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| Panasonic DMR-HS2 DVD Video Recorder |
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December 1, 2003
• Vol.1 Issue 1 Page(s) 33 in print issue | |
Panasonic DMR-HS2 DVD Video Recorder | |
This all-in-one digital video device not only functions as a DVD player and recorder but also serves as a digital video recorder, thanks to a built-in 40GB hard drive capable of storing 52 hours of programming. To top it off, the DMR-HS2 has a PC Card slot so you can enjoy your digital recordings on a laptop computer, PDA, or any platform that supports flash memory. A hefty price tag puts the recorder beyond the range of the casual couch potato, but for a home theater enthusiast looking to build a digital entertainment system from the ground up, the DMR-HS2 represents one of the best places to start. It sure doesn't take much to connect the device to a TV and existing equipment. The DMR-HS2 has the standard input and output ports, including composite video, S-Video, and optical digital audio cable. Plus, it was designed to handle channel and time settings automatically. All told, the entire setup procedure took less than 15 minutes. That's important. It meant we had more time to relax in front of the boob tube and less time to wade through a boring users manual. Indeed, Panasonic designed the DMR-HS2 and its accompanying universal remote control to be so intuitive that you may not need the users manual at all. Recording a program from the TV is a simple matter of surfing to a channel you like and pressing a few buttons. After that, the DMR-HS2 functions like any other digital video recorder. We could pause playback or switch channels without disrupting the recording, for instance. We also could use the timer feature to automatically record as many as 16 television programs on a daily or weekly basis. Of course, no one buys a DVD recorder solely for the purpose of taping the afternoon soap operas or late-night movies. It also has to accommodate video input from other sources, especially VCRs and camcorders. The DMR-HS2 has plenty of ports to handle any extra devices you may have. It even boasts S Video, component video, and FireWire input ports on its front panel for effortless access. Just don't buy the device with the intention of pirating your neighbor's extensive collection of DVDs. The DMR-HS2 complies with all of the industry's standard antipiracy technologies. As a result, the unit will not function properly when you attempt to produce illegal recordings of copyright-protected DVDs. Even if you find a way of getting the device to produce a copy of the DVD, the quality of the recording will not satisfy you. As for the quality of legitimate recordings, you won't hear any complaints from us. The device includes several built-in control features, such as Block Noise Reduction, that work together to optimize the quality of the recordings. The DMR-HS2 also supports five recording modes, which vary depend-ing on recording quality and storage space (higher quality recordings consume more storage space and vice versa). If you aren't sure which one to use, pick the FR (Flexible Recording) mode. This mode automatically sets the recording quality to fit the amount of available storage space on the disc. In any case, our copies looked as good as the originals, which is all you can ask of any recording device. In addition to the features described above, the recorder also boasts CD-R and CD-RW playback, progressive scanning, Dolby Digital surround sound, optical digital output, and a built-in image viewer for looking at still pictures. With so much to offer, it's hard to find fault with the DMR-HS2. Having said that, we have to admit it would definitely attract more attention with a lower price. Users also should know that the DVD-Rs and DVD-RAMs they create with the recorder might not play on some DVD players and DVD-ROM drives. Finally, for optimum recording quality, we suggest investing in high-definition digital cable service. Otherwise, your digital recordings will carry permanent reminders of their analog origins.  by Jeff Dodd |
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