12WP 01 DVD Recorder GT

11/4/05

4:26 pm

Page 84

GROUP TEST

FEATURES
DVD-RAM/-R/-RW/+R recording; simultaneous play and record (RAM); 4 recording modes; PAL progressive scan; up to 8hrs recording time; non-linear editing; analogue tuner; VideoPlus+; Universal TV remote functions; Q-Link
Even the LP recording mode (4hrs) is extremely usable, especially for watch-once recordings

CONNECTIONS

RF aerial in/out; 2x Scart (RGB/S-video/composite in/out); component out; S-video in/out; composite video in/out; optical digital audio out; analogue stereo audio in/out

CONTACT

www.panasonic.co.uk

Panasonic DMR-ES10

THE FACTS
I 200 I NO HDD I DVD-RAM/DVD-R/ DVD-RW/DVD+R RECORDING I TIMESLIP I VIDEOPLUS+ I PROG SCAN: YES I SCARTS: 2 RGB (1 IN, 1 OUT)
heres no doubting that Panasonic makes some of the most impressive DVD/HDD recorders on the market. So, while the brands latest offering, the slimline and well-priced DMR-ES10, doesnt boast a HDD, our expectations are high. Were also happy to see that Panasonic has backed down from concentrating purely on its great-but-expensive DVD-RAM disc format and included write-once DVD+R and DVD-R and rewriteable DVD+RW cabability on the impressive compatible formats roster.

Flat out

Connectivity provides everything a flatscreen owner needs apart from a digital video input but that would be expecting a lot at this price. The highlight for video is the presence of component jacks to take progressive scan images to your plasma or LCD, while there are also two Scarts (happily both an input and output), S-video and composite inputs. For audio there are analogue stereo audio ports, which can handle basic two-channel DVD-Audio playback a nice bonus and an optical digital output to take pure digital surround sound to an amplifier. Given the embracing of DVD recording formats with the DMR-ES10, its a shame that advanced editing options are still reserved for the DVD-RAM format only. This means that DVD-RAM discs are for editing, -RW for temporary and portable recordings, and -R or +R for archiving. (The DVD+RW format, which also offers editing, is absent.) Still, RAM does mean that non-linear editing functions are on-board, along with TimeSlip, which means you can watch the beginning of a programme while it is still being recorded. VideoPlus+ is present, to make setting timed recordings easy, while manual setting is also possible.
The DMR-ES10 has four recording modes, with the best quality recordings made using XP. Our Desperate Housewives episode looked almost perfect in this mode, but XP does only allow 1hr of footage to fit on a disc. The SP mode, which provides 2hrs, is more practical. Happily this produces results that arent very different from XP in terms of detail, but the housewives did lack a little sharpness in a motion-heavy, girl-on-girl cat-fight scene! With the majority of the decks in this test weve found that going any further down the scale isnt advisable, but on the DMR-ES10 even LP mode (4hrs) is extremely usable, especially for watch-once recordings. EP mode, however, is best avoided its 6/8hrs are filled with dodgy digital blocking motion. Finally, an added bonus on the Panny is the presence of a flexible recording mode, which means the player will automatically fit a programme onto a disc at the highest possible quality to fill the space available.

Eternally pleasing

Pre-recorded DVD playback is just as impressive, and even our Eternal Sunshine disc didnt trip the DMR-ES10 up. Colour and motion, those twin difficulties, are both handled admirably; theres little blur or loss of detail in the films on-the-run scenes, and Winslets hair looks as vibrant as it should. This deck definitely reaps the benefits of progressive scan, while surround audio via the optical digital input was clear and bright. Panasonics DMR-ES10 boasts excellent recordings, high-quality DVD playback, flexible recording features and is easy to use. The DVD+RW format is missing, and theres no HDD, but otherwise the DMR-ES10 offers everything you could want in an entrylevel DVD recorder, at a great price. WP

RATINGS

RECORDING.##### PLAYBACK.##### SOUND.####$ FEATURES.####$ EASE OF USE.##### VALUE.##### No HDD or DVD+RW, but everything else belies the Pannys super-budget price tag

