I just discovered this model is discontinued. I just bought my DMR-EH55 in Oct or Nov. Why would they discontinue the model so soon? How much are they going for right now?

It is pretty typical that the model is only current for a single year, at least with DVD recorders. Last year, the EH50s sold out just after Christmas, and were unavailable except for a few on eBay. This year, the same pattern is happening again with the EH55. They are almost unavailable, or maybe completely unavailable by now, so what they are gong for is immaterial. Last year, the EH55 was announced long before it appeared in June or so. This year, no announcement has been made about this year's hard drive models, not by Panasonic, or be any major brand manufacturer. I am hoping it is just a glitch caused by the FCC tuner issue, but it is not promising.

It is pretty typical that the model is only current for a single year, at least with DVD recorders. Last year, the EH50s sold out just after Christmas, and were unavailable except for a few on eBay. This year, the same pattern is happening again with the EH55. They are almost unavailable, or maybe completely unavailable by now, so what they are gong for is immaterial. Last year, the EH55 was announced long before it appeared in June or so. This year, no announcement has been made about this year's hard drive models, not by Panasonic, or be any major brand manufacturer. I am hoping it is just a glitch caused by the FCC tuner issue, but it is not promising.

Someone just posted in this thread (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=9889891&&#post9889891) that Philips has an ATSC model with 160 gig HDD coming out.

At last! This allows some hope that the other manufacturers will also have product announcements.

At last! This allows some hope that the other manufacturers will also have product announcements.

Exactly! I gave my E80 to my mom over a year ago since I was planning on upgrading. They never came out with an ATSC version last year and I've been without a HDD recorder for 15 months now. :(

Hopefully Panasonic and the others will start rolling out new models soon!

The company that I work for is a Panasonic dealer and according to Panasonic the DMR-EH55 is discontinued and currently there are no plans for a HDD unit from Panasonic in 2007. According to Panasonic the market for HDD based DVD Recorders is too small. On a side note Sony has announced a HDD unit for 2007. Let's hope that Sony does not change it's mind like last year and decide not to release a HDD equipped unit

The company that I work for is a Panasonic dealer and according to Panasonic the DMR-EH55 is discontinued and currently there are no plans for a HDD unit from Panasonic in 2007. According to Panasonic the market for HDD based DVD Recorders is too small. On a side note Sony has announced a HDD unit for 2007. Let's hope that Sony does not change it's mind like last year and decide not to release a HDD equipped unit

Well this is good news from Sony. And it was posted earlier in this forum that Philips will have a HDD DVD recorder for 2007.

Panasonic seems to be following the trend though. I think Panasonic saw the popularity of the combo VHS DVD recorders and made a decision.

Maybe 2008 will be different but it seems that most companies that have been in the game have bought off on the DVR model for North America.

The company that I work for is a Panasonic dealer and according to Panasonic the DMR-EH55 is discontinued and currently there are no plans for a HDD unit from Panasonic in 2007. According to Panasonic the market for HDD based DVD Recorders is too small. On a side note Sony has announced a HDD unit for 2007. Let's hope that Sony does not change it's mind like last year and decide not to release a HDD equipped unit

I don't really need the DVD recorder...just give me a HDD based DVR. Market too small? I wonder if anyone at Panasonic has heard of TIVO. :rolleyes:

Yes, I know most TIVOs don't have a DVD recorder but some do. My point is, there IS a market for HDD DVRs. If anything is holding them back, it's probably the TIVO patent which has caused major problems for Echostar and their DVR. Perhaps everyone is trying to 'reinvent the wheel' and produce a HDD DVR without stepping on TIVO's patents.

The company that I work for is a Panasonic dealer and according to Panasonic the DMR-EH55 is discontinued and currently there are no plans for a HDD unit from Panasonic in 2007. According to Panasonic the market for HDD based DVD Recorders is too small. This is what I was afraid of when I read the announcement that Japan was not going to introduce hi-density recorders in the US market because of "too small a market" when compared to the popularity of DVR's. It looks like the HDD-equipped DVDR market may be ceded to the chinese cloners. Oh, joy.

