Panasonic  DMR-ES40VS VHS / DVD Recorder Silver
Panasonic cannot fix broken unit - still in shop after 6 weeks
Purchased this unit in December 05.  It's imperfect, but I was basically satisfied, and didn't even have problems with the directions that so many reviewers seem to dislike.  Then it died in April.  It was a complete and sudden failure.  It would not read discs or play VHS; the clock and all programming features went screwy and could not be reset.  I called Panasonic and they sent me to a service center.  Eventually the service shop gave up, and they shipped it to Panasonic about 2 weeks ago.  Panasonic still has it.  I spoke with customer service today (exactly 6 weeks after dropping it off for service) and was given no information as to when I could expect a fixed unit or a new unit.  Apparently there is a necessary part that cannot be obtained, by anyone, anywhere.  Based upon other reviews, it appears that Panasonic produced a flawed product.  That happens even to good companies.  But it also appears that Panasonic has no idea how to fix it, and refuses to acknowledge its failures.  That is unacceptable.  Panasonic customer service representatives are all very polite and they are good at apologizing, but they cannot get anything done, and have no authority to do anything except to promise more delays.  Stay away.