VERDICT #####

84 WHAT PLASMA & LCD TV

ISSUE 12

0605HCC11 Panansonic DMR-ES10

25/4/05

2:36 pm

Page 80

DVDRecorder
PANASONIC DMR-ES10 N 200 (Approx) N 7357 N www.panasonic.co.uk
Burning up on entry (level)
Panasonic DVD recorders are, arguably, regarded as the best in the business. Rik Henderson takes a look at the companys latest budget deck to find out what the fuss is all about

RATINGS

Highs: Disc compatibility, recording quality, solid build Lows: No DV-link, analogue tuner
swimming in no-name Chinese imports. Some are perfunctionary, even fewer perform above their status, but most suck more than a Dyson. Good news, however, has arrived at this end of the
hen it comes to DVD recorders, the bargain end of the market is predominantly
flap in the centre. Im not overly sure why, but when a games console is attached, the leads are a little too exposed with this positioning, for my liking. Its the only minus really.
Picture Sound Features OVERALL

####12 #### ###12 ####

tuner; youll have to wait until later this year for Panasonics highly anticipated range of Freeview recorders. It does, however, automatically grab programme names in areas that support this, so comes with an EPG. Of course, that means theres only the five channels to choose from, so you arent exactly spoiled for choice. Nonetheless, the RGB Scarts receive (and loopthrough) set-top box pictures immaculately, so Id expect it to be suitably partnered. This is an option grossly lacking in many (even big-brand), recorders for the same price. Another tick in the box against its peers is the editing functionality. Although DVD-RW recording is in Video mode only (increasing its compatibility with other decks, but reducing editing options) the fact that DVD-RAM is

COMPATIBILITY

DVD-V DVD-A SACD CD MP3 WMA JPEG MPEG4 CD-R CD-RW G G G G G G Video CD Super Video CD DiVX DVD+R DVD-R DVD+RW DVD-RW (Video) DVD-RW (VR) DVD-RAM G G G G G G G

Connection options

The fascia flap reveals composite, stereo analogue audio and S-video inputs. Theres no DV-link for camcorder hook-up or an SD card slot, unlike most other Panny recorders obvious concessions for the price point. On the rear-side, the two Scarts are RGB-enabled for input and out, theres a set of component outs that are PAL progressive scan-enabled and an optical digital audio output is also thrown in. Another composite input is supplied (along with its analogue stereo audio counterparts), as is an S-video input. Of course, they are similarly represented for output too. Unfortunately though, the RF antenna loopthrough is for a single analogue
market in the form of the unashamedly entry level recorder from Panasonic. Dispensing with the companys trademark combi functionality (most offering either VHS or HDD options), the DMR-ES10 is strictly disc only, but with a twist. This season, multiformat recording has been introduced allowing you to (almost) chuck any recordable DVD into

Excellent

Average

LAB REPORT

PLAYBACK Video jitter (6ns) Signal-to-noise ratio: Composite (-61.6dB) S-video Y (-69.2dB) Component Y (-69.1dB) Chroma AM/PM: AM (-70.3dB) PM (-69.3dB) Chroma crosstalk (-59.0dB) Freq response @5.8MHz: Composite (-0.9dB) S-video (-0.9dB) Component Y (-0.9dB) Audio jitter (174ps) RECORDING Chroma (SP) AM (-64.9dB) PM (-58.4dB) Frequency response@4MHz XP (-0.7dB) SP (-0.7dB) LP (-0.8dB) Frequency response@2MHz EP (-1.1dB) LP (-0.1dB)

the machine and be good to go. Poor If you consider that DVD-RAM, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R and DVD+RW are the major formats, its only the latter thats AWOL. It makes for more versatility than
previously seen in Panasonic recorders, not least in one that costs around 200, and adds further weight to this deck claiming the budget recorder crown. Further, that is, to the simple fact that this model utilises Panasonics wealth of experience in the field, both aesthetically and technologically. Build quality is well above average. The DMRES10 is a DVD recorder with which you could club a burglar to death. While not
especially heavy, its built to last; the casing is reassuringly sturdy and it avoids the plasticky feel of many of its contemporaries. Oddly, the disc tray is ranged to the left of the machine and the front connections are found under a
ITEM SUPPORT DETAILS Integrated HDD Not on this entry level machine VHS recording Not on this entry level machine Progressive Scan G Compatible with 576p Digital TV Tuner Analogue tuner only Composite video G 2 inputs/1 output Phono stereo audio G 2 inputs/1 output S-video G 2 inputs/1 output Scart G 2 inputs (1 RGB) Component G 1 output (prog scan compatible) DV (i.Link) input Not on this entry level machine Digital Audio G 1 optical ouput Dimensions 430(w) x 63(h) x 337(d)mm Weight 4.3kg Also featuring Onscreen EPG; one second quick-start for recording; four recording modes; Free Rate recording; chasing playback; non-linear editing;

