Panasonic DMR-E85HS DVD Recorder

[ann coates]

Is $399.00 a pretty good price for the Panasonic DVD Recorder DMR-E85HS? I know they have new recorders coming out in May or June, so I'm not sure if I should wait or just pick this one up now as it's selling for $100.00 less than the new ones are going to retail for. Opinions?

I'll add that my main reason for wanting the recorder is to put VHS tapes on DVDr and to record off the TV.

Lastly, a question for Panasonic DVD recorder owners... do you find yourself regretting not being able to record to CDRW discs? I know this is one of the main features this recorder lacks as it uses DVD-RAM instead. I can't see it being very important to me, but maybe I missing something as I'm new to all of this.

[Pink Pryncess]

I just received this exact DMR-E85H yesterday, but the remote did not work. so I will be receiving another remote probably Thursday or Friday this week, so as soon as I am able to use it I will post a reply to help you. As of right now, I know I am going to LOVE IT!! The Hard Drive is the feature that sold me on it.
I bought if from crutchfield for 499.00 but I have had a perfect history with Crutchfield so I didn't even shop around, I always go with them, there is no stress when buying from them, the customer service is absolutely wonderful and they send 2 labels for UPS in case of a return, so the price is worth it to me.
Your reasons for buying it are the same as mine, so I would say getting it for 399.00 would be great.
I can tell you more this weekend after I get to use it. It was so frusterating to have the remote not work!!

I will reply in a few days. If you have a time limit to get it, I would say GET IT!!!

[handyguy]

Be sure the remote code is set to work on the same code your panny is as it accepts a few codes so you can have more than one panny product.......

ann, they are great machines, if you want to read more, try searhing the forums for 'e85'.

[ann coates]

Thank you for the replies Pink Pryncess and handyguy. I guess my main concern was that the new Panasonic recorders out at the end of May might have vast improvements and that I might regret buying one now. Although at $399.00 it's a bit hard for me to pass up.

[jossy]

You cannot record with DVD-RW discs, no 160 Gig Hd, and a poor remote.. Buy the JVC DR-Mh30S machine ..a much better buy at $550

[mike1061]

Where did you find the e85 for $399
Thanks MIke

[handyguy]

mike you can get it at buydig for $365:

http://www.buydig.com/shop/product.aspx?sku=PNDMRE85HS

[mike1061]

Thanks
Mike

[Leoslocks]

...the new Panasonic recorders out at the end of May might have vast improvements...

I am sure it will have some improvements, that is why we can find similar units under $400 now. I plan on getting a JVC before the new models come out because the current models do a good job and are now affordable.

Looking at the E85 @ B&H photo ($399.95), I realize it does not have a Firewire input. This is a plus if you want to add footage from DV cameras.

[ann coates]

Where did you find the e85 for $399
Thanks MIke

At Circuit City. You have to go through their website for this price (price may be different in store) but you can choose pick up at your local Circuit City. This is what I did. I always prefer to buy off line for these kind of purchases if possible as returns are easier should I not be happy with it.

I plan on getting a JVC before the new models come out because the current models do a good job and are now affordable.

I decided to buy now for the same reason.

[mike1061]

Thanks again
Mike

[ktoey]

I was just in the Circuit City in Covia, CA. Same $399 price as the web's.
I want to get this recorder but hesitate because it does not have firewire.
Question: Is there much difference in conversion quality between firewire and AV input ?.

[SuperTech]

>Question: Is there much difference in conversion quality between firewire and AV input ?.

Yes ..direct AV input is better ..!
This has been mentioned numerous times here and the avsfurum.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=106

Do a search ;-}

[jean holland]

Greetings from Merry Holland!
For some time now we've been interested in buying one of the DMRE85H machines. Like many people our aim was to copy all our old precious video's onto disc. However, we've just read an article about this Panasonic model, that it couldn't do that function. So, we wondered, do you have to use an external VCR to copy your tapes? We are first time buyers and very new to this hobby and we are looking for as much help as we can possibly find on this subject!
Can anyone out there tell us: is the Panasonic DMRE85 the machine for us?
THANK YOU!

JEAN AND HARRY

[Captain Satellite]

Greetings from Merry Holland!
For some time now we've been interested in buying one of the DMRE85H machines. Like many people our aim was to copy all our old precious video's onto disc. However, we've just read an article about this Panasonic model, that it couldn't do that function. So, we wondered, do you have to use an external VCR to copy your tapes? We are first time buyers and very new to this hobby and we are looking for as much help as we can possibly find on this subject!
Can anyone out there tell us: is the Panasonic DMRE85 the machine for us?
THANK YOU!

JEAN AND HARRY

Yep, just hook up a VCR to the inputs and you're good to go. Glad to see you're going with the best!

[handyguy]

If you want to plug in your camcorder, digical camera media cards, etc, get a 95HS model.

[jean holland]

Dear Friends!
Thanks very much for your advice. As we've mentioned, we are totally new to this hobby, so we really believed, when we were looking into buying the Panasonic DMR-E85 that we would be purchasing a dvd-recorder/taperecorder combo machine. We were really surprised that wasn't to be the case!!! So now we start again.
Does anyone have any recommandations for a good VHS videorecorder that enables you to MANUALLY TRACK the picture of your video's (we have a huge collection of LP-VHS... and tracking is an essential quality we are looking for).
If anyone has any idea's please let us know - we are dying to get this project on the way.

Thanks again for all your help!

Greetings from Pannerden, Holland, also known as the outer reaches of the Twilight Zone

Jean and Harry Holland

[handyguy]

I haven't found a vhs unit that doesn't let you manually track. Most have auto track & manual tracking. You use the other buttons to track when a video is playing, so you don't have tracking buttons on the new machines, just the old ones.....