CNet reviewed Panasonic DMR-ES25S and concluded with rating of 7 out of 10 that despite some problems with disc compatibility and DVD playback quality, the eminently affordable, well-featured Panasonic DMR-ES25S is the basic DVD recorder to beat.
The good: Relatively inexpensive; HDMI upconversion to 480p, 720p, and 1080i; flexible recording length; excellent LP-recording-mode quality; SD card slot; FireWire input; 1-minute commercial skip.
The bad: Unable to play back many homebrew DVDs; could not record to DVD+RW media; some issues with HDMI video playback quality; no IR blaster to control cable or satellite boxes.