I'd noticed that the number of DVD recorders with hard drives had fallen off a bit at the local box stores, but I hadn't realized that we'd end up with no units out there at all. And today was the first I'd heard of the FCC mandate. I'd have bought a EH55 if I'd known (there's one on Ebay for mega bucks). I've already got a EH75 and I don't want to spend that much on what would essentially be a back-up unit.

So what's the prognosis? Will we get new DVD recorders with hard drives in the future. Or will the DRM pushers in Hollywood get their way and ensure that we can never again archive shows?

I'd noticed that the number of DVD recorders with hard drives had fallen off a bit at the local box stores, but I hadn't realized that we'd end up with no units out there at all. And today was the first I'd heard of the FCC mandate. I'd have bought a EH55 if I'd known (there's one on Ebay for mega bucks). I've already got a EH75 and I don't want to spend that much on what would essentially be a back-up unit.

So what's the prognosis? Will we get new DVD recorders with hard drives in the future. Or will the DRM pushers in Hollywood get their way and ensure that we can never again archive shows?

You're right about the prices of the EH55s on EBAY. Over the fast couple of weeks one place has been selling them ay $899 BIN and another guy got over $1,000 for his!

It makes me seriously think about selling mine. Like you, I have other Pannys and the EH55 is only my secondary unit. I could do without it, especially for $1,000!!!

I don't know if it is related but Panasonic is manufacturing 250gb HDD DVRs for Comcast. I don't know the terms of their agreement, but if Panasonic is goign to make the DVR anyway, how hard would it be to create a DVD recorder version of it?

Ebay sale today for an EH55 was for $1,009. Amazing.

http://cgi.*********/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=001&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=110095330931&rd=1&rd=1

Well it doesn't look like my link works. Probably because it's ebay. But I was following the auction. Closed for $1,009. :eek: But shipping was cheap - $15. :D

cgi.*********/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=001&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=110095330931&rd=1&rd=1

Try adding http:// it might work

The only reason I don't have two of these is that I don't have enough inputs on my TV. But I'll stater now that if manufacturers refuse to provide recorders with large hard drives, I'll never buy another of any model.

PatH

Damn - I guess I will be holding on to my E80H longer than I thought. BTW, here is a current Panasonic announcment on new DVD recorders:

http://news.ecoustics.com/bbs/messages/10381/338452.html

The E75H may still be available - the same with an 80 GB HDD but it also adds a VCR.

Just bought one brand new, here...

http://www.eoutletmall.com/

Just bought one brand new, here...

http://www.eoutletmall.com/

Hmmmm. Looks like you bought the last one :cool:.

Hi!
Do you know about firmware upgrades for DMR EH55 recorder? (They promised in their page to support their customer’s needs - do they fulfil this promise? :D ) Where the upgrades are available? Is it described what they contain?
I am especially interested in three features, missing as yet:
- Marking records as prepared for deletion in far future (also while another recording is being performed).
- Automatic move back by 2 seconds when the “Play x1.3” mode starts or returns to normal.
- Easy skip backwards by 10 or 15 seconds, in order to replay something I have not understood.

Do you know whether Panasonic accepts suggestions about what would be interesting (at least for me) in upgrades? Where to send ones? (My local representative of Panasonic does not respond... :p )

Please do not use difficult words in replies :eek: , because I am a novice in this matter (and on this forum too) ;) .
Thanks in advance.

I could be wrong about this, but I have never heard of new features introduced by firmware upgrades, only bug fixes. I would be very skeptical about the possibility of a new feature appearing. You can always try, but don't be surprised if it never happens.

You can always try, but don't be surprised if it never happens.
Thank you - and do you (or anybody) know a proper address of Panasonic? I mean either e-mail or a "physical" mailing address. Their contact page
requires classification of the post, but none of thier categories fits for my subject.

