Hello,

I was just able to get my hands on a Panasonic EH55S. I have seen these selling pretty high in cost. If you had a choice of keeping the EH55S or selling it instead for a Pioneer 640H-S plus some extra cash in your pocket, would you keep the Panasonic or buy the Pioneer and why.

Just a FYI, the panny cost me $800. I am crazy!

It seems as of now, Panasonic has no news about HDD recorders for 2007.

Your help would be appreciated.

Thanks

$800 ? Wow. These prices seem more reasonable:

http://www.nextag.com/Panasonic-DMR-EH75VS-DVD-503255465/prices-html

Yes, those prices are, but they aren't for the EH55 which foreverdvd wanted. I had an EH55 on order from Crutchfield for a few weeks until they cancelled it with the message that it has been discontinued and is no longer available from Japan.

At that point I ordered the Pioneer 640H-S which just arrived today. I haven't opened the box yet. I hope I'll like it as much as I would have the EH55. I already own a Panasonic DMR EH50 and I really like it.

Yes you are right. Sorry about that. It looks like HDD DVD recorders are getting harder to find. The Pioneer 640 is an excellent machine. What it does it does very well. I think in a few weeks (or less) it may be harder to find the 640. I noticed a few days ago that Walmart removed the 640 from its online site.

Yes you are right. Sorry about that. It looks like HDD DVD recorders are getting harder to find. The Pioneer 640 is an excellent machine. What it does it does very well. I think in a few weeks (or less) it may be harder to find the 640. I noticed a few days ago that Walmart removed the 640 from its online site.

It's no longer available at Vann's, either.

Amazon no longer has them as well, luckily I purchased mine at Amazon last month for $329.99, thanks for those that suggested that I buy it before it sells out and not wait on it :p

B&H Photo still has the 640 for $359 + shipping, but I bet they'll be gone pretty soon.

Time to buy if you want one!!

In Canada, Best Buy is out of stock on the 640. Futureshop has removed both the Pioneer 640 and the 534 (80 GB model) from their site.

800 is twice what I paid for my DMR-EH75VS a year ago. Thats highway robbery to say the least. I had a Pioneer 6XX series before that with the TVGOS problem. So far, I like the Panny better. Absolutely no issues with the TV Guide system.

If they are running out of stock (which I would believe BEFORE I believed that they were being "pulled"), that likely means that they are just gearing up for the next model run. I'd wait, and save some serious $.

Actually, if I had it to do over again, I would purchase a good HD DVD player (like an Oppo), and a seperate HDD recorder. You could get both for less than the 800 you are looking at.
I wonder if any of next years models will have the HD capability? I would put money on it that most of the new ones will at least have digital tuners - which would make it worth the wait for me.

The problem is that no DVD recorder manufacturer has announced a DVD recorder with an HDD for 2007. They have announced recorders with an ATSC tuners, but non with an HDD. There is a possibility that none will be available in the US this year.

So if you want an HDD DVD recorder, you might want to get one now and not wait.

Last year, DVD recorders with hard drives became available around the June time frame, and I expect (hope?) that the pattern will be the same this year. As far as the question that the OP asks, if I really liked the Panasonic, I'd keep it. If you are not that Panasonic-minded, then buy the Pioneer, sell the Panasonic, and pocket the profit. It had better be substantial to make it worth your while.

But why haven't they at least announced HDD DVD recorders for 2007? That seems strange...

But why haven't they at least announced HDD DVD recorders for 2007? That seems strange...

I agree. Last year for example Toshiba announced its 2006 line at CES in January. The RD-SX55 was included in the announcement but not released until May - June.

This year in Toshiba's 2007 CES press release there were no HDD models and the top of the line flagship DVD recorder is a combo unit.

Same thing with JVC.

Same thing with Panasonic.

Same thing with Samsung.

Same thing with RCA.

Same thing with LG.

Same thing with etc.

No new HDD models announced for 2007.

