Panasonic DMR-E80H Progressive-Scan DVD Player/Recorder with Hard Drive , Silver
DMR-E80H and Directv
April 2004:  This is targeted mainly toward Directv owners.  I am about to buy this unit and was going over the reviews trying to learn how it would interface with my Directv system.  From what I can tell it will not change my Directv channels so I was a little confused and frustrated since I want to be able to record to the HDD from different channels while not at home.  The solution I discovered is that Directv allows you to set up to 16 timers (hit Menu then Timers) to switch channels on your Directv system.  I can then tell the DMR-E80H to record at the same times and it will record while Directv changes the channels.  Problem solved.  BTW, Directv is fantastic!  I switched from a C-Band system and am very happy.  I especially love the NFL Sunday Ticket and other sports packages they offer.  Hope this helps.  I will write another review after I get my E80H and let you know how it really works.    I bought this unit in April and had an earlier review on how to interface it with Directtv. I was right on about using Directtv and timers to change channels and using the DMR80 to record at certain times. This unit has worked like a workhorse. It is the best piece of electronics I have ever bought!!! If you don't have a dead hard drive on arrival (based on other's comments) then you should be in good shape. It won't record copy protected DVD's, but I think that is illegal? The highlights:    1) You can easily remove commercials or other questionable content from any show by using the \\"Shorten Segment\\" feature. I now \\"clean\\" all shows I record and watch them commercial free- what a difference this makes!    2) While on a three week \\"vacation\\" I recorded multiple shows and watched them on my return. It did not miss a step and does not lose itself if the power goes out which it does here all the time. After the initial setup in April I have not had to reset anything.    3) The 80gb hard drive is plenty of room. I have never used more than half of it at any one time. My process is to record a show, clean out the commercials, then \\"dub\\" it over to DVD-R or DVD-RAM. I also have moved a video tape onto the hard drive and then dubbed it to DVD-R or RAM.    4) Another nice feature is the time slip record and play. I like to watch golf, but hate sitting through the endless commercials so I typically hit record and then go outside for a while. When I return I can watch the same show I am currently recording and when an annoying commercial appears I can either fast forward or hit commercial skip (which jumps ahead one minute).    5 Big Stars. Once you buy one you will never understand how you lived without it and VCR's will look like 8-track tapes!! Good luck!