[ChuffDaddy]

Hi all.


I have a Panasonic E85 at home that is prefect for my current needs. First, to copy a huge stash of home videos from 8mm tape to DVD for posperity, and to replace a VHS player to record 4:3 television shows.


However, I don't think it is going to meet future needs because it has no Firewall (or whatever it is that will allow me to hook a digital camcorder to it) and because as I read the manual, I will not be able to record to the DVD-R in 16:9 format, which I hope to be moving to shortly. (My cable company thinks within a year.) I have a few days to return it.


I'd fall back to the Toshiba, which I feel would also meet my needs, but I am really concerned about--please, don't flame me--the black level bug. Like I said, I will be recording and distributing a lot of home movies. It would really displease me if they did not play back as good as the originals on other or future DVD players. (I really do like the Toshiba though, and was about to order it before I heard about the problem.


So, I guess I am asking what my options are? Is there a machine out there that might meet my needs? Or should I just wait for some new models to come out? What are your opinions.


Oh, and I really need an IR blaster too, especially if the unit you recommend has a hard drive.

 

[jmscott42]

There is no perfect DVD recorder out there right now. They ALL have flaws, and most have flaws that are deal killers to some segment of the population.


If you're really concerned, return the E85, and wait a few months. Some of the new Panasonic models sound really nice (not sure if they include firewire). All of the major brands should be releasing new models in the next 2-4 months (I think) so hopefully something will be a little better in that timeframe.

 

[POWERFUL]

Try the Sharp DV-HR300U DVD Recorder it has a 80GB hard drive a DVD-RW drive. It also has Firewire inpiut, which I believe is what you wanted to say about the digital camcorder connection. For Timer functions it has AV record which works like an IR blaster but without the cable.

 

[AnthonyNYC]

Hi ChuffDaddy,


I personally bought a Pioneer 420 from Costco and have none of the problems I had with other recorders.

The 420 however doesn't have the 1394 input for camcorders but the Pioneer 520 (costs a little more) does and also new models of pioneer coming out soon will have more HD space also.


There is currently a LiteON Model 5045, which has a 160gb HD and records to all formats, including Audi CD's and VideoCD's, +R and -R.

It has a stereo tuner which was a problem in previous models and bugs from previous models have said to been corrected.

Since it's available from Costco online for only $349 maybe you want to give it a shot? You can always return it to any local Costco if there is a problem.

Oops, just did a search for the link and it's gone!

I guess they sold out as fast as the Pioneer's had on Costco.


Good luck on whatever you choose.

AnthonyNYC

 

[AnthonyNYC]

Quote:

Originally posted by POWERFUL Try the Sharp DV-HR300U DVD Recorder it has a 80GB hard drive a DVD-RW drive. It also has Firewire inpiut, which I believe is what you wanted to say about the digital camcorder connection. For Timer functions it has AV record which works like an IR blaster but without the cable.

Powerful,

I was curious about the Sharp, since i hadn't read a lot about it on these threads.

So i did a google search on it and found this page with actual customer feedback reviews.

Oh my God, after reading all of them, and seeing every one had a customer service issue and how the model is discontinued etc..

I would be very scared to order it.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...23927?v=glance

Do you have one and are happy with it?


I guess on the web you mainly read about the problems more than the good, but nowadays it might better to be overly cautious, no?

 

[POWERFUL]

I feel at least at this point on Amazon very few people post good reviews of anything, I guess I should post a review of my own experience there to quiet the naysayers. I agree with you that most of posts are from people with problems you,yourself included. Hey before I tried the Toshiba I read your experience and others, but I still tried it. I didn't like it but at least I tried to see if others were wrong by buying. I know not everyone has $550 or more to "try" a DVD recorder and neither to I, but I didn't want to challenge anyone's ideas without trying myself and at least using (some might call abusing) a retailers liberal return policy.


Back on subject, Yes so far I am happy with it, I have burned and dubbed RW discs on it and high-speed dubbed with no problems. I have satellite w/locals so the OTA/cable timer functions error don't effect me. I haven't been able to send video from my computer to it so maybe I was mislead on that one. It has a fan on the back but it is a quiet one so I don't hear it. I mainly dub stuff from my UltimateTV (UTV) to its hard drive, edit, and burn it on a disc. I did find a multi-region hack and a firmware update on the Afterdawn forum site which is probably why most people talk there since that is prohibited here. They have been keeping a long running thread (unlike here where it died probably for the reason above), on the Sharp and it convinced me to get it. The main things I like about the Sharp is the direct editing and that AV Record feature that from what I read can be used with a cable box. Direct editing is a true frame by frame edit with seamless playback. Of course that takes a toll on the hard drive and gets to be a problem when I do that too often due to fragmentation, but so far I have only needed to do that once. It was made evident when speed of access to the hard drive went for 5 secs to 15 secs, then I knew it was time to back up everything and reformat. Now I high speed dub to disc, edit on -RW, and high speed dub back, and no problems with access, yet. I have to admit it stinks to do that but until DVD Recorders with hard disk have defrag functions it will have to be that way. I hope this was helpful and I mean no disrespect to anyone about my comments these are just my opinions.

