Panasonic  DMR-ES40VS VHS / DVD Recorder Silver
good value but quirky
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.