Panasonic DMR-EZ485VK DVD Recorder / VCR Combo

Pros: Nice set of features... if you can get them to work. Not worth the effort.
Cons: Impossible to use. Buggy. Freezes/crashes like the worst computer you've ever had.

After wasting an entire weekend trying to get this product to work, I finally gave up. Panasonic's help line had no advice except to send a brand new unit to a repair center in a neighboring state. I've had many Panasonic products in the past and was ...

Pros: A lot is offered, e.g. digital tuner, DVD recording, VHS recording*, SD card reader.
Cons: *Cannot record digital broadcasts via the digital tuner onto the VCR. 

Based on my experience, and seeing what others have written, this product is a lemon, and that's why so many are being offered in the "refurbished" condition. I bought mine at http://www.refurbdepot.com, and luckily did buy the extended warranty because ...

Pros: It look good.
Cons: Save your money or buy local.

Very disappointing. Panasonic was once my favorite brand name and now they are just another manufacturer of crap. Overstock, where I bought the unit from, has more caveats in their warranty than a politician has bs in his/her repertoire.1. The ...

Pros: Many cool advertised features.
Cons: Tempermental
Eventually ruins discs
Manual can be confusing for certain tasks

We bought this at Costco for what we thought was a worthwhile price.  This product isn't worth the cost no matter what.  We were looking for a DVD recorder to use after the digital switch since we get our TV via antenna.  The TVs receive ...

Pros: Reasonable set of features, good connections, digital ATSC turner.
Cons: Does not record broadcast TV to VHS tapes, inept customer service.

The product (Panasonic DMR-EZ485V DVDR/VCR) is a good product, reasonable set of features, but misleading on capability descriptions. Purchased unit due to change-over to digital TV.  However, the VCR cannot record the digital TV broadcast - this lack of recording capability is well hidden in the manual and not mentioned in the specs on the box.  So a minor paradigm shift to recording to DVD discs and the DVD-RAM is promoted throughout the manual.  Panasonic even offers a discount for purchasing DVD media on-line at their web site.  Attempted to purchase after registering product and joining their "shopping club".  First, very limited types of DVD-RAM available on-line and second, the discount code not valid.  Sent a note to customer service and 3 days later a reply referred me to calling the direct shopping line. Finally reached someone who knew what I was talking about and she indicated that Panasonic Direct was out of inventory and not accepting orders and could not help with the discount code.  Frustrating and a waste of time.  Buy this product only if you can handle recording TV broadcasts DVD disks.  

Pros: I have some older Panasonic recorders (no digital tuner) that work fine.
Cons: I agree with other reviews I have read - the DMR EZ48/485V is a LEMON!

This machine works pretty good for me - while it is working!  But it freezes just too often - for no reason that I can see.

The first one I bought went right back to the dealer for a refund.

Set #2 was also defective so sent it to Panasonic for repair  (owner pays the freight!) 

 Now the surprise, after paying $300 for a brand new unit with a one year warranty, that warranty provides for you to have it  "repaired"  by replacing it with a "rebuilt" (in Mexico) unit -- with a 90 day warranty!!

That rebuilt one was no different about freezing every other day, so exchanged it again.  I now have the 4th unit, have paid out $45 for shipping, this last one is still not working properly and they don't reply to my e-mails any more.