It works... I wouldn't call it great – Can the people on here explain to me why they're giving it a bazillion stars? I mean OK, it records two shows at once. Lots of units do that. My 5 year old Philips does that. I expect a better user experience, and if someone can comment on the shortcoming I've experienced, that would be appreciated:
1) While recording 2 HD programs, a third channel on the same multiplex cannot be watched. My old Philips did this. Topfield units do this. Samsung does this. For those who don't know what this is, Channel 7 broadcast their channels (7, 72 and 7mate) by multiplexing them together into the one data stream on the same frequency channel. A single tuner receives this data stream (which means technically, you need only one tuner to access these 3 channels). Recording is limited to 2 TV channels because of HDD write/read speed, but many units allow you to view one of the other channels included in the multiplex of the other channels being recorded.
2) The EPG can't be viewed without totally cutting off the current program. I'd have liked a transparent EPG, or a small window with the picture, and the program sound to continue. For instance, during an ad I might check what's on later, but I like to know if the ad has finished. I can't know that on this unit without closing the EPG completely. Or, even if I might want to know what's on other channels while I'm watching a program, this leads me to problem three.
3) While watching TV, you can see the name of the program and other information at the bottom of the screen. This is good. However, as you use the directional pad to cycle up/down through channels you get the message "Press OK to Watch Channel!". Why can't it display the currently playing program on the other channels? To find out what's on another channel, I have to either view the EPG (and totally cut what I'm watching), or actually change to the other channel. This means there is NO way that I can see what is on another channel, while continuing to watch the current program.
4) Can somebody tell me what actually happens when I press "rec" on the remote? I see the Rec light come on, but how long will this recording last? The manual suggests press rec again will allow me to set timer increments from 30 mins to 4 hrs, but I just get the message "Program already recording".
I haven't tried the DVD recording. The DVD player works well. Picture quality is excellent too, and 5.1 surround works well (watched a HD movie on One HD).
But in summary, this is not a "polished" product. It works, yes. But it has a second delay from every remote button press, and has the abovementioned problems. Am I happy? Not really. I expect more from a new product in 2012, especially from Panasonic.
I'd like to other users comments on the problems I've mentioned above. EPG works. Records two programs. Good picture quality. DLNA. Slow. Doesn't allow viewing of third multiplex channel. Clunky. Not polished. Poor user experience.
DMR-XW390 model...sorry
It's true you can't record 2 programs and watch another channel on the PANA- but you can watch the third by using the tuner in your TV set!
Have to agree with Jon06. Clunky and unpolished describe it perfectly. Am underwhelmed with the inability to record a third multiplex channel.
Have only had it 24 hours, did a lot of research before buying & I knew this was a feature (or lack of) prior to purchasing - but am still annoyed they can't be bothered making it do something that's getting to be standard these days.
Will post a better review when I've had it a little longer.
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So I spoke to Panasonic about these short comings. They were very helpful and contacted me immediately after I sent them an email. The responses to the above points were:
1) The rep said Digital tuners cannot do this. I know that they can. The point was, Panasonic tuners don't do this, never have done this, and it won't be a feauture available on this unit.
2) This is the EPG style on the Panasonic and will remain the same.
3) This will remain the same.
4) The only way to increment 30 min timer intervals blocks, is to use the physical button on the actual unit itself. This cannot be done from the remote. The rep said he couldn't explain why this had been done this way.
So in summary, Panasonic were helpful and addressed my concerns. A+ for customer support. But the unit will remain as it is with the above limitations. The rep made it clear that Panasonic will only release firmware updates to fix a fault, not to add additional functionality.