- Built-In Digital Tuner with Analog ATSC Tuner
- Automatic Program Information Acquisition (ATSC)
- 2x LP Horizontal Resolution (500 lines) - JPEG View with SD Slot
- Long Time Recording with High Picture Quality (EP mode: 8 hours)
- HDMI Simple Connection (HDMI Ver. 1.3) - DivX Playback
Don't believe the Amazon reports of a bad digital tuner as it just isn't true. The secret to good terrestrial digital reception is the right antenna. If you have that, you get great channels. Albeit, not in high def. But this is not a high def recorder. I didn't bother with the analog channels as I receive them all digitally, and then some.
I recommend the stand alone Phillips "Silver Sensor" antenna or clone. Don't waste money on the Terk models as they look nicer but don't do the job as well. Analog transmission is going away so you won't need rabbit ears. If the "Silver Sensor" doesn't work, you are just in a bad location. Mine works great through a 5-900 MHz 3-way splitter.
With my old GoVideo DVD/VCR combo I had 8 cables running from the back of the unit to the TV. 3 component cables & 2 audio. Plus 1 yellow composite and 2 more audio just to play VHS. 8 cables replaced by 1 (ONE) HDMI. Both formats play through HDMI.
With the HDMI upconversion turned on your DVD and VHS pictures can display at 480i/p, 720p, 1080i/p, or just select auto. While the difference in the picture is noticeable, especially with VHS, don't expect miracles. The best upconversion in the world can only simulate HD, it can't create information not in the original. For true HD movie experience we still need blu-ray. I have one and it is awesome.
If the HDMI on your TV supports Viera the Panasonic remote control can control limited functions of your TV. No more manual programming of the remote to work with your TV! The smart features means your player will automatically turn off when you turn the TV off. However, my Vizio doesn't support Viera so it doesn't work via HDMI. Pages 68 69 in the manual allows programming of the remote via the buttons.
As you can see in the product description this player supports a wide variety of discs. One long awaited favorite is the ability to record to DVD +/R Dual Layer. DVD-RAM is great because playback supports 1.3x playback by pressing [play] a second time. Press [play] again to return to normal speed. Now you can record your favorite programs in digital quality (Analog only to VHS.), skip commercials, and watch them faster on DVD-RAM. The upconversion means you almost don't miss the HD airing. Plus you have the ability to cross copy VHS to DVD and vice verser, providing copy protection is not an issue.
One of my favorite features missing on this unit is "shorten segment". It easily allowed cutting out commercials, yet leave a single video file. Alternately, "divide program" allows cutting around the commercials, then you may delete them. It's a bit more time consuming and leaves you with a fragmented video file. This will not affect play back as it simply jumps to the next video block. However, the "combine chapters" function only works with "chapters" you create, and doesn't combine the segments of cut pieces.
Thus I must agree it is a bit more complex to use, and you will need to spend some time with the manual and even cross reference some pages. It is time well spent as it is nothing you won't learn with repeated use. It's not rocket science. You'll be a pro in no time.
While I wish this had a hard drive and recorded in HD, I can't ding the product because that is not the design intent. Maybe next years model. I'm very picky in what I like and I am VERY happy with this player.
This is a great way to give that old 4:3 analog TV a digital tuner and keep it around a few more years. Plus you could receive more digital channels than analog! But only HDMI supports upconversion. Even with some short comings such as the standard definiton digital tuner, this player does it all and does it extremely well.
My two biggest gripes which make me wish I never sold my analog GoVideo combo. Finalized DVD-R will NOT copy to VHS. Only unfinalized DVD-R will copy providing the material is not copy protected. I can no longer copy a couple of regular DVD's to tape. Maybe there are tweaks to be found. But my need to copy to tape isn't as great as was my desire to do so. Cest la vie.
For more on this product download the manual and firmware updates at the Panasonic website.
Buy Panasonic DMR-EZ475VK Progressive Scan DVD Recorder Now
I bought the Panasonic DMR-EZ475V in May, 2007 and have had a lot of problems with it. It botches up DVD+RWs in so many different ways that they have to be thrown away. It's operations haven't been thoroughly tested, thus locking up the machine more often than not. I spent $300 plus sales tax for this...terrible WASTE OF MONEY. Believe me, stay away from this machine and be suspicious of similar Panasonic procucts. Bottom line...the DMR-EZ475V S-U-C-K-S.Read Best Reviews of Panasonic DMR-EZ475VK Progressive Scan DVD Recorder Here
One of the biggest factors in rating a product, for me, is its durability. I would have given this DVR a higher rating but it has essentially conked out after 17 months of use. For $300, I expect a product to last at least 5 years. Pros: Once I got it working it recorded good video and audio quality using the LP or SP settings. Cons: It was hard to set-up, it froze up a lot programming or reading discs (but fortunately not while recording), and now is refusing to read or finalize most of the discs it records. No more Panasonic purchases for me!Want Panasonic DMR-EZ475VK Progressive Scan DVD Recorder Discount?
I bought this for three reasons: a) to replace my 12-year-old VCR, b) to take advantage of the digital tuner for my ancient TV, and c) to transfer my VHS tapes to DVD. It failed at all three.The digital reception is great but on a standard 4:3 screen there is a 1 inch black border around the picture, so your 19" TV instantly becomes an 18" TV. I have it hooked up to 13" TV in the bedroom. I'm not happy. The digital tuner is also inconceivably slow changing channels. Surfing is a nightmare. When changing channels, it tends to go past the channel you want and then slowly go back to it. The so-called episode guide tells you what's on and the next show only. Brilliant.
Sales literature excitedly tells you that it has an SD card slot, which made me wonder if I could record to it like a poor man's DVR, but in fine print in the manual (after you buy it) it tells you all it can do is view JPEGs.
If Panasonic's parent company Matsushita invented VHS technology, why does this thing do such a crappy job playing tapes? The 12-year-old Sanyo this unit was supposed to replace still plays tapes smooth and clear (I just have to worry about the tape getting eaten) but in this one the same tape's picture jiggles constantly, which means transferring tapes to DVD is useless because all you get is jiggly DVD's. It's a Matsushita product, just take away "Matsu" and "a".
The remote is so complex you cannot use it without a light on. The manual was written by a dyslexic that read too many of those open plot books as a kid. The device gives you a choice of turning completely off or staying in sleep mode, which consumes more power than off, so in other words it's still on. Sleep mode is annoying because its fan will kick on in the middle of the night and scare the crap out of you. The off mode is worse, as if you intend to watch a show on TV, by the time it turns on you've missed too much.
I used to have high respect for Panasonic products and preferred them whenever possible, but this device has burned me to the point where not only will I never buy Panasonic products again, but I wish that those people at Panasonic responsible for designing it are dragged from their offices and beaten with sticks.
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