The Panasonic DMRES20D is a simple and well-constructed DVD recorder. It has the added bonus of a built in Freeview tuner that allows the user to record in digital quality, thereby justifying the need to record to DVD.
Compared to the pile of DVD-player and VCR, together with cables and so on that lived beneath our TV, this unit, with its modern black and silver design, is simple and attractive to look at. There are no unsightly connectors stuck out at the front, as all are discretely hidden beneath a flap, and the display is clear and crisp.
The unit records DVD-RAM and DVD-R / RW, as well as playing back +R/RW, so is extremely capable of dealing with multi-format discs. There are SCART inputs on the rear to allow recording from other media - SKY+ box, for example - together with composite video jacks on the front for simple recording from VCR or a Camcorder / digital camera. The DVD-RAM allows re-recording over and over with a simple navigation and editing menu, together with the possibility of 'timeslip' - rewinding and watching a programme at the same time as it is recorded.
There are several recording modes and, on a PAL television, the SP mode allows excellent video reproduction as well as 4 hours recording on a 4.7GB disc - in the best recording mode, this would be reduced to 1 hour. Obviously, for recording longer programmes / films for posterity, it would be necessary to use larger discs and a slightly higher recording quality - this would still allow 4 hours on the larger discs.
Obviously, there is the requisite SCART output to TV on the unit, together with an optical digital sound out. This will output DTS or Dolby, whichever is selected from the simple to navigate menus.
As an added bonus, the unit also carries progressive scan to boost video performance to plasma and LCD screens, etc., which should appeal to those interested in a reasonably priced recording / playback unit.
The remote control unit is easy to use, and can also control basic functions of (newer) Panasonic televisions, which helps a little to clear up the clutter of modern home cinema.
However, there are one or two minor niggles. Firstly, periodically during recording or playback, the Freeview digital signal freezes. For us, this is because we don't live in a particularly strong signal area - but we do have set top boxes that decode easily. It will benefit any potential buyer to seriously check the signal strength in their area as it seems likely that the built in decoder will struggle a little with weaker digital reception.
Secondly, with the Freeview, it seems impossible to have all channels displaying in their full aspect on a 4:3 television. So, for example, the display on some channels will have a thin black border between the picture and the edge of the screen. This is easy to get used to but, again, suggests that the product is made for the widescreen digital age.
Overall, this is an easy-to-use, feature-packed and inexpensive product that is extremely effective at what it does. All of the outputs work well, the digital picture is colourful and clear and the sound also seems to be competent. I would not hesitate to recommend this product.
More details
Ease of Installation
Average
Remote Control
Good Quality
Instructions
Helpful / Easy to Follow
Durability
Good
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