In my quest for the ultimate DVD recorder, I’ve gone through a couple different models. Will the DMR-ES35V meet your needs? Is it an improvement on previous Panasonic models? Let’s start with some basics on DVD recording.
Which Format?!?!
When DVD recorders started becoming more affordable I started to research them a bit. They are a confusing lot, so many different formats, with more appearing every day. You've got DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, DVD-RAM, DVD-R DL, DVD+R DL, and by the time you're reading this you can probably add a few more, including HD-DVD and BD formats. It doesn't help that no one seems to know which formats are preferable or if it really makes any difference. Well, I'm no guru but I have learned a little bit about this format mess.
The +/-R formats are only recordable once, the +/-RW formats are ReWritable for multiple use. DVD-RAM is a completely different format that operates more like a hard disk, allowing several unique features. The formats with a DL suffix are 'Dual-Layer' for twice the capacity. Some formats are also available in a double-sided disc which also offers twice the capacity of a normal disc, although you have to turn them over to utilize the full capacity, unlike DL formats.
Until recently, most recorders used either the + format or the - format, but not both. Now, many recorders are multi-format compatible but most still don't utilize DVD-RAM. Only the very latest recorders(as of this writing) now utilize the 'Dual-Layer' formats
I recently found some information on the internet about how much better the + format is designed. I don't pretend to know if this is actually true or not but the article made a lot of sense, you can judge for yourself,
(http://www.cdfreaks.com/article/113) Due to this information, I’ve been using +R discs exclusively and have been satisfied with their performance, your mileage may vary.
Choosing a DVD Recorder
I recently purchased a Panasonic DMR-ES40V and I was very impressed with it, but after an alarming series of problems, I had to give up on that model. You can read about that experience
Here.
I had initially been leaning towards Panasonic because they seem to have been a pioneer(no pun intended) in DVD recorders and their recorders have a good reputation among reviewers. Panasonic recorders also are among the few that utilize DVD-RAM which was important to me for reasons I'll get into later. In spite of the problems I had with the ES40V, I’m still confident that Panasonic is the leader in DVD recorder technology.
Upon returning my last ES40V, I discovered that model had been discontinued and replaced with two new models, the DMR-ES35V & DMR-ES45V. The overlapping model numbers are a bit odd but they are clearly updated designs. The main difference in the new models, besides redesigned faceplates & remotes, is support for both DL formats. The ES45V also features an HDMI interface and SD card slot for easy transfer of pictures to DVD. One thing missing on these two new models is VCRplus auto-programming. I really liked that feature on the ES40V so I was quite disappointed that it was left out of these models.
Setup
Setup is fairly straightforward with the DMR-ES35V. A quick-start guide takes you step-by-step through attaching all the cables necessary for your configuration. It's nearly as easy as hooking up a VCR but the instructions require you to make your connections in a specific order. Included with the unit is a coaxial cable, A/V cables, remote control, batteries, user guide, and (1)DVD-RAM disc.
One nice feature is that you can attach the ES35V to older televisions with only a coaxial cable. Many DVD recorders require A/V hookups, which would necessitate a $20 RF switch if your TV doesn't have those ports. Those with brand new, fancy TVs should be equally pleased because the ES35V has more than enough connection options for most any configuration.
On the REAR of the unit there are (2)sets of A/V outputs, (1)set of Component video outputs, (1)S-Video output, (1)Optical audio output, (1)Coaxial output, (1)Coaxial input, (1)S-Video input, and (1)set of A/V inputs.
On the FRONT panel there is (1)set of A/V inputs and (1)S-video input. There is also (1) IEEE1394 DV input under another small door. The DV input door was clearly an afterthought on the the ES40V and looked rather awkward, unfortunately, it still does. I have no idea why they couldn’t have integrated it better while they were redesigning the faceplate.
