Panasonic DMR-EX83 DVD Recorder

Does exactly what I purchased it for

After reading all the existing reviews I decided on this model to transfer my old vhs tapes and camcorder tapes on to DVDs. I didn't like the idea of converting them on my PC. because of sound and video going out of sync. on long videos. I choose this earlier model as I didn't need 2 tuners and mainly because of all its connection options both old and new types. After flicking backward and forewards through the manual several times you eventually discover how to do the basic stuff ( not very well organised ). I have now transferred 25 hours of tapes on to DVDs with basic editing, the picture quality is a lot better than I expected from old tapes. The plus is now I've finished my tapes it's still useful to record tv onto its hard drive. Overall I have to agree with most of the existing reveiws both good and bad points. I'm pleased with this choice.Read full review

Verified purchase:  Yes • Condition: pre-owned • Sold by: bizitshopuk

A very basic DVD recorder / player that is a bit quirky

A very basic DVD recorder / player that is a bit quirky by modern day standards - the recorder was introduced over ten years ago. It only has one tuner, meaning you can only record one program at a time, and you cannot watch a second at the same time. Plus, it doesn't have any HD TV channels. The hard drive is a decent 250 GB meaning you can record several hours of programs even at the best resolution.

Why buy this model then? The main reason is the two SCART sockets on the rear panel. They allow recording of programmes from an external source (eg an older Sky box) in RGB quality - about the best quality you can get. Unfortunately you cannot buy recorders with HDMI inputs, and current DVD recorders are not even fitted with SCART sockets.

I bought this model because of the RGB recording possibility and I'm well pleased - even of the recorder is a bit quirky.Read full review

Verified purchase:  Yes • Condition: pre-owned • Sold by: samssecondhands...

So easy to set up & use

Plug in the leads and attach the arial. With just a prompt, this recorder sets itself up.
Play/record onto DVD or hard drive with the utmost ease. Accepts all types of disc.
Play that film you just bought. Just put the disc in & play.
Watch a pre recorded programme while recording.
The "skip" feature allows you to skip the adverts - no more having to fast forward to find the start of the next part of your programme/film.
The hard drive allows you to edit that home movie you shot. It's so easy to cut out the bits where the camera wobbled. Put the disc into the recorder, copy to the hard drive, cut what you don't want and you end up with a seamless home movie. Perfect for copying onto DVD multiple times to send to family.
I love the Series recording feature. No more having to change the time&/or day for a series like "I'm a Celebrity" because the start time &/or day of the next episode has been changed. The built in Freeview guide asks you to choose either single timer recording or
Series recording. Choose Series recording & the recorder finds the time & day of the next episode.
The picture quality is absolutely amazing. You'll forget you're watching a recording
All over, this is simply the best recorder ever made.Read full review

Verified purchase:  Yes • Condition: pre-owned • Sold by: jim894

Excellent for its age!

As I say this machine is excellent for its age, it does everything that I would want or need, there's only one tiny drawback in my opinion, that is the TV guide, it's fine, but obviously more modern machines have a more comprehensive menu. But that said I would definitely recommend this Panasonic to anyone, it is very flexible in its use & functions & the picture quality is very good!! Many thanks!Read full review

Good replacement for old DVD recorder

DVD recorders are becoming more and more difficult to find.
I needed to replace a nine year old EX-83, which must have recorded hundreds of DVD. After years of faultless service, it was beginning not to recognise DVD-RW discs.
New models increasingly do not have SCART or component video inputs, which means they have limited use; one can only record fron TV. (perhaps this is the influence of Netflix etc, who copy protect many of their films. Also people do not use a DVD recorder as a "catch up" device anymore.)
So this product was just what I needed. A nearly new (shop display) model, which directly replaced my old model.Read full review

Verified purchase:  Yes • Condition: pre-owned • Sold by: akelectronics.ltd

good machine

This is just like my previous two machines, so easy for me to use, which is why I bought it. The only problem with this model is the remote eventually gives up. Also, it's very slow to "heat up", but that's just a minor irritation.Read full review

Verified purchase:  Yes • Condition: pre-owned • Sold by: audio.shop.06

Excellent machine

We already have this machine and have used it for recording up to 30 programmes every week for several years. We have also archived programmes on a thousand dvd disks. We bought this new machine for when the first one expires as there's nothing else lie it on the market!Read full review

Verified purchase:  Yes • Condition: new • Sold by: tekshop

A high quality and well specified p.v.r

A star performer, excellent audio and video quality' good looking too. It'll take me a while to get to grips with all the facilities this p.v.r has to offer. Looking forward to the challenge.

Verified purchase:  Yes • Condition: pre-owned • Sold by: khasb

Does what it says on the tin!

This machine works well. One fault is that you can only open and close the DVD tray from the machine itself and not the remote! As yet I have been unable to write more than one title to a disc. My previous machine used DVDs as an open drive until you chose to finalise the disc for playing on other machines/computers.Read full review

Verified purchase:  Yes • Condition: pre-owned • Sold by: gbhomeandgarden

Very nice quality, and looks great

Very pleased with this dvd recorder , easy set up , very easy to use , all-round great product

Verified purchase:  Yes • Condition: pre-owned • Sold by: zappalite