Panasonic DMR-EZ17 DVD Recorder

The Panasonic DMR-EZ17 dvd recorder is my second dvd recorder. I love the low profile design, the quick start-up, the menus are very colorful and distinct. What I love most about it is that I can record on dual-layer discs.As a matter of fact I can record on any dvd format disc except High-def.The quality at SP mode is very good.What I didnt like was that Panasonic claimed it would record 500 lines of resolution at the LP speed, it does not. They look like my old Panasonic DMR-E80H (with the 80GB harddrive) recordings at LP mode. The picture is not as clear and has more noise.That's why the dual-layer at SP mode gives the best combination of quality and quantity. Also the remote doesn't have a open tray button on it. You have to go to the receiver and press it's open tray button to open and close it. Although it wasnt intended to have a hardrive, I would have loved to have one included to archive and later burn recordings to dvd. All the dvd manufacturers seem to be going away from hardrives now and I believe its a mistake because there's a market and a need for them. Otherwise for the 95 dollars I paid for the unit(refurbished) I figured I got a very good deal. I just might buy another one.I'm ordering a Panasonic mini-dv camcorder and will see how they work together. I haven't played with a lot of the other faetures yet but for what I've needed, it has performed nicely.This same unit was a highly rated best buy by Consumers Report and I agree with them whole heartily. I would recommend this unit to anyone interested in a dvd recorder.

I expect good performance from Panasonic dvd recorders. I still have my first unit(2002) that I have used in my audio/video transfer business,it has made thousands of recordings and still works fine. The DMR-EZ17,records perfectly.In the last month it has made dozens of discs without problems of any kind. The only problem this unit has is with its built-in tuner. While the tuner sensitivity is very good and the picture is fine,it locks up if you change the channels quickly. While this would cause no problems for recording,it would be a problem if you use this unit as a tuner and want to channel surf.I bought this unit because I needed more machines in my business,and I am pleased with the performance of this unit. It is easy to use,and works very well and at the price I paid for it on EBAY,quite a bargain.

everything that was promised fast delievery. Excellent value. Seller was honest and forthright. Great description. was delievered as promised and packed very well. All of my dozen or so purchases have been awsome. E-BAY rocks. thank-you.

This DVD recorder works fine when I bought. After 8 months the tuner lost all digital channels. I should have bought warranty. If you decided to buy this DVD, better to purchase warranty.

Pros:
-Reads and writes almost all media: DVD+R/+RW, DVD-R/-RW, and DVD-RAM!
-Very strong ATSC digital tuner: I picked up stations from almost 90 miles away with a good indoor antenna
-QAM tuner: Allows me to pick up unscrambled digital cable channels without a separate cable box
-Excellent picture quality
-Very reliable: I have never had a missed recording or machine malfunction with this unit. Check reviews for other DVD recorders and you will find out how unusual this is. I have had excellent luck recording with Panasonic DVD-RAM and Office Depot DVD-R and DVD+R.
-Quiet: No loud cooling fan. Backlight can also be set to turn off with unit.

Cons:
-No Electronic Program Guide (EPG) or VCR Plus+: You have to program all recordings manually by entering the date, time, and channel. However, NONE of the 2007-2008 model DVD recorders have a real EPG.
-QAM tuner also picks up scrambled digital channels, so it is very difficult to sort through and delete them out (there can be hundreds)
-No separate inputs for cable and antenna. My Samsung HDTV has both. Here, you will have to choose one or the other. However, I am not sure if any other DVD recorders offer this.

Conclusion: An excellent DVD recorder ready for the digital transition. The tuner is strong enough that you can use it separately as a digital tuner/DVR. I have an older Panasonic DVD Recorder (DMR-ES20) that I have had great luck with, too. Definitely recommended.

this unit will not only convert the analog to digital, but will record up to 8 full hours of hi def tv siginal you get over the air antenna, you will have to pay a minanum of 125 to 195 for just the converter, and this unit records on DVD, so in my oppinioun its worth 2 times the price.

It's everything that I need great player, excellent recorder and easy to operate. With the price that I got it ($72) I could have not got anything even close to this from a brick and mortar store with similar functions.

I have been looking for a DVD recorder with an ATSC tuner for my local antenna reception. This unit has a better buffer for the digital broadcast signal than all but my 3 year old Samsung Plasma TV. This recorder will accept all DVD formats.
ONE disadvantage is it is slow changing channels. Another dislike is when recording it doesn't create chapters automatically. I was impressed with the Camera plug in - it told me which camera I was using Make & Model including my commercial camera. The next Model up EZ27 also has HDMI for direct connection to my newer TV sets and a camera card plugin for putting photos on DVD.

I bought this device to copy old VHS tapes of family events to DVD before the VCR's that I own quit working since buying a VCR is a thing of the past. Not only is it hooked up to my existing VCR but I can hook my 8mm camera up to the front panel jacks to copy video from that device directly to DVD. Of course, recording from the TV signal that comes in through its built-in tuner is very easy with a great on screen interface. As a bonus, I didn't even realize when I purchased the recorder that it was the same brand as my TV - the remote ran the TV also right out of the box.

I bought this recorder for my duplication business and have been using it for about 3 days now. I love this deck! It's pretty easy to use, very good quality, and well worth the money i spent. I am going to get another one....

Everything worked and was a good buy.....................................................................................

like price , dont like that it doesnt read vcd , and or other recorded cd. etx. my recorded music or none original cd..

I like the performance of this product. This Panasonic replaced a Liteon DVD recorder and it out perform it.
I dislike the the fact that it will not record wide screen using DVD-R disk.

We have at least ten of these decks. They get a lot of use, and they work well most of the time. I have gotten good service even after hundreds and even thousands of recordings. I do recommend that you keep them in a cool, dry area. Heat ruined two of the decks when we used them and our A/C was out. Overall this is a good solid product in my experience.

The Panasonic DMR-EZ17 DVD Recorder is one of the finest recorders I have ever used. It comes with its own TV/Cal tuners with both NTSC and DTV capability. Record in 1 hr (XP), 2 hr (SP), 4hr (LP) and 5.8 hr (EP) modes on a variety of disk formats. Wide latitude of video input and output formats.
This is my second machine. I use one for a video capture (DVD-RW) an the second for a linear editing/transcription machine. On occasion I will use both machines connected to my HDTV antenna (series connected) to record two different DTV programs at the same time.
Excellent video quality even at LP. I also own GoVideo and Samsung DVD recorders but neither provide HDTV tuners (bye-bye-NTSC in June 2009!). Not ready to jump to Blue-Ray (blank disks too expensive for less than 2x capacity).

BUYER BEWARE. Item in his listings May not come the way discribed. I have never seen a Seller act the way he did. When he listed something that was supose to come with an Item and then doesn't. He first offer to send the missing Item. Then Renigged sort of speak on his word. He then decided to offer me the item for More money. Now he was supose to send this item for nothing in the first place. So giving fair warning to all of BUYER BEWARE. This Seller also can act like a loose nut(SCREWY).

First item didn't work, was replaced at no cost for one tha does...I am pleased with the transaction, the seller was a man of his word...The unit is working perfectally at this time....The cost was lower than retail...