Editorial Review:Item Description:The Panasonic DMR-ES15K Diga DVD Player and Recorder is a new generation of DVD recorder, for modern home theater. 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 connect multiple components without the mess of wires and remotes that you'd normally face. The DV input and multi-drive recording and playback let you record & play back DVD-Audio & Video, CD audio, CD-DA and MP3/JPEG discs. With its easy operation and versatility, the DMR-ES15K offers you the DVD player and recorder you need to complete your home entertainment center. VCR Refresh Dubbing with advanced DNR Transfers content from a DV camcorder in just one step Auto DVD-R Finalizing DV auto recording and playlist creation Task-oriented GUI menu for easier use and completion of DVDs Simultaneous playback and recording Chasing playback tool allows you to watch the start of a program while you're still recording it 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 Inputs - 2 S-Video, 2 Component, 2 SCART, 2 line in 1 line out, 1 Optical, 1 Component, 1 S-Video, 1 Composite Playable formats - DVD-RAM, -R/RW, +R/RW, DVD Video, VCD CD-R/RW, MP3 CD Recording formats - DVD-RAM, DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW Dolby Digital 2-channel audio recording
Amazon.com Item Description:Record your home movies and your favorite TV programs easily to DVD disc with the Panasonic DMR-ES15S progressive scan recorder/player, which provides ultimate flexibility in recording media options. You can choose write-once DVD+R and DVD-R discs or rewritable DVD-RW/+RW and DVD-RAM discs (the latter being a great choice for temporary storage of recorded material as it can be rewritten more than DVD-RW). It's easy to record TV programming with the built-in analog TV tuner with RF pass-through. In addition to standard DVD movie and CD audio discs and its compatible recordable formats, the DMR-ES15S 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. 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. The full lineup of video and audio connections includes:
- RF Input: 1
- 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
- Digital audio output: 1 optical
Tech Talk 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.
What's in the Box DVD recorder/player, remote control (with batteries), AV cable, RF cable, power cord, one DVD-RAM disc, printed operating instructions
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:

Rating: 
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* Excellent Product ...
The DVD Recorder is easy to operate, lost of input options. Hardly likely that your deveice will be unable to connect. If you want a nice easy to operate efficeint DVD Recorder, this is the one.
Rating: 
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* It was ok but not what I was told. ...
In the adv. I was told it had tv guide.It did not.
Rating: 
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* Very pleased with recorder. ...
I've owned the recorder for 2 weeks and have burned 30 or so dvds. There were no errors in burning. I've not had any compatibility issues. I tested the dvds on my Macbook and a Sony dvd player. I've also made several copies of burned dvds using Toast Titanium on my Macbook. Again, I experienced no problems.
I've been researching recorders for several years and finally decided to purchase one. In the past I would read glowing reviews of X recorderer only to find that the recorder was perpetually out of stock or discontinued.
I'm quite pleased with this purchase. I was not looking for a lot of bells and whistles, only quality burning and reliability. I've connected the machine to a VCR (for transfering old VHS tapes) and to my Verizon FiOS box for cable broadcasts. No problems.
If you're looking for dvr qualities like scheduled recording (see TiVO) beware if you're using a cable box like Verizon FiOS. The recorder will capture video at a scheduled time but I could not get the recorder to change the cable box channel. So, like with VCRs, you'll have to have your cable set to the channel you want to record.
If you us a DVD-RAM you have many more editing options available on the recorder. I have not and do not intend on using DVD-RAM, so I've not been able to verify/review the extra editing options, like specific chapter making in the video. I simply edit using the PAUSE button. It works for me. I have a quick reaction time, lol.
I'd recommed that anyone interested in this machine visit the Panasonic website. You can download the manual for the product. Read through the options available to each media, i.e. DVD-RAM, DVD+R, DVD-R, etc.
Finally, I could not recommend more highly the media that I'm using. Taiyo Yuden DVDs are the best in the industry. It's what the professionals use. Given that I'm transferring 20 year old VHS tapes and subsequently throwing the VHS away I want to be sure that the DVD media will stand up over time. Supermediastore and Rima (online retailers) are suppliers of authentic Taiyo Yudens. Beware - there are fake Taiyo Yudens out there. I'd recommend reading about this brand of dvd media. I've made over 30 dvds and have not made a single "coaster" (dud).
In conclusion. If you're looking for a reliable, entry level recorder think about this model.
Rating: 
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* Some things to note : ...
- Remote does not have direct buttons for changing subtitles/audio/angle etc. So yes I would agree with the reviewer who said that this unit was not creating for PLAYBACK.
- Most important thing, it DOES NOT have TV GUIDE, as advertised by Amazon. TV GUIDE functionality, according to panasonic, is available on Harddisk based DVR models.
- The menus that appear on the screen, its like working on an old PC with MS-DOS operating system, its not a great experience.
- Since I bought this only to transfer DV tapes etc I am rating it at 4. And also because of its low cost and good quality DVDs generated.
Rating: 
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* Excelent!!! ...
Trabaja solo con dvds pero lo hace de manera excelente sobre todo me gusto la parte de edicion del dvd en el propio equipo
Ingeniero, Cesar Perez Maracay, Venezuela