Editorial Review:Item Description:Panasonic DMRHS2 is a state-of-the-art DVD video recorder with built-in hard disk. It combines a nifty design and a high functionality with the comfort you need. DMRHS2 features auto renewal recording, relief recording, Time Slip - simultaneous record and playback, chasing playback, and more.
Amazon.com: Talk about 'all in one'--the Panasonic DMR-HS2 is not only a full-featured progressive-scan DVD
player that handles DVDs, CDs, and JPEG-filled recordable discs; it's also a DVD
recorder that happens to store more than two days' worth of audio/video programming on its built-in memory. The DMR-HS2's 40 GB hard drive provides up to 52 hours of recording time, plus the unit can record up to 12 hours on a 9.4 GB double-sided DVD-RAM disc and six hours on a DVD-R (in Extended Play mode in both cases).
The DMR-HS2 offers the flexibility of recording on both DVD-RAM--perfect for instant chapter access and for multiple rerecordings--as well as DVD-R, widely regarded as the most widely compatible of the many DVD formats (great for sharing camcorder footage with loved ones).
Panasonic's Time Slip feature lets you use your DVD recorder like a personal video recorder, or PVR. Because of DVD-RAM's extremely fast transfer rate, you can view the recorded portion of an ongoing program from the beginning, while still recording the program in progress. You can even replay a scene recorded 30 seconds earlier without disrupting the recording process, simply by touching a button on the remote. Using Auto Renewal Recording, the deck will automatically record favorite show every day or every week right onto the hard disk.
In addition to recording new video content, the DMR-HS2 lets you transfer favorite VHS recordings to durable, space-saving discs. You can easily archive, preserve, catalog, and access your movie libraries and family videos. Picture-enhancing technologies include 3D noise reduction, block noise reduction, and mosquito noise reduction. Store and view digital still photos through the built-in memory card slot, compatible with standard PC Card, SD Memory Card, CompactFlash Card, MultiMedia Card, Smart Media Card, and Memory Stick.
The recorder's DV input terminal and IEEE cable allow recording of digital images directly from a digital camcorder onto either a DVD-RAM or DVD-R. To simplify video editing, a feature called DV Automatic Recording automatically creates a playlist consisting of still images representing a sequence of scenes. High-speed recording from the hard disk to a DVD-RAM disc occurs at the touch of a button, give you up to 12x speed in the EP mode at its quickest--that is, it will burn a one-hour program in just 5 minutes. You may also record from a DVD-RAM disc to the hard drive.
When you've programmed a recording for a DVD-RAM or DVD-R disc, the relief recording feature automatically checks to see if there's enough disc space remaining to complete the recording. If there isn't, the unit will record the program onto the hard disk to assure that it gets recorded in its entirety (provided there's sufficient hard-disk space available).
With the Direct Navigator you can instantly access recorded material from an onscreen menu that lists recording dates, times, channels, and titles. Finding and viewing recorded material is simple because there's no need to search, fast-forward, or rewind.
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
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* HS2 beats VHS anyday ...
I just bought the Panasonic DMR-HS2 and my VCR will soon see the dumpster. If you aren�t up to speed on DVD-RAM technology and recordable DVD, then you should get to an electronics store and test drive the HS2. First of all, since these units are digital and have hard drives (same as your PC), you can record video or TV shows to the hard drive (40GB) and then burn a DVD-R copy for your friend who has a DVD player. So that�s something that single-cassette VHS machines couldn�t do at all. Also, I can plug my digital still or video camera SD card into the HS2 and edit my pictures into a video that I just shot. RAM DISKS can also be re-recorded I think like a 100,000 times or something. But the advantage of the RAM disc is that it allows you to store video, audio and photos. Then with the hard drive you can back all that stuff up onto the drive and edit your own videos, since this thing also has great editing features.
And like TIVO (which I love, but see that with machines like TIVO won�t be around much longer) you can record TV shows to the hard drive using VCR Plus codes or by setting the schedule yourself, even a month in advance. So I would check one of these out, there great fun and you�ll be happy you broke-up with your VCR.
