Rated 
Great Machine
Started Aug 12, 2007
Strengths: Lots of features and formats
Weaknesses: Very complicated, manual unclear
The good news is that this player/recorder combo can do so many things. The bad news is that it can do so many things that the learning curve is steep. The manual is 100 pages long, and, most unfortunately, not written with the beginner in mind and not organized particularly well. For example, the VCR functions and the DVD functions are intertwined, and sections on, say recording, are separated into basic and advanced in different parts of the manual. It will take awhile to learn it. That said, Panasonic has always been a great brand for me; I have always been very pleased with its products; and the products have always lasted a long time.
I finally was able to successfully record on a DVD-RW(video only): the picture and sound quality were great, and I don't even have digital cable. After I watched, I was able to erase it and use it again. It accepts almost every format you can want, but the DVD-RAM seems to be the one that does the most and is most flexible. The VCR is good too, but there are 2 minor probems: first, it does not play tapes recorded on another VCR well--unless they have been recorded on a Panasonic VCR; second, when you are trying to scan forward or back in a fast mode, it overshoots the target considerably, so you wind up having to toggle back and forth. It is much better on the slowest speed in this regard. Another thing, some DVD media at some speeds cannot be played on another recorder, so you have to be careful. And despite what the salespeople say, you have to buy media that are designed for video, not data only.
So far I rate the product highly but only a C for the manual. It's taken me far longer to read and understand because the directions are not always clear.
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