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Let's Compare Panasonic DVD Recorder (Panasonic’s DMR-ES20) with the Other Panasonic's
(Reviewed 10/3/06) Most Panasonic DVD recorders get rave reviews but then came another mission: lets compare Panasonic DVD recorder of late with the recent Panasonic DMR-ES20. Let’s see how the Panasonic DMR-ES20 stacks up with previous Panasonic DVD recorders and go from one older sibling to another.

To compare Panasonic DVD recorder Panasonic DMR-ES20’s design with any other DVD recorder in the land is like comparing a piece of paper to a piece of cardboard. Panasonic DMR-ES20 is thinner and sleeker compared to other DVD recorders that came before it and the shaded plastic panel running on the length of the deck and which houses the LED display is also a plus. It’s available either in silver or in black.

The Panasonic DMR-ES20's remote control is not so good when it comes to style; the remote doesn’t match the stylishness of the deck but it is user-friendly and can be programmed to operate your TV. It would be better if it had buttons to cycle through the DVD player's angle and its repeat options.

The recording quality of the Panasonic DMR-ES20 is good. These are its recording capabilities. The Panasonic DMR-ES20 can record with a simple hit of the record button, by scheduling a recording manually, or with VCR Plus+. The Panasonic DMR-ES20 also has five fixed-recording-time modes, a handy Flexible Recording mode and a Quick Start Function.

Compare Panasonic DVD recorder ( the Panasonic DMR-ES20) ability to record on DVD formats with the previous ones. The Panasonic DMR-ES20 can record all DVD formats save for DVD+RW. However, you do get a few hard drive-style features like chasing playback when recording on a DVD-RAM disk. It also offers many editing options but they only work for DVD-RAM discs. Too bad. This still gives Panasonic DMR-ES20 the edge.

The Panasonic DMR-ES20’s deck is an entry level deck.

For an entry-level deck, Panasonic DMR-ES20’s deck has a solid set of connections: component and composite video and S-Video at the back and an analog audio output, an optical digital audio output and an RF out for antenna or cable connections too. Rear inputs include an RF and a couple of A/V inputs with S-Video. A third set of A/V inputs with S-Video and FireWire for easy hookup to DV camcorders are located on the front-panel hatch.

Compare Panasonic DVD recorder (the Panasonic DMR-ES20) with its older siblings, performance- wise. The Panasonic DMR-ES20 had menus that were easy to use and the DV input made for easy camcorder dubbing. However, it was unable to create chapter stops on a DVD +R/-R/-RW discs and it had no IR blaster for timed recordings. Definitely a better remake of the older ones.

Conclusion If you compare Panasonic DVD recorder - the Panasonic DMR-ES20 with other Panasonic DVD recorders, you basically get the same thing. It may be relatively inexpensive, with excellent recording quality and the camcorder dubbing is easy, but when it comes to editing features, this new Panasonic DVD recorder falls short. Maybe it was better not to compare Panasonic DVD recorder Panasonic DMR-ES20 with other DVD recorders at all. Mission accomplished.