Panasonic DMR-BWT835

Excellent – I brought this machine a few years ago to convert my dvds to blu rays it gets a lot of use never had a problem with it the editing features are easy to use and good I have only used the epg programming feature a few times but it always worked well i have never used the internet capabilities so I can't review that the only downsides to this unit is… Read more

that you are limited to the number of titles you can have on the internal HDD and that you can convert to a external HDD

Stuffed – As of 27 May 2016 the machine changes the date to 1905. The setup and clock has not been touched or edited or changed in any way for years. You have to go to setup and then clock to allow the machine to change the date back to correct time and date (it can do it because it is on 'automatic'). When it changes the date (which is did last night more… Read more

than 5 times), all recording stops. and all planned recording is wiped. I've seen a lot of reviews, questions and complaints from many people about this same problem. Please Panasonic, help us! (PS It was never a great machine to start with.)

Some good features, but could be better – This recorder / blu-ray player has some good features: -connect to your home wifi to enable remote recording and access HDD from a laptop on the same network -twin tuner = record two channels at the same time -USB port -internet access (Skype, radio, subscriber services e.g. movies) But there are some basic features I had on my old… Read more

(analogue) LG which aren't on the Panasonic, and it's disappointing:

-Program recognition, so that when a time / day changes the program is still recorded, rather than just recording the day / time you set irrespective of what's on

-The ability to record a live feed which you have rewound / timeslipped - i.e. a show has started that you can "live" rewind to the beginning, but you can't record from that point

-Handling daylight saving time changes - or not, as the case is.

On reflection, I would've done more research and looked to buy something else which didn't have these features missing.

Great DVD recorder – Best dvd recorder we have ever bought. It is so easy to use especially for timer recording. Looks smart too. Love it!

trouble – We have set this unit up with a new LG tv. Can't get channel 7 (or any affiliated channels) to tune in. Never had this problem before. This unit uned channel 7 with our other TV and the new TV tuned channel 7 with oue old panasonic DVD recorder. Can anyone please help

Player with some good features but also some flaws – Bought this panasonic to replace a Topfield twin tuner pvr. Apart from the machine not responding to the remote control a couple of times and having to have a factory reset to overcome the problem, the biggest issue that I have is at daylight saving time changes when the machine changes the clock time ok but does not change the timer recording… Read more

times in line with the daylight saving time change. Consequently programs that are set to time record are either the program before or after the one that is supposed to record depending on which daylight saving time change occurred. Panasonic support tried to get me to believe that it was a broadcasting issue with channel 10 but could not explain why it occurs on every channel set to record a program. This is an inconvenience if you happen to be away at the time of time changes as you have to reset every timer record you have set up, and Panasonic support just keep fobbing it off as a broadcasting problem.

Never did encounter this problem with the Topfield

Not happy overall – My dvd recorder is 8 months approx,sometimes when you turn off the dvd recorder off, it takes along time to turn off, and sometimes it wont turn off at all. Sometimes i find tv turned with photo images on screen for no reason. Imagion the little problems i have know, what it's going to be like down the track??. I havent experence editing & coping… Read more

as yet.Also it has a funtion, that when you linked your tv to your dvd recorder,both items turns off which is good, but not the oppossite poor design. also the stupid manual has small print and hard to read and hard to understand.Remote control does not have mute button, what kind programer or manufacture or technition would leave this out??. sersiously i think is over rated not worth the money i have spent.i would never reconmmend this pannasonic dvd model :dmrbwt835gl to anyone.

Great Machine - does what it say – A great machine that does what it says, well mostly. It scanned all the free to air channels very quickly, setting up and connecting to my wireless home network was a piece of cake and the EPG and navigation is easy as well. DLNA streaming works, but it lacks a plex app to really benefit from my media server and although it says in the specs and… Read more

on the box it plays MKV's, it doesn't stream them for me. Bummer as most of my content is MKV's.

For what I bought it for, to watch and record free to air TV and play Blu-Ray's it does an admirable job. Only gripe in this area is it doesn't let you watch an affiliated channel while record two channels, i.e. record 7-mate and ONE HD and then watch 7TWO, my old twin tuner did this, this Panasonic does not.

EDIT June 2018: so having now had this unit for 4 years, it's got some serious issues. The buttons on the remote have progressively stopped working and now, I cannot play discs in it at all, as it only operates with the CD tray open, if I close it, the whole unit shuts down.