Operation
I really like the way the ES40V operated and the ES35V operates in much the same fashion, with a few welcome updates. It's complicated at first but once you get the hang of it, it's pretty intuitive. The user guide isn't very user-friendly and requires a lot of re-reading to comprehend some of the more involved instructions. I figured out a lot of functions on my own and then used the user guide to confirm that it was the proper method. In other words, the people who designed the user interface were much smarter than the folks who wrote the guide and I guess I prefer that to the other way around.
The front panel display doesn't provide much information at one time. What it does provide is at least easy to read due to large text & icons. The OSD(on-screen-display) is very well designed and fully comprehensive so it makes up for it but I would prefer having the info on the front panel so I don't have to push some buttons to cycle the OSD on & off.
I really like the remote control. It’s considerably updated and even more user-friendly than the ES40V remote. Your first impression is "that's a lot of buttons, couldn't they have simplified this a bit?" but it's pretty well laid out and utilizes three different colored buttons to help group functions and make them easy to find. My biggest gripe about the remote is that it doesn't have a MUTE button for the TV. It has Channel, Volume, TV/Video and Power buttons for most brand TVs but NO MUTE BUTTON!! I hate having to search for multiple remotes so I like having basic TV controls on the VCR/DVD remote but I use mute all the time so it kind of defeats the purpose when I have to use another remote for that one function, VERY ANNOYING! That point aside, it's a well designed remote. Now, let's get a little more in depth on the varied functions of the ES35V.
VCR Features
You might expect Panasonic to skimp on the VCR because it's such a minor part of this package but I've found just the opposite. It has every function I've ever had on any previous VCR, plus a couple of unique functions.
* You can schedule recording for 16 programs up to a month in advance. Programming is relatively easy and it automatically checks to make sure there is enough space on the tape/DVD for your scheduled recording.
* It features a clock that sets itself and it actually works. A previous GoVideo VCR I owned also had that feature but it was hit & miss at best and kept lousy time. During the setup procedure it will detect the time signal embedded in PBS stations and automatically set the clock.
* It rewinds very quickly in it's normal mode, approx. 1.5 minutes for a T-120 but it also has a special "Jet Rewind" mode that rewinds a T-120 in only 30 seconds, that's FAST!
* Whenever you start recording, the VCR inserts a special signal that then allows you to quickly skip to the beginning or end of each recording session on a tape.
* Besides the standard recording modes, SP(2hrs) & EP(6hrs), the ES35V will also record in a unique VP mode that will fit 10hrs of video on a T-120 or 15hrs on a T-180. It's not great quality but it's not as bad as you might expect for that kind of compression. NOTE: You cannot playback tapes recorded in VP mode in other VCRs.
DVD Features
The DVD playback system will be familiar to anyone who has used any DVD player. The ES35V will record on all single layer formats as well as +/- DL formats. You may find that numerous websites don’t mention compatibility with DL formats. This is probably because it’s not mentioned on Panasonic’s website, but I can assure you that it is covered in the user guide as a recordable format for the ES35V. One notable feature that I've noticed is how fast you can FFWD & REW on-screen(Search). My other DVD player will only go up to 32X but the ES35V will go up to 70X & 200X, once again, that's FAST!
DVD recording is where things get interesting, and sometimes confusing. First I will discuss recording features that are common to all compatible formats, then I'll get into the unique features of DVD-RAM.
You can record on all DVDs in several different quality levels, XP/SP/LP/EP. On 4.7Gb discs this translates into recording times of 1hr/2hrs/4hrs/6hrs respectively. You can optionally record 8hrs on EP mode but those discs may not be compatible with other players. There is also a 'Flexible Recording'(FR) mode that will base the recording quality on the length of your recording. In other words, if you need to record something that runs 2 1/2hrs, you couldn't use SP but if you used LP you would only utilize a little over half of the disc and your recording quality would be lower than necessary. In FR mode the 2 1/2hr program would be recorded on the entire disc at a recording quality just a bit lower than SP.
Each recording segment will have it's own title on the disc's top menu. You can customize the title name and the thumbnail image displayed on the top menu. You can choose any screenshot from that recording segment for the thumbnail image.
