Panasonic DMR-E50K DVD Player/Recorder
Great playback, but will not read DVD-R
This unit does a great job of playback.  I have never had a DVD player/recorder and it looks great with store-bought DVD's or the DVD-Ram disc that panasonic supplied.  But as another reviewer mentioned, it does not read DVD-R.  I used several Maxell DVD-R discs (I don't know why the brand should make any difference) and the player says: NO READ.  You must purchase DVD-Ram discs or you won't be able to record anything.  I did see that others claim that DVD-R works in their units and the manual says it should, but I had no luck and I wouldn't spend $ 400. if you think you're going to record on DVD-R with this unit.  Best of luck.  Other than that, it's great.  You also must have a THREE JACK (Yellow, White &amp; Red) Output a/v on your TV or you will not be able to record from your TV set.  If your TV is more than a couple years old, and it has TWO A/V jacks in the rear of the the set, you will not be able to record from your TV or VCR.