Panasonic AG 1980 - Need description of picture controls

[DeXeSs]

I've read through my manual for the 1980 a few times now and I'm still stuck on setting #21 described on page 14.

What is the difference between the NOR setting and the DETAIL setting?

The manual describes both as: For controlling the picture image. :S

I don't want to make any guesses as to what it does. I know how the AUTO/EDIT/SOFT/SHARP works on JVC models but how do the Panasonic AG 1980 video modes work?

Thanks!

[moxiecat]

The manual IS terrible in describing these functions.

There is a post somewhere in this forum that goes into more detail about these settings. If I can find it, I'll post the link.

From what I recall, NOR is the automatic setting, similar to "auto" on the JVC. Putting the switch on DETAIL enables you to use the PICTURE: Soft/sharp slider, which lets you adjust the setting manually.

[orsetto]

There is no discernable difference whatsoever between the "NOR" and "DETAIL" settings. For reasons unknown, something went goofy in the development of the DNR circuits for the 1980 model and Panasonic simply shipped it as-is rather than delay marketing further. Instead of three settings you effectively have only two: DETAIL and NOR are the same, while EDIT disables the PICTURE sharpness slider.

In the previous near-identical AG1970, the switch operates as DETAIL (DNR active, picture slider enabled), NOR/OFF (DNR disabled, can still use picture slider) and DETAIL (both DNR and picture slider disabled, output is preset for optimum dubbing to another recorder). The original (bad) idea for the AG1980 was to automate the NOR/OFF setting so that the VCR would determine for itself whether a tape needed DNR or not. The other settings were to operate just like the AG1970. Why Panasonic would think "always on" and "you never know if its on" were preferable to a simple on/off switch is anyones guess, but in practice the DNR in the AG1980 and AG5710 is always on. It cannot be disabled at all, in DETAIL mode its turned on, in NOR mode its turned on, and in EDIT mode its on but the picture slider is disabled in favor of detail peaking intended for dubbing. The AG1980/AG5710 chassis is an amazing VCR: its TBC is probably the most powerful ever put into a prosumer deck and its DNR is extremely effective and usually unobtrusive. There are times, though, when the DNR mistracks and creates odd picture disturbances. That is when you'll feel frustrated that the DNR cannot be turned off. Because of this, owners of the AG1980/AG5710 should always keep a backup VCR handy that either has no DNR or has DNR that can be disabled when necessary.

[lordsmurf]

By default, the Panasonic sharpens the video even when in the "0" setting on the slider. This is one reason a number of folks falsely believe the JVC is "soft" when in actuality they're simply used to seeing their videos cooked by the Panasonic deck. It's similar to my Sharp VHS deck that has "detail mode" enabled by default (must turn it off each and every time you power on the VCR again!), or my oldest Magnavox VHS deck that simply sharpens (no option to turn on/off).

This works decently, but my SignVideo DR-1000 is a lot better at it.

The DNR has more temporal anomalies than I would like, and it can especially posterize video. JVC machines look better, but sometimes the Panasonic tracks SLP/EP better. It's also nicer to VHS-C tapes, in a high-end converter adapter.

Again, lesser of evils, no VCR is perfect.

[DeXeSs]

Fantastic!

Thank you so much for all the useful advice!

Please take a look at my first Vectorscope analysis

http://forum.videohelp.com/topic369179.html