Hi!
Do you know about firmware upgrades for DMR EH55 recorder? (They promised in their page to support their customer’s needs - do they fulfil this promise? :D ) Where the upgrades are available? Is it described what they contain?
I am especially interested in three features, missing as yet:
- Marking records as prepared for deletion in far future (also while another recording is being performed).
- Automatic move back by 2 seconds when the “Play x1.3” mode starts or returns to normal.
- Easy skip backwards by 10 or 15 seconds, in order to replay something I have not understood.

Do you know whether Panasonic accepts suggestions about what would be interesting (at least for me) in upgrades? Where to send ones? (My local representative of Panasonic does not respond... :p )

Please do not use difficult words in replies :eek: , because I am a novice in this matter (and on this forum too) ;) .
Thanks in advance.


For the record.....

There is a firmware update (downloadable) for the DMR-EH55 on the Panasonic website support page. However, it is from May, 2006 and pertains only to a remote control glitch.
You should call customer support (1-800-211-7262) and ask them if there is a more recent firmware update available, as they are very slow at including them on their website as downloads. They will send you a CD with the file if it exists.
They do not generally add features based upon suggestions. This is a waste of time to persue. They only provide bug fixes.
Good luck! :)

On the Panasonic site is a URL labeled:

contact us about our products
Use this form for general questions or comments about our products. You will be answered by our Call Center Staff.

The actual URL is this (http://www2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/vContactUs?storeId=15001). Give it a try, it can't hurt. I wrote them a note saying that their failure to release a DVD recorder with hard drive this year essentially meant that they were abandoning the market to their competitors, and that they really shouldn't do that.

The never replied to my message.

Just for general info my panny dmr eh55 Hard drive failed after 2 months. I have it in for repair, still waiting after 4 weeks! They told me there were no hard drives in stock. Called them again they said I will have it Monday or Tuesday : :mad:

Any body had a hard drive failure on a Panny DMR EH55 :mad:

I know this is not going to help now, but can fill us in on what the HDD symptoms were that resulted in a conclusion that the HDD actually failed? Typically, many HDD problems on these recorders can be cleared up with a reformatting and sometimes other problems, notably the optical drive or bad media can result in a faulty hdd misdiagnosis. In any event, HDD's are a flaky component that can either last for years or fail w/o warning, not suprising for something that continuously spins at 7200rpm with micro-inch clearance requirements. BTW - this is primarily why I prefer NOT to have a large HDD in my recorders, the 80GB hdd in the EH75 suits me just fine.

First I noticed it missed two preset recordings,then it told me I had a hard drive problem and to reformat the drive which I tried to do, it was also getting noisy like a clicking sound, I shut it down. I could not restart the unit it showed an hd error message on the readout.
So it went back to Panny service,I was informed it was the Hard drive but they had no spares in stock, 4 weeks later they have the spare so I am hoping to get the unit back soon!

Thanks for the additonal info - which confirms an apparent HDD failure. To answer your original question, while HDD failures can occur at any time, typically you see a failure either early in life (infant mortality) or late in life (i.e., beyond 2 or 3 years in service), the latter being more common because all mechanically spinning components will eventually wear out. So your particular failure appears to be of the infant mortality variety - usually attributed to some inherent manufacturing defect (a clearance tolerance beyond spec or on the hairy edge) such that the drive was destined to fail. Typically, manufacturing quality controls can mostly weed these out before they go out the door, but sometimes these can slip through the quality control net purely because of chance or because the flaw initially passes acceptance testing but is rapidly degrading such that it is only a matter of time before the drive fails. It's rare, but it happens. There have been a few reports recently of hard drives failing in older model units such as the 2004/5 vintage DMR-E80 - which, based on the time frame seems about the right life expectancy for these drives (assuming continuous service). I don't recall any other reported EH55 HDD failures, but that doesn't mean it hasn't happened expecially since everyone experiencing a failure would not necessarily post the info at AVS (obviously).

