If your choices were limited to the below two dual DVD/VCR recorders. for the same price, any thoughts on which might be the better buy?

Sony- RDRVX521

PANASONIC- DMR- ES46V

Thanks.

I own a panasonic ES40 and used to own a Sony dual DVD/VCR. I like the picture quality of the Panasonic especially in LP mode. I like the improvement of picture quality when it dubs from VHS to DVD. I like the fact I can tape anything on the Panasonic without running into the broadcast flag. The Sony used to give me problems with copyright messages on recording some things. Also, the Sony, whether this was a unit fault, didn't have the strongest volume playback :confused: . I sometimes had to crank the TV when watching some movies. I also think the Panasonic's flexible recording option is a huge plus towards better picture quality. I've become Panasonic biased because it hasn't failed me in anything I've either recorded or played. I think I've actually only created one coaster in all my recordings, so if you are taking a poll that's a vote for Panasonic from me.

As above, you can't beat the Panny combo units especially when it comes to dubbing & Sony has been a pain with copy guarded programs which we probably will be getting more & more of in the future.

Not sure about this Sony model but last year some of the Sony combo units were made by Samsung.

If you are going to go that route, why not go all the way and get the Panasonic DMR-EH75VS which in addition to DVD and VCR recording, ALSO has an 80gb HDD in it as well.

Now...with that...you will be able to take your VHS tapes, record them to the HDD, edit them as you wish, and make custom DVD's out of the edited content. Also with recording TV Shows, do it to the HDD first...edit...then make your DVD's...all within one unit.

If you are going to go that route, why not go all the way and get the Panasonic DMR-EH75VS which in addition to DVD and VCR recording, ALSO has an 80gb HDD in it as well.

Now...with that...you will be able to take your VHS tapes, record them to the HDD, edit them as you wish, and make custom DVD's out of the edited content. Also with recording TV Shows, do it to the HDD first...edit...then make your DVD's...all within one unit.

Will you run into problems with copy protection if you record factory made tapes to the hard drive? I've always heard that combo units were impractical for that reason.

crabboy, It will all depend if the Recorder will let you Loop it's Outputs back into it's Inputs.

Don't know about the ES35V/45V/46V/H75V but some of the older Panny units would let you do it so you could just add the Video Stabilizer (Marco Buster) between the Inputs & Outputs.

Maybe someone with one of the new models will let us know. :)

Will you run into problems with copy protection if you record factory made tapes to the hard drive? I've always heard that combo units were impractical for that reason.

To answer your question directly...Yes, you would. I was under the impression you may have had some things on VHS like Family Reunions, Softball games you may have been in, Weddings, etc... that you would want to edit parts out of. For that, it would be great to have one unit.

Other than that, for factory VHS tapes you own, do either what Bill1313 suggested, or you would have to have a separate VCR connected to allow for a Video Stabilizer to be wired in between, which would then make a unit with DVD & VHS in one, un-necessary.

Sorry about the confusion.

[QUOTE=suplex]If you are going to go that route, why not go all the way and get the [B]Panasonic DMR-EH75VS

I was impressed with my initial look at the specs of this unit. I would tend toward purchasing single-capability devises in tandem, as opposed to a combo unit, but this one seemed worthy of consideration because of the HDD and editing powers.

I, however, happened upon three scathing reviews of this Panasonic unit on E-Opinions - and I have been given pause. The reviews cover the full range of bad stuff: The features ("awesome if they worked"), the tech help ("company techs don't even know this product exists"), to the dreaded lemon ("bad out of the box"). Although the last complaint can be seen as an aberration, the first two are bothersome. Also, the unit does not have a digital tuner and therefore will be worthless as a Tivo-like recorder in a few years. Any mitigating comments on these reviews?

Hi! I came across a good deal on the Sony RDR-VX521 and was wondering if it is a good unit? Does anybody own one? I cannot find any information on this Sony model and there is no trace of it on Sony's website. I also did a site search and this was the only thread that came up. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

Hi! I came across a good deal on the Sony RDR-VX521 and was wondering if it is a good unit? Does anybody own one? I cannot find any information on this Sony model and there is no trace of it on Sony's website. I also did a site search and this was the only thread that came up. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

Sam's Club price $280 or so, I think.

I found it at Sam's club for $230 but then I seen the Sony RDR-VX531 for not that much more at Best Buy. So now the question is the Sony RDR-VX531 a good unit or the Panasonic's?

