Panasonic DMR-E100HS Progressive-Scan DVD Recorder/PVR with 120 GB Hard Drive

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Manufacturer: Panasonic
Price at amazon.com: $807.44
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Product Features:

• Combination DVD player/recorder/PVR (personal video recorder) with built-in SD card slot for MPEG2 and MPEG4 storage
• 120 GB hard drive stores up to 150 hours of audio/visual programming
• DVD-RAM and DVD-R compatibility for ultimate speed, storage, and flexibility (archive between hard disk and recordable media)
• Progressive-scan video outputs render seamless, flicker-free images on high-definition and HD-ready TVs
• Compatible with MP3, TIFF, and JPEG file types

Product Description:

Early Adopters Pick: July 2003. This DVD recorder features the industry's largest included hard drive--120 GB. The Panasonic DMR-E100HS not only records DVDs and holds more than 100 hours of audio/video programming in its built-in memory--it also boasts a built-in SD card slot for reading and writing MPEG2 and MPEG4 video. Now you can copy TV shows or archived video footage to portable media that will play in a laptop, camera, or other device. And guess what? This technological wonder is also a progressive-scan DVD player that's equipped to handle DVDs, CDs, and MP3-encoded discs. The DMR-E100HS's 120 GB hard drive (HDD) provides up to 150 hours of recording time, plus you can write up to 6 hours of programming to removable 4.7 GB DVD-RAM discs (in Extended Play mode in each case), thanks to Panasonic's original Hybrid VBR (variable bit rate) technology. This puppy would seem to have written the book on flexibility, letting you play back recorded programs--from DVD-RAM or HDD--while watching another program on DVD-RAM or HDD (when, for instance, you wish to view and archive footage to tape at the same time), and you can play files from the hard drive while recording to another part of it (even at high bit rates). You get high-speed transfers (22 Mbps) to and from HDD to DVD-RAM, and a quick-record function that rapidly locates a blank section of disc to begin writing to. In addition to recording new video content, the DMR-E100HS lets you transfer favorite VHS recordings to durable, space-saving discs. Personal movie libraries and family videos can be archived, preserved, and easily cataloged and accessed. Picture-enhancing technologies include 3D noise reduction, block noise reduction, and mosquito noise reduction. You can even perform simple non-linear video editing, such as rearranging the order of scenes, skipping over unwanted scenes, and creating custom playlists of favorite scenes on a disc. DVD-RAM is perfect for instant chapter access and for multiple rerecordings, while DVD-R is widely regarded as the most widely compatible of the many DVD formats (great for sharing camcorder footage with loved ones). When recording to a DVD-RAM or DVD-R disc, a feature called relief recording automatically checks to see if there's enough remaining disc space to complete the recording. If there isn't, the unit will store the program on the hard disk (provided there's sufficient space there). Inputs consist of one DV, three composite-video, three S-video, one RF input, and the SD card slot. The IEEE 1394 DV input lets you connect a compatible digital camcorder (via IEEE 1394 cable) and transfer home movies onto either the hard disk or to a DVD-RAM/DVD-R. To simplify navigation through the resulting recordings, a DV Auto Record feature generates a playlist for these transfers by creating a new chapter for every instance of "stop" or "pause" used in the original recording. Once the playlist has been created, it's easy to change the order and duration of the chapters, create new ones, and delete the ones you don't want using the on-screen menu. For HDD recordings, the Direct Navigator lets you access recorded material from an onscreen menu that lists recording dates, times, channels, and titles. Finding and viewing recorded material is simple because there's no need to search, fast-forward, or rewind. The PC card slot is compatible with standard PC card, SD memory card, CompactFlash card, MultiMediaCard, Smart Media card, and Memory Stick. Other features include two-channel Dolby Digital audio recording, bilingual recording, commercial skip, Advanced Surround (simulated surround sound from two speakers), Cinema Mode, and a built-in time-base corrector that delivers highly stable, natural images.

Description from Manufacturer:Early Adopters Pick: July 2003. This DVD recorder features the industry's largest included hard drive--120 GB.

The Panasonic DMR-E100HS not only records DVDs and holds more than 100 hours of audio/video programming in its built-in memory--it also boasts a built-in SD card slot for reading and writing MPEG2 and MPEG4 video. Now you can copy TV shows or archived video footage to portable media that will play in a laptop, camera, or other device. And guess what? This technological wonder is also a progressive-scan DVD player that's equipped to handle DVDs, CDs, and MP3-encoded discs.

