Panasonic DMR-E 85

Author's product rating:   

Picture Playback	Excellent
Sound Level	Excellent
Ease of Use	Simple
Range of Features	Excellent
Value for Money	Excellent

Advantages:	Long record time, easy setup and record functions, and playback whilst recording .
Disadvantages:	None

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

I have had this player nearly a year and have found it indispensible. On long play using the internal hard drive you can record 175 hours of programmes and then have the facility to dub out the annoying adverts. You also have the luxury of being able to record to DVD- R or DVD - Ram discs to store your favourite programmes.
There are plenty of functions, but don't let this put you off they are extremely easy to use and it has a function called Direct Navigator which allows you to select which programme you want to watch rather than having to scan all through what you have recorded.
Another nifty little function is Time Slip, this is where you can have a programme record, and you may arrive home from work late or sorting out the kids, and whilst it is still recording you can press play and start watching the programme, you can even fast forward through the adverts (excelllant).
The unit itself is finished in a brushed steel casing and has an in built tuner just like your old VHS video recorder. So just connect your ariel to it and run a cable to the back of the TV.
I can not stress how good this machine is, although it's 80GB hard drive is now small compared to the newest models, I don't know who can complain about being able to record 175 hours of programmes, then just erase or transfer to disc and start again.
Superb machine.