after I had previously purchased two other devices, tested and exchanged prompt again, I am also now the proud owner of a Panasonic HDD & DVD recorder (model DMR-EH585). The z. T. confusing and unfortunately false statements that are made for this device have prompted me to write your own review. I hope this helps to put the device in the right light and to advise you as potential prospects before buying strengths and weaknesses.
First of all, the device is available in two versions namely in black (model EGK) and silver (Model EGS). I myself have the DMR-EH585EGS, so bought a silver device. At this point, kudos to Amazon: like getting a good price (here: 310, -, in the local electrical discounter costs the part whopping 400, -) and fast delivery (have Monday appointed night, the unit was delivered on the following Wednesday Afternoon).
The unit is neatly packed and came without the slightest scratch on.
Unpacking and construction are no problem. The manual, which I still take a decided position later, vividly shows by means of sketches, as what is connected where. So the unit is connected with a few simple steps and ready to go.
After the first time you turn the device configures itself I present only "German / Germany" and a date and time, -. Done that's about it. I receive TV via satellite system and digital satellite reciever, so that the channel scan does not apply to me. Who cable, of course, also has to perform a channel scan (the power of Pana course at your fingertips and automatically).
The device plays on my older tube TV, connected via Scart cable, an excellent image. Who's talking about bad image, should check the video settings in the Pana-Setup, in which then guarantees set something wrong (the manual and read to have helped so many ...)!
The sound is also described as good: I take it off via a RCA cable (red and white plugs) and give it to my older analog Dolby Surround system in again. Anyone who has a current digital Dolby system and can use a different, higher quality connection, will the sound guarantees still experience a bit better.
The unit makes virtually no perceptible noise! Who else has claimed no idea how loud many other devices - even those without a case fan - can be. Ehrlich: you can under normal conditions neither the active case fans, even the DVD drive, let alone hear the hard drive. Even if the machine approaches the ear to a few centimeters (and who does that?), You can imagine just a barely perceptible and not interfering with God noise.
The Pana takes almost every slice. With purchased DVD's and music CD's, there are no problems even when they are older and therefore slightly scratched. Lend-DVDs from the video store are also detected and played immediately. That there were problems described, can at best with the region code of DVD's (s. Next paragraph) related.
The unit is set to the region code "2" (= West & Central Europe) and thus also plays DVD's only with the region code "2" and "All" from. A change to "0" (= code free, then video DVD's from around the world would be played) is not readily possible.
In Internet's found on the homepage of the manufacturer an updated manual, at least at the time but no updated firmware. Since I still could not notice any problems with the Pana, but I would want to play anyway no newer firmware, so that's (at least currently) not relevant.
The units indicated on the manufacturer's website connections (inputs and outputs) are all available and at least for my purposes perfectly adequate. Who wants to know more should please read the manufacturer. As for recordable and playable formats, I refer also to the technical information from the manufacturer.
I have a record on hard drive, the cutting function (I have also given more info later) and burning to a 4.7GB DVD-R summary successfully tested. I assume that the record is going to work on + R and rewritable, and 8.5 GB of RAM and comprehensive DL blanks as properly.
Regarding playback I've tested: bought and home-burned CD's and DVD's, videos (DVD and DivX movies), music and data (JPG and MP3 files). Everything worked without any problems, as it should be. The "A" and "O" are of course here as anywhere else: good blanks! For DVD's, I suppose, for example only Verbatim blanks, which I in no drive ever any had what problems. Anyone who takes a "Noname" -Billig blank of rummage, located must not complain just when this is not recognized ...
Also playing from a USB stick (I have both tested the device enclosed 1GB memory stick, as well as two other USB sticks successful) works flawlessly.
The other devices often times problematic play DivX movies with the file extension ".avi" works at the Pana also properly both from USB sticks, as well as CD and DVD blanks!
As practically the remote control turns. So you can control the basic functions of many TV sets with the Pana-remote control and the main features of the Pana on only two buttons ("Direct Navigator" and "Function Menu") from z. B..
The in some reviews rated as poor interface function for movies to hard drive and DVD-RAM blanks is anything but that: it works perfect! One can, for. Example, commercial scenes completely precisely cut out a frame from a movie exactly, set chapters and share Recorded (z. B. two episodes of a series) at any point. Those who complained that the cut feature is unusable or inaccurate, just needs time to read the manual ... Seriously, you can press the pause button and then pressing the keys ">" frame by frame back or front "coil" and define quite precisely what is to be cut out.
