Panasonic DMR-ES40VS VHS / DVD Recorder Silver

The firmware/software in this product is full of bugs. Particularly when time recording to VHS. Sometimes it records, sometimes it doesn't.Also it has problems with choosing thumbnails for chapters. Sometimes it selects them, sometimes it wipes out what you selected, uses the 1st frame, and won't let you change it. No explanation or error message, just won't save it. Very rude software. No indication that anything is wrong, just won't let you do it.Recording to DVD ram is problematic. When I record a show, delete it - then record another show. Sometimes in the middle of the second show, the audio bleeds through the previously recorded and deleted program. Sometimes the video does also.This machine quite often locks up and has to be "Rebooted."I've downloaded and installed the latest firmware from Panasonic (Twice per their support persons instructions.) But the behavior never changed. When calling support you wait forever being transferred to different people, then have to go through their inane script, "Is the machine plugged in.", etc.Don't even think of using cheap DVD-Rs in the machine. I found Sony work pretty well and Panasonic DVD-RAMs are what I use. Imation are just coasters waiting to happen in this machine.It also locks up when playing VCD discs.My wife is a video professional, and we were using this device to transfer some things from other video tape formats to DVD. I am a computer software professional and I don't get confused by hardware very easily - but their manual leaves a lot to be desired. No explanation of the various error codes the machine generates. (When it generates one. Most of the time it just locks up.)So - Panasonic - Fix your BUGS! - Release another Firmware upgrade Please!

I bought a Panasonic DMR es 30 vs at Best Buy. It was an open carton and a great deal at $250 and also top rated in Consumer Reports. I returned it because the input button wouldnt work unless you started play on DVD or VHS. Even called Panasonic help line who said that it "needed service". So after 20 days I returned the "30" and bought a DMR- ES 40 from Amazon for $268 free shipping. It is the newer model and has a camcorder input in the front panel and all the same inputs and outputs in the back. The input button problem was the same as in the "30", so it's in the design, and there are a few other annoying quirks: 1- The counter and tape monitor wont work unless you press play first and then stop. 2- you have to set the tape length for the counter to work t160/ t180 etc. Even then it is very inaccurate. You get the idea. On the other hand. It is a great machine for recording tape to DVD and vice versa. Set them up, press one button holding for three seconds, it does all the work and does it well.The resolution on recording tape EP mode is as good as my top of the line Panasonic and Sony VCRs. Is it as user friendly? No way, but it does the job. The DVD recorder is great but I wouldn't use EP except for junk programming (low resolution and slight smearing). LP picture is excellent----- actually for the price spectacular. The SP speeds on both DVD and VHS are superb.The features on DVD are amazing, and I must admit I'm still learning how to use all of them. Thr DVD counter is very accurate and you can create a chapter with the press of a button (also very accurate). Warning -when you press stop while viewing a DVD --you may go back to the TV show or you may go to the chapter page (again quirky) . Just press return and you'll be fine.I have the "40" hooked up to a nice Panasonic Amp with a good 7 speaker surround sound system and an analog jvc 27" TV. The picture on that 3 year old TV with the component video cables hooked up has really improved. I imagine that a good hi-def TV would be super. Hooking up the surround was a matter of plugging in 1 optical cable-easy.Bottom line -----I would buy this again . Yes ,It is quirky but also a great value for money and if you don't believe some other reviews that say " I had no trouble ,it was easy right out of the box" you'll be fine. It's not easy out of the box. Basic functions are, but not everything (including setup). Read the manual. Then read it again about 4 times and keep it right next to your chair for about a month. I did and belive it or not---I'm really getting to like and understand this thing. It's a little quirky gem that shines when you get used to it. It also eliminates one extra piece of equipment junking up the area under the TV. If it holds up as well as the other Panasonic products I've had it could turn out to be a really great value. Time will tell. Remember------- READ THE MANUAL!Update 10/15/2011: Still quirky but still working after 5 years. Have made many dvd's. Good track record for any piece of electronics.

We bought this recorder after upgrading to DVR capabilities from our cable company. We mainly wanted to be able to copy movies and programs we had recorded on DVR to DVD's. Being non-techie to the max, I read many reviews of products. The Panasonic ES40VS didn't sound perfect to everyone, but it had many more positive reviews than negative, so we ordered it.So far, I've been extremely happy with the purchase. Setup was fairly simple....my son did it, and the operation couldn't be much easier. I'm sure this unit will do much more than I've asked, but I'm very satisifed with the dubbing and copying features.I've rated it 4 stars instead of 5 because I know I haven't tried so many of the features, but I would recommend it as a safe purchase

I bought this DVD/VCR in January based on the various ratings (including Consumer Reports) of Panasonic's previous model DMR-ES30V. Apparently, the previous model didn't have the same software glitches of its successor.This is possibly the best recorder on the market for making VHS to DVD transfers. It made great looking recordings. Nevertheless, I had to return it back for a number of problems, most of them covered in the other reviews here. One thing I didn't try before returning is the upgrading of the firmware to the latest version on Panasonic web site (Nov. 2005 dated). People who are having problems should give a try.Overall, it's a pretty well designed unit waiting for Panasonic's attention to the existing software bugs.

I purchased this unit refurbished. It came first of all with the remote not working on it. Put new batteries in it but it still didn't work. It would not control anything on the unit. I went out and purchased a universal remote and programmed it, that was the only way that I could operate the unit. Guess I should have returned it right away once I discovered the remote was inoperable.