, so it doesn't really need an HD input.
In fact it CAN'T take an HD input.

Most STB's will output an SD signal (480i) over their S-Video output. That plus analog stereo audio can be sent to your recorder. Keep the HD connection to your display and you have the best of both worlds, watch in HD and record in SD.

Your proposed connection has the potential problem that many TVs don't give a video output when sent an HD signal.

In fact it CAN'T take an HD input.

Most STB's will output an SD signal (480i) over their S-Video output. That plus analog stereo audio can be sent to your recorder. Keep the HD connection to your display and you have the best of both worlds, watch in HD and record in SD.

Your proposed connection has the potential problem that many TVs don't give a video output when sent an HD signal.

I see..well. I don't actually have the TV yet, so it's hard for to find out if it'll actually work. The TV apparently has a "program out" which would probably a/v out via composite cables (which my DVD recorder has inputs for). So, connect the cable box directly to the TV via component and to the receiver via toslink then use the "program out" into the DVD recorder? Is that right?

PS: What's an STB?

Thanks for the info,
Alex

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Set-top_box

Also known as Cable Box. I've never seen one that didn't have SD outputs in addition to the HD outputs. So send the HD outputs as they are now (Component Video to display, digiatl audio to receiver). Then send the SD outputs (S-Video and analog stereo audio) to the DVD Recorder.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Set-top_box

Also known as Cable Box. I've never seen one that didn't have SD outputs in addition to the HD outputs. So send the HD outputs as they are now (Component Video to display, digiatl audio to receiver). Then send the SD outputs (S-Video and analog stereo audio) to the DVD Recorder.

Ahhh..that makes sense. I don't have the STB (set top box?) yet either..so that would also explain it...

Thanks for the info,
Alex

Hi Bob,

I know I'm posting a lot..hopefully that's not too annoying. Anyway, you were very helpful about the hook-ups, I had another question that I posted on a different thread but no one seems to know the answer, mind if I ask you?

I have a Logitech 4.1 surround system for my computer that I'd like to hook up to my SA-XR57. Apparently I can hook it up through the front headphone jack. The only problem I have with that is:

1. Am I actually getting the full range of frequency or will the sub just put out what it's "supposed to" (ie: 35hz - 140hz)?
2. Will the rear channels work with the same quality if I have something hooked up through the headphone jack?

Thanks for any info you might have,
Alex

Is this the Logitech system?: http://www.hothardware.com/viewarticle.aspx?articleid=407&cid=6

And this is your A/V Receiver: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000FZ1X1K/interactiveda619-20

Without digging into the details of the specifications of those two systems, I think you may be able to make it work. I assume you mean to connect the output of the receiver to the Logitech speakers. Of course it would be preferable to use "proper" speakers, but if you are in a pinch, the Logitech's will be better than nothing. Most surround-sound receivers have a line output for the LFE channel ("sub"). So you'd send that to the powered subwoofer, the other four speakers would go to L/R/LS/RS outputs of the receiver. Then tell the receiver you have no center speakers and it should reallocate the center channel information to the sides. As far as the low-frequency crossover and response linearity go, that is a complex subject and not likely to be fully addressable in this Forum. For a quick-and-dirty setup like this though, just tune it by ear. Too many people get hung up on "is it really right?" when all that matters is that it sounds okay. I personally have no experience with subwoofers since my mains give great low-frequency response:

http://cgi.*********/KLIPSCH-CHORUS-II-Loudspeakers-Floor-Speakers_W0QQitemZ120061458258QQihZ002QQcategoryZ61378QQssPa geNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

(No I'm not selling mine, that's just the first picture I found with Google!)

Is this the Logitech system?: http://www.hothardware.com/viewarticle.aspx?articleid=407&cid=6

And this is your A/V Receiver: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000FZ1X1K/interactiveda619-20

Without digging into the details of the specifications of those two systems, I think you may be able to make it work. I assume you mean to connect the output of the receiver to the Logitech speakers. Of course it would be preferable to use "proper" speakers, but if you are in a pinch, the Logitech's will be better than nothing. Most surround-sound receivers have a line output for the LFE channel ("sub"). So you'd send that to the powered subwoofer, the other four speakers would go to L/R/LS/RS outputs of the receiver. Then tell the receiver you have no center speakers and it should reallocate the center channel information to the sides. As far as the low-frequency crossover and response linearity go, that is a complex subject and not likely to be fully addressable in this Forum. For a quick-and-dirty setup like this though, just tune it by ear. Too many people get hung up on "is it really right?" when all that matters is that it sounds okay. I personally have no experience with subwoofers since my mains give great low-frequency response:

http://cgi.*********/KLIPSCH-CHORUS-II-Loudspeakers-Floor-Speakers_W0QQitemZ120061458258QQihZ002QQcategoryZ61378QQssPa geNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

(No I'm not selling mine, that's just the first picture I found with Google!)

