Panasonic DMR-ES45VS DVD Recorder / VCR Combo with HDMI, SD Card, and DV Input

Average customer rating: 3.5

Poor editing features, not user friendly
Disappointed
GREAT MACHINE
Great Upconverting DVD Recorder/VCR
BUGS OF PREVIOUS YEAR MODEL STILL PRESENT

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Panasonic DMR-ES45VS DVD Recorder / VCR Combo with HDMI, SD Card, and DV Input

Manufacturer: Panasonic
Product Group: CE
Binding: Electronics
ASIN: B000F4C1H6

Related Categories:

DVD Players

| Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics

VCRs & TV Servers

| Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics

Audio & Video

| Refurbished & Used | Special Features | Electronics Features | Electronics

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| DVD Players & Recorders | Audio & Video | Categories | Electronics

DVD Players

| DVD Players & Recorders | Audio & Video | Categories | Electronics

Upconverting DVD Players

| DVD Players & Recorders | Audio & Video | Categories | Electronics

Amazon.com Product Description

The Panasonic DMR-ES45VS brings together a VCR and multi-format DVD recorder, enabling you to continue to enjoy your VHS video tape library as well as record TV programming and home videos directly to DVD disc. It includes easy-to-use front panel controls as well as an S-Video/composite AV input for connecting gaming consoles and video camcorders. This unit provides easy, one-touch copying of non-copy protected DVD disc material to VHS tape, and vice versa--great for archiving your old home videos. It also offers a FireWire port (also known as IEEE1394 or i.Link) for direct connection to a digital video camcorder, enabling you to download footage directly to disc. You can also view individual images and photo slideshows using the integrated Secure Digital (SD) memory card slot (compatible with JPEG and TIFF file formats).

This unit also includes an HDMI digital audio/video output, which can "up-convert" standard DVD movie discs to near HD resolution. Where standard DVD players (even progressive scan models) provide just 480 lines of resolution, the DMR-ES25S up-converts the picture up to 720p and 1080i high-def video formats--taking full advantage of your HD television's sparkling resolution. (Note that your TV must have an HDMI connection; HDMI cable not included.)

Choose from a full spectrum of recordable DVD media--write-once DVD+R and DVD-R discs or rewritable DVD-RW/+RW and DVD-RAM discs. (For temporary storage, such as your favorite weekly shows, DVD-RAM discs are a great choice as they can be rewritten more times than DVD-RW/+RW discs.) In addition to standard DVD movie and CD audio discs and its compatible recordable formats, the DMR-ES25S can play back CD-R/RW, dual layer DVD-R/+R, and VCD disc formats as well as JPEG, and MP3 digital formats.

Panasonic's Time Slip function consists of two features designed to give you added flexibility and control when making DVD recordings: Chasing Playback and Simultaneous Record & Play. With Chasing Playback, you don't have to wait for an entire program to be recorded before watching it from beginning to end. This feature allows you to watch a program that's currently being recorded from any point that's already been recorded--while continuing to record the live program in progress. Simultaneous Record & Play allows you to record a program onto a disc while simultaneously watching any other program that's previously been recorded on the same disc.

You can set your recorder to one of five different recording speeds, each varying in recording quality and length. EP mode yields the most recording time, LP & SP modes provide less recording time with higher quality recording, and XP mode gives you the highest quality recording. There's also the FR (Flexible Recording) mode that lets you record with the best picture quality possible for the recording time and remaining space on the disc.

The Direct Navigator feature makes it easy to find a previously recorded program on a disc. A list of recording dates, times, channels and (user-entered) titles are shown on screen. With the Playlist Playback function, you can perform simple non-linear video editing using, such as rearranging the order of scenes, skipping over unwanted scenes, or copying selections

Jump directly to any spot on a disc and begin playback or recording right away with the Rapid Random Access function when using DVD-RAM discs. Even if there is no sequential area of empty space available, this DVD recorder can record data on available space throughout the rest of the disc. You will also avoid searching for a blank spot to start recording, or accidentally recording over desired material.

