DMR-E50 vs E55

[Saltydog]

I'm getting a headache from reading. The JVCs are a little out of my price range, the Sonys alot... The LiteOn seems like too much of a gamble.. gives me the jitters. So, I'm looking at the Panasonics. I just want to take all those years of VHS tapes of the kiddies and digitize them, so I'm looking for a 'Dad' class machine vice professional. I thought the diff between the E50 and the E55 was RAM, now I see both handle that. (which seems like a good thing to have since it would be an easy way to transfer to my PC to edit). So forgive what should be obvious... what is the diff, besides about $70?

[gshelley61]

The JVC is $306 shipped from eCost.com

DVD-RAM (VR format, .VRO files) is NOT, I repeat NOT the easiest and most compatible way to transfer to the PC for editing. Many of us have experienced problems with that format. DVD-RW recorded in standard DVD-Video (.VOB files) is much easier to deal with.

The E55 is this year's version of the E50 with a few minor improvements. Panasonics do not have noise reduction on the input side. It only kicks in when you play back the DVD's. A disadvantage.

Still, if you want a Panasonic, I have a gently used E50...

[Saltydog]

Sorry so long to answer bad... had some minor surgery to get done. It took me a while to find it on the eCost site, but that is a tempting price for the JVC... more so if I hadn't just bought a new JVC player in Dec! However, for just converting my home videos isn't it overkill? In one of your other posts I recall you saying you had great success with an E30? I at least want to end up with something as good as the source. Which reminds me, would I be better off inputting using my videocam or a VCR? (While I own an AverMedia card I'm really leaning heavily in this direction... it appears the quality is there and the time savings are hugh.)

[gshelley61]

Yeah, I have a full PC capturing, editing, encoding, authoring and burning setup, too. It just takes too darn long to do it that way and the results aren't as good for simple transfers as with the DVD Recorder. For home video of the family, I capture at XP (1 hour, highest possible quality) to basically "archive" the footage. As far as whether to use you camcorder or VCR to play back footage you want to transfer, try both to see which looks better.

Maybe sell your new player on eBay and get the recorder... you won't be disappointed. Or, keep them both!