Panasonic DMR-EH50S DVD Recorder with 100 GB Hard Drive Recording
Works for Me
I read all the other reviews before finally ordering this system. I've had it for about 5 days now, and it works well for me.     What I like about this system is:  1: The 100Gig hard drive holds 44 hours of video in the SP mode. I really don't understand why anyone that would need more than that. It holds 177 hours using the longest setting. I haven't tried it. I have no reason too.  2: The TV Guide really work well, but unlike other systems, if you can't receive the TV Guide, you can still program the unit just like a VCR. It also has the VCR Plus feature. The first programs I recorded, I did manually. It took just about the exact same effort as programming a VCR. One of the nice features using the TV guide is that it saves the show's title so when you go to play you have that extra information. If you record manually, it only give you the date and time. You may be able to add a title. I didn't try.   3: TV controls for many brands of TV. (note my brand wasn't listed, but found a code that would work). TV controls video input, channel, and volume control, as well as on/off.     What I don't like about it:  1: Commercial skip is 1 minute, and can't be changed. Most commercial breaks are 3.5 minutes, so you either have to advance after using the skip feature or rewind. It's not that difficult, but it would have been nice to have had the standard 1/2 minute skip, or be able to change the amount of time of the skip. It's still easy and not a deal breaker.  2: Doesn't play through the RF connector. Again not a deal breaker, but it would have been easier to use like a standard VCR for playing TV shows, than switching to video every time.   3: The manual. I really don't think the manual is that bad, but this unit has a lot of features, and it can be complicated. I think almost anyone would have trouble using this unit without reading the manual. If your VCR still flashes 12:00, don't buy this unit. However using the TV Guide is pretty simple. My wife isn't going to read the manual, but once I had it set up, it was easy to teach her to use the TV Guide programming, and how to play a recorded show.       This unit is perfect for me. I have Comcast cable, and don't have a cable box.    Follow-Up: After using for a couple months, I'm more pleased than ever, except after a four hour power interuption I lost all my TV Guide information, and had to wait again for it to be restored. I solved the problem by buying a back up power supply same as I use for my computer. Have only had a couple short power interuptions since, but no more problems. I still think this is is better than sliced bread. Thinking about buying a second one for the bedroom.