Enjoy a great picture on you flat screen LCD or plasma HDTV using the component video output, and immersive surround sound via the optical digital audio output for Dolby Digital and DTS home theater effects. The full lineup of video and audio connections includes: <ul>

RF input: 1

RF output: 1 (for VCR)

Composite video/audio input: 2 (1 front)

Composite video/audio output: 1

S-Video input: 2 (1 front)

S-Video output: 1

Component video output: 1

HDMI audio/video output: 1

Digital audio output: 1 optical </ul>

<b>Tech Talk</b>
HDMI is a lossless, uncompressed, all-digital audio/video interface to link any audio/video source (such as a set-top box, DVD player, or AV receiver) with your TV--all over a single cable. It provides up to a 5 GB per second bandwidth for transmitting pure digital video and audio signals with no degradation in the transfer. It can carry up to eight discrete audio channels, making it compatible with 7.1-channel surround sound systems. Signals are encrypted with HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) to prevent recording. HDMI is fully backward-compatible with most DVI connections .

Component video (also called Y/Pb/Pr) features a three-jack video input, which provides separate connections for luminance (Y), blue color difference (PB) and red color difference (PR). This results in increased bandwidth for color information, resulting in a more accurate picture with clearer color reproduction and less bleeding than you would get with S-Video or composite (RCA yellow video plug) connections. You will need a separate RCA left/right audio cable for sound.

High Definition Formats: The most common high-def (HD) video format is 720p, which displays video at 720 vertical by 1280 horizontal pixels. The "p" denotes that it is progressive scan, meaning that all video lines are filled at the same time. The 1080i format displays video at 1080 vertical by 1920 horizontal pixels, and the "i" means that it is interlaced (the old-school way of presenting video where the screen scans the odd-numbered video lines first, then the even-numbered lines). The 1080p format has the same pixel resolution as 1080i, but it is a progressive scan format and thus has a constant vertical resolution of 1080 lines.

<b>What's in the Box</b>
DVD recorder/VCR, remote control (with batteries), AV cable, RF cable, power cord, one DVD-RAM disc, printed operating instructions

Product Description

The Panasonic DMR-ES45 gives you the ability to enjoy older and newer media formats without taking up precious space in your home entertainment setup. You've probably got plenty of great stuff on VHS tapes, from your favorite films to home recordings. Instead of taking up room with a VCR and a DVD player, you need a single unit that plays both. That's where the DMR-ES45 comes in. Taking what worked well in previous models and improving them, it also includes new features that make everyday DVD recording simpler than ever. The HDAVI-Control allows you to control multiple components without the mess of wires and remotes that you'd normally face. While enjoying your favorite VHS movies and recording to tape, you can also record & play back DVD-Audio & Video, CD audio, CD-DA and MP3/JPEG discs. You can even load up an SD card and preview your digital photos and video on a larger screen. The simple HDMI connection lets you manage your home theater connections without facing a jumble of wires. The DMR-ES15K offers you the easy operation and versatility you need to complete your home entertainment center. VCR Refresh Dubbing with advanced DNR DV Auto recording and playlist creation Transfers content from a DV camcorder or SD card in just one step Simultaneous playback and recording (for DVD) Chasing playback tool allows you to watch the start of a program while you're still recording it (for DVD) Uses single-layer DVD-R and DVD-RAM (recording up to 4.7 GB) Auto DVD-R Finalizing Records using MEPG-2 compression, for up to 8 hours of video on one disc VBR recording for optimized bitrate depending on type & length of recording Time base corrector for stable, natural images Front A/V input Built-in SD card slot HDMI Inputs - 2 S-Video, 2 Component, 2 SCART, 2 line in 1 line out, 1 Optical, 1 Component, 1 S-Video, 1 Composite Recording formats - DVD-RAM, DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW Dolby

Customer Reviews:

Poor editing features, not user friendly.......2007-05-30

I was sold on all the advertised features but did not realize until after I purchased a unit that you can not edit RW discs. You can do no more than delete the entire recording. There is no VR recording mode for re-writable discs which means you can not edit out commercials. A waste of money for me. All the features in the world are useless if you can't edit what you record.