I received the call from the shop it is ready for pickup I waited 5 weeks for the replacement hard drive, so we will see what happens, Just another note I had no problems downloading the tv guide with the HD motorola DCT6200 cable box.

Thanks for your feedback TonyP

Do the hard drives in these EH55 units need to be or can they be defragmented like a computer hard drive to keep things running smoothly?

No, they can only be formatted.

My dealer said these units are not being discontinued he was at the Panny show last week, he showed me the latest catalogue, the only point he made was that they will only be available in black colour.
TonyP

Where are you located? Here in the US it has been determined that the EH-55 has been discontinued.

I just checked Panasonics US website (http://www2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/vModelList?storeId=15001&catalogId=13401&catGroupId=24987&cacheProgram=11002&cachePartner=7000000000000005702) to see if the EH55 or 75 had been delisted. They are still there, but now they have listed the new EZ series with digital tuners. They list the 4 basic models:

EZ17 = base model with no upconversion ($200 MSRP)
EZ27 = EZ17 + HDMI upconversion + SD card slot (no MSRP listed)
EZ37 = EZ17 + VCR ($300 MSRP)
EZ47 = EZ17 + VCR + HDMI upconversion + SD card slot (no MSRP listed)

The only one I see listed on pricegrabber.com is the EZ37

Dmr-eh55 Are Still Available In Canada But Only In Black!

If you have the name and number of a retai outlet there - it would be greatly appreciated.

I just checked Panasonics US website (http://www2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/vModelList?storeId=15001&catalogId=13401&catGroupId=24987&cacheProgram=11002&cachePartner=7000000000000005702) to see if the EH55 or 75 had been delisted. They are still there, but now they have listed the new EZ series with digital tuners. They list the 4 basic models:

EZ17 = base model with no upconversion ($200 MSRP)
EZ27 = EZ17 + HDMI upconversion + SD card slot (no MSRP listed)
EZ37 = EZ17 + VCR ($300 MSRP)
EZ47 = EZ17 + VCR + HDMI upconversion + SD card slot (no MSRP listed)

The only one I see listed on pricegrabber.com is the EZ37

FYI:
The Panasonic DMR-EH55S (U.S. model) and DMR-EH75V are both officially discontinued in the U.S. The reason why they continue to list them on the Panasonic U.S. website is to continue to generate sales. It is a marketing strategy!.....although.....with the exception of Amazon.com ($799.00 price)......the DMR-EH55S is long gone!.....and the DMR-EH75V is day-to-day!

BTW, the DMR-EH55 (non "S") model is not intended for sale in the U.S. (although it may be available from questionable dealers with questionable, non-factory warrantees). It has a PAL tuner and a 160gb harddrive (vs. 200gb for the U.S. version)!

Dmr-eh55 Are Still Available In Canada But Only In Black!
That's incorrect, I'd just bought an EH55 in silver. Also, Canadian version of this model have a 200GB HDD with an NTSC tuner and Region 1 for Canada/U.S.

I just checked the Futureshop web site and they no longer have listed the EH55, which WAS there last week. Maybe I was at an incorrect web site, but I used:

h t t p ://w w w .futureshop.ca/home.asp?newlang=EN&logon=&langid=EN

And did a search on "DMR" and "EH55" both turned up blank. I'm glad a few months back I got one from Canada, and it was 200GB, region 1, silver. I also checked the Panasonic web site, and could find no listing under DVD recorders for the EH55 or the EH75. They had four machines listed, the EZ 28 and 48, and the EA 38 and 18. Sigh...

In terms of availability, I believe EH55's are at their last stages after this (ebay), I highly doubt that we'll ever see a new one for sale again - unless one is foolish and crazy enough to go this route: http://www.amazon.com

Unfortunately, I have to agree. It was a nice unit and I am disappointed that Panasonic decided to quit production, but knowing almost nothing about it, I would suspect economics, not conspiracy. The Amazon prices are, well, a joke really!

