I read for over two months on every forum I could find and even went to BestBuy twice to learn all I could digest about the DMR-HS2. I loved everything about it's features but I just couldn't learn to like the shiny silver casing since all of my home theater equipment was black.

I was looking thru the avs forums and stumbled upon a gentleman asking about a DMR-T3040 model and asking how it differed from the HS2. After looking up this model on Panasonic's web site my prayers have been answered! It's the same as the HS2 but in BLACK!! It is listed as Panasonic's Pro Series but the specs read the same as the HS2.

http://www.panasonic.com/PBDS/subcat/Products/dvd/f_dmr-t3040.html
http://www.dtvprofessional.com/2002/10_oct/news/cw_pana_dvdrec.htm

I found that B&H Photo had it in stock for only $25 more than the HS2 so I grabbed my credit card and ordered it and a 3 pack of Panasonic's DVD-RAM discs. It will all be here tomorrow so I will have all weekend to play. I have a Toshiba DVD drive in my computer that will read DVD-RAM discs as well as a Pioneer 104 DVD-R so this will allow me to transfer into my computer and edit and burn offline as well..

My question is for you guys (and gals) that have owned your HS2 for a while now..

Do you have any tips/suggestions or maybe certain settings that needs to be changed from the way it comes out of the box or do I just hook it up and "use it".

Thanks again for all the past info everyone has given over the last few months..

Rick