Toshiba, Sharp, Pioneer, Victor - which one?

[BogieV]

Well, I got pluged into the idea of obtaining DVD/HDD recorder.
I'm in Japan so the sea of goods is enormous. I read few Japanese magazin reviews and also researched the current models features.

Here it seems Toshiba is doing quite strong - thay offer the most versatility adding LAN connector and iEPG programing via the Internet. You can even schedule via your mobile phone or PC remotely. They have also double tuners and the local Broadcast analog satelite integrated. For about 650$ for the 160GB unit it offers really alot. I read though that their drives are not so relyable. Also I don't have good impressions for their DVD players.

Panasonic is praised for the ease of use and that up to SP quality it is fine but fails on a whole behind Pioneer and JVC for picture. Similar priced Panys don't have iLink either and only record to RAM so it's out of my list.

Pioneer is great. The new model 625H has even added PC editing of the menus on the HDD via the 2 way iLink (Toshiba is doing similar thing via the LAN). The don't have so much wistles like Toshiba but the price is also a bit lower at 550$.

And finally JVC has nice models - 35H has everything but for example can't copy copy once recorded material to DVD-R (while Toshiba and Pioneer can).
Sharp has the sweetest price and everything that Pioneer ofers but reading some Japanes forums they have some minor issues.
So which one.
I can see here people favour Pioneer and JVC for quality. Also Panasonic is popular but without iLink...
Any suggestions, especially from people with experience with Toshiba and Sharp!

[lordsmurf]

In Japan, Toshiba, Victor, Pioneer ... all good choices over there. No "IRE" isues to worry about on Toshiba. Victor has probably the best quality, Pioneer is nice too.

[samijubal]

The only Panasonic recorder ever made that only records RAM is the first generation E-10, all others record DVD-R.

[BogieV]

Thanks lordsmurf!
Samijubal, I ment that all others are making DVD-R/RW or DVD-R/RW/RAM recorders while only Pana is DVD-R/RAM.

After quite a research on the local net and few shops here is 'short' outline of what is available at the moment that is close to my wishes. All have iLink and some sort of TBC & NR. Prices are cheapest net without shipping (apr. 20$). Starting with least desirable:

Panasonic DMR-E95H - 485$ (shop 560$)
x4 speed, DVD-R/RAM (no RW), 250GB, EPG, DVD-Audio, very compact (not deep), reports are for very easy operation from remote control, large display, good quality at XP&SP modes, not good LP and below. Discontiniued - not easy to find.

Victor DR-MH35 - 405$ (shop - 500$)
x8 DVD-R/RW/RAM, 160GB, EPG, stated PAL playback, 2 pass MPEG2 encoding. Good picture even at LP (4hrs on 1DVD, 3/4D1). Not so easy to edit, usability.

Pioneer DVR-625H-S - 520$ (shop 510$)
x8 DVD-R/RW (no RAM), 250GB, EPG, 2-way iLink - edit menus with conected PC. Good picture, compact, good usability.
The only one I can get at local shop for even lower price than net.

Victor DR-MH55 - 620$ (shop 770$ with 28% off in points =215$)
x8 DVD-R/RW/RAM, 250GB, EPG, PAL playback, 2 pass encoding, Ghost reducing BS analog tuner.
Don't know if Ghost reduction works well.

ToshibaRD-XS36 - 580$ (shop 630$)
x8 speed, DVD-R/RW/RAM, 160GB, EPG & iEPG (via LAN so not only analog programs can be scheduled - via Internet, also able to initiate recording from remote PC, mobile, edit DVD & HDD menus with PC via LAN, etc.),
2 analog tuners plus Broadcast Satelite tuner - able of simultanios recording of 2 programs on HDD or HDD and DVD;
also simultanios playback while recording from HDD (no matter if recording to HDD or DVD).
2 MPEG2 encoders integrated in a single chip (I guess used when encoding 2 programs simultaniosly). Slick design to top it off.
Many bells and wistles here but don't know qualitywise. Reports for low usability via remote control (LAN-PC conected needed for ease of use).

To sum it up - I already have Sharp vintage video deck with BS (broadcast satelite) analog tuner. If I get DVD recorder without BS tuner I have to leave my VCR ON all the time to record scheduled programs.
I like the idea of having dual tuners (Toshiba) but also PAL playback of original DVDs is nice (Victor).

Which one would you chose if you were in my shoes?
Any replyes are welcome! Thank you!

[lordsmurf]

I would buy the Victor (JVC), Pioneer or the Toshiba. Literally, flip a coin.

[BogieV]

Yeah, I'm tending to go for the Victor - cheapest without BS tuner but PAl playback on NTSC TV and good encoding.

The TBC on Toshiba & Pioneer is simple line, while Victor is marketing it as "full frame". I'll be coping some VHS old tapes - not very picky on quality as I don't expect to be very high anyways.

Pioneer and Toshiba win on DVD creation though - using PC you can virtually use unlimited thems for DVD menus and titling.