Hi Bob,

Thanks for the response again. I currently have 2 floorstanding speakers (left and right channels) which are connected to the binding posts in the back of the receiver. I wanted to connect the subwoofer (which has a built-in amp for the other 4 speakers it comes with - which I probably WON'T use, then again I may) to the headphone jack because according to Logitech's website, the volume control (which is where the connection into the computer connects the sub) shouldn't be plugged into the LFE channel - I'm not really sure why. I guess my main question is whether the SA-XR57's headphone jack puts out the same frequencies as the rest of the amp. I don't know if that makes sense or not but i do agree with you about the sound. I'm sure it won't really matter in the end, as long as I have a subwoofer that works - it'll tide me over until I'm ready to drop some coin on a real home theatre sub. Speaking of which, I'm looking at the Paradigm PS-1000. What are your thoughts?

Thanks again,
Alex

I just ordered a ES15 from www.buy.com for $110

I guess my main question is whether the SA-XR57's headphone jack puts out the same frequencies as the rest of the amp.
It should. But plugging into the headphone jack of the receiver might cut off the output to the speakers.

At this point I'm going to have to bow out of any further Home Theater/Subwoofer discussions, for two reasons, it's Off Topic, and, it's not one of my areas of expertise, I tend to keep such things as simple as I can, I have a Yamaha HTR-5660, connected to four Klipsch loudspeakers (and I do mean loud!). I rarely have to turn up the Volume past -50dB:

http://bobkart.gt3times.com/jpeg/EC-half.JPG

(EDIT: Hmmm, my server seems to be down at the moment.)

Anyway, there are Home Theater/etc. Forums here at AVS, I'm sure the members that frequent them are far more able to answer your questions than I am.

I just ordered a ES15 from www.buy.com for $110

Wow that's a nice price for those using Google Checkout!

Hi

After using this almost a week on Tuesday, have to say it's a great recorder, still getting used to NO hard drive in it, unlike my old E-80, but since this was a gift from my best friend, i'm not complaining, been trying out all the features, and getting used to it more and more. Haven't done a timer recording yet, but used LP, SP, FR, EP modes, gonna use one touch recording on my next one shortly, and then experiment around with it, might have to get a newer DVD player than can read DVD-Rams later so i can transfer Rams to R's without using PC, since everytime i use PC to do it, darn PC finalizes the DVD-R, and i can't record anything else on the R disc after that. Overall seems a very great recorder so far, and shortly i'll be as used to it as i was my old Panny DMR-E80H

*as for getting replacement from DMR-E80H thru Bestbuy's Product Service Plan exchange, not looking that good, hardly any hard drive models left at all, Best friend was so great to buy me this Es15 as a gift almost a week ago, the Es15 did finalize discs my E80 couldn't before it went in for repair, and then they said couldn't repair it*

WOW this is an old thread anyways i just bought this panasonic dmr-es15 (s which i guess means silver) anyways i did a quick read on cnet and a few online pages and it seems this is a bad product, in a nutshell can someone give me info regarding this unit and info regarding the 4 pages to summerize? please and thank you in advance....

WOW this is an old thread anyways i just bought this panasonic dmr-es15 (s which i guess means silver) anyways i did a quick read on cnet and a few online pages and it seems this is a bad product, in a nutshell can someone give me info regarding this unit and info regarding the 4 pages to summerize? please and thank you in advance....

Don't know what cnet had to say, but I am nothing but satisfied with mine. True, it has no hard drive and only an analog tuner (The new EZ17 has a digtal tuner), but in every other way this unit excels. It is a breeze to set up and operate. It gets good picture quality up to 4 hours. It has flexible record mode so you can get the best possible picture for your recording length. Plays and records on dvd-r, dvd-rw, dvd+r, dvd+rw, and dvd-ram. Very few will appreciate this, but I cart mine all over Nevada (I am an entertainer) and it has never glitched on me. A winner in my book.

Pros: LP mode, sleep timer, 30-second skip, records TV to DVD
Cons: Noisy (and I thought my projector was loud), slow to load, remote sux, wide (wtf does it need to be so wide for?

Regrets: should have bought one with an HD so I could worry about earasing DVDs only when I want to save a show off.

Suggestions: There has to be something better out by now.

FWIW,
Jay

Don't know what cnet had to say, but I am nothing but satisfied with mine. True, it has no hard drive and only an analog tuner (The new EZ17 has a digtal tuner), but in every other way this unit excels. It is a breeze to set up and operate. It gets good picture quality up to 4 hours. It has flexible record mode so you can get the best possible picture for your recording length. Plays and records on dvd-r, dvd-rw, dvd+r, dvd+rw, and dvd-ram. Very few will appreciate this, but I cart mine all over Nevada (I am an entertainer) and it has never glitched on me. A winner in my book.

i have to agree! other than my very highly treasured tosh dr2s (which do anamorphic wide screen dvds (w flag set for letterboxes on 4x3 tvs (which i have purged from my hovel))), the es15 is my next most treasured machine, crystal clear out to 3+ hours in lp mode. most excellent!

