Panasonic DMR-E55K Progressive-Scan DVD Recorder/Player , Black by Panasonic
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List Price: Category: CE See more digital camera details and other models |
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Digital camera reviews of Panasonic DMR-E55K Progressive-Scan DVD Recorder/Player , Black
Digital camera Review: Good inexpensive recorder with warts
Summary: 3 Stars
It's a nice little recorder, but: the disc menu it creates is broken - the background only goes a very little way down the screen, about halfway through the first row of menu items. The rest is black. At first, I thought it wasn't leaving enough room on a full disc, but I tried one only 3/4 full, and it did the same thing. The menus still work though, and most will only have one or two items on them. And as others have noted, the user interface needs a lot of work, though partly it's the interaction with the remote --- moving around the text entry menu, I have to push the remote buttons a couple of times often to get them to take. If it weren't for that, it wouldn't be so bad.Digital camera Review: Great item, hates FUJI dvd-r media
Summary: 5 Stars
I have had this machine for about 3 months and am burning about 1-2 discs per day (movies, cable shows, etc). Am very pleased with the recording. Have not had problems with any dvd media except DVD-R Fuji - the machine seems to hate it and won't finalize the disk. Believe me, I've tried. I use Memorex and TDK DVD-R 8x with no issues. I've also used DVD-RAM with no problems. My VCR is collecting dust.
Nitpicks:
- Doesn't 'finalize' with FUJI media
- The quality isn't all that good fitting more than 4 hrs per disc. I think 2 movies / 4 hrs is just fine though.
- Startup time takes a while 5-10 seconds while the machine reads the disc.
Good:
- No problem w/ TDK or other major brand media that I've tried.
- Replaces the VCR, no problem.
- I would rec this machine to anyone.
Digital camera Review: Great start but sad ending
Summary: 3 Stars
I was delighted to see the good reviews for this item and the great price. I felt set up was not quite as easy as some reported. I'd looked through the manual ahead of time (nice feature, having it available on this site), but was confused by a second schematic on a separate sheet included in the Panasonic box. Seems like the diagram in the manual and the quick set up sheet contradicted each other.
Anyhow, once I sussed out the correct cabling, it worked like a dream. Nice playback on commerically recorded DVDs and I copied my first 8mm tape to DVD-R without any problem.
However, after I finalized my second DVD-R, I got an error "cannot read disc." From that point on, the unit wouldn't read any disks, DVD-R, DVD, nor music CDs. And it would turn itself off when I tried to eject a disk.
Called Panasonic's customer service who was professional and took my through some steps to reboot and set up the system, but to no avail. Customer Service declared the unit defective.
I haven't given up hope yet; am returning for exchange of a new unit and keeping my fingers crossed that I have better luck with the next one. I hope I won't be disappointed. Panasonic has been a good brand for me in the past and the price and features on this unit are too good to pass up.
Digital camera Review: Idiot proof DVD
Summary: 5 Stars
I have a hard time with light switches; yet, I had no problem with this machine. The automatic set-up worked flawlessly, and the manual provided allowed me to quickly record my old VHRs onto DVD-R media. I record sports events on DVD-RAM which allows me to take advantage of all the features this modestly priced unit affords. If I can make this thing work, anyone can.Digital camera Review: Later days VCR!
Summary: 5 Stars
This machine is awesome. I am in the process of archiving all of my old VHS tapes to DVD. One piece of advice, when you are finished recording go to Function > Disk Setting > Finalize so that you will be able to play this in a regular DVD player. This thing is worth much more than what you will pay.