The DMR-E100HS's 120 GB hard drive (HDD) provides up to 150 hours of recording time, plus you can write up to 6 hours of programming to removable 4.7 GB DVD-RAM discs (in Extended Play mode in each case), thanks to Panasonic's original Hybrid VBR (variable bit rate) technology. This puppy would seem to have written the book on flexibility, letting you play back recorded programs--from DVD-RAM or HDD--while watching another program on DVD-RAM or HDD (when, for instance, you wish to view and archive footage to tape at the same time), and you can play files from the hard drive while recording to another part of it (even at high bit rates). You get high-speed transfers (22 Mbps) to and from HDD to DVD-RAM, and a quick-record function that rapidly locates a blank section of disc to begin writing to.

In addition to recording new video content, the DMR-E100HS lets you transfer favorite VHS recordings to durable, space-saving discs. Personal movie libraries and family videos can be archived, preserved, and easily cataloged and accessed. Picture-enhancing technologies include 3D noise reduction, block noise reduction, and mosquito noise reduction. You can even perform simple non-linear video editing, such as rearranging the order of scenes, skipping over unwanted scenes, and creating custom playlists of favorite scenes on a disc.

DVD-RAM is perfect for instant chapter access and for multiple rerecordings, while DVD-R is widely regarded as the most widely compatible of the many DVD formats (great for sharing camcorder footage with loved ones). When recording to a DVD-RAM or DVD-R disc, a feature called relief recording automatically checks to see if there's enough remaining disc space to complete the recording. If there isn't, the unit will store the program on the hard disk (provided there's sufficient space there).

Inputs consist of one DV, three composite-video, three S-video, one RF input, and the SD card slot. The IEEE 1394 DV input lets you connect a compatible digital camcorder (via IEEE 1394 cable) and transfer home movies onto either the hard disk or to a DVD-RAM/DVD-R. To simplify navigation through the resulting recordings, a DV Auto Record feature generates a playlist for these transfers by creating a new chapter for every instance of "stop" or "pause" used in the original recording. Once the playlist has been created, it's easy to change the order and duration of the chapters, create new ones, and delete the ones you don't want using the on-screen menu.

For HDD recordings, the Direct Navigator lets you access recorded material from an onscreen menu that lists recording dates, times, channels, and titles. Finding and viewing recorded material is simple because there's no need to search, fast-forward, or rewind.

The PC card slot is compatible with standard PC card, SD memory card, CompactFlash card, MultiMediaCard, Smart Media card, and Memory Stick. Other features include two-channel Dolby Digital audio recording, bilingual recording, commercial skip, Advanced Surround (simulated surround sound from two speakers), Cinema Mode, and a built-in time-base corrector that delivers highly stable, natural images.Average Customer Rating:

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Comment: Great product, lousy manual Rating:
This is a feature-packed DVD recorder, and an excellent reason to retire your VCR. It's your only choice if you're looking for the ability to record to DVD coupled with Firewire input and a hard disk (to store and edit material). If you plan to do sophisticated editing, you'll be better off using PC or Mac-based DVD recording. But if you want the convenience of a dedicated set-top box that won't crash in the middle of a recording, this is the best choice for you.

However, if you don't already have a working knowledge of all the options and features available (various types of video filtering, setting up DVD menus, etc.), the manual and user interface are utterly cryptic. Many features and topics aren't even mentioned in the manual once.

If you want to do anything more sophisticated than using it like a VCR, plan on some trial and error (and plan on making a few coasters with your blank DVD-R media).

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Comment: massive hard drive, excellent reliability and easy editing Rating:
I bought this unit to archive old S-VHS tapes, VHS tapes and laserdiscs to DVD, and this it does admirably. I also bought it to time-shift weekly TV shows to HDD and at this, it is better than any S-VHS VCR I have owned (and I have owned a lot of high-end units). As others have mentioned, it cannot dub FROM its own DVD drive to the HDD, but how relevant is this since this is probably a second player/recorder for most purchasers? You will not be able to copy macrovision-protected DVDs or tapes either (without the appropriate third party copy enhancer box). But respecting macrovision copyguard is pretty much the rule on all consumer electronics in the US so this should not be "news" to anyone.