Yes I agree. Strange. Or maybe not strange. Maybe it simply is what it is.

B&H Photo still has the 640 for $359 + shipping,

It's now $399 at B&H. :eek:

I have had 2 of the Panny 75's. Both had minor problems and I sent them back to get the Pio 640. Turns out that the Pio doesn't exchange data with my sat rcvr. The Panny DOES talk to the sat rcvr. If timer recordings matter to you, then get the Panny. I plan to send the Pio back and get another Panny tomorrow.....before they are all gone.
bobcat 743

I have had 2 of the Panny 75's. Both had minor problems and I sent them back to get the Pio 640. Turns out that the Pio doesn't exchange data with my sat rcvr. The Panny DOES talk to the sat rcvr. If timer recordings matter to you, then get the Panny. I plan to send the Pio back and get another Panny tomorrow.....before they are all gone.
bobcat 743

There's really no comparison between the Panny E55 and the Pio 640. The Pio 640 is a pretty stripped down machine. When comparing the two these things stand out:

IR blaster - Panny 55 Yes / Pio 640 No

SD Card Slot - Panny 55 Yes / Pio 640 No

HDMI - Panny 55 Yes / Pio 640 No

DV input - Panny 55 Yes / Pio 640 No

TVGOS - Panny 55 Yes / Pio 640 No

The Pio 640 is great basic transportation but it lacks a lot of features that are available in the other top tier brands.

Just curious what was your motivation to give the Pio 640 a try?

There's really no comparison between the Panny E55 and the Pio 640. The Pio 640 is a pretty stripped down machine. When comparing the two these things stand out:

IR blaster - Panny 55 Yes / Pio 640 No

SD Card Slot - Panny 55 Yes / Pio 640 No

HDMI - Panny 55 Yes / Pio 640 No

DV input - Panny 55 Yes / Pio 640 No

TVGOS - Panny 55 Yes / Pio 640 No

The Pio 640 is great basic transportation but it lacks a lot of features that are available in the other top tier brands.

Just curious what was your motivation to give the Pio 640 a try?At the risk of sounding like I'm defending the unit I selected:

I don't think I would call the 640 basic transportation compared to most other 2006 models, especially when comparing to the considerably more expensive Panasonic which is missing a number of features the 640 has at a considerably lower price:

- Manual bitrate settings (IMHO this trumps all the other features for importance.)

- Very reliable file system with defrag function and automatic notification when defrag is necessary.

- Ability to high-speed copy finalized video mode DVDs.

- USB ports (which is more flexible than just an SD slot and includes SD compatibility as well as any other memory card plus external HDD support for importing/playing music and photos. USB provides a wide range of support possibly including future devices not yet announced.)

- Music Jukebox which can import music files from CD or USB, and create a library on the HDD. (Should have random play though)

- Connect a printer and print photos without a computer.

- Excellent customer service policy.

Different people have different requirements. I am very glad there is no TVGOS on the 640 as it is not compatible with my satellite, and no TVGOS data is available in my area. Without TVGOS I have more flexible recording options and high reliability because I'm not dependent upon data coming in from Gemstar which as you know is often less than reliable depending on where you are.

I had the 633 before the 640 and never used DV-IN, nor did I use the IR blaster which on most units (to me) is dumb because you have to leave your equipment on all the time because they don't turn other units on and off.

If the 640 had HDMI, I might use it, but I get a phenomenal picture from component cabling on my HDTV...considerable overkill for any 480i recorder/player.

Obviously we have different priorities. Knowing what I know now and from all I have read here I would pick the Pioneer over the Panasonic even if the prices were reversed.

ACPewty - Great points. It looks like the Pio 640 has enough features to meet your needs.

My point is that for those that appreciate the benefits of an IR blaster for example and need one to control their cable or sat box for timer recordings the Pio 640 becomes a non starter. A Pioneer can't be an option because Pioneer decided not to include this feature with the Pio 640. It could have but obviously decided not to.

