The Best Digital Video Recorder
Panasonic DMR-E95HS

 This is my favorite piece of electronics. I have used the previous Panasonic model E80H for almost a year with no problems and bought this new model E95HS as soon as it became available. I should add, I bought both DVRs  at Amazon.com and have not had any problems at all. I did read the manual before I unpacked the unit as I do with anything complex. This model is more intuitive than most but knowing idiosyncrasies like the "hidden" reset button are important. You can also do some things the manual doesn't cover, like record from a DVD to the hard-drive.  Like ALL consumer DVRs, it will not copy a copy protected DVD without the GoDVD attachment.  That includes just about all US releases. However, copying a personal DVD, TV program or VHS tape is a breeze. It is easy to do a variety of edits and make a very useable menu for your DVD version. 

The programming function is also simple to use. I programmed 16 different TV shows to be automatically recorded while I was on a five week trip and it recorded them all perfectly. I highly suggest you use the SP speed, so instead of 284 hours of theoretical recording time you really have about 55 to 95 hours max which is still great! I only use the fastest XP speed when it is important to see fine details (i.e. swimsuit edition of Sports Illustrated video;-) or I am going to make a permanent copy of a less than 2 hour program to a DVD-R. Then by using the variable speed recording choice I end up with the best possible DVD-R copy. With Panasonics filters the finished copy can indeed look better than the original source but do not expect miracles. I often use DVD-RAM for temporary storage of programs I do not want the rest of the family to see and the high speed transfer is a great convenience. Playback is excellent even with an older TV but your TV works with progressive scan this model will display a very high quality image indeed. This new model plays a wider variety of VCDs (the E80H did reasonable well) and if you like to play music through your TV entertainment center it play CDs and CD-Rs just fine. 

I have found the DVD-Rs it makes to be viewable in a wide variety on DVD players as I am the one that converts the family movies to DVD-R and distributes them all over the country. I also sell some travel movies I made and copies of foreign films on my website and have not had any returned. No coasters (ruined disks) and between my two units I have made well over 100 DVD-Rs. However, I have only used name brand blank DVD-R and DVD-RAM disks, so that probably has been a factor.  Using the GoDVD attachment you can record ANYTHING even copy protected DVDs.

Features like time-slip and one button switch to TV makes viewing a pleasure. Yes, you can really watch a program while still recording it, or watch a different program from the hard drive or DVD tray. The remote control takes a while to get used to but has it all at your fingertips. 

  Enjoy!           New LOW price!     (FREE shipping too)  

If you want to record directly from your camcorder, then Model Panasonic DMR-E100HS is recommended with several " media readers" built-in.  Sometimes  Wal-Mart offers a lower price when they have it in stock but the bottom line cost has been consistently lower at Amazon.com  and  Circuit City .  More Info    Be sure to check out the automated DVD organizers at Tiger Direct.  

Region Free DVD Players have become a necessity to view many of the world's best romantic and exotic movies.  Don't be ripped off -- buy for less from reliable dealers.  Latest Info  

Yes, you can easily make copies of your tapes and DVDs, even copy protected ones.  INFO

iPods have become even better and what a great selection of models to choose from.  Read the latest info  

For DVD storage I stayed away from open towers and chose a storage album that would protect my new investment like 'Case Logic DVA40 Koskin DVD Album (40-Capacity)'     And be sure to check out the automated DVD organizers at Tiger Direct.

Your smart, put on my "Brooks Brothers" suit everyday professional, yet wonderfully demented - -  CinemaVoyeur.