Yes, if you want to archive VHS tapes or DV tapes to DVD, you WILL need a device to play back the tapes (duh). I'm not exactly sure what the earlier reviewer was complaining about, with the "lack of firewire input" - the DMR-E100HS most certainly *does* have a firewire input, as well as 3 analog inputs (S-video and composite video on each). So if you have a digital camcorder, you will be able to plug your camcorder into the E100's firewire input and make a digital copy. Very few DVD/HDD recorders actually have firewire inputs (the new Panny E85, for example, does not have it, nor does the Pioneer DVR810), so if you are going to use your DVD recorder to convert DV camcorder tapes to DVD, then the E100 is an excellent choice.

Also, the SD card port is actually really cool - you can dub any material from DVD-RAM or from the hard drive directly onto a tiny Secure Digital (SD) card in MPEG (MPEG4) encoding so you can then import it directly into a PC from the card. The unit can also read images from SD cards, as well as PCMCIA cards, which is interesting, but less useful to me.

My only gripes (and they are minor) are that there is limited control over the DVD menu when finalizing a DVD-R (you get a user-selectable thumbnail for each video segment, which is nice, but you can't select a custom background for the menu - just one of a list of 8 stock backgrounds; and the text labeling is a bit awkward. Also, I have had some compatibility problems with off-brand DVD-R discs, though Panasonic, TDK, and even cheapo "Liquid Video" blank DVD-Rs have worked fine. Plus both Panasonic and the cheaper Optodisc DVD-RAMs work great in this unit.

I love that you can use a double-sided DVD-RAM in a cartridge to fit twice as much material on the disc than you ever could on traditional DVD-R (yes, you DO have to switch sides if you use double-sided media). I send my sister in Germany copies of several US shows and this unit allows me to put 10 episodes of a one hour show on a single double-sided DVD-RAM disc at actually very acceptable quality (one hour shows end up about 43 minutes long after editing our commercials).

Speaking of editing... editing out commercials, or editing home made video segments is a breeze on this unit. Mark the start point, mark the end point, click twice and you're done.

As a demanding videophile with an extremely high resolution monitor (Loewe 38" HDTV-cable widescreen monitor) and a penchant for recording a lot of TV, I have to say I've been quite happy owning this unit for the past 8 months. Picture quality in XP and SP modes are better than S-VHS without the annoying tape glitches that can happen. And the unit has a "flexible recording" mode that can squeeze the absolute highest quality out of the available space on a blank DVD. It's not perfect, but it's among the cream of the crop of DVD/HDD recorders on the market today. If you buy one... you won't be disappointed.

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Comment: How did Panasonic screw this one up? Rating:
The unit is well made. The hard drive idea is great!! It only works with DVD-R disks and DVD RAM disks which kind of stinks, but hey, I can live with that. So how did Panasonic screw this one up to make it essentially worthless to me? Well, read on...

The primary reason I bought this, and missed this nuance in the reviews/descriptions was that I wanted to time shift rented DVDs. I thought I would be able to back up a limited number of DVDs to the hard drive, watch them, and then delete them later to record another movie etc. I didn't want to buy a DVD burner and have tons of DVD media hanging around, and the integrated hard drive seemed like just the ticket.

Panasonic, in all their brilliance, blocked it. You cannot copy a DVD, copy protected or not, to the hard drive unless it is a DVD-RAM disk. I can understand not allowing someone to copy protected material to another DVD, but to block it from copying to the hard drive makes the unit a dust collector. I went out and bought a DVD burner and use DVD+/-RW for time shifting my viewing now.

Another negative is that Panasonic made it so the thing won't even play any DVD with a + in it. DVD +R or DVD +R/W, both of which work dandy on my other DVD player and in my comupter. So I have to have a separate DVD player to read DVD +Rs I burn with my DVD Burner. Lamo. I can't even use the thing as an expensive DVD player.

This unit is just plain not worth the money unless you have a ton of VHS or taped material you want to move to DVD or if you are into video recording and want to copy that material to DVD. That it does well. You can also record unprotected DVD material through the analog inputs and edit it. And finally, you can use it to record TV shows to the hard drive or DVD, but I already had Replay TV which does a much better job of that.

So, the lack of being able to send a DVD movie to the Hard Drive drops this puppy to 2 stars.

Posted at November 11, 2003 07:59 AM | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)