As the cost of DVD recorders continues to fall, big-name brands have had to lower their prices to fend off competition from so-called 'supermarket specials' imported from the Far East.
The DMR-ES15 is Panasonic's most affordable disc recorder to date, which like similar models from Philips and Pioneer can be bought for less than AU$400. At this price there's always going to be a few compromises -- no hard drive recording options, an analog only tuner and compromised connectivity. But, as an entry-level upgrade to your imminently obsolete VCR, it's ideal.
Multi-format compatibility means you can record and playback using practically any disc format, while the informative menu system and intuitive remote make operation simple. High-quality recordings are impressively faithful to the original and the DMR-ES15 also performs admirably as a standalone DVD player, especially if your display can accept progressive scan video.
Design
For a budget recorder, the DMR-ES15 appears more substantially constructed than you might expect. It's still a little lightweight, and the ordinary design is uninspiring, but at least build quality is a cut above similarly priced models.
The bevelled front panel is simple with only a few basic controls, which have been arranged at an angle for easier access from above the unit. A stiff panel at the centre opens to reveal a set of equally accessible, basic AV connections, including a previously ignored DV input that provides a direct digital link for higher quality images from camcorders.
The remaining connections have been spaciously set across the rear panel where cut-price compromises are more apparent. There are two SCART terminals but only the AV1 output is RGB-enabled for high quality performance. You can use the accompanying standard SCART (AV2) to input external devices like a digital TV receiver, but picture quality is slighted and recordings suffer as a result.
There are also component video inputs, which support progressive scan signals to produce smoother, flicker-free DVD images, provided you have a display with corresponding connections. Audio ability is supplemented by a pair of typical stereo analog outputs and a digital optical output. The digital audio output can be used to carry multi-channel sound formats, like Dolby Digital and DTS, to a home cinema receiver for surround sound set ups.
Panasonic's remotes always place functionality above flair, so while the outsized controls appear ungainly they're well arranged, responsive and intelligently designed to navigate through various recording, playback and editing functions. There are also useful short-cut controls for vital functions like VideoPlus and Time Slip.
Features
Panasonic's DMR-ES15 is a truly universal recorder that will accept software discs in practically every format. You can record and playback a variety of formats including DVD-RAM, DVD-/+R, DVD-/+RW and even the latest dual-layer discs that double your recording time.
Not only does this make shopping for software easier, but it also gives you extra versatility with recordings. You can use Panasonic's preferred DVD-RAM to make edited and time slip recordings, -/+RW for temporary or portable recordings and -/+R discs for permanent copies. The list of playback formats is equally inclusive, stretching from standard DVD and CDs to encoded discs and even DVD-Audio, although playback is restricted to two channels only.
Less impressive is the inclusion of only an analogue TV tuner. This limits your choice of channels, affects overall image quality and makes recordings less easy to programme. You can still connect a separate digital receiver but, as mentioned, picture quality is compromised using the standard SCART input.
Without an EPG to assist you, there are several ways to make recordings, ranging from simple one-touch functions to timer recordings and VideoPlus. Panasonic's Quick Start function means recordings are instantly initiated without the usual delay that means you often miss the start of programmes.
As usual, there are several recording modes each of which trade overall picture quality with recording capacity. Using the highest quality (XP) mode gives you an hour's recording on a standard 4.7GB disc; with SP you get 2hrs; LP gives you 4hrs and EP provides 8hrs. There's also the useful Flexible Recording (FP) mode, which automatically selects the best quality mode that enables recordings to fit on the remaining disc space. It's ideal if you're not sure how much disc space you have left, or if you want to fit films onto a single disc using the best possible quality.
The Disc Navigator menu system is expertly organised using thumbnail images to easily recognise recordings. There's also a host of post-editing features, especially using the hard-disk nature of DVD-RAM discs, that let you delete, name, protect and organise recordings.
Performance
The performance of recordings is always dictated by the quality of the integrated TV tuner, which acts as a master copy for recordings to recreate. Although in this instance it's only an analog tuner, image quality is more than acceptable.
Broadcast images appear stable and poised with relatively little interference from picture noise. Decent black levels expose sharply defined edges and contrast even in dimly lit scenes. Beautifully balanced colours are equally adept at realising the natural tones in daytime chat shows as they are depicting superficial effects in action films.
Recordings, especially using the two highest quality modes, are faithfully accurate to the original. Edges begin to fray and movement occasionally stumbles using the LP mode, but there's still less deterioration than you would expect. Only the blurred, grainy images produced by the lowest quality EP mode should be ignored if possible.
