Panasonic DMR-E55 DVD Recorder

Pros: Ridiculously low price, excellent recording and playback, features and connectivity
Cons: MP3 playback quality, lack of FireWire input, can't record to DVD+R/W

The VCR has pretty much died when the DVD recorder prices slid to less than $300. My first VCR (European Panasonic SD11AM) cost $340 and had one speed and no stereo sound. As DVD recorders are getting cheaper, they are getting more capable as well. The ...

Pros: Excellent inputs/outputs/image; Good ease-of-use; DVD-RAM; Price
Cons: Timer can't be set for "weekly" recordings; Remote's channel-changing button

I bought this to replace (and improve on) my JVC S-VHS VCR for the 50% of my system use that is watching cable TV. While the JVC VCR deck satisfied about 65% of my needs, the Panasonic DMR-E55 satisfies 95% of my needs, and at a bargain price to boot! ...

Pros: Good quality even at 8 hours, easier to use than a vcr
Cons: No hard drive, limited media support

I purchased this unit after reading some reviews on different models. This recorder delivers everything I wanted for the price-range. Image quality: I was very impressed with the 6 hour and 8 hour video quality. You can see a slight difference ...

Pros: Quality recording, sleek, quiet, DVD ram has cool features.
Cons: NONE NONE NONE

It was time for me to get a DVD recorder. I got tired of getting those huge ugly VHS tapes that can get eaten up by the VCR, they start decaying over time and they're just bad. So this past month I went out to the store (my local Circuit City Austin, ...

Pros: Good interface. If you don't record several different programs, it will be OK for you.
Cons: Can only record 4 hours, practically speaking, not 16.

Panasonic's advertising and information on the box says "Records 16 Hours!" That sounded just right for me. I normally record the news, Jay Leno, and Conan every day (plus a few other programs now and then). So I thought that this recorder would ...

Pros: Inexpensive. Records easily. Good quality of recording.
Cons: Instruction manual isn't complete. Quirky with some disks.

UPDATE: 6/2006 I wrote a review on AMAZON.com on this item and how to overcome Failed Finalization. Since I discovered this technique, I've not lost a single recording. The address: ...

Pros: Good value/price for the performance, clear instructions, intuitive functions
Cons: Only DVD-Ram format for disks. Only about 4 to 6 hours of programming.

My first DVD Recorder. TV programming is more enjoyable for being able to skip the commercials and jump over the boring bits. I just tape several programs, then view the interesting parts. You can watch while recording, so start watching the news 15 ...

Pros: Great facilities and picture, DVD Ram excellent, even Granny could use timer.
Cons: DVD Ram cartridges don't seem to be available.

I decided to buy this recorder as the reviews were all good and the price was within my budget. With a Ram disk its recording properties are similar to a hard disk type, which allow you to view and record at the same time. This is really useful if you ...

Pros: None I can come up with
Cons: Is not a true DVD-R recorder.Is not other branded disk media friendly.

I tried this model out and after recording for 40 minutes.It shut down and tried to recover.Then said disk error and then said disk not compatible?I was using a DVD-R Sony brand.It is suppose to record it on a DVD-R then after you finalise the disk it is ...

Pros: Easy to use with some fine features
Cons: DVD-RAM discs are not cheap, rendering them unusable is not a positive feature.

I was very pleased with the E55 for 11 months, then it started rejecting my RAM discs. It seems that the erase function was wiping out all of the data on the disk including what is necessary to have it read as recordable. If I used it as a recorder and ...

Pros: Built solid, easy to use.
Cons: Very poor design & function

I know others have already went over the features of this DVD recorder, so I'll discuss the performance & functions of the DMR-E55. The 1st thing you'll notice is the loading tray opens very slow. The loading tray design is so you can only pickup the ...

Pros: Wonderful while it lasted
Cons: The technology used in these DVD recorders is too short -lived.

I bought this machine because of the reviews,the price and I like to buy from quality manufacturers. It has been fantastic, the whole family have found it easy to use and love its features. After VHS I think we all find DVD recording life changing(yes,it ...

Pros: reliable, works
Cons: can be around usd 300 level to really make impact on market

my testtime has been over 100 nites now... Panasonic E 55 Review This is one machine that works , if you want to capture things Onto DVD-R medium. the DVD RAM is like your mini Harddisk actually. Write and view and erase , basically. DVD ...

Pros: Price was right. I like RAM features (VCR replacement). Time-slip is nice.
Cons: Loose quality when converting Hi8 tapes. Instructions manual is poorly written.

I bought this DVD recorder primarily to convert my Hi8 home video tapes to digital media that would last for 100 years. The unit functions fine, but I am a bit disappointed with the A2D conversion or MPEG compression not sure where the problem lies. ...

Pros: styling performance price
Cons: slow reading discs, no black available @ BestBuy, no optical input!!!!

I bought this dvd recorder to put current programs from a DVR on a DVD - guess what? there's no optical input for audio - this makes things a lot tougher for me because my audio receiver (which I have all my components plugged into...audio is optical only) can't convert from optical to crappy little RCA plug sound. If it had a optical input, all would be well. Why would they leave a feature like this out? Now I'll be required to either buy a converter (optical to RCA) or change the cables from each source into the recorder...VCR/DVR/etc.... of course I have yet to see an optical input on ANY DVD recorder.....so its not a Panasonic fault.