World Import still has the EH57 and EH67 listed for $460 and $520. They are modified for region-free and I suspect have no US warranty and no program guide, but they would be the absolute last Panasonic HDD recorders that I know about. The prices are better than Amazon prices for the EH55 and EH75--it wouldn't take much thoough

I have seen this unit at one FS store. Last time I was in London Drugs, they still had units for sale. It is still on their website. I bought a Pio 650 instead of the Pany. Did I make a bad choice????

Yeah, I came very close to purchasing one of those region-free recorders, the main reason why I didn't was because of the 160GB HD compared to our North American version with 200GB. On the other hand, I am most concerned about its reliable factor since they were modified. I did however, purchased a JVC region-free player from one of these guys about 4 years ago and it has worked superbly to this day. I figured the Canadian EH55's come as close as to what you can called a 'U.S. model' - with the absent of the letter 'S'.

I have seen this unit at one FS store. Last time I was in London Drugs, they still had units for sale. It is still on their website. I bought a Pio 650 instead of the Pany. Did I make a bad choice????I was considering a Pioneer too initially, but I've got too many 'Pioneers' laying around.
The answer is: I think you've made an excellent choice.

Yeah, I came very close to purchasing one of those region-free recorders, the main reason why I didn't was because of the 160GB HD compared to our North American version with 200GB. On the other hand, I am most concerned about its reliable factor since they were modified. I did however, purchased a JVC region-free player from one of these guys about 4 years ago and it has worked superbly to this day. I figured the Canadian EH55's come as close as to what you can called a 'U.S. model' - with the absent of the letter 'S'.
The end of this post confuses me. The EH55 that my uncle bought for me from FutureShop in Canada has the 200GB drive, and has the letter "S" at the end of the model number. I thought the "S" merely designates the color as silver, so why should it have any revelance to the country in which it was sold? I'm not convinced that there is any difference between the Canadian and US versions of this machine, except maybe the inclusion of a French manual.:D

It's a Canadian model because Canada is the ONLY country that carries them now (w/o the designated 'S') even if it's in Silver. There are EH55's in certain European countries or even in the pacific like Australia, but they only come with a 160GB HDD. So essentially, the Canadian model is a U.S. model, like I said; without the 'S' but with a 200GB HDD. I might be wrong; but does your box say EH55 and the unit says EH55S?

Did you say the manual is in FRENCH??? I hope they include one in English...and not all Canadians speaks French.

80s Guy is right that for some reason Panasonic dropped the "S" from the DVR-EH55 model name in Canada (see the Panasonic Canada site. (http://www.panasonic.ca/english/audiovideo/dvdvcr/recorder/DMREH55.asp)).

It appears to be the exact same model that was sold in the US.

Let me go check for sure about the part number. I know that box has the "S", and the back of the recorder does too. The front of the recorder does not.

Okay, I hope someone cares about all this. Re: the EH55 I got from Canada, the box has in BIG blue letters, DMR-EH55. The paper contents label has a lot of stuff, but clearly states that the model in the carton is a DMREH55S (no dash). The machine itself says DMR-EH55 on the front, and the back (no "S" in either place) with a manufacture date of APR 2007. I got it in Sep 2007.

To elaborate on what I said earlier, which maybe was a bit confusing: The machine came with two complete manuals, one in english, the other in French.

I hope this helps someone.

Did you say the manual is in FRENCH??? I hope they include one in English...and not all Canadians speaks French.

There are two, one in English and one in French.

If you really want to impress a lady on a special evening, try whispering sweet tech specs into her ear in French.:cool:

Transfert bidirectionnel à une touche
Fente pour carte SD
Système audio à modulation linéaire par impulsions codées
Fonction de glissement temporel Time Slip™
Entrée Composite (avant/arrière) (http://www.panasonic.ca/french/audiovideo/dvdvcr/recorder/specs.asp)

There are two, one in English and one in French.

