Is the DMR-EH75V the best way to copy VHS to DVD?

The Panasonic DMR-EH75V can record to HDD (hard disk) or different types of DVDs and copy VHS to DVD. When you record to the HDD or DVD-RAM you can use the option called “chase playback”. This DVR function allows you to watch the beginning of a recording while the end is still being recorded. Another useful feature is the flexible recording length which allows you to specify how long the program you want to record is. It will completely fill the DVD while maximizing the quality of the recording.

The Panasonic DMR-EH75V has four recording modes: XP (1 hour on a single-layer DVD), SP (2 hours), LP (4 hours), and EP (6 or 8 hours). LP mode stands out with a very good recording resolution. The recordings have almost the same quality as SP mode. Like other DVD recorders (DVRs) from Panasonic there is a problem with disc compatibility.

If you want to play a DVD created on another DVR or DVD recorder you will receive a message that the disc needs to be formatted. The Panasonic DMR-EH75V also has an EPG (Electronic Programming Guide) so you can schedule your recordings. It is not as easy to use as TiVo’s but unlike TiVo it‘s free.

When you want to copy VHS to DVD the process is quite slow. The Panasonic DMR-EH75V has a very good dubbing speed when you record from HDD to disc. During high-speed dubbing you cannot record on HDD. However the DMR-EH75V can record a program while you are watching something else.

The Panasonic DMR-EH75V can up-convert to 480p, 720p, and 1080i resolution via HDMI (High Definition Media Interface). For connectivity there are three A/V inputs, a component-video output and a FireWire input. There is no component-video input and no coaxial digital output.

The design of Panasonic DMR-EH75V is simple. The graphical interface is not as intuitive as it should be but after a while you get used to it. The Direct Navigator button allows you to access recorded programs and the Function button will be used if you want to change the format of a recording (copy VHS to DVD for example). Most of the navigation is done using the remote control’s directional pad. The remote is not difficult to use. Most functions have dedicated buttons. However, it would have been better if the one-touch recording buttons on the front panel would have appeared on the remote too.

Conclusion: The Panasonic DMR-EH75V is a great VHS/DVD recorder combination. It can copy VHS to DVD, record to and play back DVDs and it also has a built-in HDD of 80GB. The recording quality is excellent, it has an HDMI output, a free TV Guide EPG and good recording speed although if you want to copy VHS to DVD the process is quite slow. The Panasonic DMR-EH75V should satisfy even the most dedicated videophiles.