Panasonic DMR ES15S DVD Recorder with DV Input

Editorial Review
The Panasonic DMR-ES15K Diga DVD Player and Recorder is a new generation of DVD recorder, for modern home theater. Taking what worked well in previous models and improving them, it also includes new features that make everyday DVD recording simpler than ever. The HDAVI-Control allows you to connect multiple components without the mess of wires and remotes that you'd normally face. The DV input and multi-drive recording and playback let you record&play back DVD-Audio&Video, CD audio, CD-DA and MP3/JPEG discs. With its easy operation and versatility, the DMR-ES15K offers you the DVD player and recorder you need to complete your home entertainment center. VCR Refresh Dubbing with advanced DNR Transfers content from a DV camcorder in just one step Auto DVD-R Finalizing DV auto recording and playlist creation Task-oriented GUI menu for easier use and completion of DVDs Simultaneous playback and recording Chasing playback tool allows you to watch the start of a program while you're still recording it Records using MEPG-2 compression, for up to 8 hours of video on one disc VBR recording foroptimized bitrate depending on type&length of recording Time base corrector for stable, natural images Front A/V input Inputs - 2 S-Video, 2 Component, 2 SCART, 2 line in 1 line out, 1 Optical, 1 Component, 1 S-Video, 1 Composite Playable formats - DVD-RAM, -R/RW, +R/RW, DVD Video, VCD CD-R/RW, MP3 CD Recording formats - DVD-RAM, DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW Dolby Digital 2-channel audio recording
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Customer Reviews

relentless recording tank

2008-04-27
After transferring 600 VCR tapes to DVDs this machine can't wait for more work. The copies it produces are fantastic, 4 and 6 hour speeds will surprise you in a very good way. The ease of use is very friendly,and it doesn't matter what format you are playing back on this unit, it embraces them all happily.I bought another ES15S so as to have in reserve and to double up on copies of years of family made VHS tapes to share. It remains cool, a bit slow to open it's dvd drawer, but I will gladly wait another 10 seconds for what this machine does for my collection and playing bought or rented new DVD movies. Using component connections to my HD tv inproves the clarity and resolution at least 40% more, so playback is in the same league as recording. I have VCRs that are 24 years old made by Panasonic, with years of proper care and cleaning, they are feeding in HiFi to the ES15s which is proving again,Pansonics are made like tanks and the technology which goes into their products like the ES15s are in the same class and innovative progression as any high end elctronic manufacturers. Buy this machine,buy 2, it is a winner. Mike Kasten, Los Lunas New Mexico.

Warranty screw job!!!!!

2008-04-18
I bought this hunk a junk 1yr and 13 days ago. When I first bought it I thought I would really put it to use. Turns out that I barely used it at all. I bought a PS3 about the same time and watch HD movies more than anything. I used the panasonic to burn some shows on a RAM disc about 12 to 15 times. I rarely used it to watch movies. All together It maybe burned 20 shows and movies from tv and played about 10 movies. 13 DAYS AFTER THE WARRANTY EXPIRED IT STOPPED READING THE DISCS!!! Now I know electronics fail now and then, thats not my problem. My problem is that Panaonic wont budge an inch on he 13 days over the warranty. I have DVD players that are 5 yrs. old and are still going strong. This thing was mildy used and took a dump. VERY DISAPPOINTED! I DO NOT RECOMMEND!

Great price!

2008-04-11
My first Panasonic DVD recorder was the DMR-30. I was able to record over 2000 DVDs before it died. The editing feature was also good. My second DVD recorder was this model. It unfortunately did not last half as long before breaking. It also had an editing feature. When I tried to buy another Panasonic DVD recorder I found that all of the current models had no editing mode which makes it worthless if you want to eliminate commercials from a recording. So I bought another recorder that was the same model as my old one at a greatly reduced price. I only gave it 4 stars because it does not have what it needs to record programs when that February 2009 eliminates analog broadcasts. I am hoping that it will work with my cable which is digital. I also gave it 4 stars because I don't know how long it will last. Using the features may seem daunting but once you figure out how to do it, it is really easy. This comes from a very technically challenged female.

Very Impressed!

2008-03-30
Panasonic DMR-ES15S DVD. I bought this DVD Recorder to replace my Phillips DVD recorder which gave me enless problems.I bought this product based on the good review customers gave it. The set up was easy and the recording is excellent. This product is much, much better than the Phillips I discarded. Tyrone.

Panasonic quality shows

2008-03-28
This unit makes very clear recordings.
We use it in LP mode to record 2 separate subjects on one disk.
Sold to me without the remote control, however any Panasonic
Recorder remote works with it.

Already broken

2008-07-26
I was very surprised at how quickly we started having serious problems with this DVD recorder/player. It is currently in the recycling heap. Too bad, we have always had great luck with Panasonic products.

PIECE OF JUNK!

2008-07-24
DO NOT BUY THIS UNIT! I had one to quit working after a week, one to quit after 3 weeks and one to quit after 5 months. This model is not made to last. Each time it made the same sound and after that it would not read a disc.

U61 - Death Code BEWARE

2008-06-01
OK, this probably will not save many people at this point since this unit has been surpassed by newer models. I am now frightened to even consider a Panasonic DVD Recorder. I purchased this unit and let it sit unopened for about six months due to other priorities in my life....major mistake. I started using it in October of last year (2007). It performed reasonably well I thought - a couple of minor issues but functionally it did what we wanted, which was to emulate our old VCR that we had disposed of (another Panasonic product BTW that lasted 10 years with no issues). In May of 2008 my wife indicate a code has come up on the display. I tried resetting the power and when that didn't work I did a Google of U61 and Panasonic DVD Recorder - I advise you to do the same. The issue is rampant across several Panasonic models. Also there is a U99 error that seems prevalent on certain units as well. Cost to buy this unit for me was about $120 plus shipping on sale. Cost to fix? Way over $200....what to do? Well, I guess the VCR is an option but it is ridiculous that a unit only lasted about 8 months and probably only made 40 recordings during that entire time. Bottom line is that I will be looking for a different manufacturer to replace this unit and I am terribly disappointed that Panasonic did not either recall or warranty this particular problem or at least offer an acceptable repair rate for something that is obviously flawed.

Don't buy it!!!! Don't buy it!!!

2008-05-30
After the first problem (error U66 and U88) I have with this DVD it didn't recorder again on the same DVD-/+RW I had to use a new DVD-/+RW every time.
Now I can't use the DVD anymore I get the error U61 over and over and the technical support told me to send the DVD for an evaluation which costs $52.50 1/3 of what I paid on it. Besides I have to send it to Illinois and I'm in Austin. That's just ridiculous!!!
If you have it already good luck!!! If you don't have it don't waste your money!!!

Panasonic DMR-ES15 failed with U61after 9 months

2008-04-29
Panasonic DMR-ES15 has great features. But if the unit stops working
after just a few months of use, then what good is that ? And I bought
this unit brand new.

If you're thinking of buying a Panasonic DVD recorder, do yourself a favor and search the internet for this "U61" error on Panasonic
DVD recorders so you can get an idea of just how many people have
experienced this problem. It appears it's only a matter of WHEN the
DVD recorder will fail, not IF.

I researched this unit, but having owned other Panasonic products
in the past, I foolishly focused on it's features.

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