If you really want to impress a lady on a special evening, try whispering sweet tech specs into her ear in French.:cool:Haha! See, I knew there were AT LEAST one good reason (besides the unit itself) is to buy Canadian.

Panasonic must provid compensation and/or discount to purchse new units to people who purchased DMR EH55 and other similar unbits with analouge tuners in lst two years.
It is not fair to people who did n't know that the TV Tuner of the unit they purchsed in 2006-07 calendar year willl be useless in Feb 2009 when all TV will be digital.

Is it possible to change the inside tuner to a digital one?

Hapuchi,

The DMR-EH55 is a 2006 model, still a highly sought after product today. (The serial number label shows month/year of manufacture, or if not, the first numeric character in the serial number indicates the year of manufacture.) The DMR-EH55 will still be useful into the future if used with a digital cable converter, satellite receiver, a Coupon Eligible Converter Box (CECB) or other stand-alone tuner.

Tuner equipped devices for sale in the USA and manufactured since March 1, 2007 have been required to have digital tuners. The transition to digital over the air broadcasting has been in the works for a decade. Information concerning this transition, now in the final stages for full-power broadcast stations, has become much more accessible in the last couple of years.

No it is not possible to change the tuner, the best you can do is hook up a CECB (converter box) to the line input of your Panny and record from that. Personally I'd suggest a model like the Channel Master CM-7000 with S-video out for better PQ.
After coupon they will be $30-40. With the EH55 you should be able to control the converter box with the Panny's G-link IR blaster to automatically change channels. The TVGOS situation is also a question since the EH55 uses analog TVGOS which will go away in '09. People are hoping it will work with certain converter boxes. Stay tuned for more information on that.
P.S. I've known for several years analog tuners are going away but purchased the EH55 anyway. I wanted the HDD and knew it would work with a converter box. While the new EZ Panasonic DVDRs may make great recordings they are rather flakey and lack the HDD.

Aside from the still-open question of analog TVGOS availability after the digital switchover in 2009, DMR-EH55 owners should be aware there are issues using IR blasters with some ATSC converter boxes. A lot of the more interesting programming is on the ATSC side channels, but the recorders with IR blasters often seem to overshoot and set the converter box to the wrong channel. Anyone who is interested in having their recorder timer control an ATSC converter should bookmark the several threads relating to that topic: tips and tricks (and failures) continue to be reported as new converters are introduced.

With regards to using the CM-7000 with a IR blaster I was just rereading my CM manual and ran across this statement about controlling the CM with a universal remote.
"For universal remote, use Pioneer Cable Box code." Unfortunately I don't have a IR blaster at this moment but when I get one I'll try it out with my EH-55.

That's incorrect, I'd just bought an EH55 in silver. Also, Canadian version of this model have a 200GB HDD with an NTSC tuner and Region 1 for Canada/U.S.

Is it a NTSC tuner or a ATSC tuner?

Is it a NTSC tuner or a ATSC tuner?NTSC like how I described.^^

I see one at regioncodefreedvd.com that says it has "records in PAL or NTSC" -- will this work in US and will the TV Guide work? I'm confused. It also says it has a PAL tuner. If that is true how could it record in NTSC?

I see one at regioncodefreedvd.com that says it has "records in PAL or NTSC" -- will this work in US and will the TV Guide work? I'm confused. It also says it has a PAL tuner. If that is true how could it record in NTSC?

It will record from its line inputs in either PAL or NTSC depending on the signal. You would need an external ATSC tuner, cable box, or satellite box. The tuner section of this "region-free" unit is PAL-only, no NTSC, which is common when a model has "TV Guide"-like timer features: the mfr cannot include both European and American scheduling systems in the same recorder, the price would be outrageous, so you need to pick one tuner or the other. In essence, for USA use you should consider this model a "tunerless" recorder that will rely on manual-only timer settings: no TVGOS.