 

[nascar24]

ChuffDaddy,

I would do a search of the Liteon 5045 over at videohelp.com before considering this model. Just about all of the Bugs of previous models have carried over to this unit. Just a heads up because there is not much stated in this forum about this Liteon.

 

[nnci]

Chuffdaddy,


I won't flame you, (What are you wearing sailor? ) I think the blb is overblown. Why not try yhe Toshiba from a place with a good return policy?

 

[nascar24]

Quote:

Originally posted by nnci Chuffdaddy, I won't flame you, (What are you wearing sailor? ) I think the blb is overblown. Why not try yhe Toshiba from a place with a good return policy?

I would second that I now have 2 Toshibas since I liked the 1st one so much. I agree on it being overblown as well.

 

[djweaponx]

I also love my Toshiba RD-XS32. You are going to have probs with and harware nothing is perfect. I find that I can adjust and correct things myelf but some people cant. For me the Toshiba RD-XS32 is fine

 

[7481387]

If you get the Toshiba, just be sure to burn a few DVD's and play 'em back on another player before the return period expires.


But you may also want to wait a bit -- Toshiba is releasing their RD-XS34 next month (160 GB hard drive and DVD-RW compatibililty), and Pioneer is releasing their 633H (also with a 160 GB hard drive) the month after that.

 

[JK27]

Quote:

Originally posted by Captain Shirk If you get the Toshiba, just be sure to burn a few DVD's and play 'em back on another player before the return period expires.

That's great advice for ANY DVD Recorder!! Check out the features, kick the tires, burn DVD's at various speeds, etc. and return it if it doesn't meet your needs. Don't forget to check for artifacts in the recorded images!


Oh yeah, count me in as another satisfied owner of the feature-laden Toshiba RD-XS32!


Good luck!

 

[dv13]

Quote:

Originally posted by Captain Shirk If you get the Toshiba, just be sure to burn a few DVD's and play 'em back on another player before the return period expires.

Why?

 

[7481387]

Oh, boy....JK, you wanna field this one, or shall I? Okay, I'll do it.


The Toshiba DVD recorders have what's called the Black Level Bug. It causes the recorder to record images at a higher-than-normal black level, which can result in the picture appearing too light or "washed out" when played back on other DVD players. The effect doesn't appear when the discs are played back on the Toshiba itself because it internally compensates for the error. (The error itself results from the fact that Japan's standard for video signals differs from the U.S. standard, and Toshiba failed to take that into account when desigining their DVD recorders for the U.S. market.)


Many people say they can't see the effect of this bug, or if they can, it's not too bad. (Others however, say it's a significant problem, and some have returned their units because of it.)


Whether you will be able to see the problem seems to depend on a number of factors, including whether the DVD player you're using to play the discs is connected via component, S-video, or composite cables, and whether the playback is in interlaced or progressive mode. You may be able to avoid seeing the effect if the playback device has an "enhanced" black setting, but not all of them have that. (Plus, even if it did, you'd have to set it back again after viewing. Seems like kind of a hassle to me.)


What concerns me is that even if you can't see, or are able to avoid seeing, the effect of the black level bug, the incorrect digital luminance values are still permanently burned into the DVD. Maybe it's just psychological, but personally, I don't like that.


JK27 will tell you that the bug doesn't come into play when recording from the DV ("Firewire") input. I don't know for sure, but that's probably true, since the signal should bypass the analog-to-digital converter. That's what he mostly uses his Toshiba RD-XS32 for. But if you're primarily going to use the Toshiba for recording TV shows, it could be a problem.


Personally, I wouldn't want to pay $400 or more for a DVD recorder that I know has a built-in defect, even if it's not always visible. Others, however, think their Toshiba is the best thing since sliced bread. So you'll have to decide for yourself....but that's why I say if you get one, be sure to record a few DVD's and play them back on a few external DVD players before committing yourself.


Oh, and by the way, I don't own a DVD recorder myself -- yet. (I'm waiting for the new models to come out in the next few weeks.) But I've done a lot of reading in these forums and elsewhere. That's how I heard about the bug in the first place, and I went on to learn more about it. If you want, do a search for "black level bug" in this forum, and on the internet generally, and see what comes up.


Good luck!