Entering text for the title can be a bit tedious because, obviously, there's no keyboard, so you have to select the characters using an on-screen keyboard with the multi-directional controller and/or numeric keypad. This system, while hard to explain, is much easier to use than other DVD recorders I’ve tried. New on the ES35V is a text memory function that allows you to save commonly entered text for easy retrieval.
Before any disc can be viewed on other players, it must be finalized. This is a very simple procedure but it can take some time, up to 15 minutes. While you cannot insert chapter breaks during recording, they are automatically inserted every 8 minutes(approx) during the finalization process. DL discs must have the first layer finalized before continuing to the second layer, so you cannot record a long program non-stop through both layers. This seems like it would be somewhat limiting but I’m not too concerned because at the current price of DL discs, I won’t be using them anytime soon.
DVD-RAM is a much more capable media that allows for a number of unique functions.
*Chasing Playback allows you to watch the beginning of a program while it is still being recorded, you can also watch a previously recorded segment while currently recording another program on the same disc. You can use this feature much like TIVO, recording any program you're watching which allows you to pause Live TV or watch at a short delay and then FFWD through commercials.
*You can also insert chapter breaks anywhere you like, during recording or subsequently, during playback. You can then delete chapters from your recording. What this allows you to do is record a program without worrying about commercials, then playback(at high-speed, if desired) and insert chapter breaks before & after each commercial, now you can easily delete each 'commercial chapter', leaving you with a perfectly edited program, free of commercials!
*When you delete titles or chapters from anywhere on the disc, it frees up that amount of recording space for another recording session. Where as, on a DVD-RW disc, only titles or chapters deleted at the end of the disc free up recording space.
*There is a special 1.3X playback mode which allows you to play any program 1.3 times as fast as normal but doesn't distort the audio track, it just sort of deletes all the breaks in between people talking. It's a little odd but it does allow you to quickly get through something like a news program and still catch all the information.
*DVD-RAM discs can be re-recorded up to 100,000 times vs. about 1,000 times for DVD-RW discs.
The only disadvantage to DVD-RAM discs, besides them costing a bit more, is that they cannot be finalized for playback in other DVD players. You can only play them in players that are compatible with DVD-RAM, which are very few & far between.
Dubbing
The DMR-ES35V makes it very easy to copy your VHS collection to DVD, provided it's not copy-protected. You can also easily copy from DVD to VHS although I can't imagine why you would want to. It's as simple as getting your tape cued up to the point you want to begin your copying, insert a blank DVD, select the desired recording quality and then push one button to begin the dubbing process. It will then copy until the end of the tape or until the DVD is full. You can also manually stop the dubbing at any point you desire. Each dubbing session will become a separate title on the disc.
What you CANNOT do is pause the recording while dubbing, so you cannot edit out commercials that may be on the VHS while copying it to DVD. I find this to be a VERY annoying limitation and I don't see any reason for it. If you play the VHS in another player, connected to this recorder's inputs, you can pause recording at any time and thereby edit as desired, but that's the only way it's possible. Theoretically, you could stop the dubbing process at each commercial and then restart it following the commercial but this would be quite tedious and result in a separate title on the disc for each segment.
Overall, the dubbing is very easy and trouble-free but it's just that, dubbing, no editing.
Conclusion
I'm very pleased with the performance of the Panasonic DMR-ES35V. Unlike the previous ES40V, it has been mostly free of software glitches. It has locked up on me three times but I believe it was mostly my own fault. I think I simply overloaded it’s little processor. While I was recording on DVD-RAM, I was also editing a previous recording on the same disc. This was not allowed on the ES40V, probably for good reason. The last two times, it was able to shut down and recover itself without losing the recording in process. The first time, I forced it to shut down and consequently, lost the recording that was in process. So, if it does lock up, let it do it’s own thing, even if it takes several minutes.
Overall, it’s a nice update on the ES40V and it seems to be much more stable. I heartily recommend it, if you’re “techie” enough to handle it.
