Last week I ordered the Panasonic DMR-EA38VK from Restock it. Now I've learned that it is out of stock and I'm getting a refund. Will someone please recommend a similar combo machine?

Thank you,

Sam

The EZ48 a.k.a EZ485 is essentially the same as the 38 but adds a digital tuner. They're going for around $150 shipped on ebay right now. There's a thread here within the past month or so that compares all panasonics. If you or anybody else wants to consider a Polaroid DRM-2001G DVD recorder with a hard drive for $80, I've got one for sale, so just PM me. The polo isn't too shabby. Some fairly unique things about it are component pass thru when off (even on HD), component inputs, no copy protection on the inputs, and an upgradeable hard drive.

While it may seem like the EZ-48 just adds the tuner from what I've read and also experienced it also adds lots of bugs and problems. I really wouldn't suggest the EZ-48 no matter how cheap it is.
I believe this is the Thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1134909) mdavej was talking about. It has links to the most used threads for a particular model. Closely study the EZ-48 thread before purchasing one.
http://www.wegotbetterdeals.com/dvd-players-recorders-dvd-recorder-c-23_260.html?filter_id=8&sort=2a currently has the VHS less EA-18 but not the combo EA-38, you may want to keep checking them back. Their inventory changes often.

I see the Polaroid DRM-2001G is back in stock over there. Intersting. I also see that the Panasonic DMR-EA38VK DVD/VCR Recorder 1080p Up-Conversion (Refurbished) shows up as being in stock, at least at the moment, for $150.

:rolleyes: Well I guess it helps if I search for DVDRs w/VCR instead of just DVDRs:o I thought I'd seen them recently.
http://www.wegotbetterdeals.com/dvd-players-recorders-dvdvcr-recorder-c-23_261.html
Only $20 more for the digital tunered EZ-48 but IMO it's buyer beware with that recorder, it even included a free HDMI cable which it looks like the EA-38 lacks. Oh well they're <$4 at Monoprice for better cables anyway.

:rolleyes: Well I guess it helps if I search for DVDRs w/VCR instead of just DVDRs:o I thought I'd seen them recently.
http://www.wegotbetterdeals.com/dvd-players-recorders-dvdvcr-recorder-c-23_261.html
Only $20 more for the digital tunered EZ-48 but IMO it's buyer beware with that recorder, it even included a free HDMI cable which it looks like the EA-38 lacks. Oh well they're <$4 at Monoprice for better cables anyway.



I thought these guys were crooks from all the reviews I've read. Have they become honest recently?

I've never ordered from them, I just remember there name from people ordering the Polo DVDR and I don't remember anyone being really disappointed. I think the Polos lacked the original remote(which are quite hard to find), but AFAIK that was stated prior to ordering. As always I'd suggest reading all the fine print you can find.

http://www.resellerratings.com/store/WeGotBetterDeals

Doesn't sound too good, either 5 * or 1*, nothing in between:confused:
Although generally aren't people who are dissatisfied the ones who would tend to post there experiences?
Definitely worth a buyer beware :(

If you Google DMR-EZ38VK "in stock"

you will find it is in stock at www.ecost.com for 248.99. And there are other hits to look at.

When I look for a product I always go to Amazon.com for their reviews. Even if they are out of stock there, the reviews are very helpful. I agree with others that the 48 may not be a good idea. I wrote "bad reviews" by it when I was out shopping a couple of months ago.

Amazon and their marketplace did fail me on my Toshiba purchase but I was able to find it in stock elsewhere..not an easy thing to do. I have not used ecost.com so I can't say anything about it. But if you do Google what you are looking for, you may find it in stock elsewhere.

Also, this last time when I did find it and it seemed to be in stock, I called the phone number with the part number and they confirmed it was in stock and then I went back to the web site and ordered it and it came right away.

So I use Amazon reviews, Google "in stock", and verify in stock before ordering. My failure with Amazon was they promised in a couple of weeks instead of in stock. Well, after a month they admitted they can't find it. So I canceled the order and found it elsewhere myself where someone had lots of it. I do see the 48 in a lot of places but again I agree with another member here...would really not want to get that one. Read its reviews first.

