Panasonic DMR-EX78 DVD/HDD Recorder Comments

Can't transfer from the internal HDD to USB drive, that's quite a shame given that the USB protocol is bi-directional, and therefore it must really be easy to implement.

Love it, however when i turn on my television, a 37PX80, the recorder seems to do an "internal startup" (it does not turn on) and makes an annoying hum. Anybody else found this? If I turn on power save it does not "hum" but you lose the clock. Did you find this on your test?

A fine picture - even on a good CRT via scart (its much better over better connections), but of course can't comment on hdmi with upscaling (will soon when I get that HDTV). All the required features are present, HHD to DVD etc. But the best for me is the series link with Freeview - now Dr. Who is all queued up automatically - this is truely the killer feature. Alas, there is one agrevating downer - the startup time from cold is very slooooooooow. 20+ seconds doesn't sound too long, but in real life, its an eternity - I am tending to leave it on if I think I will need it later - there goes planet earth. I assume that they are booting the OS from the HDD instead of ROM - cheapskates. Would I recomend? - yes I think I would.

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE don’t buy this awful machine. It’s the worst piece of hardware I’ve ever owned. It doesn’t read anything but commercial DVD’s. If you make your own, or back any up, it won’t read them. The remote is just terrible (buttons which cancel everything you’ve just entered are right next to “OK” buttons etc) and the menus are user-hostile at best; the Freeview guide is full of irritating adverts; many IMPORTANT functions are only available on the machine, ie not on the remote!!! Back to the 80’s or what… And it’s far from cheap…