I personally use a DV input and when I was shopping it was on my list. Pioneer decided to remove this feature when it introduced its 2006 model Pio 640. That's a good thing?

TVGOS never worked well with Pioneer. But it does work with other brands. Pioneer decided to get rid of it because of all the problems that were associated with its integration into Pioneer DVD recorders. It didn't work well with Pioneer. But that doesn't make TVGOS bad. A lot of people like it - and use it. And it is very easy to set up a manual recording without using the guide. It is as easy and as basic as timer recordings are in the Pio 640. You do not have to use the guide grid to set up a timer recording. At least with my Toshiba - but I believe this is a feature of TVGOS.

High speed copy of Video Mode material is not unique to the Pioneer. I admit I am not as familiar with the Panny 55 as I should be (I read the specs - very similar to what many people do on here when they feel free to comment) but my personal choice of recorder offers this.

I'm sorry I can't really comment on the audio juke box stuff. I really don't look to my DVD video recorder for that but it sounds like it works great.

One thing I have not appreciated with Pioneer is that as time progressed Pioneer continued to make new models with fewer features than their previous models. I never look upon this as a good thing. I found that odd. And even odder that people welcomed this reverse innovation. But seeing now that Pioneer is more than likely exiting the market it makes sense.

I agree, I dislike when features are dropped in later models, although as I have stated I'm glad TVGOS was dropped. I'm not knocking TVGOS really. If it were an option for me I might use it primarily for timer recording convenience purposes, but I have more confidence in the reliability of my timer events without it. I know some users have had pretty consistent success with TVGOS, but too many have not and that's not just with the poor 2005 Pioneer implementation. The system is dependent on too many companies/broadcasters doing their job consistently.

As stated in another thread, I like the 640's easy accessibility of all bitrates, including all MN bitrates, when programming timer events without having to exit and change the default MN bitrate. I believe in order to be compatible with TVGOS, manufacturers are limited in the number of extra bitrates they can offer on the timer setup screen, therefore if you want a different MN bitrate you have to go back and change the default in a setup screen. That's tedious.

It's unfortunate manufacturers like Pioneer tend to simplify new models by removing features, but of course it's all a matter of profitability and especially in 2005 Pioneer has lost money on DVDRs. To reverse that trend, non-essential features that cause too many support calls or returns either have to be re-engineered to be simpler or dropped, and we know which is cheaper. Qualified technical support in any industry is expensive, so reducing the number of support incidents is a must. If you get inundated with support calls and emails, you either have to increase staffing (very expensive especially if unions are involved,) or take a hit on your customer service reputation, and therefore future sales.

I admire Pioneer for their customer service after their 2005 TVGOS fiasco. They may be giving up on DVDRs but if/when HD recorders eventually come out I will remember how well I was treated when Pioneer offered me a free replacement 2006 model, (adding 3 more months to the warranty) and even added a feature enhancement via firmware update when it was requested by enough users.

I don't know why Pioneer dropped the DV-IN but I suspect there were too many support calls from users who had video cameras that couldn't be properly controlled. Just a guess. I don't think it's a good thing they dropped it, I just don't need it. (With the exception of the obligatory taping of babies/toddlers, I dislike video cameras because they diminish the experience they are recording for everyone present. People change their behavior when they know they are being recorded.)

This year in Toshiba's 2007 CES press release there were no HDD models and the top of the line flagship DVD recorder is a combo unit.

Same thing with JVC.

Same thing with Panasonic.

Same thing with Samsung.

Same thing with RCA.

Same thing with LG.

Same thing with etc.

No new HDD models announced for 2007.

I'm seeing DVD/HDD combos from Pioneer, Sony and others with digital tuners . . . in the UK, Japan and elsewhere. They were announced in 2006 and are already for sale.

I guess the question becomes: why are there no such USA-based models? Might this have anything to do with industry or political pressure/issues, rather than perception of general market opportunity?

- ooofest