Good luck. Hope some of this helps.

While it's possible I'd be surprised if you found anything searching for EZ-38VK? the tunerless 38 model is a EA while the tunered 48 is the EZ. Of course it's possible the seller has also mistakenly entered EZ for EA, or they're trying to catch people that make the mistake, it's easy to do. Either way if it's a 38 it won't have a tuner but will have the VHS section.

Doesn't sound too good, either 5 * or 1*, nothing in between:confused:
Although generally aren't people who are dissatisfied the ones who would tend to post there experiences?
Definitely worth a buyer beware :(

I purchased two "Refurbished by Panasonic" combo recorders, in Panasonic factory sealed brown boxes, from Wegotbetterdeals back in late 2006/early 2007. I also ordered Square Trade two-year extended service contracts ($11.99 each) through the Wegotbetterdeals website. These Panasonics, a DMR-ES30V (around $102 with shipping) and a DMR-ES35V (around $122 with shipping), were shipped promptly and arrived promptly with no damage to the box or contents. These Panasonics have proven themselves to be reliable workhorses having accumulated more than 3,000 recording hours per machine. Both were fully functional at last use. The service contracts have now expired without use.

Great prices for 2 great combos! The refurbished ES-15 (http://www.wegotbetterdeals.com/panasonic-dmres15s-progressive-scan-dvd-playerrecorder-with-time-slip-function-input-p-1326.html)s they currently have for $72 would also be a good alternative for those who don't need the digital tuner and all the bugs that go with the EZ models. Looks like the ES-15s even include the free RAM disc that all pre EZs had.

Doesn't sound too good, either 5 * or 1*, nothing in between:confused:
Although generally aren't people who are dissatisfied the ones who would tend to post there experiences?
Definitely worth a buyer beware :(


True, many people usually only review when they have problems but it's the type of problems that raises a flag with me. If you're lucky enough to get a working product, fine. But there seems to be absolutely no support at all when there is a problem.


I'm happy DigaDo reported he's had good results.

Great prices for 2 great combos! The refurbished ES-15 (http://www.wegotbetterdeals.com/panasonic-dmres15s-progressive-scan-dvd-playerrecorder-with-time-slip-function-input-p-1326.html)s they currently have for $72 would also be a good alternative for those who don't need the digital tuner and all the bugs that go with the EZ models. Looks like the ES-15s even include the free RAM disc that all pre EZs had.

The DMR-ES15 model does not have a cooling fan. Be sure to provide good ventilation for this model. Do not close this model up inside a cabinet.

With proper ventilation the DMR-ES15 may become a workhorse. My DMR-ES15 model (purchased new by me in August 2006) has accumulated more than 3,000 recording hours. It was functional at last use.

I also purchased three "used" DMR-ES15 models.

One "used" ES15 was found to be an as-new open box customer return. This ES15, the remote, the batteries, paper documentation, warranty registration card, DVD-RAM, AC cord, composite and RF cables, etc. had never been removed from the packaging. This ES15 has accumulated almost 1,100 recording hours. It was functional at last use.

The other two ES15 models were listed "as-is" and found to have "clunking/chugging" (laser failure) DVD Drives. (Perhaps these ES15 models had been shut up inside a cabinet.) Since I had two DMR-ES35V parts machines with good DVD Drives these drives were swapped into these ES15 models. (The DMR-ES35V models have cooling fans.) One of the parts machine DVD Drives gave nine months of good service in an ES15 before experiencing its own laser assembly failure. The other ES15 continued to be functional for a time, was rotated into standby service, but was later found "dead" when set up in place of the ES15 with laser failure. The DVD Drive from the "dead" ES15 was then swapped into the ES15 that had the just-failed DVD Drive. That DVD Drive gave eight months good service in that machine until last month when it was swapped back into one of my DMR-ES35V parts machines (and paired with a swapped Digital PCB from another ES35). That DVD Drive swap enabled that ES35 "parts machine" to become fully functional for the first time since I purchased it for $15.29, including shipping, in 2007.