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- My rating: 0 stars
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33 out of 34 people found this review helpful
1.5 stars
"If it only had a brain"
Pros: Very good tape picture even at LP, lots of features,extensive programing options.
Cons: No clock display during playback,programming interupts other functions,control response is slow,especially from remote.
Summary: As my old Panasonic VCR's began to wear out, I read many good reviews here and elsewhere on these combo machines. Glad the new digital tuner version was available by the time I was opening my wallet.
Set up was pretty easy in spite of the manual. I used to sell VCR'S etc. and have owned Panasonic VCR's for years finding them the most reliable and easy to use. I was not happy at all when I correctly programmed the machine for season finale's and it missed the recordings. Oddly, it would record two shows a day and not a third or more. Calling tech support(very helpful) helped me to reset machine and a mention they had heard of this issue before. With him on phone, set machine to record three back to back recordings of about two minutes each, A OK. Next day, same loss of recordings after first two and then wouldn't record at all. Reset again, re programmed again, and next day, recorded only two shows. Machine back to Costco two days later, assuming a bad machine.
Set up new machine, ever hopeful but same problems and of course back with tech support and a case number. They again walked me through resetting and programming. About two days later, back chatting with tech support who suggested that perhaps sending me firmware disk that corrects shut off "00's" might correct problem. Still waiting on this disk after over a week. He slso suggested that I take it in for repair( perhaps I was pulling from a bad batch), which I of course wanted to know, have there been reports of consistent problems and is there a repair bulletin out there? The idea of having a brand new machine languishing in repair shop not appealing at all. Picked up third machine(hoping for a break), day before and sorry to say, same old crap.
Other observations to share:
If you have two Panasonic VCR's in same location(I hooked up old one), one remote will interfere with both machines. They should allow for different operating codes like my Sony machines.
The programming process interrupts everything. No playback, no tape movement,no sound,no indexing,etc. It's schedule screen has small fonts which for us baby boomers, across the room is too small.
Remote isn't bad but tape transport should have reused old remotes oval button design, much more intuitive/user friendly. Response is also slow on simple task, like changing channels.
There needs to be an onscreen display that shows the clock while in play when most would find it useful. The clock only shows while it's in idle standy, or during recording. Also missing, the old 'gas gage' which would show a graph of beginning-to-end, although remaining time counter is useful.
The owners manual is better but still needs help. It does not tell you how to stop the tuner from looking for digital channels if you don't have any( hit return on remote). Also, the auto clock setting takes a long time (up to 15 minutes), even if you know it needs to be on PBS station. Manual also says you cannot program back to back recording times,as unit will not record beginning of later program, it can.
Love the programming conflict notice, very handy! Not sure why the indexing doesn't work all the time, might be old or cheap tapes. Jet search is very swift.
And finally, I'm going to work with tech support a bit longer in getting a machine to do what it's designed to do, record shows for later viewing. When it does record, the picture is very pleasing. Got this machine after extensive research, good reviews and my past experience with Panasonic recorders. Very shocked that I am having this many problems but given it's consistency, I know it's fixable whenever Panasonic steps up. There could be much to like here.
Will try to update later. Hoping that a quick fix will allow this machine to get a better rating, up to about 7-8.Updated
Having used this machine with the guidance of Panasonic tech help (some better then others) and more manual readings, it's now quite a pleasant machine.
I would now rate this machine as an 8-9.
A few hints I've learned:
The timer recorder problem with VHS remains and for some reason is limited by approximatley 2-3 daily recordings even if plenty of tape remains. Pana. tech support duplicated the same results over a ten day period.
Switching to DVD-Ram has been much better since the programming guide will show you if there is enough time to record. Also shows you if there are conflict overlaps, both great features(only on DVD media).
BIG HINT: Be sure that you see the screen warning "turn off machine to use record timer" and then turn it off. If you don't see this screen and turn off the machine, you will more then likely NOT have a recording when you return. Missed a few crucial recordings until I learned.
Have found DVD-Ram the best media to use from a cost and ease of use standpoint. I ordered two boxes of Panasonic disc from Amazon since they are tough to find. They say you can record/erase/record up to 100K times BUT: there will rarely be pixalation and freezes as you use commercial skip. Then you should clean up the disc after viewing your shows by simply reformatting the disc(very easy-but you will lose any saved shows).
I love the 'time slip' feature which allows you to slip fwd/bkwrd 1-120 minutes by simply chosing the minutes not search buttons. Great if you are interupted by a phone call, etc. BTW, this works even if you are recording and viewing at the same time, one of my favorite features.
Beware that once in awhile, at the end of a playback, you will get the dreaded 'lock up' and the warning window will suggest that 'machine has detected what might be a problem with a disc'. You then follow onscreen directions to turn the machine off and back on. Only seems to happen on last second of recording, don't know why??
The editing features of machine are very good and easy to use if you simply read onscreen prompts. A big relief when you are trying to edit out commercials.
I originally got this machine when I assumed I'd want some ties to VHS capabilities and it still makes sense as a transition. I rarely use the tape part of the machine now, and now looking to get the EZ 17 or 27 with just DVD. If this machine last as long as my previous Pana VCR's, I will remain a happy camper and highly suggest it to fellow time shifters.Updated
Having used this machine with the guidance of Panasonic tech help (some better then others) and more manual readings, it's now quite a pleasant machine.
I would now rate this machine as an 8-9.
A few hints I've learned:
The timer recorder problem with VHS remains and for some reason is limited by approximatley 2-3 daily recordings even if plenty of tape remains. Pana. tech support duplicated the same results over a ten day period.
Switching to DVD-Ram has been much better since the programming guide will show you if there is enough time to record. Also shows you if there are conflict overlaps, both great features(only on DVD media).
BIG HINT: Be sure that you see the screen warning "turn off machine to use record timer" and then turn it off. If you don't see this screen and turn off the machine, you will more then likely NOT have a recording when you return. Missed a few crucial recordings until I learned.
Have found DVD-Ram the best media to use from a cost and ease of use standpoint. I ordered two boxes of Panasonic disc from Amazon since they are tough to find. They say you can record/erase/record up to 100K times BUT: there will rarely be pixalation and freezes as you use commercial skip. Then you should clean up the disc after viewing your shows by simply reformatting the disc(very easy-but you will lose any saved shows).
I love the 'time slip' feature which allows you to slip fwd/bkwrd 1-120 minutes by simply chosing the minutes not search buttons. Great if you are interupted by a phone call, etc. BTW, this works even if you are recording and viewing at the same time, one of my favorite features.
Beware that once in awhile, at the end of a playback, you will get the dreaded 'lock up' and the warning window will suggest that 'machine has detected what might be a problem with a disc'. You then follow onscreen directions to turn the machine off and back on. Only seems to happen on last second of recording, don't know why??
The editing features of machine are very good and easy to use if you simply read onscreen prompts. A big relief when you are trying to edit out commercials.
I originally got this machine when I assumed I'd want some ties to VHS capabilities and it still makes sense as a transition. I rarely use the tape part of the machine now, and now looking to get the EZ 17 or 27 with just DVD. If this machine last as long as my previous Pana VCR's, I will remain a happy camper and highly suggest it to fellow time shifters.