Thankfully, DVD playback hasn't been ignored as merely an afterthought. Progressive scan pictures in particular are impressively clean and cohesive with a tight grip on movement and digital disturbances in all but the most complex scenes, and colours appear more vibrant without losing any natural realism.
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sb
05/09/2008, 03:33 PM
rating
3/10
same as bosco above. died after 4mos
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Rocky
20/07/2008, 12:13 PM
rating
7/10
Can't get the recorder to record properly. Will record the audio but not the video. Checked all cables over and over and even disconnected from the recorder and connected to a VCR with success which means the problem lies at the recorder input end. Theres only one video input on the back panel so cant see a problem with my setup.
Had my recorder for 12 months and this is the first problem I've had.
Help anyone please
mrrock@iinet.net.au
Pros: Normally very easy to use including editing and deleting. 1 touch recording.
Cons: No eject on the remote
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Panasonic Fan
11/07/2008, 08:44 PM
rating
3/10
Recorder broke down after 1 year. Started to make grinding noise, stop recording reliably and stop being able to finalize DVD's. This product is not typical of Panasonic quality. I highly suggest you look elsewhere like the Toshiba DR-7 (which is what I'm getting to replace this machine)
Pros: Decent recording quality.
Cons: Unreliable product.
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guinnynana
19/06/2008, 07:53 AM
rating
3/10
After more than a year, my DVD player says No Read. It worked perfect the day before and now it just makes a noise and I even bought the DVD cleaner which still stays No Read. It seems that the disk is not turning.
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havingagotoo
30/05/2008, 11:52 PM
rating
4/10
I have only just received this DVD recorder and it was great at the start now seems to stick when reviewing a finalised dvd
Pros: It started off well
Cons: the remote doesn't eject you have to do it manually
the dvd sticks when viewing as though it goes on and off pause.
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lawaco
22/04/2008, 01:46 PM
rating
4/10
I made a mistake buying a Panasonic DMR ES15. It has always had problems recognizing various DVD and CD's. Remote works intermitently. Panosonic support is worthless.
Pros: None
Cons: It is totally unreliable.
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jenmck
11/03/2008, 02:48 PM
rating
6/10
For the first few months this dvd recorder was great, now have problems frequently such as - 1) freezes during playback, screen goes blank and nothing on the remote works for 5 to 10 mins. 2) We record tv programmes on DVD-RWs (various good quality brands)to play at a time to suit us. Occasionally the recorded disc will not play, and message tells us the disc is unformatted, nothing works so we have to format the disc, thereby losing everything recorded.
Cons: After you record your favourite TV program - don't rely on ever being able to watch it.
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greycat
25/02/2008, 07:05 AM
rating
4/10
At first, with this being our first DVD recorder, we were quite pleased. Problems began about 11 months later.
Pros: Easy to use. Playback picture quality not great, but quite acceptable.
Cons: 11 months later, a grinding noise began when a blank DVDs was inserted and was rejected as "unreadable". Panasonic was called and the answer we got was "if you buy blank discs in a stack, some will not be usable and this is why it is making that noise".....this we found rather odd as we had probably recorded over 100+ discs at that point and all were purchased in cake boxes of 25 to 50 without a problem with ANY of them. 2 months later, we played a completed and finalized DVD on another player only to get a message that is was a "Bad Disc". We tried several in the other player and found that those recorded and finalized AFTER we called about the grinding noise were ALL read as a "Bad Disc" even tho the recorder appeared not to have any problems accepting, recording, & finalizing those blank discs. I guess they just didn't want to deal with it on the initial call, huh? It should have been checked and serviced at that point and wasn't.
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Bosco
18/02/2008, 02:35 PM
rating
3/10
Great while it lasted but that wasn't long.
Pros: An all around good, basic , easy to use DVD recorder while it is working.
Cons: I have had it for about 7 months and already it quit on me. While recording a program I noticed the counter stopped as if paused. It wouldn't respond. I powered off then removed the disc. Ever since then it will not read any disc. Even when the drawer is closed with no disc it just makes four beeps and a lower pitch beep and says cannot read the disc. I will have to definately get another DVD recorder as it comes in very handy but from this happening and previous reviews I will not look at another Panasonic and I have bought Panasonic products all my life.
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mustangboy66
28/12/2007, 05:16 AM
rating
4/10
Mine broke down also while archiving old VCR and camcorder tapes. It was great while it lasted.
Pros: Simple and easy.
Cons: Apparently unreliable.
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