Panasonic DMR-E50K DVD Player/Recorder
Great Value
This Panasonic machine offers tremendous value for the price.  The video and sound quality are excellent, as are the numerous features, and there is an overall sense of quality about the recorder and its workings.  The machine will record to both DVD-R and DVD-RAM discs and offers high functionality in both formats.  Using DVD-R, I have transferred several VHS tapes and have had no trouble viewing these on any recently manufactured DVD players.  Further, users can input names for both the disc and the individual titles recorded on it.  In the finalizing process for DVD-R discs, the recorder inserts chapter stops into each program at 5 minute intervals, which structures the DVD-R programs so they are very similar to those contained on standard DVD-Video discs.  As for DVD-RAM, I can't heap enough praise on this format.  While it (surprisingly) does not enjoy high compatibility, RAM is certainly the most versitile of the recordable DVD formats available.  It is also the most expensive; however, the fact that it can be rewritten about 100,000 times offsets the higher price.  DVD-RAM is nothing less than a removable hard drive.  It allows for seemingly endless program editing options, such as erasing portions of programs, creating playlists, and more.  The time slip feature of RAM allows the user to begin watching a program from the beginning while it is still recording or to watch an already recorded program while recording a separate program on the same disk.  Other manufacturers should realize the value of the DVD-RAM format and begin the move toward higher compatibility.  Nothing better currently exists in rewritable media.  Outstanding.