Panasonic DMR-EX88 400GB Storage, Upscaling DVD Recorder Reviews

+ Once you get used to the menu system and terminology the unit is quite straight forward to use. Having used the Sky+ PVR then using this panasonic device you just need to find out how to do the same tasks on the new device.
Nice features are in the use of the HDD recorder, series link, automatically files the recordings into sub folders, so things are really easy to find. I would recommend if you want a DVD & HD recorder in one

- Has only got one DVB tuner, would be nice to be able to record 2 things at once, like sky+.
You can however playback while recording, or watch another tv channels, as long as you have initiated the recording from the DMREX88 and not using direct record from your tv. I bought this unit as I opted for the Panasonic TV hoping that they would both work with each other seamlessly.
Once you understand them its ok, the manual is a bit confusing also.
Doesn't record from freesat in HD.

+ large internal HDD (400GB),SD memory card slot + usb port allowing simple image and music data transfer and easy recording of tv programmes from the tv guide, with a few clicks of the remote, recording of single program or series program can be achieved on all freeview channels provided by the internal digital tuner.

- though easy to use, the tv guide is spoilt by the advertising which takes up about one third of the viewable screen area

+ Good functionality, does everything to a high standard. Menus are clear and easy to navigate.

- A little slow during start up and change between media.

+ Ease of use

- Difficult to start playback where you left it

+ to many to mention.

- no eject button on remote.

+ Takes too longt to switch on and load up

- It crashed and had to be reset

+ This recorder has the usual Panasonic user interface which is good and easy to use. Sound and image quality are excellent. High speed dubbing is available to more types of disc, not just DVD RAM. It does exactly what you tell it to do unlike the PVR's on the market, no lock ups no missed programmes no cut off beginnings and time padding works with serial record just to make sure if you are really worried about missing a second of your fav programme. As mentioned, serial recording works very well and extremely easy to set and delete if required. The EPG is updated around four times a day in standby. The machine has a very low standby power setting, but this makes it slow to boot up. On normal standby the start time is very fast and it still only uses a small amount of power in this mode. It's built to Panasonic's usual high standard, nice and solid feeling when in use. Up scaling to 1080p via HDMI works amazingly well With a very well designed remote in the box, this I reckon is one of the best machines on the market. especially as it comes with a one Gig usb memory stick for mp3, picture use or updating the built in Gracenote CD info library which already holds thousands of disc information files.

- One big bad point! The EPG seems to be supplies by the Radio times, no problem with that, but the left hand side of the EPG page is mostly used for BBC publication advertising, so the display of programmes is annoyingly smaller and I think sneeking in advertising like this is oh so cheeky!!! the rest of bad points are really only nit picking, like it doesn't look a million dollars, although it is functional and all the front controls that you may need are there.Two tuners would have been nice, but that would increase the price a fair bit I would guess.

+ Brilliant freeview pictures. Recordings are (at XP and SP) identical to the actual broadcasts. Freeview Playback is on a par with Sky. Even though my plasma TV is only HD ready (705p) the up graded DVDs' playback is noticeable. The ability to edit and title recordings is as good as on previous Panasonic recorders.

- Recorder takes forever to come on from "standby" unlike my previous Panasonic DVD/HDD recorder. Two tuners would have been welcome

+ Its Plug and Play!

- None - It does what it says on the can!

+
Very impressive, high quality product that supports Panasonic's reputation.

- The instructions book is not easily understood by a non-technical elderly person like me,but family help
paved the way.

+ Good quality. Large hard drive.

- Operating instructions - there is so much to take in! You need a long time to become familiar with all the operations.

+ Easy to set up. Easy to learn how to use with good instruction guide. Overall we just love not having to use video tapes anymore. The capacity on the hard drive is more than sufficient and it makes viewing someting previously recorded a complete doddle, I love it!

- It takes a long time to switch on.

+ Ease of Set Up.
Value for Money
Excellent Picture and Sound

- Not the most Attractive of modern TV's

+ Two video sources can be corded; in my the Virgin media via the RGB connection and the satellite via the front panel Y/W/R videao cable.

- Pity it cannot record to a cheap storage device via the USB. or am i missing a trick here ?

+ Easy to install and set-up. Huge HDD capacity

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