Strengths: Many formats and functions. Good quality recordings.

Weaknesses: Cannot open or close disc drawer using remote.Manual is not clearly written on many functions.

Summary: This is a very good DVR and works well.Like many electronic items it is complex with many features. I never had a DVD player or DVR that did not have the remote open and close the disc drawer. The manual needs an update to more clearly explain its uses. Example:In order to set up the IR Blaster which enables the DVR remote to control your set top box, the exact placement of the control unit in front of the set top box sensor is critical. The manual does not tell you this. Nor does it tell you that the search function on the remote is the fast forward or fast reverse.The index needs augmenting as it is too short. I am still trying to figure out why some keys on the remote do not do what the manual indicates (like the CM skip key). Panasonic could save a lot of support calls if they had a more explicit manual. I would give the unit 5 stars if these problems were corrected

Strengths: There are plenty of things to play around with but bells and whistles are not my thing. I want to settle on the "bottom line" and only do what I want to do in the easiest manner, less time and effort

Weaknesses: The manual is very involved and not being a technical person (72 year old female), decided to let my "instincts" take over.

Summary: Purchased this Panasonic DMR-EA18K DVD unit online after an extensive amount of research to find a unit that just records and plays DVD's (also plays CD's). Have already tackled the conversion of VHS tapes to DVD's and wore out a VHS/DVD Sylvania player/recorder after 4 years. Now we will settle back and just enjoy this Panasonic at an excellent price and excellent quality. Unplugged the Sylvania unit and plugged the Panasonic in the same way and we have a Pioneer TV so the ability for two Panasonics to communicate, did not happen however, did not find that to be any kind of a problem. Had to purchase an HDMI splitter as our Pioneer TV only had one HDMI connection and needed two since we have Directv Satellite. After connecting and getting everything working, did a lot of "playing" with the remote to find out what I needed to just do what I wanted to do. So easy!

Strengths: Easy to useSo far reliableFinalized unfinalized DVDs that the old Philips would refuse to.

Weaknesses: No tuner

Summary: This is the 3rd DVD recorder I own. The previous 2 were Magnavox (died during the 1st year while under warranty), was replaced by Philips and also died a little after a year. So I decided to buy a "real" brand name and get a Panasonic. This one works great. It's much easier to use then the magna/Phil, has lots of bells and whistles for editing. I have no problem recording from the Dish network receiver so not having a tuner is not a bg deal. This one hea HDMI out so the picture quality is really good.