Panasonic DMR-EZ475VK DVD Recorder

Beware. Bought a factory refurbed unit to play and record on DVD+R DL (dual layer) a format included in its compatibility list. But it couldn't play my existing library of DVD+R dual layer discs even though they play fine on other machines. My seller insisted I take it to Panasonic under warranty. When I called the number the seller provided I got the Panasonic voice recognition robot on the line. When I asked for tech support it replied "would you like to hear tips and FAQ's for your product?" Uh, no.

After weeks of research,and a horror filled trial period with a cheaper brand (that was a gift) I purchased two of these for christmas...one for our home and one for mother-in-law...We both are having a ball with the ease of using the dubbing feature! We dubbed from tape to disc over 30 movies over the New Years weekend! Panasonic ROCKS! This is not the first panasonic piece of equipment we have used and ALL have been terrific...if paying more...they are worth it, but with thanks to Ebay...it is not necessary to pay more. I love the way it looks in our home theater with all the other equipment, it is stylish, sleek, and handsome.

Overall works very good. But, you MUST contact Panasonic and have them send you the latest "Firmware Update". It cures 90% of the qurks built-in. (not responding to remote or panel buttons, locking up, like windows, etc, etc.) Get the firmware update !!!! You'll be happy with this unit.

I really like this so far. The only thing is that I recorded some things on my dvr and it won't copy to dvd, something about a copywrite. It wasn't a rented movie or anything so I'm not sure why.

I've had the DMR-EZ475VK DVD recorder for over a year. So far, so good. If you're planning to buy one, keep the manual on your breakfast table and read it a little every day.

Cons: Looking at the DVDR, I cannot tell if it is on or off. It has a completly black screen when at "rest." Punching the on or off button gives a reading that says "hello" or "goodbye" I have missed several recording times because I assumed it was off. It takes a few seconds to warm up so I suggest setting your recording time at least 3 minutes before you want to record a program.

It is in good condition, does way more than I thought it did, is easy to use because the instructions are so good. It's the best DVD/VCR machine I have ever had. I have not as yet found anything that I am dissatisfied with.

When I received this unit, I wasn't aware that it was refurbished. It didn't work, didn't recognize any DVD I put in it. No where did the auction state that it may or may not work. When I contacted the seller, they insisted I send it to Panasonic to get it fixed. After much hassle and opening a dispute, they finally took it back and gave me a refund.

According to Panasonic, the recorder will stop when the tape you are recording has a blank section. This will stop your recording prematurely.

It will work only if your rape is continuous without blanks or pauses.

A terrific unit. I have two now! Digital HD and analog SD look great on my 35" Sony XBR analog TV. DVD-RAM disk recording is flawless and so convienent-try it. VCR record is great also. Scheduled recording is very easy to set up.
Transfers old VHS tapes to DVD with push of one button.

Remote and onscreen menues are great. The unit has lots of functions so take your time with set up. Yes you have to turn it off after you set up a record session but it reminds you on screen.

Also looks terrific on 1080p playback with HDMI interface with Sony LCD TV.

Paid less than $125 dollars for refurbed unit on Ebay that looks and works perfect.

I received recorder in 6 days and it works ok. I got the wrong manual, the recorder freezes up and it needs to be unplugged to get it to restart. I had to call panasonic but I think it will be taken care of.

I bought two of these units from 2 differant Ebay vendors. One is working great. The other had to go in for repair right out of the box. They were refurbished units. I rate this purchase good until I get the verdict on the bad unit. BUT, based on the unit that is working, I would give it an excellent rating. It is a great rig. This unit is perfect if you get your tv signals off an antenna. It has a digital tuner and eliminates the need for a converter box next spring. The picture is excellent, even on a regular tv. The dvd player/recorder is easy to use and records great. The vcr works good too. It has a very good tracking system and cleans up fuzzy tapes very well.
I would reccomend it, as long as you don't mind taking a chance on a refurbed unit.

Excellent unit and perfect with a HD tv. the upconvert makes pictures look amazing, and the DVD recorder helps to record live tv. only problem i have with the unit is that when using DVD-Rw, they do not last very long. After maybe a week of recording approx 1.5-2 hr a day, the disc fills up. some of the content can be deleted, but not much. DVD-Ram seems like the way to go.

I am a technologically-experienced individual. This machine can be fun to use, when it is working. HOWEVER, unfortunately, the unit that I bought was factory-refurbished. One month into use, the unit was set to record and froze up instead. Trying to reset or use Recovery mode could not clear the problem. The really unfortunate problem is that the recorder has to be sent to the Panasonic service center for warranty service. The Panasonic website lists ONLY 1 service center, in Illinois, for this unit. When I called their 800-number, a recording also advised of a phone number in Puerto Rico. My advice is to avoid factory-refurbed electronics, especially if you don't check the location of warranty service beforehand. The cost-savings on purchase may not be worthwhile, compared to later service problems.
The Seller is not helpful, in that they advise one to contact Factory service for all repair or defect issues.