If you can somehow obtain the recently-discontinued Canadian version of the DMR-EH55, that would be totally compatible for American use and have a standard American tuner and TVGOS system. No guarantee of course as to whether the TVGOS will be of any use after the ATSC changeover next year.

No it is not possible to change the tuner, the best you can do is hook up a CECB (converter box) to the line input of your Panny and record from that. Personally I'd suggest a model like the Channel Master CM-7000 with S-video out for better PQ.
After coupon they will be $30-40. With the EH55 you should be able to control the converter box with the Panny's G-link IR blaster to automatically change channels. The TVGOS situation is also a question since the EH55 uses analog TVGOS which will go away in '09. People are hoping it will work with certain converter boxes. Stay tuned for more information on that.
P.S. I've known for several years analog tuners are going away but purchased the EH55 anyway. I wanted the HDD and knew it would work with a converter box. While the new EZ Panasonic DVDRs may make great recordings they are rather flakey and lack the HDD.
I posted in the other thread on the digital changeover, but see this more informative stuff here -- I love my TVGOS in my older EH50. I want to buy an EH55, but now am worried this feature will be dead anyway. Plus I am worried about having to get a converter -- does this mean I need a converter for my 7 year old tv also? this is ridiculous.

At comcast it says no converter will be needed, yet somenoe posted here they were told they would need one. ??

It will record from its line inputs in either PAL or NTSC depending on the signal. You would need an external ATSC tuner, cable box, or satellite box. The tuner section of this "region-free" unit is PAL-only, no NTSC, which is common when a model has "TV Guide"-like timer features: the mfr cannot include both European and American scheduling systems in the same recorder, the price would be outrageous, so you need to pick one tuner or the other. In essence, for USA use you should consider this model a "tunerless" recorder that will rely on manual-only timer settings: no TVGOS.

If you can somehow obtain the recently-discontinued Canadian version of the DMR-EH55, that would be totally compatible for American use and have a standard American tuner and TVGOS system. No guarantee of course as to whether the TVGOS will be of any use after the ATSC changeover next year.
tks for the info

tks for confirming no TVGOS, I guess I will think hard about the canadian EH55.

I guess we will just have to wait and see if the cable companies send out the tv guide info.

PS - I was told by a Panasonic tech when I called last spring saying "where are the HD models!" that they stopped these, and the TVGOS, because of lawsuits from TIVO. Maddening.

PS - I was told by a Panasonic tech when I called last spring saying "where are the HD models!" that they stopped these, and the TVGOS, because of lawsuits from TIVO. Maddening.

Aha!

tks for the info

tks for confirming no TVGOS, I guess I will think hard about the canadian EH55.

I guess we will just have to wait and see if the cable companies send out the tv guide info.

PS - I was told by a Panasonic tech when I called last spring saying "where are the HD models!" that they stopped these, and the TVGOS, because of lawsuits from TIVO. Maddening.If you can find an EH55V for a good price, by all means get it. You will be glad you did. As far as the TVGOS version in it (the 9th), it's very versatile, and has a greater chance of remaining more functional into the future than any other analog-based TVGOS version in any other unit (even ones with the same V9 guide - the EH55V/75V's TVGOS also works with both Direct and Dish).

I believe if you're a cable subscriber (w/ a cable box), you don't need an extra digital converter box. Now let's hope T.V. Guide will still go on with no lapse.

If you can find an EH55V for a good price, by all means get it. You will be glad you did. As far as the TVGOS version in it (the 9th), it's very versatile, and has a greater chance of remaining more functional into the future than any other analog-based TVGOS version in any other unit (even ones with the same V9 guide - the EH55V/75V's TVGOS also works with both Direct and Dish).

I got a demo for about $180 last week. I already have other DVR's like Pioneer and Toshiba, but I couldn't resist the price. I know almost nothing about the machine so I hope it is a good model. How does it compare with the Phillips and others?

Better - much better. Excellent coup.