Almost a winner...
Written: Dec 25 '02 (Updated Dec 27 '02)
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Pros: Features, hard drive recording, recording quality
Cons: Haven't found a DVD player yet that will play DVDs recorded on the HS2.
The Bottom Line: Looks good, sounds good but recordings can only be viewed on the HS-2. Pass on this line of recorders from Panasonic. Panasonic customer support is non-existent.
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| jimintexas's Full Review: Panasonic DMR-HS2 (40 GB) DVD Recorder |
I had high hopes for the HS2. I planned to move old VHS tapes of family, vacations, school events, etc... to DVD and be able to share them with family. While the recording quality is excellent, the resulting DVD can only be viewed on the HS-2. I have tried viewing DVDs recorded on the HS-s in other players at home, in DVD players in PCs, in neighbors DVD players and computers at work (new Dells) and have yet to find a machine that will play these DVDs. I have tried a variety of blank DVD discs from various manufacturers including Panasonic to no avail.
On the positive side, the hard disc is a great feature and the quality is very good. Perhaps the two best features are the delayed viewing (start recording a 2 hour program say at 7:00pm, arrive home at 8:00pm and start viewing the program from the beginning while the program continues to be recorded through the end) and being able to record a different channel while watching another previously recorded program on the HS-2.
So bottom line for me is, if you are going to make DVDs recordings and distribute them, store them for future use, or watch them on other DVD players you own, the HS2 (and the other Panasonic models in this class) isn't for you. My guess is that only a select number of Panasonic DVD players can actually play DVDs made on the HS-2. Don't destroy old VHS tapes/digital tapes that you have made DVDs from on the HS-2. You will still need them if your HS-2 breaks or you want your family and friends to view your recordings outside your home.
As a side note, numerous emails to Panasonic's customer service people have not generated a response. I have emailed them 3 times beginning on November 14 and have yet to receive a response. Keep this in mind as well if you need service or help later when you have purchased the HS-2.
Unfortunately there are not many options for DVD recording yet (Philips has the only other machine available and it is more costly, has less features and is not reliable based on my research) If I were shopping now, I would wait for more alternatives and more flexible recorders to become available.
Recommended:
No
Amount Paid (US$): 745
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Epinions.com ID:
jimintexas
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Reviews written: 2
Trusted by: 1 member
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