Panasonic DMRE85HS Progressive-Scan DVD Player/Recorder with 120 GB Hard Drive Recording
released before its time
I bought this unit in Feb.  The first month, I blamed the issues we were having on us thinking 'user error'.  But we have come to realize that this unit has lot of 'bugs' that have not been worked out before releasing to the general public. <br /> <br />WE do use the TV Guide feature although the guide does not match our area.  Thus we had to custom match to channels....that was 'extremely cumbersome'...took 3 hours to set up.  If I unplug, I imagine I will have to start over.  They could have made this feature much easier. <br /> <br />The unit periodically 'locks up'...will be working one minute, try to move to a different feature and no buttons on the remote nor the unit will work.  The only way to get it back it to hold down the on/off switch for 10 seconds to reset the unit. <br /> <br />Many times, when going from the guide to watch a pre-recorded show, the screen will double up....meaning the original TV Guide image is still showing while the recorded show comes up as well....and the screen displays a colorful 'mess'.  Again, the only way is to RESET the unit and start over.  <br /> <br />I will admit that when this unit is working (and all set up), it is really easy to record and view.  The recorded picture is not quite as good as the original (we can view them side by side) but the picture is okay. <br /> <br />My biggest complaint is the inconsistency....works, locks up, reset, then works again for a while.  It will record the preset shows for a few days and then all of a sudden lock up.  YOu come back from vacation and it did the first 2 days but missed the last 4. <br /> <br />Amazon has a 30 day return policy.  The first 30 days I really believed I was not doing things correctly.  I would continually read the documentation trying to figure out what was wrong.  It takes alot of playing to figure out how to use this without locking it up.  I should have shipped it right back then..but am trying to work with Amazon to see if they will take it back.   <br /> <br />It has a note right on the unit from Panasonic 'if you are having problems with your unit, please call us before returning this unit to your retailer'.  This should have been a signal to us.  But alas I have been trying to call Panasonic all day to see if have newer released units that have the bugs worked out, all I get is a busy signal.  I will keep trying.