SPECIFICATIONS

80 H O M E C I N E M A C H O I C E

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Tried&Tested

A sturdy, well-built deck if rather leftfield in its placement of disc tray and sockets
At the moment, the DMR-ES10 disc recorder eclipses all of its cheapo peers
supported allows you to benefit from the myriad of editing options the nonlinear format has to offer: removing adverts, splitting titles and hiding chapters, among others. Essentially, youll use DVD-RAM to edit your footage, DVD-RW to store your throw-away recordings and DVD-R or DVD+R for anything youd like to archive. There are four recording modes in total: XP (for 1hr of footage on a singlesided DVD or DVD-RAM), SP (2hrs), LP (4hrs) and EP (6hrs or 8hrs depending on your preference). A Free Rate mode is also on offer for timed or VideoPlus+ recordings. It alters the bitrate according to the time set, and is the option youll find yourself using the most. no exception, is the setup and menu layouts. Theyre easy to use and well laid-out. All functions can be reached in seconds and, as it uses the same muchlauded remote control as the rest of its digital recorder stablemates, quick access buttons are supplied for just about everything youd want to do. Finally, its impressive repertoire is further bolstered, like the HDD-inclusive EH50 (reviewed last issue), by the onesecond record function. You can press record on the remote and within one second (hence the name clever, huh?) the show will be etched onto the disc. Anybody whos used any other recorders will appreciate the benefit of not missing the first 30secs of a programme. But its in picture and sound quality where you really can see (and hear) the quality. On XP, recorded pictures are near identical to the source material,

especially through RGB Scart, and SP only exhibits very minor loss of edge sharpness. LP does feature blocking around edges, especially during fast moving scenes, but colour retention is exemplary, as is contrast with decent blacks throughout. The final mode, EP, is naturally a lastminute resort option. But if you really need to store six to eight hours of footage, Ive seen a lot worse. Theres little difference between them, mainly because they both have heavy blocking and noise. Again, though, colour and contrast is retained admirably. Theres also no sign of the jitter associated with other machines at this bitrate. Commercial DVD playback is as good as any regular dedicated player offers, with highly recommended progressive scan capabilities. Clean edges, fine detail and decent digital noise suppression allows you to dispense with a separate deck and keep your rack less cluttered. Sonically, the machine is adequate, both with self-recordings and pre-packed media. As you drop down the recording options, clarity fades, but this should be expected. A mild fuzziness can be heard during the EP (8hr) mode. But then, youd rarely use that option when high sound quality is a factor. When choosing discs to go with the DMR-ES10, it is best to stick with known brands, especially if you want to keep your recorded footage. I tested Memorex, Maxell and Verbatim DVD-R, +R and DVD-RW discs and they all worked well, with no drop out. But using a cheap no-brand DVD-R (bought from the internet at approximately 15p per disc), I noticed some image stammering and, in one case, an inability to play back recorded material. Its worth noting too that this machine handles 8X discs (older players and a few Chinese imports can only cope with 4X).

Conclusion

In a way, its a shame Panasonic has launched the DMR-ES10, as its Freeview cousins are now tantalisingly close. Theyll be more expensive though, so perhaps this isnt a handicap. For now this recorder eclipses all its cheapo peers. The bottom line is, theres no better entry level machine currently available I

Pleasure to use

Something Ive always liked about Panasonic decks, and the DMR-ES10 is
Standard front inputs are found in the middle of the machine
Outputs accompany the regular AV inputs including S-video
Theres nothing cut-down about the excellent handset
Every disc bar DVD+RW will record from here
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