Editorial Review:

Item Description:
Progressive Scan DVD Recorder with Built-In VCR - DMRES30VS / PANDMRES30VSProgressive Scan DVD Recorder with Built-In VCRRecords to DVD-RAM/-R/-RW/+R.

Amazon.com Item Description:
For ultimate recording and playback quality and versatility, look no further than Panasonic's DMR-ES30VS combination DVD player/recorder and 4-head/hi-fi VCR. The space-saving combo device offers the flexibility of recording on both DVD-RAM--ideal for instant chapter access and for multiple rerecordings--as well as DVD-R, DVD+R, and rewritable DVD-RW for full flexibility in recording and sharing your favorite programs (you can tailor your choice of format to the playback capabilities of your friends and family).

With the DMR-ES30VS you can digitally record superb picture and sound--up to 8 hours on a single-sided DVD-RAM or DVD-R/RW or DVD+R, thanks to Panasonic's original VBR (variable bit rate) technology. (Rewriteable DVD-RAM discs can be rewritten over 100,000 times and offer 4.7 to 9.6 gigabytes per disc.)

The company's Time Slip feature lets the DVD recorder be used like a digital video recorder, or DVR. You sit down to watch this week's episode of your favorite show and realize that you never got around to watching your recording of last week's episode. Not a problem with Panasonic's Time Slip feature, which includes the ability to perform simultaneous recording and playback. Select this week's episode in the electronic program guide (EPG), start recording, and as it records you can watch your recording of last week's episode.

In addition to recording new video content, the DMR-ES30VS lets you transfer favorite VHS recordings to durable, space-saving discs. The Direct Navigator instantly accesses recorded material from an onscreen menu that lists recording dates, times, channels, and titles. Finding and viewing recorded material are simple, because there's no need to search, fast-forward, or rewind. And, with one-touch 2-way transferring, you can dub a VHS tape to DVD by pushing a single button or vice-versa (so long as the disc isn't copy protected).

One-touch DVD recording will save your favorite programs from accidental overwriting by automatically scanning the disc for blank space before starting the recording process. No more worries that your favorite sitcom's season finale will be overwritten by a family member's Sunday fishing show.

As a player, the DMR-ES30VS offers a progressive-scan video output for optimal picture quality when viewing a DVD movie on a high-definition or HD-ready TV. Progressive scanning doubles the scan lines of an interlaced signal by scanning all 525 lines in 1/60 of a second for each full pass. The higher-density video signal creates film-like DVD images with rich detail, extraordinary depth of field, and precise color reproduction.

VCR features include quasi S-VHS playback (plays Super-VHS tapes at standard-VHS resolution), Jet Search super-fast playback scanning, Jet Rewind, repeat play, and long-recording ability (10 hours to 1 VHS T-180 cassette). VCR Plus+ simplifies advanced programming. You can also record a TV program to VHS while you play or record something else on DVD.

What's in the Box
DVD/VCR combo, a remote control, remote batteries, a user's manual, an AC power cord, a coaxial RF video cable, a stereo analog audio/composite-video cable (RCA), and a warranty/registration card.

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Rating: - * Highly Recommended ... This DVD Recorder has greatly exceeded my expectations. I have only had it for about a month, but I love it! Everything I have tried to do has been fairly easy to figure out, and the menus are helpful and easy to navigate. It improved the video quality of our home videos when I transferred them to DVD. So far I have nothing to complain about with this unit. I would buy it again. Rating: - * Wee worth the money ... I purchased this mainly to transfer home VCR tapes to DVD. The step by step instructions can be a bit confusing and need to be followed. "It does an excellent job." One drawback - You HAVE to read the manual thoroughly. Rating: - * Excellent All Around DVD/VHS Recorder ... I've had my Panasonic DMR 30VS recorder for over a year now, and I'm very satisfied with all of the recordings I've made off of my satellite (Dish) network. Dubbing my old VHS tapes to disk has been satisfactory too. I'm no techie, and maybe my learning curve was longer than most peoples, but I feel that once you get comfortable with the unit it will do everything you ask it to do. It may not be the quickest or the slickest, or the pricest, but it gets the job done nicely. (For me.) This unit makes my 4th Panasonic product. (2VCRs and 1 CRT TV.) I'm buying a new Panasonic HD (LCD) TV next year. IMO they make a great product. Rating: - * Dissapointed ... This thing works well, if you use Panasonic friendly disks (-r,-rw,-ram). I've been able to record TV shows and replay them just fine. The software does the job, which is really the only perk of this DVD recorder. This DVD recorder burns in some proprietary format, so your disks (-r,-rw) cannot be played on other DVD players (including computer DVD players). The lack of compatibility with other disk types and DVD players makes this DVD Recorder a bust. If there is something else available, go for it. I guess I'll try to unload it on eBay! Rating: - * A machine that does a good job ... I purchased this machine to replace my Go Video DVD Vhs recorder which gave me problems from day one. This machine does beautiful copying on tape or dvd disc, and also is wonderful for transferring one to another. It uses several types of disc, which is convenient to the "electronically gifted". The machine has just a few flaws though, for one thing the instruction manuel is one of the most CONFUSING things I have ever read. Also, when transferring from tape to disc, you cannot edit by pausing. The remote control is like most, it has almost too many buttons too close to each other. But this machine DOES make beautiful copies on all speeds,and does not freeze up or distort sound like the Go Video. To finish, if panasonic were to ask me what they could do to improve it, I would only have a few suggestions, all which would just make it EASIER, Not more complex!