Panasonic DMR-E20 user reviews

1.5 stars

"One year of frustration" on October 17, 2003

Pros: The machine, when it works, does a great job and need not cost a fortune to run. Chapter marks work fine. Coversion of DVD-R to DVD-Video is swift but flawed. DVD-RAM is fine but costs, and limits playback options.

Cons: Now for the bad bit. This machine is VERY picky, I've tried loads of brands of DVD-R, none can be guaranteed to record, sone record once then lock you out, others start recording and shut the machine off after 90 seconds, still others refuse to finalise.

3.5 stars

"Great VCR replacement" on January 20, 2003

Summary: I have this recorder for about a year & am very pleased with it. I transferred some 8mm videotapes to DVD-R & was very impressed with the video quality. This unit doesn't have progressive scan but who needs that feature anyway. I have this unit connected to a digital cable box & the recordings I made off it are very good quality.hIghly recommend this unit.

1.0 stars

"This is JUNK" on November 30, 2002

Summary: I spent upwards of 650 bucks on this thing. It's very easy to understand- but the outcome of the product is LESS than desirable. The machine does not seem to be compatible with other DVD-Rs unless they are panasonic brand. Everytime i burn a disc and finalize it, -it plays back 100% accurate on the recording machine. However, when you play it back on any other regular DVD player, it pauses the picture every five minutes, and then skips ahead about 3 seconds in the video. This makes the machine next to useless in my book. SAVE YOUR MONEY!

4.5 stars

"Super video quality !!!" on November 21, 2002

Summary: I love it, the quality of the video and audio are equal to the original source (satelite signal, DVD-Video disk, MiniDV video camera, S-VHS, etc) Only if you go to the slowest speed on a DVD-RAM which is the EP speed and on which you can record 6 hours on one side of a DVD-RAM you will see a deterioration in the quality of the video and this is only if your source video is of a perfect quality. So, I bought it when they were very expensive but I don't regret. Prices go down, features add up on new models. Also there is a compatibility problem, and the players that play the DVD-RAM media are much more expensive (one needs one player like that in order to be able to make editing and copies home without dropping in the quality between the original and the source) than the ones that don't play it, but that's life, there's nothin perfect, also prices will go down on the players as well for sure. So, if you are like me- someone who gets easilly nervous when they see a video with audio or video noise this is the player you need - Good luck.