I guess 4 years is about as long as anything electronic is expected to last these days..... will I buy Panasonic again after this? Perhaps not. Quick easy setup and hard drive capacity DLNA streaming is not complete, can't use the internet stuff while recording - that sucks

Easy To Use, Easy Navigation Menu, will probably give it 5 stars once I use it more – I bought to replace my trusty 5 year old LG Single SD Tuner HDD/DVD Recorder (trusty until about 2 months ago when it died). The replacement LG model has received a bashing on this site and LG's own site, so I've taken the plunge with Panasonic. Taking the Panasonic straight out of the box and without looking at the manual I have: Run the initial… Read more

setup of tuning and home networking, easily figured out how to access the electronic guide, set 2 timers on numerous occasions, edited recorded material & burned that edited material to a disc, figured out how to pause live TV and played 3D Blu Rays. I like that the recorded titles menu has Thumbnails, a feature of my LG. I was using my LG to copy my old home movies from VHS (by plugging VCR into AV IN Port on HDD) to the HDD. A must have on any new device I was going to buy and it works very easily on the Panasonic. You can then use the Editing Menu and cut out bits you don't want and then burn the final version to a disc. I have only burned to DVD so far, can't see that Blu-Ray will be any different. I already owned a Panasonic 3D Blu-Ray Player with some limited internet features (that player is now taking up residence in another room as I no longer need it in my main viewing room). This Panasonic has the same limited internet features, yet still easy to use and I would say limited only by the app development, it is absolutely brilliant for watching something on ABC's iView or SBS's catch up TV streaming. If only 7,9 & 10 would make an app. Currently to do catch up TV with them I have to plug a laptop into my TV's HDMI port. Very satisfied with the product after having for 1 month, once I've fully used all features I'll update this review. You can edit the recorded material and burn to a Disc - Great for Dubbing VHS to HDD then to DVD to preserve home movies.

Excellent player with a couple of quirky flaws – This is an excellent recorder and player with a couple of strange issues that let it down a bit. Recording quality is excellent, the 1TB since is sufficient for 150 hours or so of broadcast quality recording. The Panasonic Diga player for Android allows the unit to be used as a media server, although it has problems connecting from time to time.… Read more

The unit also plays media from networked PCs quite reliably. The undocumented ad skip feature is brilliant.

The internet access feature has a hopelessly clunky interface, but plays Youtube, ABC iView, etc reasonably well once you finally navigate to the broadcast you want.

On the downside, some programs just don't record, showing a cross in the program list. No apparent pattern or reason behind this. The unit is a little unresponsive to the remote. Recording quality, storage space, versatility Quirky interface, hopeless internet access feature, occasional program recording fails

I can't recommend it – I bought this unit mostly for the DLNA capabilites. I have got it to play some files from my PC but the quality is awful. I have video files in 1080p and it looks like it is playing on a well used video cassette when I play it back. The only way around this is to play the file directly from the bluray player on a USB stick which really defeats the purpose. Disappointed Panasonic. It records to HDD

Good unit but not for beginners – I've been using Sony's PlayTV on my PS3 for some time but wanted a dedicated PVR to overcome some of the PS3 limitations. I tried a Topfield (7170 I think) but didn't like the software or the lack of upscaling. Eventually went with the Panasonic. It's a great unit and has a LOT of features. The software is pretty good but I am still amazed that… Read more

in 2013/14 big manufacturers like Panasonic can't design a really good intuitive user interface. The PlayTV interface is MUCH better for novice users. I don't consider myself to be a novice, however a good interface also usually means simple and enjoyable use for most people. Panasonic haven't quite got it right, even though it's all there.

Also the manual is a nightmare.

However the unit itself works very well and when you get used to navigating around, the feature set is comprehensive.

GOOD: Loads of high-end features; good performance BAD: Software could/should be better; manual is terrible

Excellent! Very happy! – Whilst I haven't tried all of its capabilities yet, I couldn't be happier with the unit so far. It's my third Panasonic HDD recorder, and easily the best. (My original one didn't even have an HD tuner, quite some years ago, though it still works to this day. Reliability on the previous two have been absolutely 100%.) It has a decent size HDD,… Read more ·  2

(1Tb) easy programming, and best of all, I can look at the program guide from anywhere in the world (on the Internet) and ask it to record something, which is a huge bonus for me as I travel a lot.

Skipping adds is a breeze, (though annoyingly the button's functions have moved on the remote from my previous recorder) and editing recorded material to chop out the adds is equally easy.

Picture quality is great, and tuner sensitivity is better than my LG TV, so happy there too.

As I said I have yet to try all of its functions, but so far, so good. I couldn't be happier at this point, having owned it about a month.

I have not yet tried DLNA streaming to another network device, and don't really need to at this point. Simple to use, remote setting of recording functions. Similar remote to earlier recorder, but button's functions seem to have moved for no obvious reason- a little confusing.

