Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 16
 Excellent machine, great picture quality and actually works! December 29, 2008
Simon S
11 out of 11 found this review helpful
I bought a Panasonic DMR EX88EB after a truly awful experience with the buggy rushed-to-market Philips DVDR 5570H.
Unlike the Philips machine, the Panasonic just gets on with the job - the EPG was downloaded within minutes of the first power up, the unit responds to remote control button presses quickly, it hasn't crashed once, it's recorded everything I asked it to, and it all just works. Picture quality is noticeably better than the Philips too.
Interestingly, my TV now switches to the HDMI input within two or so seconds. It would take 5-10 seconds with the Philips machine (including 2 seconds of bright green screen - very Doctor Who!).
Some quirks with the Panasonic I've found so far:
- You need a Scart lead during the initial setup (and one isn't supplied in the box), even if you only intend to use HDMI. This isn't documented in the patchy instruction manual. Once the Panasonic and your TV have agreed to talk to each other via HDMI (this happens towards the end of the initial setup), various HDMI menus become available, and you can unplug the bulky Scart lead and put it away.
- You can't set another timed recording whilst the machine is recording something. You can't even view the Guide. Odd.
- There's a mysterious comb filter in the picture menu. It isn't explained anywhere in the manual what this really does for you.
- Most people are using HD TVs, and most are 1080i or p. The Machine's user interface is clearly designed for a much lower resolution, so looks blocky and pixellated on a decent TV. Scalable font technology has been around for years, so I can't see why Panasonic can't tidy this up. It is 2008 after all (or even 2009 when you read this).
Finally, and please excuse the shouting, but THERE IS NO ANALOGUE TUNER built in. If you can't get high quality Digital TV signals in your area, the Panasonic is not the machine for you.
Otherwise, buy one!
Panasonic DMREX88 November 14, 2008
R. Mckenna (Bristol, UK)
9 out of 9 found this review helpful
Replaced my 6 year old Panasonic HS2 40GB HDD recorder ( Which is still a great piece of kit and reliable) with this one. Had it a week and absolutely love it. having had a Panny before then the layout of the controls and menu's were all very familiar which I think is great as its more an evolution from what worked fine rather than being a revolution. with that said even if you are new to Panasonic recorders you should be able to grasp their menus quicker than most others. What is an absolute dream for me over my earlier DVD recorder is the ability to record back to hard drive from the DVD disk ( previously available on the HS2 from RAM disks only ) I find the digital TV tuner very simple to operate, the ads on the left of the screen from the TV guide dont bother me at all and the ability to make almost one touch recordings by selecting the channel and programme from the Digital TV guide is another pleasure.
I could go on all day praising this machine but to sum up Im glad I stayed loyal to the brand and am really pleased to have upgraded to this new generation of recorder.
DMR-EX88 - Outstanding Excellence July 20, 2008
Mr. John Williams (Enfield in North London)
47 out of 51 found this review helpful
Well I have to say after two weeks of use I'm absolutely knocked out by it's performance. The picture quality is superb and the copy quality from the Hard Drive is the best I've seen. Having had two previous Panasonic recorder/hdd combo's this really is their best yet.
As a previous reviewer noted the instruction details could do with a user friendly tweak, but that aside I have yet to see a better machine.
If you use and record from a HD source you will require calming measures as the end product should carry a Government health warning.
So should you be in the market for a dvd/hdd recorder look no further.
Highly recommended.
Panasonic DMR-EX88EB-K Freeview + 400gb HDD/DVD Recorder February 17, 2009
I. M. Brown (London, England)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
Having bought, three years ago, an earlier Panasonic DVD Recorder (Panasonic DMR EH80V), this 400gb model looked extremely attractive for both functionality and price. It has proved to be an excellent machine in the month that I have been using it and is highly recommended. The electronic programming guide is simplicity itself and quality of both picture and sound, even in LP mode, is remarkable. My previous Panasonic dvd recorder is still working perfectly well and this machine will operate alongside it. A product definitely worth considering and in my opinion represents exceptional value.
Absolutely excellent DVD recorder with hard drive September 19, 2008
I. J. Elliott
15 out of 17 found this review helpful
I own a Panasonic Viera TV so I am really into Panasonic now. My old DVD recorder with hard drive (JVC) purchased 4 years ago blew up so I needed a new one. This one ticked all the boxes and since it arrived I have been so pleased with it. It is so easy to use and the upgrading is excellent. When I play Sky through it - even that looks more colourful. The navigation is simple and recording - I would definitely recommend this.
Showing reviews 1-5 of 16
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