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Reviewed by UK Guest, 11th Mar 2006. |
| Review Summary: Awsome picture, functionality & build. Worth the Investment |
Overall Score: 5/5
 
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Review: I have had a few DVD recorders now (LiteOn & Toshiba) but they have been either average or unreliable. I have wanted a Panasonic DVD recorder for some time, but they have been expensive, but now they are very reasonable.
I was debating whether to get the ES-10 (without Freeview) or the ES-20. In terms of price there is approx £50 difference. One of my colleague has an ES-20 and he thoroughly recommended this.
I am glad I took his advise as the ES-20 is superb. My primary use from this DVD recorder is to back-up all the camcorder tapes, VHS tapes and finally get rid of VHS technology. All these are possible now. Recording is a breeze especially if you are recording onto RAM discs. I have become a convert to RAM since experiencing RAM functionality. You can make post recording editting like deleting, stitching, moving scenes, chapter creation and text edit. What’s more amazing is you can preview or watch what you have recorded whilst it is still recording - unbelievable when you consider what the other DVD formats are capable of. Which brings me onto the next bit nicely. This unit can record onto DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-RW but not DVD+RW. When recording onto these formats you can do very minimal editing, like deleting a recording on the disc before finalising. The best bit about the Panasonic is that it automatically creates chapters on these discs at 5min intervals. Chapter creations on RAM discs are a little more complex. You need to scan through the recording and select the moment you want to create the chapter, this is a good thing and a bad thing as it takes that bit longer but the results are much better.
RAM discs also do not require formatting or finalising, therefore it is an ideal alternative to replacing the good old VHS tapes. Once you insert a RAM disc it is ready within a second - ideal for TV recording.
Recording from external source is very easy due to the connections available. Connect you Sky, VHS, DVD, Camcorder, TV or what ever you have with a scart or composites.
Recording from Freeview is stunning and this is why you would want to buy the ES-20 over ES-10. Watching back F1 or footie or Corrie never looked to tasty. Picture quality in 4hr recording is very clear but 8hrs EP recording will not justify having a DVD. Picture is very grainy.
So is this a perfect DVD recorder? it's hard to say, as the only downside is the remote control - it is not the easiest and on screen step by step guide would have been useful. It also takes 30secs at least to warm up when turning on from stand-by -but that is something i have experienced with all other makes.
If you are in the market to buy a DVD recorder without a hard drive then I believe this should be on your short list. Picture, function and build is worth your buck. The last thing, if you decide to buy RAM discs Amazon is the cheapest for 10pk. |
Ratings
| Value For Money: |
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5 |
| Review Score: |
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5 |
| Recommended? | |
Yes |
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DVD, TV & Video