Panasonic DMR-EX77EB-S
Product Rating  
Panasonic DMR-EX77EB-S ReviewRating:
Date: 26-06-2007
The Panasonic DMR-EX77EB-S, launched in May 2007, isn't cheap, but it's one of the best DVD recorders on the market, and we have no hesitation in awarding it 5 stars. This is one of the latest generation of DVD recorders which offer full 1080p upscaling. What's that then? Well, whilst the EX77 doesn't support playback of high definition disks, it upscales the video signal from a normal DVD to high definition for improved video quality on a HD Ready TV. The previous generation of DVD recorders supported a lower resolution of upscaling (1080i/720p), whereas the EX77 handles 1080p upscaling (known as Full HD). In practical terms, you'll only notice the difference between these two types of upscaling if you have a TV that supports Full HD. If you have a Full HD TV, you can really appreciate the improved video quality that this offers. If you have a HD Ready TV but not Full HD, then you'll appreciate the quality, but there won't be any noticeable difference between this and the previous Panasonic DMR-EX75. If you don't have a HD Ready TV at all, then this might still be worth buying if you want to future-proof your investment.
The DMR-EX77EB-S does everything well. It can record in a wide range of formats: DVD-RAM, DVD-R and DVD-RW, including the new dual layer and 16x speed DVD-R disks. It has a medium capacity 160 Gbyte hard drive (HDD), which can record up to 36 hours of television in XP mode (the highest quality). The HDD feature enables you to pause and rewind live TV (just like Sky+). You can easily transfer programmes recorded on the HDD onto DVD disks for permanent storage.
The DMR-EX77EB-S can also play back DVD-R, DVD-RW and CD-Audio disks.
The DMR-EX77EB-S has an integrated digital Freeview tuner, with easy recording via an on-screen 7-day Electronic Programme Guide (EPG). This is a new generation of digital tuner that achieves stable signal reception even under poor signal conditions, such as when signals are reflected by surrounding buildings.
Connecivity options are excellent, with a HDMI connection, 2 SCART sockets, S-video, RGB and component video output, digital audio output (Dolby Digital & DTS compatible), DV input (for connecting a camcorder) and an SD memory card slot (for transferring digital camera images onto disk).
Panasonic have upgraded their proprietary VIERA Link functions for this model, and it is now possible to control the DVD recorder using the VIERA TV remote control, when connected to a Panasonic VIERA TV.
This is a fantastic DVD recorder, offering fabulous video quality with full 1080p upscaling. It's a fully featured recorder that can match any of its competitors. You might also consider the DMR-EX87EB-K, which is the same except that it has a larger 250 Gbyte hard disk so that you can store more programmes.
Features of the Panasonic DMR-EX77EB-S include:
- 160GB Hard Disk Drive (Max 284 hours in EP Mode)
- Full HD 1080p Up-Conversion
- DVB-T Tuner and 7 Day EPG
- HDMI with VIERA Link
- SD Card Slot Compatible with HCSD Cards
- Playback of Jpeg and Mpeg2 files from SD
- Transfer Jpeg and Mpeg2 files from SD to HDD
- Super Multi Format - Record and Play ALL DVD Formats
- Super Easy GUI
- Dual Layer Compatible
- 16X - R Compatible
- DV-in
- MP3, JPEG from -R
- 500 Line LP Mode
- 1 Sec Quick Start and Record
Panasonic DMR-EX77EB-S Consumer Reviews
(9 reviews)
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Reviewed by Brian Spiller on 08/01/2009
More than 1 year since my previous review and am still thrilled to bits with it! So many useful features like being able to playback while recording something else! No doubt the EX77 has been replaced by many other models by now so would be a lot cheaper. I would happily get another should it ever go wrong.
