Panasonic DMR-ES46VS VHS / DVD Recorder Silver

• Plays both VHS tapes and multiple disc formats - DVD-RAM, -R/RW, +R/RW, DVD Video, VCD CD-R/RW, MP3 CD
• Super multi-format recording and playback allows reading & writing to multiple disc types
• One-touch 2-way S-VHS dubbing
• Easy Quick Start for recording
• Task-oriented GUI menu for easier use and completion of DVDs

If all you want is great picture quality, get this model. The HDMI upconversion is great and it does it with the VHS also. I really liked the flex recording feature which allows you to specify any recording lenght and it will record the best quality for that disc time. I just wish it was more complete. It records DL DVD but not continuously. You have to close the 1st layer before recording to the 2nd layer, which makes it not very good in the way of a dual layer recorder. Now this might be a bit nit-picky but this unit won't display the remaining time while playing a regular DVD video or give give you the total disc time. I just like to know how late I'll be staying up. Also the ES46VS has no eject button on the remote, no direct way of turning on the subtitles without having to go through a menu series, it will only accept SD cards, and there are no component inputs for recording. I returned my unit and will wait until Panasonic offers these simple fixes in a $300 device.

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I purchased this machine refurbished from Panasonic for a total of $150, including shipping, making the imperfections quite tolerable. It does much more than my previous DVD recorder which was twice the price. I have a Sony Bravia LCD HDTV and the display from this machine is quite good. After setting up the format for my widescreen TV, it worked like a charm.

I do not intend to use it as a tuner. I rent an HD DVR from Comcast for tuning. I really did not see much difference in the video quality on playback with commercial DVDs, but for my home recorded DVDs, the improvement is significant. VHS also will play through the HDMI cable, with some improvement too. These are formated for 4:3 aspect ratio and there really is no getting around it until you can get an input that supports high resolution 16:9 through component or HDMI interface. I was able to record from my OnDemand playlist through Comcast (something you cannot do on the rented DVR).

As with other reviewers, I am puzzled by the lack of eject and open/close functions on the remote, which even the cheap sets have. However, this machine does have very easy to use buttons that are large and right next to each slot on the machine. My past machines had tiny buttons that looked like all the others for the eject and open/close functions, making the remote almost a necessity. You do have to get up and walk over to the machine to get your disk or videotape out anyway, so this was not a huge deal for me. However, it did have trouble recognizing some DVDs at first pass, and I had to open/close the tray a few times before it recognized there was a playable disc in the drawer. So, you may want to wait by the machine while it reads before you sit down to watch.

The remote is fairly intuitive, particularly if you are used to DVD-R functions.

A huge rave for me is in regard to the flexible recording option, allowing you to customize the recording time on the DVD to fill the DVD, regardless of the length of the recording. This way you have the best possible recording quality. This is quite similar to DVD recording on your PC. Finalizing is a snap and much quicker than my old Sansui recorder.

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I wish I hadn't bought this unit. I didn't do my research and now I'm paying the price. Often I must put the DVD in twice to get it to run. I've learned that if the DVD doesn't play, take it out and put it in again. I tried the tape-to-DVD burn feature (looked simple) and somehow recorded a TV station instead. So I will have to re-read the instructions and try again. One other thing to consider before buying...this piece of electronics has the loooongest startup time I have ever encountered. I could start my car and drive a block by the time this unit has turned on and is ready to accept a tape or a disc. How could electronics be so slow?

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This model (also the DMR-ES35VS which I tried before) has a terrible tuner. When viewing TV programs (I have a 42" Sony Wega High Definition TV) through the machine to record them, the picture is degraded by 40% I think, and the color is not vibrant. And this is with the HDMI connection. At first, I thought the HDMI cable that it came with was no good, so I bought a $90 HDMI Monster Cable, but there was no improvement in the picture. Also, the remote control does not have an eject button, why is that? Even my old VCRs and DVD recorder/player have that feature.

If you want to convert VHS tapes to DVD only, then buy this machine it's great for that purpose. But if you also want to record shows from your TV, then I would suggest you check out other models/brands because the picture quality on this Panasonic is unacceptable (to me anyway). I will be returning this machine and will get another Sony, my two-year old VCR/DVD recorder has a great tuner.

I ordered a DMR-ES45VS refurbished but they shipped a Dmr-ES46VS. I called

they said it was the same but came with a free HDNI cable. It was a little tough to figure out. The complaint I have is the picture quality, even when

you just use it as a tuner the picture quality is worse that when you don't.

Thats using the HDMI or S output. Called tech. dept.,waited for 45min only

to be hung up on. Called back again 45 min wait, the tech. didn't have clue.

Called again, same wait, this tech was worse. Tried to send a email twice

on their web site couldn't. Company says I can ship it back if I pay the shipping. So far bad news!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!