The Panasonic DMRE Series Offers us the EH50 DVD Recorder.

This Panasonic DMRE does not have a huge HDD capacity but it should be enough for most users. It has 4 recording modes: XP (1 hour), SP (2 hours), LP (4 hours), and EP (6 or 8 hours depending on the quality of the sound). The EH50 DVD recorder has flexible recording length, which enables you to maximize the video quality by completely filling a disc. On the HDD you can record up to 144 hours using the lowest-quality recording mode.

You can use several options while recording on the hard disc.There’s ”simultaneous record” (you can record a program while watching something else) or “chasing playback” (you can watch the beginning of a show while the end is still being recorded). On the remote you will find a useful commercial skip button which fast forwards 60 seconds. Using the Direct Navigator Menu you can edit titles (recordings) on the hard disc.

As a DVD recorder the EH50 is compatible with various kinds of media: DVD+R, DVD-R/WR or DVD-RAM. It takes about 6 minutes to copy a recording of one hour on a DVD. The dubbing process is very simple; the menu guides you through all the necessary steps. The EH50 DVD recorder also has a free TV guide menu which allows you to schedule your recordings.

The EH50 DVD recorder can play DVDs, as well as CDs (MP3 files included). However you cannot save the MP3 files on the hard disc to listen to them later. The EH50 DVD recorder has an SD card slot. This might compensate for its lacks of a FireWire input to connect to a camcorder.

The design of the Panasonic DMRE EH50 DVD recorder is not outstanding. It has a black and silver front panel where you can find the usual buttons (record, play, pause). The remote control looks nice and the buttons are logically displayed, so it is easy to use. It has a dedicated button for “Commercial skip”. The stop, play and pause buttons are colored differently. In the middle there is a rotating well that replaces the traditional buttons.

The Panasonic DMRE EH50 DVD recorder has a solid set of connections: 3 composite-video inputs, 3 S-video inputs, 3 audio inputs, 2 S-video outputs, 1 component video out, 2 audio outs, RF input and output, optical digital output. Unfortunately, it lacks a FireWire input. The interface is intuitive and you will quickly get used to it. At the bottom of the screen there are some useful icons that tell you what buttons you have to press.

Conclusion:The Panasonic DMRE EH50 DVD recorder’s set of features will probably please even the most dedicated videophiles. This Panasonic DMRE has almost everything one could ask from a DVD recorder, and the build-in HDD is a welcomed bonus.