Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Technical Questions DVD Burners & Recorders

OK,
I have not bought anything in the way of A/V Gear in a while, and am thinking of treating myself to a DVD Recorder / Burner.
Any opinions?
I am thinking right now that I would be better served with something that would act as a VCR recorder, in the A/V system, as oppossed to a computer based option, since I cannot imagine doing much of the internet downloading and burning of stuff out there.
Brands?
Features?
Speeds?
I do not have any sort of Tivo device, or like capabilities right now, as my cable company does not offer them with it's service, but it may in the future, so I would like to be able to keep my options open as far as being able to interface with that, and burn things that I want to keep on discs in the future.
Is that enough info to gather opinions?
Thanks in advance,
TjB

I assume you mean a HT compoent... I do all of that on my puter (where I would strongly suggest an NEC DVD Dual Layer Burner).

Yup,
HT is what I meant...

I'm like INANE. I do it all on my puter..........where PLEXTOR rules!

Well,
That would be the route that I would normally go, but a buddy of mine in the pooter biz says that in the next year the pooter burners are going to make gigantic leaps in speed and huge drops in price, and I would not have the ability to use it like an old time VCR.
TjB

I got myself a Panasonci DMR-ES10 DVD recorder for my bedroom. It is connected between my DishNetwork DVR and TV (just like a VCR would be). I did some research prior to buying one and found the Panasonic were highly recommended for DVD recorders. Mine records all known format: -R, +R, RW and Rom...

I have the same unit as thyname. I have spent the better part of the last three weeks converting all my VHS to disc. It has been time consuming because everything, obviously, has to be recorded in real time. I am almost done. I have found it to be a great recorder. It has been in not stop usuage and I have had no problems. This unit also has garnered some good reviews from users {CNET and AMAZON}

Skerdi,

How does the Panasonic fare with playing back DVDs, etc. I see that it is progressive, etc. I assume it has all the necessary digital audio outs - does it have either DVI or HDMI out?

And also, do you just plug the VCR outs into the input on the DVD to make a DVD of a VCR tape? If so, how is the quality (both audio and video?)

Adrien;

It has component video out and a digital audio out socket (PCM/bitstream), for use with an optical digital audio cable. I am not sure what the latter is, but I know it is not a DVI. It also has a S video out as well as the standard red white yellow A/V rca Out (which is the ones I use). I have it at my bedroom with my Sony vega tube TV and don't have HDTV in this one (my DLP Hdtv is at the living room). I don't own a vcr at all, so I can't tell you anything about it.

In short: a standart RCA A/V cable goes from my Dish network DVR out to DVD recorder IN, and then another RCA AV cable from DVD recorder Out to TV IN. Video quality looks perfect in my bedroom tV, though never tried in my DLP. For now I have only used it to transfer many shows from my already full DVR, as well as to record some live broadcasts just to try it.

One of the first hits on google returned....
Connectors

Inputs
RF Antenna - x1
Composite Video - RCA x3
Composite Audio L/R - RCA x3
S-Video - x3

Outputs
RF Antenna - x1
Composite Audio L/R - RCA x2
S-Video - x1
Component Video - RCA x1
Digital Audio Optical - x1

So I would say, "No, it does not have DVI or HDMI."

For $170, I would have been pretty surprised if it did.

In fact, I don't know if any of the Panasonic recorders to. I do have their S97 player and it is awesome, but not really helpful for this thread.

I just bought this for $40 last week. How could I pass that price up?

[edit]Seems the price has gone up five bucks since last week. Still a great deal though.

Is that a dual-layer burner? I couldn't tell from the prod. descrip.

Dunno...it's due to arrive any day now. I didn't really care though. My cd burner died, so I was looking to replace it. Seemed silly to buy a cd only burner.

Yes it is a dual layer burner. I totally agree with the NEC line for DVD burners...very highly rated and satisfied user. You can't go wrong with any of the NEC 35XX models.

Also, newegg has some of the BEST customer service on the net (of course right up there next to Axiom ) so check them out for great prices and fast shipping.

Here is a copy of a review:

"The Panasonic DMR-ES10 is my second DVD recorder.This DVD Recorder was purchased because my TOSHIBA DR-2 has now become problematic when using blank DVD-RW disks.

