Panasonic DMR-ES35V debuts

[trhouse]

One of my relatives dropped this combo unit off tonight for me to evaluate. It seems the ES30V was replaced by the ES40V which added the LSI processor and DV input.

The ES35V is that and more. The big change is in the recording formats. It can record and playback to dvd-ram, dvd-r, dvd-r DL ( dual layer ), dvd-rw, dvd+r, dvd+rw, and dvd+r DL ( double layer ). As with its predecessors, it can read dvd-rw (VR mode ) but not record to -VR mode. Strange but it says it can use -DL up to 4x but +DL up to 2.4x. I seldom see on store shelves +DL slower than -DL. Dvd+r and dvd-r media can be 16x. Dvd-rw up to 6x and dvd+rw, 4x.

I plan to test and photograph the insides, and verify the use of the LSI processor before the weekend. Not sure how the combo made it too BestBuy's shelves before the single. I understand the price is $254.

[trhouse]

Photos here,

https://forum.videohelp.com/viewtopic.php?t=279460&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=81

Test results here,

https://forum.videohelp.com/viewtopic.php?t=279460&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=82

It is not an LSI processor but a new Panasonic encoder with Firewire.

[bnbhoha]

Good deal. I'm waiting for the HDD version; I think it was the Eh55. I'm curious to know if they made better menus. The HDD version is suppose to have a HDMI output, 200gb HDD, DV input. Not sure if it will have a JUKEBOX to store MP# songs like the Pioneer 640. Are you sure this has a LSI chip; I thought Panny used their own in house chip. Also curious to know if they changed the navigation on this/ GUI. Please get back to us. Thanks

[trhouse]

Based on Gshelley61 finding an LSI chip in the ES20, it seemed Panasonic had adopted the LSI encoder. This is not the case. The ES35V has a Panasonic chip although it is not the same one as in the ES10. The ES10 chip ran cool and did not require a heatsink. This chip runs hot with a heatsink and the ES35V has a larger fan than the ES30V.

The menus on the ES35V seem identical to that of the ES30V. The only changes I found to navigation have to do with the fact this is a combo unit. For example, the ES30V duplicates controls for the VCR and DVD sides. The ES35V has a button labelled "Drive Select" which selects the VCR or DVD side so there is now one set of "Stop", "Play", "Pause", etc. controls.

One welcome change was to the remote control. Notice the size of the lettering in the new one. Much larger.

[bobarnett]

I purchased a Panasonic DMR-ES35VS. After installing, it I inserted a +RW disc that I had previously recorded using a GoVideo unit. I expected the unit to play the disk but instead a message came up saying that the disc was not properly formatted and asked if I wanted to format it. I thought that was odd and thought maybe that the disc was actually blank. Instead of saying yes, I inserted another home recorded disc and got the same message. I tried a commercially recorded disc and it started playing just fine but every home recorded disc I tried gave me the same "format" message.
I delved into the manual and found on page 25 I found this:
"When you insert a new disc and a disc recorded on a computer or other equipment, a format confirmation screen might be displayed. Format the disc to use it. However all the recorded contents are deleted."
Does this mean that none of my 600+ previously home recorded +RW discs can be played on this unit? Was this unit designed for only first-time dvd recorder owners? If this is true then I find it very strange that there wasn't a more prominently displayed caveat concerning this rather important limitation.
I have sent an email to Panasonic support with a similar inquiry and if they don't have a way to rectify this major drawback, I will return it.

[trhouse]

It is not a universal issue with +rw. I recently tested a Polaroid DRM-2001G hard drive recorder. The tests were done with a X4, +rw disk. The disk played fine on the ES35V but some +rw's I create on the computer will not play and give the unformated message. These disks do play on my Pioneer 531H however. It is not media since I can reformat the same disk on the ES35V and record to it with the ES35V and play it.

If I were in your position, I would take one of your disks to the store and explain your situation and exchange for a brand that will play them. 600+ is a lot of +rw's!

[jethro12]

[quote="bobarnett"]I purchased a Panasonic DMR-ES35VS. After installing, it I inserted a +RW disc that I had previously recorded using a GoVideo unit. I expected the unit to play the disk but instead a message came up saying that the disc was not properly formatted and asked if I wanted to format it. I thought that was odd and thought maybe that the disc was actually blank. Instead of saying yes, I inserted another home recorded disc and got the same message. I tried a commercially recorded disc and it started playing just fine but every home recorded disc I tried gave me the same "format" message.

I came across the same problem with mine.I had some DVD+RW I made from an Apex unit and it gave the unformatted box when I put them into the DMr-es35v .