the guide until you either cancel the recording or wait until the programme you are recording ends.As I have been told by Panasonic that even if I returned this one for another model, I would get the same, reference showing the time remaining, I wonder if it is worth the bother to send it back. As someone who has sung the praises of the other two machines, I cannot say the same for this. If this is your first purchase of this kind of machine, then you wouldn’t know any different. However as someone who knows the merits of the other two models I have, this one is taking some getting used to.The functionality is very fast and excellent recording, however, is that enough – I don’t know yet.My message to Panasonic – yes I understand that times move on and things change / improve. However, don’t change a format just for the sake of change when in reality you have not improved anything – merely frustrated those that had a good experience with your previous models and their set-up.I have been using this machine for a little over a week now and would I have bought it if I had known this in advance – probably not. For any ‘new buyers’, It is an excellent product for a first time user who has no advance knowledge or expectations. Panasonic DMR-EX97EB-K DVD Recorder with Freeview HDD and 500 GB HDD

The basic functions are good, but the remote control layout as compared with an earlier recorder from this manufacturer is fiddly to use particularly in subdued lighting. (such as using the program check and delete button) In my view a better choice is to use an alternative remote control N2QAYB000644 (available via Amazon) so that DEL and Prog/Check are easily accessible on the main keypad rather than on the sub small keypad at the bottom of the remote control. Note that if you do this the 'Last View' will not be available on the alternative control but 'so what?

The first one i bought was faulty within 48 Hours of use , i contacted Amazon who arranged collection of the old unit and a replacement of a new one, this one is excellent, we use it for tv viewing and can record with one button, you can pause live tv and record to disc from the hard drive only , its like a youview box but better

nothing wrong with the product, dint do what I had hoped prompt refund on return