Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Technical Questions DVD Burners & Recorders

I just bought this for $40 last week. How could I pass that price up?

[edit]Seems the price has gone up five bucks since last week. Still a great deal though.

Is that a dual-layer burner? I couldn't tell from the prod. descrip.

Dunno...it's due to arrive any day now. I didn't really care though. My cd burner died, so I was looking to replace it. Seemed silly to buy a cd only burner.

Yes it is a dual layer burner. I totally agree with the NEC line for DVD burners...very highly rated and satisfied user. You can't go wrong with any of the NEC 35XX models.

Also, newegg has some of the BEST customer service on the net (of course right up there next to Axiom ) so check them out for great prices and fast shipping.

Here is a copy of a review:

"The Panasonic DMR-ES10 is my second DVD recorder.This DVD Recorder was purchased because my TOSHIBA DR-2 has now become problematic when using blank DVD-RW disks.

I have always trusted the PANASONIC quality products.If Panasonic had a DVD recorder with all these features available sooner. Then I would not have purchased the TOSHIBA DVD recorder.

Unlike previous Panasonic DVD recorders. Besides being able to record on DVD-R and DVD-RAM. This new model will also record on , DVD+R , DVD-RW. This is a much needed and smart move by Panasonic.

Being that this is only a $200.00 unit.
It is not made as sturdily as some of the previous models. But the many important new features and low price make up for that.

Panasonic made alot of bold claims about this unit.I was hesitant about them. Especially since this is only a $200 unit. While other DVD recorders like the SONY sell for nearly $400.00. But I am happy to report that all the claims are true. The unit works great. Panasonic really backs up all thier claims about this DVD recorder.

All the DVDs I have recorded played back with very high quality. I also found no problems with compatibility when playing those DVDs back on other DVD players. Recordings made in the four (4) hour (LP) speed looked identical to those made using the (2) Hour(SP)speed.

The VCR Plus feature is fairly useless if you have it connected to a CABLE box. But if you have it connected to a standard antenna then VCR Plus is a useful feature.

The remote control also controls your TV. Also If you have another Panasonic DVD player/recorder. The remote can be adjusted so it wont turn on your other Panasonic equipment.

Among the important new features is that all the new Panasonic models for 2005 now have improved horizontal resolution. In the LP (4 Hours) mode, this DVD recorder has images twice as sharp as last year's models. It gives up to 500 lines resolution. This is double the horizontal resolution compared to the 250 lines of conventional LP mode recording. Thanks to this, you now have high quality four hour recordings as sharp as the Two Hour (SP )speed.

Another new feature is what Panasonic calls "VHS Refresh". This feature offers improved quality when Dubbing VHS to DVD. When connecting a VCR and the DVD recorder to record VHS videotape images onto a DVD disk. Something called a "Time Base Corrector", helps reduce jitter and also performs signal conversion to create a stable signal.

At the same time, 3D Digital Noise Reduction, detects and virtually eliminates randomly generated noise and color errors to help minimize flicker. Thanks to these two technologies, the tape input signal is automatically detected and optimum processing is performed to provide an easy way to even more beautiful digital pictures. The 3D Digital Noise Reduction, also helps clear up recordings made in the EP 6(or) 8) hour speed. This unit has an option to allow up to Eight (8) hours of record time.

Also new is the nearly instantaneous response in start-up and recording. It is as quick as five seconds from the DVD-RAM insertion to Play or Record. The unit has nearly as fast times for other blank DVD media.

Disk finalizing is a bit slow. (Four Minutes) But that's a minor trade-off for the lightning quick disk recognition. The Panasonic DMR-ES10 DVD Recorder also has a "One Touch Record" button. Each press gives 30 Minutes recording time up to 4 hours. The unit then powers itself off after the recording time has finished.

All Panasonic DVD recorders offer all the benefits of the DVD-RAM format. Which include " Chasing Playback". -- This feature lets you view a program that you're currently recording from any point that's already been recorded, while continuing to record the live program in progress.
So you no longer have to wait for the entire program to be recorded before watching it from the beginning to the end.

Simultaneous Recording & Playback are also possible using DVD RAM. This way you can record a live TV program while watching any other program that's been previously recorded on the same disk.

Time Slip Button -- Just press the Time Slip button once during recording on a DVD RAM, to start playing back the scene recorded 30 seconds earlier. You can also use the cursor keys to return to any point from 1 to 360 minutes earlier.

The Panasonic DMR-ES10 DVD Recorder offers a PIP(Picture-in-Picture function)during playback. But the (PIP)insert picture is a bit large. Each press of a commercial skip button skips ONE minute ahead. - Please note : These two features will NOT work once the disk is finalized. they also wont work on pre-recorded (store bought) DVD movies.

The unit has a new layout with finalize and disk setup which makes it easier to use. Also new is that it goes into record mode and loaded DVDs so much faster. Both are major improvements over earlier units. I also liked the smaller size, and large easy to read numerical readout. Total ease of use is also improved. But novices will still need to read the manual thoroughly.

I like the new sleek look. This model seems more user friendly and priced low enough. If you havent already purchased a DVD Recorder. Then this is the unit that may make you put away your VCR. For those who like their components to match. This unit also comes in Black.

I have only one minor complaint. There is no disk time remaining display during a DVD movie playback. The time remaining display is viewable during recording. Also in Stop mode to view the recording time left on disk.

Connections - 1 RF(TV) Input/1 RF(TV)Output, 1-Front Panel Audio/Video(S-Video)3-Rear Panel Audio/Video(S-Video),1 Rear Panel component video input. 1- Audio/Video (S-Video)Outputs,1- Digital Audio Optical Output. "

Thanks, Tarun. Very informative.

Skerdi - how does the DVD playback for normal DVDs look?

Anyone using the internal scaler in the player to output a progressive signal? If so, how does that look compared to some other stand alone DVD players of similar price?

It looks great! I cannot tell any difference from live broadcast.. Again, all this is in my bedroom only with a regular tube Sony vega TV (4X3) and not a wide screen hdtv. The recorder can finish dvds to play on all dvd players as well.

By the way, I got mine around a month ago on Circuit City for $140 open package. I usually buy things brand new, but this one looked untouched.

Questions. Does this unit or ones like it output the tv signal from the component ouput or only the rf output?

Thanks Tarun,
That one looks to be in the lead so far.
TjB

I doubt that a unit at this price will upconvert video...but one never knows these days. I have tried looking it up, to no avail.

Has the DVD Recorder BUG bitten our friend BUG??