Product Description

Opt for high definition with the DMR-EZ27EB DVD player/recorder from Panasonic! Equipped with an HDMI connection and compatible with Full HD, the DMR-EZ27EB is a high-quality player for all of your favourite films. It records TV programmes directly to DVD format, and comes with a digital tuner and electronic programme guide. It also has a DV input so you can hook it up to a digital camcorder and enjoy the full potential of your high-definition television. 

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2759 in Consumer Electronics
• Brand: Panasonic
• Model: DMR-EZ27EB-K
• Released on: 2007-05-07

Features

• Multi format record and playback of all DVD formats. MP3 and JPEG playback
• Full 1080p upscaling. Integrated digital tuner
• Dolby Digital and DTS audio output. HDMI output

What Hi-Fi? Sound and Vision Review
A stunning unit at the price, the DMR-EZ27 delivers amazing recordings, and its playback performance is admirable.

Customer Reviews

A great improvement
I wasn't going to go back to Panasonic after the trouble I had with my first DVD recorder back in 2004 (see my other review). By 2007 the old model was getting hopelessly erratic and I decided to splash out on a new one. I found a dealer with an excellent warranty and satisfaction policy and the cheapest replacement that they had was another Panasonic! I went with it knowing that I could take it back if I wasn't happy.

I was very pleasantly surprised from the outset! For starters there is no analogue receiver in this unit, it is totally digital. As soon as I plugged my arial into this and switched on the power the machine launched into action: setting the clock and the date automatically, scanning for all available digital channels and updating the firmware.

The picture quality was better than from my Sony set-top box. The decryption seems smoother, superior with far less noticeable compression artifacts than both the Sony set-top box and my Virgin cable. Even on the channels with weaker signal strength I can't see any objectionable blockiness or freezing. (I have worked in TV broadcasting for 10 years so I notice all the imperfections in domestic TV reception.)

The next thing I was impressed by was the recording quality. This unit takes DVD-R, DVD+R and DVD-RAM, and was sold to me with three free DVD-RAM discs. My old unit would compound the compression artifacts from the old Sony set-top box with additional MPEG2 (DVD) compression artifacts as it tried to recreate all the blockiness and shash. It wasn't terrible, but it wasn't pretty either. In comparison this unit seems to digitally transcode the incoming signal directly to MPEG2 (DVD) with no intermediate analogue stage, making recordings that are practically indistinguishable from the incoming transmission quality in SP or XP modes. It looks that good.

Setting the record timer could not be simpler. You go to the Electronic Programme Guide and click OK on the programme you want to watch! It takes you through the details in case you want to tweak any of the settings or programme title and that's it! If you switch the unit off in timer mode it will still record your programme but it will either output nothing or send the AV through signal, depending on whether or not you have the unit in power save mode. You can switch the unit on during timer recording and watch what the unit is recording.

I have had this for almost a year now and experienced no problems. I use the SCART RGB inputs and outputs for the best analogue picture connection with my cable box and TV, and the digital optical TOSlink output to my surround system. I haven't had any use for the HDTV upscaler, progressive scan mode or component outputs but it's nice to have them there.

I would recommend this DVD recorder to anyone. Very easy to use and superb quality generally.

problems playing discs recorded from PC
bought this a few weeks ago (after reviewing many makes), mainly because of the price from amazon (good service).main requirement to record from my old VHS tapes (of family etc to put onto DVD); links up fine and copied ok, but unable to play back onto PC (Windows XP)to edit, as it does not recognise.Similarly, I have recorded onto DVD (-RW)from PC (using various different softwares), but none will play on DVD as 'not recognised'.don't know wether its just Panasonic, as have been able to play on another make. started to lose patience with it now, as nothing i do will solve it! Also, from swithching on, it takes just under 2 mins before the tray will open to insert a disc!! (a minor point, but can be quite annoying)

Problems with this product
I've just received this product and cannot get it to work! Trust me, I'm no IT-thicko, I work fairly high up in the industry.
I've got a Panasonic 37" LCD TV which sits on a wall bracket (first problem - given the weight/difficulty of getting it back on the bracket, it's not something I can just whip off the wall).
Anyway, i bought a HDMI lead which goes in the HDMI2 socket at the back of the TV and into the HDMI socket at the back of the DVD unit.
Now, according to the instruction, when first turning on the DVD unit, a 'channel search' should start. It came on once and said 'no channels found' (!)
Now the main problem. When I switch to AV on both/either the TV or DVD a menu appears on the TV screen asking to select input. I choose HDMI2 (I've tried them all) with no success.
the final problem is that, the other day, I put a pre-recorded DVD in and just kept pressing buttons and...the DVD played! Trouble is, I've no idea which combination of buttons I used. So there it is. The unit has worked so the DVD unit ain't broke. Any help appreciated!