I have always trusted the PANASONIC quality products.If Panasonic had a DVD recorder with all these features available sooner. Then I would not have purchased the TOSHIBA DVD recorder.

Unlike previous Panasonic DVD recorders. Besides being able to record on DVD-R and DVD-RAM. This new model will also record on , DVD+R , DVD-RW. This is a much needed and smart move by Panasonic.

Being that this is only a $200.00 unit.
It is not made as sturdily as some of the previous models. But the many important new features and low price make up for that.

Panasonic made alot of bold claims about this unit.I was hesitant about them. Especially since this is only a $200 unit. While other DVD recorders like the SONY sell for nearly $400.00. But I am happy to report that all the claims are true. The unit works great. Panasonic really backs up all thier claims about this DVD recorder.

All the DVDs I have recorded played back with very high quality. I also found no problems with compatibility when playing those DVDs back on other DVD players. Recordings made in the four (4) hour (LP) speed looked identical to those made using the (2) Hour(SP)speed.

The VCR Plus feature is fairly useless if you have it connected to a CABLE box. But if you have it connected to a standard antenna then VCR Plus is a useful feature.

The remote control also controls your TV. Also If you have another Panasonic DVD player/recorder. The remote can be adjusted so it wont turn on your other Panasonic equipment.

Among the important new features is that all the new Panasonic models for 2005 now have improved horizontal resolution. In the LP (4 Hours) mode, this DVD recorder has images twice as sharp as last year's models. It gives up to 500 lines resolution. This is double the horizontal resolution compared to the 250 lines of conventional LP mode recording. Thanks to this, you now have high quality four hour recordings as sharp as the Two Hour (SP )speed.

Another new feature is what Panasonic calls "VHS Refresh". This feature offers improved quality when Dubbing VHS to DVD. When connecting a VCR and the DVD recorder to record VHS videotape images onto a DVD disk. Something called a "Time Base Corrector", helps reduce jitter and also performs signal conversion to create a stable signal.

At the same time, 3D Digital Noise Reduction, detects and virtually eliminates randomly generated noise and color errors to help minimize flicker. Thanks to these two technologies, the tape input signal is automatically detected and optimum processing is performed to provide an easy way to even more beautiful digital pictures. The 3D Digital Noise Reduction, also helps clear up recordings made in the EP 6(or) 8) hour speed. This unit has an option to allow up to Eight (8) hours of record time.

Also new is the nearly instantaneous response in start-up and recording. It is as quick as five seconds from the DVD-RAM insertion to Play or Record. The unit has nearly as fast times for other blank DVD media.

Disk finalizing is a bit slow. (Four Minutes) But that's a minor trade-off for the lightning quick disk recognition. The Panasonic DMR-ES10 DVD Recorder also has a "One Touch Record" button. Each press gives 30 Minutes recording time up to 4 hours. The unit then powers itself off after the recording time has finished.

All Panasonic DVD recorders offer all the benefits of the DVD-RAM format. Which include " Chasing Playback". -- This feature lets you view a program that you're currently recording from any point that's already been recorded, while continuing to record the live program in progress.
So you no longer have to wait for the entire program to be recorded before watching it from the beginning to the end.

Simultaneous Recording & Playback are also possible using DVD RAM. This way you can record a live TV program while watching any other program that's been previously recorded on the same disk.

Time Slip Button -- Just press the Time Slip button once during recording on a DVD RAM, to start playing back the scene recorded 30 seconds earlier. You can also use the cursor keys to return to any point from 1 to 360 minutes earlier.

The Panasonic DMR-ES10 DVD Recorder offers a PIP(Picture-in-Picture function)during playback. But the (PIP)insert picture is a bit large. Each press of a commercial skip button skips ONE minute ahead. - Please note : These two features will NOT work once the disk is finalized. they also wont work on pre-recorded (store bought) DVD movies.

The unit has a new layout with finalize and disk setup which makes it easier to use. Also new is that it goes into record mode and loaded DVDs so much faster. Both are major improvements over earlier units. I also liked the smaller size, and large easy to read numerical readout. Total ease of use is also improved. But novices will still need to read the manual thoroughly.

I like the new sleek look. This model seems more user friendly and priced low enough. If you havent already purchased a DVD Recorder. Then this is the unit that may make you put away your VCR. For those who like their components to match. This unit also comes in Black.

