Features

• Choose between five recording modes for better quality or longer playback; full-function DVD-Video player as well
• Record to DVD-R and DVD-RAM digital media
• Time Slip Playback allows you to watch any previously recorded show while simultaneously recording from the TV
• Direct Navigator function makes it easy to find a desired program on a heavily used disc
• Rapid Random Access lets you jump directly to any spot on a disc and begin playback or recording immediately

Reviews (19)

An Excellent Device
Have had mine for about a year now.I am amazed that is still works, just as well as when I first bought it.A few times, the recorder would fail to read blank disks correctly or record onto them.This had me scared.Then, I found out that the problem was my own, as I had failed to properly clean the unit as recommended, after every ten hours of use.For a machine like this, doing this is critical, as the laser used to read and record onto the optical disks quickly becomes dirty.You can buy a cd/dvd laser lens cleaning disk from any electronics store.If you haven't bought a defective unit, you should have no problems, as long as you remember to properly clean its lens frequently.

As for DVD-RAM, I've read a review stating problems recording with it.I've had no problems, but have learned that this unit seems to prefer harder-to-find DVD-RAMs which are in the non-removable cartridge casing.These can be ordered on-line, but you probably won't them in many stores, which tend to sell the removable cartridge disks.

As for normal DVD-R disks, I haven't noticed that this unit favors one particular manufacturer over another.If you don't properly clean it, it will begin rejecting disks, no matter the manufacturer.I have used disks made by Memorex (my favorite), Maxell, Verbatim, Fujifilm, and others. They all work as good as any others.This means you can shop to find the cheapest!When buying any unit of this type, you must expect that the unit will rejest a certain proportion of disks (at most, I'd say about 10%).It's just the nature of the beast.This means you either have a malfunctioning unit, the disk is dirty, or the laser lens needs to be cleaned, and last but not least - no particular reason, the unit just doesn't seem to like the disk.With a Panasonic, however, the chances are your machine won't be a malfunctioning one, as it is of excellent, reliable manufacture.Once again, it's very easy to underestimate how important it is to clean the unit religiously.If you don't, it'll play dvds, but won't record them after a while.

Video quality is exactly as expected.You can record up to 6 hours of video on one DVD-R or DVD-RAM disk.Don't ecpect superb quality, though.At worst, it'll look like a two year old video tape.At best, it'll look like a video tape you have used to record onto.I very rarely use any of the higher quality recording settings, as I want to cram as much content as I can onto disks, but they work as expected.If you record on the higher settings, you end up with better quality.

In conclusion, I don't have any regret whatsoever spending $500 on this unit.This unit is the sturdiest and most reliable electronic device I have ever owned (besides my computer).Once you have learned its peculiar quirks (every machine has it own), it will become a welcome member of your family.

6 Months of Trouble-Free Recording
I haven't had any DVD-RAM format issues as of yet, but DO use only Panasonic DVD-RAM discs. I've had two or three out of 300 or so DVD-R discs (of differing CHEAP brands) to fail - you could usually find an obvious flaw in the media. The E-20 doesn't suffer from the "black screen bug" of the later E-30 to 50s and has excellent recording in the higher quality SP or better modes. I do use the flexible recording mode for recordings exceeding 2 hours (to maximize the bitrate and quality of the final product - usually half D1).

I did take the time to ensure adequate ventilation (Panasonic didn't put a fan on it for nothing).

DVD players that require UDF 1.02 or 1.50 format will not play the finalized DVDs (i.e. Apex 1100W), but my JVC and Pioneer players will - as do most computer DVD-ROMs.

Pretty good machine
I purchased this model in January, primarily to start transferring my hundreds of videotapes onto DVD format.I've put several of them on DVD-RAM discs with no problems.In fact, I love that I can record a whole section and then go back and delete all the commercials and stuff, which cleans up the recording and also returns space to the disk.