Panasonic DMR-E20 DVD Recorder

Pros: Save Home movies on DVD and record your favorite TV shows.
Cons: Output is only 480i and no progressive scan.

The Panasonic DMR-E20 makes it possible to throw away that VHS player. The DVD player is made to play your store bought DVDs, record from its built-in tuner or transfer your camcorder and VHS movies over to a DVD-R or DVD-RAM. It will also play CD, VCD,...

Pros: Excellent picture quality, easy to operate, can replace your VCR
Cons: DVD format may change in future, discs may not play in other DVD players

Why we got it:
My husband and I have hundreds of self-recorded videotapes, some as many as 15+ years old. We've been chomping at the bit to get a DVD recorder so we could start transferring our videotapes to DVD before they disintegrate into...

Pros: Does exactly what it says! More flexibility in recording than what I thought.
Cons: A bit complex to work. Beware of buying the wrong DVD-R!

Anyone who is thinking of buying a DVD Recorder should do lots of research on products and pricing and definitely read up on the differences between DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD-RAM, DVD+R, DVD+RW and god knows how many other platforms there are. I'll just tell...

Pros: Price, functionality, quality, convenience
Cons: difficulty setting recording times

The Panasonic DMR-E20 Recorder is probably one of the best investments that I have made in a long time! This recorder allows me to record everything that I normally would on a VHS tape, except I can do it all on DVD! I purchased it because I do not own ...

Pros: easy to use, outstanding picture quality, three inputs, looks cool
Cons: joystick is a pain (especially when making chapter titles), menus aren't pretty

I purchased my Panasonic DMR-E20 primarily for the purpose of transferring my old home video from Hi ...

Pros: Ease of editingDVD-R play on other players.Record quality.Timeslip,Stereo to PCMdigi.for play on a DigiitalDolbyreceiver.
Cons: RAM comp.Cost of blank discs.Avali.of RAMdiscs.Time it takes to read discs.Finalizing time.Lack of digitalHookups.

The Panasonic DMR-E20 has many features . One touch recording . This is like the "Quick Timer" function that Sony users are familiar with . A Time Base Corrector & the 3D Y/C separation , help in recording analog signals . And since there are no digital...

Pros: If you have money to waste - buy it.
Cons: Have had 2 and Both have Not worked properly.

I have bought Dozens of Panasonic products in the past and until now, I've been very happy with them. The first DMR-E20K I bought would only format 2 out of 16 DVD-Ram Discs, a Panasonic DVD-RAM Disc would Not format either. Panasonic Tech. Supp. was no...

Pros: If you have money to waste - buy it.
Cons: Big time Format & Disk Protect problems.

I'm on my 2nd one of these junk machines. My first recorder would only format 2 out of 16 disks! And yes, 1 of those was a plain non-magazine-type PANASONIC Disc. The 2nd recorder, well, it decides to put on the "Disc Protect Lock" when it feels like it,...

Pros: Saves space, easy to operate, great flexibility.
Cons: DVD-RAM not supported in most DVD players, DVD-R doesn't work in older players.

We've had my Panasonic recorder since June of 2002. It has been a joy. I've copied tons of VHS tapes to DVD RAMs. I can get 14 one hour eps (the eps usually only last about 50 mins without commercials) on one 2 sided DVD RAM. For personal use, I only...

Pros: DVD-R/Ram recording, programmable, plays unfinalized discs recorded on other Panasonics
Cons: Editing isn't frame accurate and sound can be clipped; cartridge Ram discs sometimes get stuck

This was the first of three Panasonic DVD recorders I've purchased, and it has performed well enough that I've had no need to switch to another manufacturer's line. It originally cost $900 at Best Buy. What I like: This unit plays most disc formats ...

Pros: DVD RAM / DIGITAL CONNECTION / RECORD SPEEDS /
Cons: BULKY / NEEDS to BE KEPT VERY CLEAN / DISPLAYS /

The Panasonic DMR-E20 DVD Recorder is a fine piece of equipment but it has its flaws.

Most notably us its VERY bulky. Probably twice the size of your average video recorder. The Next flaw the recorder has is that after numerous records BRAND new DVD-Rs start to be rejected by the machine. The machine states a U-11 error message. (The meaning of this message is that the disk is dusty or heavily scratched) However with the Disk being BRAND new this is impossible. Now you may think I'm a one off but NO there are many cases of this MODEL having the same problem. Clearly the slightest bit of dust on the recorders laser causes the U-11 error message. So the machine must be kept in VERY VERY clean conditions.

The remote for the unit is also quite bulky. And the Joystick can be difficult to use. The units on screen display isn't clear at all regarding any of the recorders functions.

Pros: Ok when worked !!
Cons: Too many flaws !!!! Does not last and work all the time !!!

Do not waste your money yet on a dvd recorder. It would burn disks when it wanted and did not last. A lot of the disks I burned would play for about an hour into the recording and then would freeze up and no longer play and I used verbatim disks. When it recorded correctly the machine was great but had to many flaws compared to the reliability of my VCR for recording. Had it for 1.5 years and it took a big crap. I got a U-11 Error most of the time and half the time it would not record my shows due to disc protection being turned on automatically by the machine itself and then I could not get it turned off, had this problem a lot with RAM disks. I would wait until dvd technology is a little better/perfected before purchasing a dvd recorder. Better than a VCR when working though but that are too many flaws that need to be ironed out with set-top dvd recorders before I would spend the money on one.

Much easier to use than a VCR and much better picture and sound quality. Because you can use the RAM disc over and over without wear, it becomes cheaper than videotape over the long haul. The player appears extremely well made and the instruction manual is excellent. It is very convenient to use because you can watch from any point while you are recording. Note that you can purchase DVD-R discs from Apple for only $5.00(with no shipping charge) as compared to $12.95 anyhwere else. The only drawback is that at the six hour speed, the picture quality is worse than an S-VHS tape. I have converted my favorite videotapes to DVD-R to preserve them and for convenience, since they are much easier to use. The discs can be played on any current DVD player. I am sure that new features will eventually be available and that the prices wiil drop, but at approximately $800, the unit is well worth it.

It is a great product, only it is just a little bit to high of a price for most...normal salary people.

Overall I have been very impressed with the ease of use of this device. Hook up you camcorder press play then record and thats it. I have had problems with viewing regular DVD movies if they go past two hours in length. I receive pixel distoration. If anyone has had the same issues please post a review,,