Pros: LP mode, sleep timer, 30-second skip, records TV to DVD
Cons: Noisy (and I thought my projector was loud), slow to load, remote sux, wide (wtf does it need to be so wide for?

Regrets: should have bought one with an HD so I could worry about earasing DVDs only when I want to save a show off.

Suggestions: There has to be something better out by now.

FWIW,
Jay

hey jay, im a jay, too!....... how do?

I bought one DIRT CHEAP(less than $70) recently at a local Circuit City on an Open Box for an extra DVD Recorder.

Great for dubbing DVD's, and for making copies at FR recording for DVD's at 2HR 57min.

For this price now(because it has a analog tuner, stores are looking to dump this and any type of DVD recorder that ONLY has an analog tuner. Although this has not yet affected the HDD/VCR/DVD Recorder version of the Panasonic's yet. They still list at the regular price of $449 or more) it is DEFINITELY worth it to get this unit, before theya re gone.

I recently bought mine as a back up for the DMR ES25S. I paid $34.97 at Sears. Unfortunately, this was a display model and I had to provide my own remote. ($24.95) This unit works great and will be used until my ES25 gets back from warranty repairs.
John

I recently bought mine as a back up for the DMR ES25S. I paid $34.97 at Sears. Unfortunately, this was a display model and I had to provide my own remote. ($24.95) This unit works great and will be used until my ES25 gets back from warranty repairs.
John


just wondering where are you located? and what sears did you go to?

so i ended up keeping mine lets just see how long it last, i dont know why the guy compliants about wide? widescreen option? i perfer to shrink my 4:3 to letterbox so i can get all content rather then pan and streaech and loose iamge.....

I live in Albany, Oregon and I went to the Albany store. This was the last one they had. I bought a remote and it works perfectly.
John

I just bought a new one in a sealed box at my Kokomo, IN Best Buy for $19.99! It was sitting with the new 17's and I had an employee price check it. He said they must have forgot about it. My local Wal-Mart Supercenter also had them on clearance for $90.00.

I just bought a new one in a sealed box at my Kokomo, IN Best Buy for $19.99! It was sitting with the new 17's and I had an employee price check it. He said they must have forgot about it. My local Wal-Mart Supercenter also had them on clearance for $90.00.

$19.99, WOW!!

I bought a open box yesterday without the remote control. just wondering if the any hd receiver from cable will work with this

Hi AVdude,
The one I bought is patched into the HD dvr from Comcast and it works alright. ( I am not using a HD televison, however) I had to buy a remote and I found a Panasonic remote for $24.95.

A year or so back, I tried the most recent model 8-device (with DVR control) Philips remote with my Panny EH85 HDD/DVD recorder, and it contained a Panny code which controlled all the basic buttons.

I know it usually runs about $25,00, but if you could find it cheaper, you could try it. Whether it would control your cable box, I wouldn't know, since I have Dish. But it did control my Dish tuner. The main reason I didn't keep it was because it was extremely difficult to program the learning buttons from some of my other remotes.

But at the same price, I'd go with the Panasonic remote, naturally.

I was considering trying the remote again when I saw that my local Sears had an ES-15 remote-less display model for only $31.00. But it looked a bit beat up, so I decided against it. I should probably go over to Best Buy and check them out for the heck of it. Walmart here still wanted $125.00 for an unopened one.

FYI...bought mine 6 months ago and used it primarily to make numerous copies of old VHS tapes. It does a great job.

I just started using it as a replacement for my VCR to record a half dozen shows a week. Set up is simple but the tuner sucks! I split the cable from my wall, half into the cable box and on to the tv. Half into the dvd recorder and on to the TV's Video Input. The picture is snowy and not crisp at all. A booster did not help. This is very disapointing.....my fault...should have tried it out months ago and returned it I guess.

Wondering for best picture quality, should i use Componet? Svideo or compositie connection, RF is used for satellite reception only, due to dual tuner satellite receiver..which outputs on that cable for TV 2

Well, I tried both RCA and Component...snowy each way. Let me know how yours turns out.

Wondering for best picture quality, should i use Componet? Svideo or compositie connection, RF is used for satellite reception only, due to dual tuner satellite receiver..which outputs on that cable for TV 2Component would normally be best.

Looks wonderful on mine, did 4 recordings since switching from Svideo, perfect picture. So leaving it as it, and nice and happy