Panasonic DMR E85H .....is this a good unit

I am not personally familiar with this model.


There are several older threads discussing this model. To locate these threads go up to the Google Search AVS box and enter the model number.


Note that the only discs supported by this unit are DVD-RAM and DVD-R.


The Operating Instructions were copyrighted in 2004. This manual may be downloaded here:

http://www2.panasonic.com/consumer-e...ails-DMR-E85HS


Some specifications:


Recording system: DVD Video Recording format (DVD-RAM)

DVD-Video format (DVD-R)

Recordable discs:

DVD-RAM :

12 cm (5q) 4.7 GB, 12 cm (5q) 9.4 GB, 8 cm (3q) 2.8 GB

12 cm (5q) 4.7 GB (Ver. 2.1/3k-SPEED DVD-RAM Revision 1.0)

DVD-R :

12 cm (5q) 4.7 GB, 8cm (3q) 1.4 GB (for General Ver. 2.0)

12 cm (5z) 4.7 GB (for General Ver. 2.0/4k–SPEED DVD-R

Revision 1.0)

Recording time:

≥Maximum 8 hours (with 4.7 GB disc)

≥Maximum 213 hours (with built-in 120 GB HDD)

Playable discs:

DVD-RAM :

12 cm (5q) 4.7 GB, 12 cm (5q) 9.4 GB, 8 cm (3q) 2.8 GB

12 cm (5q) 4.7 GB (Ver. 2.1/3k-SPEED DVD-RAM Revision 1.0)

DVD-R :

12 cm (5q) 4.7 GB, 8cm (3q) 1.4 GB (for General Ver. 2.0)

12 cm (5z) 4.7 GB (for General Ver. 2.0/4k–SPEED DVD-R

Revision 1.0)

DVD-Video, DVD-Audio, Video CD, CD-Audio (CD-DA)

CD-R/CD-RW (MP3, CD-DA, Video CD formatted discs)

Built-in HDD Capacity: 120 GB

Drive unit: High Speed Drive (correspond to 4 times speed with

DVD-R disc and 3 times speed with DVD-RAM disc)

LASER Specification

Class I LASER Product

Wave length: 795 nm 658 nm

Laser power:

No hazardous radiation is emitted with the safety protection

Audio system

Recording system: Dolby Digital 2 ch,

Linear PCM (XP mode, 2ch)

Input: LINE (pin jack)a3

Reference input: 309 mVrms

FS: 2 Vrms (1 kHz, 0 dB)

Input Impedance: 47 k≠

Output: LINE (pin jack)a2

(Load impedance: 10 k≠) Reference output: 309 mVrms

FS: 2 Vrms (1 kHz, 0 dB)

Output Impedance: 1 k≠

Digital Audio Out: Optical terminal (PCM, Dolby Digital, DTS)

Television system

Tuner system: NTSC-M

Antenna reception input:TV Channel: 2ch–69ch, 75 ≠

CATV Channel: 1ch–125ch, 75 ≠

RF Converter Output: Not provided

Video system

TV system: NTSC color signal, 525 lines, 60 fields

Recording system: MPEG2 (Hybrid VBR)

Input: LINE (pin jack)a3, 1.0 Vp-p; 75 ≠

S connectora3 Y: 1.0 Vp-p; C: 0.286 Vp-p; 75 ≠

Output: LINE (pin jack)a2, 1.0 Vp-p; 75 ≠

S connectora2 Y: 1.0 Vp-p; C: 0.286 Vp-p; 75 ≠

Component video output (480P/480i): Y: 1.0 Vp-p; 75 ≠

PB: 0.7 Vp-p; 75 ≠

PR: 0.7 Vp-p; 75 ≠

Others

Regional code: ‚ 1

Clock unit: Quartz-controlled 12-hour digital display

Operating temperature range: 5 oC–40 oC (41 oF–104 oF)

Operating humidity range: 10 %–80 % RH (no condensation)

Power supply: AC 120 V, 60 Hz

Power consumption: 35 W

Dimensions: Approx. 430 (W)k79 (H)k274 (D) mm

[Approx.1615/16q(W)k31/8q(H)k1013/16q(D)]

(excluding protrusions)

Mass: Approx. 4.2 kg (9.24 lbs)

[Note]

Specifications are subject to change without notice.

Mass and dimensions are approximate.

If you buy this machine the first thing I would do would be to take the cover off the unit and then off the DVD burner. Unless it has been recently cleaned I guarantee it will be dusty/dirty and will give you grief later on(cleaning CD's do not clean the spindle). I haven't seen a Panny more than a year old that didn't have a dirty spindle. It's a big problem with older Pannys, luckily cleaning it is quite easy and quick to do.

As others have mentioned media will be a slight problem with a unit of this age. You probably don't want to get the cheapest 16x discs from a discount store and expect them to work good. Also as noted +R discs of any type will not work, although that's not that big of a deal. Personally I'd miss not being able to record to cheaper -RW discs although RAM are superior their just more expensive, harder to find in B&M stores and less compatible with other players.

Overall if the unit worked good(most important would be the HDD, the burner can be easily cleaned if grinding) I wouldn't hesitate getting it. Without the HDD personally I wouldn't pay over $30? for one of a similar age.