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Reviewed by ayton rc on 27/03/2008
This recorder is an absolute breeze to set up and use. It isn't cheap but the picture quality and sound make up for that.When you get it home and a huge instruction manual falls out of the box do not be put off,this thing has so many features it requires a comprehensive manual. Recording is so simple, either to the built in hard drive or on to dvd disc, especially if you have a panasonic tv with the viera link feature. I would reccommend this to any one in the market for a dvd recorder, it realy is worth paying the little bit extra for.
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Reviewed by Dave on 16/02/2008
I've had one of these for a couple of weeks now and i'm really impressed. Easy to use as long as you take the time to read the instructions. Picture quality is superd and is even easier to use with the Vierra link. This means i only need the 1 remote for all functions of my Panny TV and DVD recorder. Only minus point is no series link and cosmetically it is never going to make the Tate modern. As for the poor reviews from Neikolas Czernuszka on 26/12/2007 & Doug Horrigan on 31/10/2007 i note that the wording in them is the same!!!. Their issue might actually be with the phillips discs as i've had problems with them on myn PC and at Asda when ordering photos.
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Reviewed by Joe P on 04/02/2008
After some research I purchased my Panasonic DMR-EX77EB from John Lewis in December 2007. It is outstandingly good. The picture and sound qualities (on my Panasonic TV)are brilliant. The operating instructions are easy to understand. They are lengthy - but that is because this machine has so many facilities. Like John I have recorded in various formats, including +RW, with no problems.
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Reviewed by john on 19/01/2008
I dont no what these people are talking about that you can't use dvd+rw. I have had my dmr-ex77 for six months and it works with all types of dvds I use the verbatim dvds with no prblem at all.I have used phillips,tesco and Maxell dvds all with no problem . Overall is a great product and i use my like a sky+ box pausing live tv. As for service I bought mine from a local shop got a free 5 year warrenty. This dvd recorder does support dvd+rw with no problem at all and my local shop could not be better or more helpfull I have had panasonic product for over 20 years and have just bought a new plasma tv which is great.
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Reviewed by Neikolas Czernuszka on 26/12/2007
DON'T BUY IT, IT'S A PILE OF RUBBISH AND THE SERVICING IS PATHETIC Rating: The guy above who wrote this needs to RTFM! This DVD Recorder does NOT SUPPORT THE PHILLIPS +RW format which is visable and clearly stated above.
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Reviewed by Brian Spiller on 23/12/2007
To add to my previous review below another feature I did not realise the machine had until recently was that you can play back previously recorded programmes AT THE SAME TIME as you are recording something else! Even my wife can record programmes now and that is a FIRST. She could never understand Video Plus on our old VCR!
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Reviewed by Brian Spiller on 20/11/2007
I have now had my EX77 for about a month and find it absolutely brilliant! I bought it on the internet at just over £200 after a certain amount of research(and getting more and more confused by all the jargon) and having a other Panasonic too. I was a bit frightened when I saw the 100 page instruction book (not being technical at all and cannot even use my new mobile)!but followed the instructions for setting up and away it went! I have now transferred most of my family and holiday videos to DVD also TV films that I want to keep and the process is very easy. There are all sorts of editing facilities available to easily cut out bad bits or adverts from the TV which I find a great help and easy to use. Having the Hard Drive is great and setting the machine to record is so simple all you do is press the GUIDE button on the handset which brings all the programmes on your TV screen, pick the programme you want with the highlighter and press OK! I could not believe it would be even easier than Video Plus! All in all a fantastic machine
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Reviewed by Doug Horrigan on 31/10/2007
I bought the machine from a Panasonic dealer. After a couple of weeks I tried to record to a DVD+RW (Philips). The machine refused to format the disc, I tried several times and in the end took it back to the dealer. The dealer tried to tell me that I'd be better just to use DVD-R and forget about the +RW. Great advice, - 'it doesn't work sir so don't use that functionality' They have now had it for over two weeks (nearly as long as I had it) and they still don't know when it will be fixed. DON'T BUY IT, IT'S A PILE OF RUBBISH AND THE SERVICING IS PATHETIC
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