I have only one minor complaint. There is no disk time remaining display during a DVD movie playback. The time remaining display is viewable during recording. Also in Stop mode to view the recording time left on disk.

Connections - 1 RF(TV) Input/1 RF(TV)Output, 1-Front Panel Audio/Video(S-Video)3-Rear Panel Audio/Video(S-Video),1 Rear Panel component video input. 1- Audio/Video (S-Video)Outputs,1- Digital Audio Optical Output. "

Thanks, Tarun. Very informative.

Skerdi - how does the DVD playback for normal DVDs look?

Anyone using the internal scaler in the player to output a progressive signal? If so, how does that look compared to some other stand alone DVD players of similar price?

It looks great! I cannot tell any difference from live broadcast.. Again, all this is in my bedroom only with a regular tube Sony vega TV (4X3) and not a wide screen hdtv. The recorder can finish dvds to play on all dvd players as well.

By the way, I got mine around a month ago on Circuit City for $140 open package. I usually buy things brand new, but this one looked untouched.

Questions. Does this unit or ones like it output the tv signal from the component ouput or only the rf output?

Thanks Tarun,
That one looks to be in the lead so far.
TjB

I doubt that a unit at this price will upconvert video...but one never knows these days. I have tried looking it up, to no avail.

Has the DVD Recorder BUG bitten our friend BUG??

Here is a link to onecall.com where they have a great price on the unit as well as full specs.

<a href=http://www.onecall.com/ModelSearch.htm?L_TK=777_1_0_263_0_0_0_0_0_0#26655>One Call</a>

I cant wait to get instructions for how to do a link...yet again.

Link

No, Mark, you're not supposed to teach a man to fish - you're supposed to link me and everybody else to his link....

Here is a link to onecall.com where they have a great price on the unit as well as full specs.

One Call

I believe he's got that link thing now!

Woo-Hoo!
Tarun owes me a beeeeer...Tarun owes me a beeeeerrr!

I can ship you case...

Do I need a grammar checker or WHAT!

I meant... "I WILL SHIP YOU A CASE"

If Mark came to your house he could hear that new set-up and take home the case. Then we could get another nice "visit" post.

Any one of you are more then welcome.
Let me know if you are in the central NJ area.

I grew up in South Jersey, and still occasionally pass through the area on my way to/from DC on a shoot. Normally, I only stop to load up on Tastycakes, but I could make an exception!

Where in Central Jersey?
I'm a Carteret guy.
Got out 20 years ago and never goin' back...
TjB

Hillsborough, NJ.....

I grew up in Hillsborough (1976-1993). Gotta love Route 206. When I lived there, it was mostly farms and open land. Now, it is just bursting with new home development.

I haven't strayed too far from home. I live in Berkeley Heights, about 25 minutes northeast - right off Route 78.

Ahhh...Berkely Heights....know it well. I was in Millington for a long time before we decided to buy a private home and move to Hillsborough...its far, but its great. I commute to the City...so you can imagine my pain.

I would have stayed in and or around Long Hill Township...but I couldnt afford a home out there for my life.
I was in a large townhouse on Valley Road and moved...

Commute to NYC? Ouch. I feel it, alright. Do they have a train station out there yet?

House here in BH, New Prov, and Summit are rediculous. A regular 4 bedroom colonial on my block just went for $750,000. In Summit, the same house would have went for $1.2 million. The only way I can afford it is that I have been lucky enough to own an apartment in Hoboken, where real estate has exploded. I got a colonial in BH just before prices went over $550,000

No Train Station in HB...but from Raritan or Princeton there are trains. I chose to drive due to my schedule and thus its about 2 hours each way....most of the time. Sometimes more...for the same 55 mile trip.

Oh Well!!!! Gotta find work in Jersey.

I just picked up the Panasonic ES10 on eBay for a steal of a price. I'm gonna use it to burn my VHS to DVD (the ones that I don't want to invest in buying again - and which the quality of the video/sound is less of a concern - like 80's comedies and some older dramas). It will be replacing my older non-progressive Panasonic RV80 (which is a workhorse with a gorgeous picture). Hopefully the ES10's progressive image will look better than the older RV80's does now, and that they didn't skimp on playback components to keep costs down.... we'll see.

At $125, it's at least worth the investment for the burning process - after which I could resell it if I wanted to, or send it to the bed room as a replacement.

Anyway, I'll let you all know.