Panasonic DMR-EX97EB-K DVD Recorder with Freeview HD, Black

Excellent machine, near perfect. One minor niggle is that the surprising good series record feature does not cope perfectly with episodes that are transmitted back-to-back... it records the first, and then looks at the schedule to find the next episode which started a few seconds earlier and so you miss the first 10 seconds or so (for broadcasts that start exactly on time). You can of course do a manual recording of the pair, or a single recording of each (it will record two programmes simultaneously), but you have to remember to set it up again every week. You can copy recorded programmes to a DVD, but only those recorded off air. It will play external HDDs or flash memory sticks recorded off other set top boxes, but it won't allow them to be transferred to DVD. Copying to DVD takes about as long as the original programme, but you have to remember that whilst doing this it will not record anything, so you might miss a recording (it's OK once the DVD is written, you don't have to do anything for it to continue recording as normal). The first time I did this, it found and recorded a repeat episode automatically, but the second time, it completed the DVD part way through the episode set for recording, and it just recorded the last half. Things I like about it... You can edit a programme title (I use this to add the episode number to the title); it groups all episodes of a series in one "folder"; you can manually group episodes too; it will record radio programmes (I recently set it up to record 12 hours, and it split it into an 8 hour and a 4 hour file - I haven't tried a long TV recording yet); The remote has buttons for controlling my (Sony) TV (on/off, volume, channel and source); It is very easy to set up a recording from the epg screen (and it checks for HD and series options).

I bought this to replace an earlier Panasonic DVD recorder which failed. I can play back all the discs recorded earlier, including ones not finalised. As others have noted, you can't record from an external device onto DVD as there are no suitable inputs. There are quite a lot of copy operations which it won't let you do. (My old Panasonic had about four times as many sockets, and could copy from the inputs to DVD.) The only sockets are: Back Figure-of-eight socket for the mains cable RF in and out (RF link cable for TV provided) HDMI (2 metre cable provided) Ethernet - only of use to update the firmware over the Internet AFAIK Front USB 2.0 This is useful to transfer files to the HDD from a USB stick or USB HDD. You can also 'register' the HDD with the box, enabling you to extend the internal HDD space, but, since you have to leave the front flap down, this is rather inconvenient. Files copied from USB to the HDD can't be burnt to DVD, apart from some camcorder files (AVCD format), and those may not be playable on other DVD players. The manual is rather 'techy' which has the advantage that all the functionality is covered, but it's rather difficult to understand. The PVR functionality is excellent, with two tuners supporting Freeview HD. Programmes can be edited to remove the adverts and then burnt to DVD. There are "manual skip" buttons, forward 60 seconds and back 10 seconds to skip adverts of recordings, but response is very slow, as is returning to play from pause.

It works perfectly. I had to get an expert to show me how to work it as the instructions are oblique but it is excellent.

I purchased this machine a few months ago to replace an old Toshiba that had died after some 15 years. It's very similar to Panasonic's standard HDD recorder (which I also have) but with the DVD recorder/playback facility. So I had an advantage, so to speak, of familiarity with their functions. I would echo what others say here-don't worry too much about the incredibly complicated handbook-just start using the thing! As regards the DVD recording facility, I merely went onto the internet and found some simple instructions there and printed off the page for reference. But, after a relatively short time, I found the process quite intuitive and idiot-free (and I'm late '70s!). Some reviewers have made negative comments about the need to HDD record programmes first before they can be DVD recorded. I would disagree. I find the fact that the programme is there recorded ready on the HDD is very helpful and avoids all the stress of "live" DVD recording. And one can also select more than one item from the List facility and then the machine merrily transfers them onto the DVD disc. This is very useful, for example, when recording episodes of a TV series. Another comment...the old Toshiba DVD recorder required you to "finalise" discs after the recording had been made-a long process fraught sometimes with drama. The Panasonic asks you before you start recording whether finalisation is required, and then finalises at the same time-brilliant! I love the machine-if it lasts another 10 to 15 years, I'll be happy!

Excellent dvd 📀 freeview recorder panasonic great fast delivery and price 👍

I purchased this item approximately 6 weeks ago. It was easy to set up. I especially appreciated the ability to re number the channels and to position them in the tv guide, to suit my personal preferences. The operation for recording and viewing tv programmes is easy to understand and straightforward to use. The recorded picture quality is excellent, even on the Standard Definition channels. Both HD and SD recordings are the best I have ever come across. If, for any reason, you want to save or create more hard drive space you can convert any or all of your recordings to a variety of lower quality options in either HD or SD. Most of them are either very good or acceptable. The ability to connect via USB is really useful. You can connect an external hard drive for greater recording space, or you can use it to copy your favourite videos, music or photos, making these items instantly available whenever you want them. All in all a superb machine. I could not give it 5 stars even though I believe I have got excellent value for money from my purchase. Why? From my perspective, the time lag between pressing a remote button and something happening on screen, is longer than it should be. For me however, the pros far out way the cons and I can honestly say I am delighted with my purchase.

How the world has changed since VHS VCRs were all the range, you can now have 10 days holiday and record every episode of countdown, all the scheduled tv events featuring your favourite team, every last second of the latest celebrity/pro/am dancing underwater whilst eating a kangaroo's unmentionables nonsense, and even record 2 programmes at once. Of course there are now other ways of watching and or recording this drivel, you may even watch them as broadcast on your 'phone while sitting on the beach giving yourself skin cancer. This device is so simple to use even I can manage it, it enables you to back up your recordings either on 2gb hard drives (up to 8 of them) or optical discs to the point where you'll have a library of stuff you'll never have time to watch. What a shame the broadcasters keep turning out the same old dross and there's very little actually worth watching let alone recording.

The manual does not match up to the on screen menus. I cannot access various recordings as a parental guidance sign appears despite me not setting this up. It asks for a PIN. Despite me changing the PIN it doesn't recognise it so I'm locked out. Oh, and I have waved bye bye to Channel 56 which it does not recognise either. There also appears to be a large number of functions I'll never need. Why would I want to copy anything to disc? And no, not a single online help forum can solve it. Useless piece of crap. I am delighted to add more. Virtually every time I turn it on it tells me it's found new channels. I've been daft enough to retune a few times. On every occasion it has LOST several channels...including at one stage BBC1! It regularly records not from the start of a programme or loses the end. It switches itself off halfway through recordings, but the piece de resistance was last night when it actually taped the same programme...twice! Oh, and if you try to record a repeated programme on the same day it insists on recording it at the earlier time even if that scheduled programme is halfway through. Tune in in a few weeks time when I find even more new quirks. You never know it might toast waffles...