Problems with VCR Input and DMR E20

[rdc4439]

I purchased a Panasonic DMR-E20 several months back for the purpose of transferring old high school football tapes from VHS to DVD.

For the most part, it has worked flawlessly. However, there have been a couple of videos where the DVD recording has not matched the quality of the VHS source. When this happens, the DVD recording is VERY CLOUDY and color is not as bright and crisp as original source. I have attempted to record on all possible quality settings, but still have the problem.

The output of my VHS plugs directly into the input of my DVD recorder via RCA Monster cables. I am monitoring the picture from the output of the DVD recorder while I record, and the picture looks fine on the TV. But when I replay the DVD, a cloudy picture results.

How it is possible that Garbage In does not equal Garbage Out?

Is there a setting in the DVD recorder that can fix this problem?

Thanks in advance for any advise you might be able to provide.
Rich

[classfour]

I haven't seen this on VHS recordings to my E20.
The VCR that I use is a Phillips 4 head SVHS VCR
that inputs via S-Video (via some video stabilization equipment)

Any flaws that I've seen in the final DVDr have been in the
original VHS tape.

1. What brand of DVDr or DVD-RAM are you using?
Stick with something the E20 likes! For DVD-RAM
recording - I ONLY use Panasonic discs. I know there
are others that are less expensive or more easily
obtained, but I search out OEM discs. For DVD-R
recording, I've only had failures with BeAll's; and
could only trace that to a possible manufacturing
defect in that cake.

2. Are you using a video stabilizer? The $24 on ebay
actually work best when connected in reverse
order! (little black boxes) Is the unit faulty?
Verify the cable connections: I use a RCA to S-Video
adapter on my little black box to ensure the connection
to the E20 is via S-Video.

3. Unless absolutely necessary, always record at
2 hour OR LESS mode. Some movies just over
2 hours will fit on a disc in flexible recording mode.
If it's for sure longer than 2 hours, always use
flexible recording mode to ensure maximum
quality.

a. Find the end of the recording, set your counter to
zero. Rewind to the beginning.
b. Adding about 20 seconds min to the total - set the E20 to record
the full length of the tape, beginning in about one or 2 minutes.
c. When the E20 starts, give it about 5 seconds and hit PLAY on
your VCR. If possible, disable the On Screen Display on the VCR
for improved results.

If it's not something simple as above, you may have a problem with your
E20 - but I'd really suspect your DVD-RAM discs, if that's what you're using.

my2cents

classfour