JVC DRM10 versus PIONEER DVR-220

[eddytor]

Everything Ive read on this forum about the JVC DRm10 has been great and I'm on the verge of buying one. then I read the epinions reviews here:- http://www.epinions.com/pr-JVC_DRM10_DV ... y_~reviews

I then read the threads on videohelp about this "loading" problem? it sounds quite severe.

I realise that the pioneer doesnt have prog scan playback - but otherwise is the quality of the recorded image as good as the JVC. I'll be using the machine primarily to dub from VHS tapes to DVD.

There was some talk of the pioneer dropping frames from VHS tapes, especially in PAL land where I am. Has anyone had experience using the pioneer in pal land with success dubbing from VHS tapes?

thanks

Pete

[lordsmurf]

Don't be scared by loading. Not common.

Inversely, don't be sacred of Pioneer issues either. Also not common.

Most buyers of either unit tend to be happy. If you have VHS as the source, you'll be better off with the JVC.

epinions is not very worthwhile, it tends to be angry people only. Or shills.

[eddytor]

thanks for that.

so the JVC will perform better noise reduction/cleaning on the incoming VHS analogue signal than the panasonic?

I noted a comment from Gshelley where it was mentioned that the panny 320 had an MPEG preview facility - before you went to record - is this useful.

Also it seemed the panasonic 220 and 320 had a set of image adjusts you could set for the picture quality - hue/chroma etc. does JVC have such presets? are they worth having?

pete

[lordsmurf]

Panasonic image adjustment are super minor, unnoticeable. And those are mostly just for playback. The input DNR is like a really, really, really weak JVC TBC/DNR found on the S-VHS units. If I get really really critical, I can see very slight noise removal. But it does NOTHING to remove chroma noise, which is a far more harsh enemy. Especially if you do not have a JVC S-VHS unit (or another comparable S-VHS unit with a DNR/TBC).

Pioneer I think is what you meant. Those have adjustments, but again, very slight. If you really want to mess around with color/contrast, buy a proc amp. Find them on eBay, vidicraft ones, for $25-75 range, really cheap. My disappointment with Pioneer is it does nothing to remove chroma noise, which is found on pretty much every single VHS tape that exists, commercial or not. Inherent flaw of VHS and similar tape formats. Pioneer really should look at converting to the LSI chip, and then it would be a really powerful contender, maybe even able to topple JVC in quality from VHS source and extended recordings (3-4 hours). I would only suggest Pioneer if you did more off-air or DV work than VHS.

JVC just has it all, in terms of cleaning up VHS sources and making high quality recordings at the 3-4 hours mark.

[eddytor]

yes pionner is what I meant - all this research is addling my brain.

thanks for yet another clear and comprehensive answer.

jvc here I come....fingers crossed on the loading issue.