Other than the fact that this recorder just plain performs, it also has a feature you will not find on any other model from any other manufacturer: Flexible Record. It allows for a variable recording time format. In other words, let’s say you want to record a program that is 2 hours and 17 minutes long. With most units you would have to choose the 4 hour recording mode and leave a fairly large blank space on the disc, (some have a three hour mode – not many). With this baby you just press the FR button and a screen pops up where you can set your record time and the unit will adjust the record speed to fill your disc with the best possible recording and no leftover space. I don’t think Panasonic, in it’s infinite wisdom any longer includes this feature on it’s dvd recorders and I for one cannot imagine why. I called them once about it but got no real answer. Go figure! Another thing Panasonic did with this unit was to not put a “tray open” button on the remote?????? What makes this even stranger is the unit will except the command! I know this because I have a remote from a DMR-ES10 and it will work the unit and open the tray. So I don’t know why Panasonic decided to leave that button off the remote…I guess they saved a couple of yen. But this is a good recorder. It has a digital tuner and it will record any type of disc out there except Blu-ray.

I bought this product after reviewing several DVD recorders. It does exactly what I wanted. I have several videos that I wanted to put onto DVD and this was easy to do with this product.

It is a little slow to start up, but that is a small price to pay for the wonderful DVDs it creates!