I'd go with a Panasonic just because they have the "FR" Recording Mode & the best "LP" 4 Hour Recording Mode in the business plus the new Panny's will Record to "ALL" Format's.

Thanks Bill! I will look into the Panasonic models. Any specific model that stands out in the Panasonic line or are they all pretty much the same quality minus a few features?

The Panny models are all the same when it comes to Recording Quality on the DVD & VCR & as you said it's really just the Extra Fearures that your paying for.

If I was going to buy one I would probably go with the ES45 / ES46 just because it has the New HDMI Output for HDTV's & an SD Card Slot & those are features that I might want for the future.

If your thinking of buying one of those I would look for the ES46 model that is made for the discount stores like Costco & Sam's Club because the 46 model includes the HDMI Cable with it & the 45 doesn't come with one & they both can be had for around the same price.

If you can afford it though the top-of-the-line EH75V with the "Hard Disk Drive" is a really great feature to have for editing tapes & etc but it is on the high side price wise.

If your not sure of the features & etc you might want to download "ALL" of the Owners Manuals & take a look at them. They can be found on Panasonic's website.

Ahhh no wonder I could not find the ES46 model anywhere, I did not know that it is only being made to be sold at the discount stores. Thanks again Bill, I really appreciate all the help you have given me so far. I will compare the features of each and pick one.

Here is a thread on the ES45/46. (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=665797)

In this weeks add BrandsMart USA in Southern FL & GA has the ES45V on sale for $228.88 so it looks like the prices are droping before Christmas.

DMS_ES46V Panasonic... I only one that I returned after five hundred copies vhs to dvd.Great machine and support. Don't loose your owners amnual you will need it !!!
Can I add : My DMS..... Won't play dvd's now.Starts for 3 seconds playing and then quits and shut off machine,VHS tapes no problem playing.No recording at all.Any ideas out there ???
Bought at Costco

DMS_ES46V Panasonic... I only one that I returned after five hundred copies vhs to dvd.Great machine and support. Don't loose your owners amnual you will need it !!!
Can I add : My DMS..... Won't play dvd's now.Starts for 3 seconds playing and then quits and shut off machine,VHS tapes no problem playing.No recording at all.Any ideas out there ???
Bought at CostcoJust bring it back to Costco for a replacement. They used to have a "no time limit" return policy. See if they've still got it.

I just bought the Panasonic DMR-ES46V from Sam's Club. I am hooking it up tonight. I will update with my impressions later.

I just bought the Panasonic DMR-ES46V from Sam's Club. I am hooking it up tonight. I will update with my impressions later.

Well???
INQUIRING MINDS WANT TO KNOW!!! :D

LarryDi: Well??? INQUIRING MINDS WANT TO KNOW!!! :D


Sorry! :D I have been playing around with it and so far so good. No complaints and my dad really likes it to. The recording quality is pretty good. My dad tried VHS to DVD recording and they turned out pretty good (no quality loss). I have not tried recording off the TV yet, but I am sure the quality will be good. I have a Pioneer DVD recorder and just upgraded to the Panasonic one. I like the Panny better so far :)

If you are going to go that route, why not go all the way and get the Panasonic DMR-EH75VS which in addition to DVD and VCR recording, ALSO has an 80gb HDD in it as well.

Now...with that...you will be able to take your VHS tapes, record them to the HDD, edit them as you wish, and make custom DVD's out of the edited content. Also with recording TV Shows, do it to the HDD first...edit...then make your DVD's...all within one unit.

I've been looking for a DVD recorder and would like to get one that has the Hard Disk as well. I've seen lots of places that advertise the DMR-EH75VS but I can't seem to find anyone that actually stocks the unit. I'm not stuck on the EH75 but I've heard good things about it and I heard bad things about the Toshiba (which I have been able to find a few stocked units). There was another brand/model, I don't recall either, that had a 250 Gig hard drive that I would prefer but the same no-stock condition on it as well. Does anyone know why DVD recorders with hard drives are nearly impossible to find and/or where I could find one, I'm only interested in buying a new unit with a warrantee.

Bobby

I've got the Sony, but I have not yet made a successful DVD from a VHS tape. The unit tries to finalize the disk but then the screen just goes blank and I cannot play it on anything but the RDR.
Anybody know what gives????