Panasonic DMR-EZ47 Integrated VCR, Upscaling DVD Recorder Reviews

+ Excellent DVD/VCR combination. Reviews over the years have suggested that separate DVD and VCR machines would offer substantially better quality. I do not have their e.g 'Which?' experience but I can say that I am highly delighted with the quality of this machine and the range of options.

- A niggling rather than a 'bad' point. Maybe it's me but I do have trouble stopping the machine when transferring material from VCR to DVD ( to avoid commercials). The 'stop' or 'return' buttons are used as directed in the guide BUT take much more than 3-5 seconds to respond.
It would be helpful to be able to view a DVD/ freeview programme whilst using say AT2 for a cable ( Virgin Media ) recording.

+ Combined video and DVD recorder.
Menus are easy to follow.
Links easily with satelite dish.
Bought primarily to record valued programmes to disk.
HDMI function

- Not fault with recorder but because Hebden Bridge cannot, as yet receive freeview signal, can't get full value from listings function. If it did would have to give it 110%
Hard disk not included but for the price at time of purchase excellent value.

+ Ease of operation in all aspects.

- None

+ Goodlooking peice of equipment, high qulaity images from both VCR and DVD images, great upscaling via HDMI, easy to operate, removes need for separates furutre proofed

- heating odour from fan at rear into surrounding area, lack of ability to go to standby following inacitvity of unit i.e if left unattended without being switched off

+ Ease of use is its salient factor. The ability to change well loved VHS tapes to another format is, to my mind,
one of its most "buyable" factor and is greatly welcomed.

- None in particular apart from the fact that an ability to eject from the handset would be greatly welcomed

+ contains TV, digital TV, video and DVD. This minimised thenumber of machines and boxes that used to litter our lounge.

- Found the handset quite complicated to use at first, but are now gitting the hang of it - perhaps we ought to refer to the handbook a little more!

+ Easy to set up fully automatic and can play both PAL and american/canadian formats

- NONE

+ Quiet running, looks good,

- Instruction manual too complicated - will only ever use 10% of the various settings, had initial problems with the software when I first connected to an older panasonic TV. Disappointed that unable to use video plus numbering system which we have on another DVD recorder!

+ Easy to record programmes (to either DVD or video).
Can record with subtitles

- A bit bulky and heavy - about same size as an old VCR but heavier.

+ great value for money

- none

+ Clear picture, good sound, looks good, black finish so much nicer than grey.

- Cannot record a program unless watching that channel! Can't record a program whilst watching another channel. A big drawback.

+ Recording from DVD to tape and vice-versa is very good and that was my main reason for buying the machine

- Cannot ejct DVD by the remote. Have to go to the machine itself. Also takes quite a time to read before being able to record to DVD. On previous machines have been able to come to the machine on switch on and record immediately to tape or DVD.

+ Ease of use.Good quality sound

- User manual complicated.The unit has far too many features for the casual user who may use upto 30% of the facilities offered.

+ Very easy to set up
Very easy to set up for recording progammes
Everything in one unit.

- Takes 30 to 45 seconds after switching on for the TV picture to appear, which can be infuriating if you want to see a programme quickly. Three (too many!) buttons to start up TV.

+ I have only used the basic functionality so far, recording one or two programmes and doing a copy of a tape to a DVD. The machine has performed these basic tasks without problem, in time I will experiment with some of the more advanced features.

- None so far.