Disappointed.......2007-05-25

I bought a refurbished unit for the sole purpose of transferring my old VHS's onto DVDs. My first attempt worked fine. However, after that I could never get it to record onto the DVD. I called customer service and had someone walk me through the steps again just to be sure it wasn't operator error. In short, the unit failed after one use.

GREAT MACHINE.......2007-05-23

I had another machine that didn't do all that his one does, and it was difficult to use. I use this recorder to transfer all my home video (VHS) to DVD. I was suprised at the quality. I think the DVD was better then the original.

However, I purchased my recorder at Sam's for $300.

Great Upconverting DVD Recorder/VCR.......2007-05-18

I have been thoroughly impressed with the simplicity of this machine. Great inputs/outputs, easy interface, and a very intricate menu system. Would highly recommend!

BUGS OF PREVIOUS YEAR MODEL STILL PRESENT.......2007-04-26

I have owned the DMR-ES40V for over 6 months. It is a combo DVD/VCR unit. I have had sufficient time to become intimately familiar with the pros and cons of the unit.

The MANUAL: It is imperative to have the manual. This machine is somewhat complicated, and frequent trips to the instructions is necessary. If everything is working correctly, you can usually find the instructions that you need somewhere in it. It is overly time-consuming though, since the items don't seem to logically flow. If you dig long and hard enough though, they are in there somewhere.

The SET-UP: Being somewhat experienced at setting-up a home theater, this was generally easy. The text and pictures were sufficient. Searching through the Function Menu, I learned that to perform the same action and different levels required using different imput buttons. This is needlessly confusing. Of course the auto clock set function isn't very accurate ( I haven't seen an accurate one yet).

DVD PLAYBACK: The general playback is pretty straight-forward. I really miss some of the extra playback features that are on my JVC progressive player (which is 3 years older). Finding a scene in a movie is comparatively difficult. A Zoom feature is missing. Many convenience features are not present.

DVD RECORDING: Recording onto a DVD-RAM disc is a dream compared to old fashioned VCR tapes. I really enjoy using them. A quirk--you must have the unit in stand-by to record from the scheduler. This mandates that to watch a recorded show while recording another(on the same disc) you must wait until the unit begins recording, then select the show to watch from the Navigator. The UHF tuner has some trouble recording somewhat weak signals from channel 19. Other weak channels record but not 19. This problem started about 6 months after initial set-up. There is an annoying bug with Daylight Savings Time, and the newer extended time period. The Panasonic Web Site suggests going into the set-up menu and unchecking the DST box; thus removing the feature. If this did anything, it would allow you to set the clock manually. Being without the automatic DST adjustment would not be annoying, but even though you turn-off this feature it still resets your clock twice a day at noon and at 7pm EST. This ruins any TV scheduling you had set. This malady persisted until the date of the former DST Spring-Ahead arrived. Several weeks of scheduling hell! I requested assistance from customer service but never received the telephone call that was promised. No message, no number to call--just a promise to call again when I was home.

THE VCR USE: This feature is really buggy. You are supposed to be able to eject a cassette with the remote; but this only worked for a month or two. When a TV show is scheduled for recording the unit won't tape it if you merely insert a cassette. It doesn't recognize the insertion of the cassette unless the tape has been made to move--either playing a little or fast forwarding/reversing. This is really annoying.

LAST IMPRESSION: The last movie (Last King of Scotland) I watched took over the machine. The remote control would not function, the disc would not stop, and the disc could not be ejected. It was necessary to unplug the unit, restart it, eject the disc, and totally reset all menu items--which were randomly reset to various settings. Worse some settings are no longer selectable. One other movie would not even play in the machine--forcing me to use the trusty JVC unit.
I must say that this machine has many of the same problems that are still occurring in the new units from what I read at this forum and other ones. These units are being released for sale way before they are ready for public consumption. I recommend looking elsewhere.

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