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* Saves high quality of digital camcorder recordings to DVD ...
After purchasing the recorder/player at Best Buy for $999.99 plus 7% tax, I hooked it up easily and was able to figure out the functions fairly easily. I am technically inclined, though.
I bought the recorder to transfer video from my digital camcorder via DV cable, also called FireWire or IEEE 1394. The transfer from my Sony DCR-TRV130 is flawless.
I transferred video from my camcorder to the hard disk. I edited the video, divided it into programs, and recorded it to a DVD-Video disk, which can play on any DVD player. I've had positive comments from people who've tried it on different systems. The quality is great!
A bonus with the system is recording a satellite signal (or any incoming TV signal, for that matter). I use a gold-plated S-video cable to get the best transmission from satellite receiver to the recorder. I have another s-video cable from the recorder to my TV. I'm ecstatic about the quality and the ability to record and play at the same time. In that way, it's similar to TIVO.
For me, there's plenty of space to record on the hard drive. Over 8 hours is plenty for me for 'working storage', and reused space for recording all programs nightly.
I am considering the 3 year 'warranty' provided through Panasonic. That's above and beyond the 1 year standard warranty. I'm not Mr. Big Bucks, and losing $1,000 plus tax if it fails after the one year standard warranty would be heartbreaking, even though Panasonic does have a good overall reputation in terms of reliability.
There are improvements that could be made, but for my needs, it is an excellent fit. There are not component video inputs. I don't have component video out on my satellite receiver, so I could care less. It dubs to DVD-video at real time, which to some people could be seen as too slow. I don't mind. I'm not churning out DVD's by the hundreds. It *does* have component video out, which is great for people who want to take advantage of that feature on the great new televisions coming out. The menus it creates when you create DVD-video are limited, but they are sufficient for any amateur. Your friends will be thrilled to receive a DVD from your which you created on this machine.
It is pricy, but it's like TIVO without the ridiculous monthly fee. It doesn't do some features of TIVO, like choosing what programs to record for you based on what you like. Big deal. I can choose for myself. I like lots of controls and freedom to choose explicitly. It's fine for that.
Rating: -
* The VHS of the 21st century ...
I had two units now for about 3 weeks and I rate them excellent. The unit performs as well as it looks. The recording quality is very good in SP mode (2 hr. per DVD)and quite decent for LP and EP. programming is easy once you overcome the initial "features overload". (in any case if you are one of those whose VCR blinks 12:00 this unit is not for you). I love the ability of watching the beginning of a show while the unit is recording the end of it, also the background recording in the hard disk while I watch a DVD. Get one, you will not regret it!
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* Awesome machine, if you know how to hook it up ...
We love the DMR-HS2. We split the cable wire and can now watch TV using the DMR-HS2 without the cable box, and if we put the DMR on it's channel L1, we can watch using the cable box. I can turn the DMR off entirely and just use just the TV or the cable box, plus the TV. I can watch a saved program while another is recording or watch another live program, by switching my connection to TV only, while the DMR records a program. The possibilities are endless. And we use our Picture in picture feature fine. We have no complaints.
We figured out that if we close each DVD-R we record into DVD-Video, we can play it anywhere. We have a DVD player in the car for the kids. We made a DVD of 6 hours of Nick Jr. programming WITH a Menu listing all of the programs. They love it! We love this machine!
Rating: 
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* Hopeless.... ...
I bought this unit in November. It broke down after one day, when it locked up reading a disc. It took three weeks to get the replacement. It worked (brilliantly) for three weeks. It locked up again after inserting a disc. This time I had to take it to a "factory authorized" service center, which has had it for five weeks. Panasonic apparently has no repair manuals written yet for this unit and are not easily able to supply replacement parts. Calling Panasonic is hopeless -- I got three days worth of busy signals before I got through. Once I got through, they were vague, evasive, and unhelpful. As of today, it sits in repair shop limbo, with no sign of being repaired, replaced, or returned. Recommendation? Buy this only if you have money to burn and do not have the patience to wait until the bugs are worked out!
