Panasonic DMR-EZ48VK user reviews

Pros I have owned two of these models and they did everything that i wanted

Cons Both units died very quickly. One died the first week after warranty and the second died five weeks after first powered up. Both were identical failures. The unit would cycle from on to off and back to on continousily.t.

Summary I loved the model before failures, but to get it repaired takes much trouble and time. I have now waited two weeks for the paperwork needed to return the last model for repair. The time loss of using this model will be substancial.
Panasonic has always been a reliable product and I have use it for years. I would guess that like Toyato, their fine quality has begin to slip.
I would hesitate in buying another Panasonic product at this time.

Pros Set up was somewhat easy

Cons Digital tuning slow, moving up and down channels, unit would jump to wrong station then correct itself. No electronic program guide I could find. Gave up finding close captioning (I am deaf) button. Too flaky so returned it to store next day.

Summary Bought this unit wih high expectations to replace broken VCR, based on Pansonic name. Remote requires scrutny to figure out whats what. Found all local stations but when changing channels, screen blanks or freezes, then jumps to new channel or wrong channel then corrects self. Manually entering channel on remote is a pain, have to time your presses else it won't go to right channel or goes to a dead channel.

Panasonic helpline is what you would expect, someone reading off their screen. Should have googled this site first and saved myself aggravation. Although some people claim stellar performance and others probably can't say what they really think on this board. Finally after alot of #$%^&*() words, I gave up and returned the unit to the store for full refund.

So save your money and temper. I am sure my dumb basett hound could have designed this combo unit better. And I think I will bypass Panasonic equipment the next time around.

Pros Great features, but they don't work most of the time.

Cons Very buggy, forgets to record programmed events, very slow to activate, locks up and needs constant re-booting, inconsistant operations, difficult owner's manual, too much VHS audio static and jumpy picture.

Summary The Panasonic DMR-EZ48VK is so full of bugs that you only have about a 30% chance of it operating the first time, it's so slow to operate and you have to be very patient, it's hard to tell if it's "thinking" or if you have a command error. The programmed schedule forgets to record over half the time for no reason, very unreliable. It locks up constantly, doesn't always recognize commands. Too many menus, lacking many key remote buttons, poor owners manual and very difficult to digest, and its not very intuitive to operate. I can't record most of my VHS to DVD since the picture is jumpy and there's audio static. When it does work - recording directly from cable to DVD the results are great, but its a big "if" that it'll operate in time, or turn on for scheduled events, it's very unreliable. Read other reviews on the web, 3/4's of them report the exact same problems, I wish I had before I bought it, I'm seriously considering returning it for a refund. The Panasonic DMR-EZ48VK is so full of bugs its in-excusable, this could be a great product but its far too un-reliable, and I understand it has a life expectancy of less then a year.

Updated on Jun 2, 2010

I think I didn't have this machine quite figured out when I posted my review, I wish I could delete it, I have no problems now, it is working flawlessly. I think most of the DMR-EZ48VK's problem is the learning curve is quite high, it takes a bit to learn how to operate it, and it does so much, so there's a lot to remember, if you don't have it figured out, you're going to be frustrated and have failed recordings, but its due to user error. The only problem I have with it now is the clock loses time, about a minute per week. My original review was unduly influenced by other reader's reviews, I would now give it a 4 star rating. I'm happy with it, and glad I bought it.
Cats

Updated on Jun 9, 2013

Update - a major malfunction occurred less then a year after purchase, Panasonic replaced it, now about 2 years later this one has malfunctioned as well, guess I'm ass out now. It did work great, but it sure should last longer than 2 years.

Pros Where are there any?

Cons Afraid to turn on my Mitsubisih (software driven) HDTV with it hooked up to it. Evervrything goes haywire!

Summary Don't waste your money like I did!!!