Panasonic DMR-EX77 Expert Reviews

Stuck the VHS in the loft? Need to record something while you're at a barbecue? Panasonic's latest solution is the DMR-EX77, a 160GB hard-disk Freeview PVR with a DVD burner built in. This means you can archive old programmes and keep those classic shows

Ability to record to both DVD and hard disk; picture quality

Menu system; only one Freeview tuner; no HDMI cable included

A simple but very useful DVD and Freeview PVR that offers great upscaling performance for DVDs and has plenty of space to record TV programmes from Freeview

Simple and easy-to-use recording, great inbuilt editing tool

Some noise and chromatic aberrations when upscaling DVDs, lacks a HD tuner despite HD upscaling

The DMR-EX77 seems to be having a hard time deciding what kind of device it wants to be. Although it upscales DVDs to high definition, it can't decode high-definition TV. Apart from this little contradiction however, it's generally a functional and easy-t...

The EX77 shares the same plain black styling and impeccable build quality of the EX87

Recording and playback quality; Exhaustive list of features

No WMA, DVD-A or series recording feature

When shopping, bear in mind though, that Sony's RDR-HXD870 costs the same, but also includes USB and Series Recording

We previously reviewed the DMR-EX87, an HDD/DVD recorder with a mighty 250GB capacity. Clearly, not everyone needs such a large hard disk, and its for these users that Panasonic has come up with this 160GB version, which costs a good £150 less

Recording and playback quality, Exhaustive list of features

No WMA, DVD-A or series recording feature

Another fantastic digital deck from Panasonic, but Sony's similarly

Panasonic aims to maintain its impeccable digital recorder track record with the DMR-EX77, one of the first DVD/HDD decks to offer 1080p upscaling. It's equipped with everything you could possibly want from a combi recorder

Generous features list, Good value for money, Good upscaled picture

No WMA or DiVX compatibility

A 1080p-upscaling deck that sets a new standard for digital recorders

If you don't want to pay for Sky+, Panasonic has a great HDD/DVD recorder for you.

With a vast amount of features, extensive editing modes, excellent recording quality and top-notch upscaling, the DMR-EX77 sets a new benchmark for DVD/HDD recorders. It's the kind of flexible, all-encompassing unit that by rights should cost a lot more,

GOOD (1.9)