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Is the Panasonic DMR-ES45V the best way to copy VCR to DVD?

(Reviewed 11/23/06) The Panasonic DMR-ES45V can copy VCR to DVD at a decent quality. This DVD recorder is designed to save your old VHS tapes from oblivion. It has other features that might impress a potential buyer: HDMI output, flexible recording length etc. This DVD recorder is a DVD/VCR combo unit.

The Panasonic DMR-ES45V has 4 recording modes: XP (1 hour), SP (2 hours), LP (4 hours) and EP (6 or 8 hours depending on the audio quality). The video quality of the first 3 modes is very good, there is not much difference between SP and LP mode, but in the EP mode you’ll notice the drop in resolution.

You can use the “flexible recording length” option and maximize the video quality of your recording by completely filling the DVD. The Panasonic DMR-ES45V is compatible with different types of recordable media, including DVD-RAM and dual-layer discs. However, it may have some problems when it comes to playing older DVDs.

Panasonic knew that people buy a DVD/VCR combo unit to copy VCR to DVD. So the Panasonic DMR-ES45V offers excellent video quality when you transfer VHS tapes on DVD. The unit can copy VCR to DVD but it also allows you to record to VHS tapes. When it comes to the DVD recorder the Panasonic DMR-ES45V has useful options such as Time Slip which enables you to record something while watching something else.

It also has the “chasing playback” option. This allows you to see the beginning of the recording while the end is still being recorded. Since the DVD recorder lacks a hard drive it does not have an Electronic Programming Guide but it does has onscreen scheduling capability.

When it comes to connectivity the Panasonic DMR-ES45V has the usual connections: one A/V output, two A/V inputs, one component video output, an optical audio output and RF input and output. Additionally the Panasonic DMR-ES45V has an HDMI output and a FireWire input for connecting a camcorder.

For a dual deck unit the Panasonic DMR-ES45V has a nice design. On the front panel there are useful buttons such as play, record and pause that you can use in case you cannot find the remote. The buttons on the remote control are easy to use and logically displayed. There are dedicated, one-touch buttons that make dubbing very easy. It may take some time to get used to the interface, but after a while you'll get the hang of it.

Conclusion : The Panasonic DMR-ES45V offers a set of features that will probably please most buyers especially if you're going to copy VCR to DVD. The unit has some problems with playing different types of discs and it lacks an EPG but it can copy VCR to DVD at an excellent quality and the video quality of the DVD recordings is also impressive.