Another excellent Panasonic recorder
Written: Jun 02 '05
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Pros: DVD-R/Ram and Hard Drive recording, backward compatible with previous models
Cons: Cartridge discs can get stuck, occasional (but avoidable) software glitch, re-encodes some recordings
The Bottom Line: Not the most current model, but still a good choice for most A/V systems.
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| lowbill's Full Review: Panasonic DMR-HS2 (40 GB) DVD Recorder |
I purchased the HS2 at Best Buy for about $900. This is the second of my three Panasonic recorders and was bought as an upgrade to the E20.
What I like:
Since this unit has a hard drive it's possible to edit programs before saving them to disc -- something not possible with DVD-R's on the E20. The remote works at a wider range than the E20's, and compared to the E20 this system is fairly small. Recording quailty is quite good. Plays most dics formats and records on DVD-R/Ram.
What I dislike:
As with my other two Panasonic recorders, the HS2 has a tendency for cartridge Ram discs to get stuck -- and there's no manual eject. If a disc does get lodged in the drive you must have the unit profesionally serviced. This has happened to me often enough that I've just quit using the cartrige discs (quite a loss for me, as I purchased almost 40 of them for use with a computer I no longer own.)
The editing isn't frame accurate and tends to clip the sound at edit points. Not unsurmountable, but annoying.
When dubbing from HD to disc, the program is re-encoded when dubbing to DVD-R -- but not to Ram discs. In other words, is you save to a permanent media you lose a generation of quality.
A quirk:
I don't know if this is just my unit or the entire production line, but I lose the ability to schedule programs if I stop a scheduled program from recording.
For example, I schedule Smallville to record but halfway through I change my mind. I cancel the recording normally and then try to schedule something else. The software lets me enter the times but won't complete the process. Even Panasonic didn't know why this happens, but the effect lasts a week then goes away.
In short:
This is a very good recorder with a couple of minor quirks. It would make a good addition to a home audio/video system.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 900.00
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Epinions.com ID:
lowbill
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Reviews written: 14
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