Broadcasts can be recorded like all devices in different quality levels. When "SP" picture and sound quality are really top notch and you get easily up to two hours on a 4.7GB DVD-making (other modes are: "XP": 1H; "LP": 4h; "EP": 6 am to 8h and "FR"). For longer movies can use the mode "FR"; the unit automatically converts video and audio information (at the expense of quality) then straight down so far that the recording fits on a 4.7 GB blank and this thereby completely fills.
Who does not want to agree beforehand or the advertising before burning still cut out, may initially take up to disk, in series mode "XP" in feature films in the mode "SP". It does not matter how long the recording is actually, you can take up to four hours without a break. Then advertising cut out, cut, if necessary, the beginning and end of the record deal and if desired split into several parts.
Select the "Copy from HDD to DVD" and the mode "FR" option now on "Advanced Copy". Recording is performed in the comprehensive for a 4.7 GB blank highest possible quality. This feature - basically a run-off in real time "re-encoding" - ensures that the recording always in the best possible quality fits on a blank and that this is exactly full.
In other recorders you have to specify the desired level of quality as a function of the duration before recording and can not change this. The result is that the image quality is worse because more space on the blank is left, which is not used.
Example: a movie with 150 minutes length (2h: 30min). To choose would be in a direct recording of the mode "LP" (up to 4h). If recording (after cut out of advertising) burned to a DVD, will be empty on the disk space for 1.5 hours. The (picture) quality of this recording is standard, perhaps comparable to a video cassette.
If the recording mode "SP", it does not fit on a DVD. One would then share the movie and burn to two DVD's, which is not necessarily the best solution.
Burns to the inclusion in the "FR" mode, the 2.5-hour long film is "shrunk", he fills a DVD to 100%. On the disk, no space is wasted and the (visual) quality is not visibly worse.
Interim conclusion: had to give school grades, the unit to which I personally do not only place the essential requirements would deserve a smooth "very good" so far. But as often happens, unfortunately, also applies here: where there is light, there is shadow - which brings me to the weaknesses.
The generated after the first switching on the device basic setting is basically usable, but the possibilities irritate not far. If you want more, you have to fight through some option menus and make the subjectively desired or required settings. That alone is certainly not a disadvantage. Finally, the manufacturer can not know what other devices are connected and which setting I prefer here or there, yes.
But the manual you have exactly on this point as abysmal and even call for technically not entirely untalented as incomprehensible! It is confusing, raises more questions than it answers and discourages. In short, it takes your fun to the otherwise really first-class equipment.
The consolation is: who it trusts itself to place them only once to the side and just intuitively "try" will be rewarded with a clear menu navigation. Therefore my tip: Once rumprobieren with the remote control and if questions arise, specifically in the Operation Manual. In a pinch, you have to stop Browse DVD relevant forums on the Internet or there actively demands.
The device will be actively promoted with the "VIERA Link" and "GUIDE Plus". "VIERA Link" is apparently only from one to the other Panasonic equipment available (z. B. if you connect a Panasonic TV to the DVD hard disk recorders). I have no other Panasonic equipment and therefore can not use the function.
"GUIDE Plus" is something of an advanced EPG (Electronic Program Guide), which allows a simplified programming of recordings to be made possible. This feature is, however, in conjunction with Sat not available. If I interpret this correctly, the function can be used only with cable TV.
It is unfavorable that the time required to call this function key "high" is on the remote control directly via the navigation button. Here you get (especially in the evening, in a darkened light) often times unintentionally and it immediately opens up the annoying "GUIDE Plus" menu window, with which you can not do anything. I tried to open the remote control to cover the contact on the circuit board with ISOBAND but none: apparently the remote is welded ...
While DivX files in the ".avi" format can easily play, the unit goes on strike, unfortunately, in mpg files. These are not recognized and therefore not well played. Compatibility is improved in this point, especially since many cheap DVD players play back such files easily.
My last criticism would be the included accessories: The package includes (in addition to remote control, batteries and instruction manual in German and English), only one (very short) Audio-Video-RCA cable and a (well not exactly long) antenna cable. SCART cable, which for decades is standard and an HDMI cable, which must be regarded as standard today, unfortunately missing. This is shabby, love Panasonic-people, particularly given the fact that many low-cost device accompanied by the above and even more cables of sufficient length.
Interim Result: VG. Points for improvement, the operating instructions must be completely revised urgently necessarily that goes significantly clearer and more understandable!
Conclusion: Compared to the other two from me initially purchased and later exchanged devices, the Panasonic DMR-EH585 is without a doubt the upper class. However, it is made for beginners / newcomers given an almost unusable manual completely unnecessarily difficult. Thus total unfortunately only 4 stars.