This unit has every feature i wanted. Recording RAM/RW capabilities. Able to copy VCR to DVD and DVD to VCR. SD memory chip slot. Easy to hook up and get started.
Very pleased with performance, would recommend.

Talk about a complicated remote!! The only good part about the universal portion is that it supports my 15 y.o Magnavox TV. I've been using this for 3 days now and still haven't figured out all of its functions.

I bought this unit to play DVDs I recorded on my PC but it won't play some +Rs and -RWs that played on my old unit!!! My 5 y.o old Samsung was dying so a brand new DVD player should be backwards compatible. Will be calling Panasonic to see if there's another firmware update (other than the one for the V-Chip that's on their site). From Panasonic's website, "Multi-Format Playback (Playable Disc Type): DVD, DVD-RAM, DVD-R/-RW, DVD-R(DL), +R/+R(DL)/+RW, CD, CD-R/RW." Which means that they explicitly state that this unit WILL play the formats with which I'm having problems.

The 100-page manual is written very illogically, but if you dig hard enough you can find what you need. I found a paragraph written in fine print which reads that it won't play SOME -RWs (see p. 75). It also reads that it won't play discs that haven't been finalized but according to my DVD burning programs, the discs ARE finalized. Still looking for a program that will finalize disc so Panasonic will recognize them.

The unit responds slowly but you have the option for "quick start" which uses more power as it leaves it on all of the time. The TV tuner responds rather slowly. The picture quality is AMAZING! The quality of the VHS recordings are fantastic. However, the unit must be turned off for it to record. My old unit recorded regardless if it was on or off. If you're watching a DVD, it won't record your scheduled programs.

If the unit's recording, you can't use the other inputs. I have my PS2 connected to the 1st input but can't play games if I'm recording! (My old unit was the same.)

I also bought it to copy my recorded VHS tapes to DVD but have yet to try it. It appears simple enough as there is one button on the front of the unit to record to VHS or DVD.

It was very simple to connect to my cable & TV. It came with brightly colored, quick-start, step-by-step pictorial instructions. The unit is larger than my other but is also lighter. Dimensions (H x W x D) 3 5/16" x 16 15/16" x 13 5/8",
Weight 11.66 lbs.

If Panasonic can't resolve its not being able to play back the discs I recorded, I will be returning this unit.

Instead of spending $12/tape to convert my VHS home movie library to DVD, (about 50 tapes in all), I purchased this player for hundreds less than I would have spent.

The instructions are easy to follow, and the player/recorder is simple to use (considering how complex its inner-workings are).

If you want a way to convert your VHS home movie library to DVD, this player will serve you well.

My unit was factory-refurbished and looks and works like its brand new.

Costco was selling the same DVD(new) for $279.00 and I was going to buy three.I was getting the same warranty(90days)as the refurbished DVD's. I was also able to buy a Square Trade Warranty for 2 years of coverage. Came out a winner all the way around. The best was buying thru Ebay and a great seller.

I bought this product primarily to watch digital channels on my old tube tv in the bedroom. Decent tuner, but a bit slow and tempermental to turn on. The DVD recorder player looks good specially with HDMI, I will use it until Blue Ray prices become more reasonable. I did not use the VCR portion or the dubbing yet, I am assuming it works as advertised. It is a good value for what is available as of January 2008,specially when you have one box that does it all.

NOT WORTH THE MONEY!
Very slow start up and shut down. hard to operate - great picture though through the hdmi on my hd 1080p tv

I needed a unit to burn DVD's and shopped for one on ebay. This unit performs great. I am able to make duplicates of my VHS collection to DVD and it also works great making DVD movies from cable shows. I really like the custom record feature that allows me to program the recording time to DVD. I highly recommend this unit.

Have looked at several and this had all the features that I wanted. The price was fair, I didn't want to wait so I just bought it now.

This is a really good unit but to get it to be good you have to navigate "The Instruction Manual From Hell". I am no dummy and have done numerous installations but my advice is to read the manually thoroughly and you will be only slightly less confused.... then you have to get it to integrate with all your other components. This may take up to a week but worth it. The unit is not a quick start recorder and needs to warm up even in the "quick start" mode. Please buy better HDMI cables as the furnished ones while adequate will not give you what is possible. I bought Audioquest and there is a major difference in clarity and color. I bought this unit as it had what I wanted and I already had a Panasonic HDTV that works well and gives an excellent picture.

what i love about this unit is the fact that it will work on older tv sets. i have a older tv that only has a single coaxil cable terminal on the back of it. it doesnt have any audio video jack or digital hook up terminals. just the single coaxil terminal. this unit comes with the old style coaxil cable for use on older model tvs. the dvd vcr unit has provisions for all those other hookups as well. most of the units i looked at did not have the older style coaxil hook up, this one does. if you have an older tv like mine this is the perfect companion for it. i thought i was going to have to throw out my tv and get a new one just to have a nice dvd vcr unit. this unit plays and records real nice. i love it.