Panasonic DMR-EZ48VK DVD Recorder

Pros: Good manual, lots of options, great up-conversion, remote controls TV too
Cons: Can lock-up occasionally

We don't have cable, satellite, or any other pay-tv service, so when we were looking for DVD recorders, it had to have a tuner. That eliminated about 95% of the models on the market. Of those remaining, the Panasonic had the best reviews, so we picked it ...

Pros: When it works it works great
Cons: Breaks every few months-customer service very frustrating

We have had the DVD/Video player for less than a year and have had returned it to the service center three times for the same type of problem. The DVD jams in the machine and there is no reset button to get it out. Which means I have to call the service ...

Pros: If it actually did work, it would be a nice unit.
Cons: What happened to the quality in Panasonic???

I had purchased a Panasonic DMR-EZ48K Recorder and immediately experienced hardware issues. The first unit would lockup and not respond to commands, to include pressing the reset button, channel reset, and/or power button.
After 1 1/2 months, Panasonic technical support instructed me to return to the store where purchased for a replacement. The second replacement unit had other malfunction issues, to include not reponding to a programmed channel, even though it was in the manual channel list. Mostly lower channels. Couldn't operate copy functions or open DVD disc drawer when this occurred. Panasonic technical support advised to return this unit to the store for a third replacement.
The third replacement malfunctioned immediately by becoming stuck in the "HELLO" display. No other options could be used, even after resetting reset button, power button, and channel reset. Panasonic technical support stated unit was defective and to return unit to store. That's it! No more. Three strikes and your out Panasonic.

Pros: None.
Cons: It doesn't perform simple functions like playing a tape or a DVD consistently.

I purchase the DVD-VHS combo recorder from Panasonic in January and it is an absolute piece of junk.  It went into the shop 2.5 months after we bought it because it wouldn't PLAY a VHS tape.  After having it back a month, the machine frequently locks up on simple functions like trying to eject a DVD.  I complained to both Panasonic and Best Buy and they both pointed the finger at each other and said that there is nothing that they could do after I asked to return it and get my money back.
I will never buy anything from Panasonic again.

Pros: none
Cons: The whole machine is a con!

This machine is a technological nightmare!!! The DVD player requires about 30 seconds to turn on from the time you hit the button to the time you can actually manipulate the machine. I can't tell you how many errors I have receive from this DVD player just from simply turning it on!! Panasonic offers a firmware update that doesn't answer any of the issues that this machine has. I have had countless failures of recording to the DVD because of an error that will freeze the machine. The most common and frequent error is a U99 which is simply, "general communications failure" which Panasonic says is not associated with one specific problem! I don't think the this series of DVD players are doing so hot with this error.......go to Google and type in "Panasonic U99 error" and see how many people have this problem. Waste of money and Panasonic seems to just be letting it go without a fix!

Pros: comes with a cardboard box
Cons: cardboard box is full of junk

It takes about thirty seconds to become operational, it does not respond to general commands immediately, sometimes with a lag, sometimes not at all, it displays windows that are not prompted, it often fails to turn on entirely...

I cannot believe how disgusting is this product, nor the absolute refusal on the part of Best Buy and Panasonic to offer compensation or some type of compromise to their customers.

Do not buy this product. If you insist, try looking for it in a dumpster. If you can't find it, just put an old book on your shelf (preferably one that you've read and have been thoroughly dissappointed by) slide a DVD in there, and turn the page, or better yet just stare at it and try to imagine what the DVD will look like, because the results will inevitably be much better than if you waste your time with this wretched pathetic monstrosity.