OK, but has limits – Like DJ, I purchased to upgrade from a BeyonWiz PVR (if only they had Blu-Ray!) but in the end it's now just an expensive Blu-Ray player. Shop around, there are much better out there. The DLNA playback abilities are useless on this player, even my Panasonic TV plays .AVI files, but not .MP4s which was part of what attracted me to this player.… Read more

After the mistake of both a Panasonic TV & this PVR, it's the last Panasonic product I'll buy. Gets 3 stars for the twin tuner, HD space & blu-ray disc playback. Although have not yet tried remote programming using the Digi app. Twin tuner, good picture quality, playback of 3d blu-ray discs, lots of storage space, easy to set-up Remote, navigation, menu layout, basic functionality is tedious. Does not playback .AVI files, also cannot seem to get it to work on .MKV or .MP4 (as advertised). Fairly ordinary menu layout (worse than my 2011 Panasonic TV) and CEC integration is pretty ordinary also (just OK at best).

Average picture quality when compared to my LG HD twin tuner dvd pvr – The picture quality is somewhat disappointing and the menu system can be a tad confusing with some odd ways to make various functions (such as finalizing dvd's) ! But on the whole as an all rounder I dont think any other manufacturer makes a better PVR ! If you want something dependable then look no further !. Has a dependable feel about it, trusted brand. picture quality and awkward menu system.

Poor design and poor quality - very disappointed – I purchased this item to upgrade from a Beyonwiz PVR. I have had the Panasonic for approx 2 months and it rates as a single star when compared to the item I upgraded. Setting up was relatively easy. However, it is when using the item, that it's limitations become evident. Remote control is poorly designed. No Mute and "skip function" in bottom… Read more

right corner. Noting how often "skip" is used, clearly the designer considered this function an afterthought. Unlike the Beyonwiz, you can't choose the preferred "skip" time either. Recording quality is substandard with continual audio "drop outs" from recorded TV programs, but picture is OK. However, it appears it's sensitivity to reception is high, as programs that are clear on the TV, may have poor reception on this product. Setting up timer is not difficult but clumsy and inefficient. In addition if broadcasters change their guide, it can result in the timer falling into an error status (The explanation in the manual was laughable). For recorded items, it appears to establish it's own chapters and you cannot check chapter points. USB Media options are promoted as numerous, but in fact are quite limited, In addition not all MP4s can be played (contrary to the product manual), together with numerous other formats - most of which can be played on the Beyonwiz. Even the function of pausing live TV is substandard when compared to the alternate product. My Pioneer DVD recorder that is 10 years old is a superior product in terms of ease of use and design. I would not recommend this product.

Audio Drop Outs, Expensive, Poor design of remote control, Reception Sensitivity. Misleading playback formats

Excellent PVR – This unit does it all, Blu-ray play/record, MKV/MP4 media player and twin tuner PVR. The 835 replaced my TiVo, media player and Blu-ray player, so gone is the clutter..Some people don't like the GUI as its a bit boring looking, but it works and doesn't lock up..personally for me its OK, its the same as my Panasonic TV so I felt familiar with the… Read more ·  2

unit straight away. Picture quality is great, compared to my Tivo though its not quite as good, but I have no complaints. Initial setup was super easy, and network config was intuitive and easy, no issues were encountered via wireless connection. Purchased for $588 on special. Looks great, works great, doesn't lock up Nothing so far

Very nice unit once set up – Comprehensive unit with Internet and Wi Fi functionality. Great menu and features. Very poor 'Easy Set Up' wizard for internet connectivity- has to be set up manually to access internet, (Bigpond). Panasonic Tech and Bigpond Help could not assist- required independent assistance from experienced 'Modem Forum' member to get working. Plenty of… Read more ·  3

features, menu structure, easy to use, interface with Panasonic products. Very difficult internet set up process which requires good knowledge of modem / router settings to connect

This must be close to perfect! – I recently replaced my old Set Top Box with this Panasonic DMR-BWT835GL DVD player. Everything went extremely well from unpacking to setting up which was a breeze. With this device we can record two programs at the same time. I also discovered that it allows you to pause live TV, so when the phone rings you just press "Pause" and then come back… Read more ·  1

and push "Play" to continue later. The 3D function works seamlessly with Blu-Ray 3D DVDs. I could rave on for hours... it's just such a nice unit. Oh...don't pay $796.00. I paid $679.00. I bought it from some good guys. Everything Can't find anything yet.

No series record – After purchasing a Panasonic TV I decided to get a Panasonic PVR with live TV broadcast to an iPad, this works ok only when nothing is being used on the PVR. If you are recording something then you can’t access any past recording or live TV on the PVR via iPad. Also I noticed that there is no series record, my PC with media centre has been doing… Read more

this for the last 5 years, don’t understand why this can’t be included in an $800 PVR. Very disappointed with this PVR, UI is hard to use. Able to watch Live TV live on iPad, only if PVI is unused. No series record, the UI is from 1980 and online content is useless, your smart phone has more features.