Panasonic DMR-EZ27 Expert Reviews

As we transition from analog to digital television broadcasts, Panasonic releases a new DVD recorder with built-in digital tuner that will allow it to continue working past 2009 when analog broadcasts go off the air.

I won't lie. I miss the lack of a hard drive on this video recorder. But apparently including both a hard drive and a digital tuner in a digital video recorder would inflate the price astronomically due to content protection issues. Panasonic isn't ...

If you're in the market for a dedicated DVD recorder, the Panasonic DMR-EZ27EB might well have your name on it -- as well as looking half decent, it has a built-in Freeview receiver, so you can burn even more telly to DVD

Styling ; quality of recordings ; HDMI connection

Layout of front panel controls ; lack of hard drive ; difficult menu system

If you want to record TV shows to DVD, Panasonic's DMR-EZ27EB is ideal for your needs -- it looks good and recordings are of a decent quality. If you're looking to upscale DVDs, however, you might want to look at some other offerings, and possibly ...

Taking a look at the feature list, things start to look ominous for the competition. Headlined by an HDMI output with full 1080p upscaling (plus 1080i and 720p, of course), this is a deck designed with flatpanel TVs in mind

Performance, Expensive features, User-friendliness

No DiVX playback or slot

Panasonic confirms its status as the king of recorders with a magnificent deck boasting unbeatable features

Just because the DVD/HDD recorder combi recorder has captured the nation's imagination, it doesn't mean that the humble DVD recorder has been consigned to the AV dustbin.

Excellent upscaling, High-quality recording

Very expensive

This deck's recordings in the top quality modes are superb and playback is also excellent. It's a shame it's a bit pricey

The EZ27 may lack a hard-drive, but with 1080p upscaling, a Freeview tuner and excellent picture quality, it's bargain recording at its best.

Great picture performance. Simple, logical menu system. Impressive DVD playback

No HD, but at £200 that's not much of a problem

Although Panasonic's DMR-EZ27 can claim 1080p upscaling, it's different from its rivals as it's also a DVD recorder. That's one more massive feature for your money than the Yamaha or the Marantz, but does its picture performance compete with the ...

DVD recording ; upscales TV broadcasts ; easy to use ; densely defined images

Some picture noise and stuttered movement