Sony RDR-GX315 problems

[pmatthews1]

I recently bought a Sony RDR-GX315 in order to transfer old camcorder and VHS tapes to DVD. I additionally wanted to transfer programs from my Dish Network satellite receiver to DVD. I was lured by the support of all formats (+/- R/RW), JPEG support and the Sony name (My other Sony equip. has been very good and reliable).

Upon setup, I discovered that I could not pass-through my S-video signal or even my composite video from my satellite receiver - no output. Upon switching to the alternate (Line 2) out of my satellite receiver - presto, a signal. Attributed this to a minor quirk (copyguard issues?).

Now the real fun begins. Ran a test recording of a program on my DVR in 2 hr mode to DVD-RW. Looked great. Thought - OK, now let's start the tape transfer process. Recorded an old Hi8 tape in 2 hour mode. Transfer looked fine for the first 20 minutes or so. After that time, there was very visible pixellation which pulsated on and off. I have read some posts that describe this problem with other Sony equip.

Is this a universal issue for this model (i.e. do some GX315's not do this)?
Anyone ever find out what causes it?
Are there any ways around it?
Should I ditch this unit and try something else (suggestions)?

Thanks,
Paul

[gshelley61]

The 315 is not a very good DVD recorder. Sony products are extremely over-rated. Toshiba, Pioneer, JVC, Panasonic are all better machines IMHO.

Have a look at the Panasonic DMR-ES20. It is a really nice little unit with more features than the Sony 315 and is less expensive. It produces a much better DVD recording than the 315 because it uses a superior encoding chip from LSI. DV input, too. It properly compensates for analog NTSC 7.5 IRE black level video sources (like your VHS and Hi8 tapes) when transferring to DVD. It's my favorite entry level unit right now.

[pmatthews1]

Thanks! I am looking into the ES20.

Any ideas about the causes of the Sony issues - causes and the extent of the problem?

Paul

[gshelley61]

I couldn't tell you. Possibly a media (blank disc) issue.

[BrainStorm69]

Have a look at the Panasonic DMR-ES20....It's my favorite entry level unit right now.

So you like it better than JVC and Pioneer entry level units? Do you like it better than the DVR-220S, or just the newer Pioneer (230s?) unit?

[gshelley61]

Yes, although I do wish the ES20 had all the great input video adjustments that the DVR-220 has. Still, the recording quality of the ES20 is excellent. Panasonic finally got it right by using an LSI encoding chip in this particular model. That's the same encoder that is in the JVC. The Panasonic has input video black level adjustments ("Darker" for 7.5 IRE sources, "Lighter" for 0 IRE sources) and switchable Line-In video noise reduction.... two things I wish the JVC had. I think even LordSmurf would like this Panasonic unit...

JVC's have no input black level control and are set to correctly record 0 IRE sources only, and you can't shut off their excellent input video noise reduction filters for sources that don't need it.

[dcsoulchild]

GShelley....what about on longer recording times beyond two hours)...is the ES20 comparable with the JVC or doesn't it perform like the older models where its introduces a bunch of microblocks?

[gshelley61]

With the input video noise reduction on, it performs pretty close to the JVC up to about 2.5 hours or so. However, it maintains full D1 (720x480) capture resolution up to 4 hours, so action sequences on longer recordings (past 2.5 hours) will have macroblocks. The JVC drops to half D1 (352x480) for recordings longer than 2.5 hours so macroblocks are not as much of a problem.

With the input video noise reduction off, you get a sharper, more accurate picture (identical to the source). However, if there is noticeable grain or chroma noise in the source the encoder will produce some artifacts... unless you are in the XP 1 hour mode. That's true of any DVD recorder when trying to capture noisy video, though. Encoders choke when trying to capture noisy, grainy video unless the bitrate is really high.

[BrainStorm69]

I think even LordSmurf would like this Panasonic unit...

That would be a first

[dcsoulchild]

Which one of the Panasonic hard drive recorders have the LSI chip in them? Does anyone know?

[gshelley61]

Which one of the Panasonic hard drive recorders have the LSI chip in them? Does anyone know?

not sure yet... the new ones coming out this year might, though