Need advice on a new DVD Recorder

[Rob61]

I have an Apex 9200 which has worked surprisingly well. Now, its time to replace it as the color output has vanished (plays back black and white, but still records color).

I picked up a Sony GX315 and the quality of the picture, even at a 1 hr speed, was horrible compared to the lowly Apex. It was grainy and washed out. I tried everything. Also, it would not record movies off the satellite because it labeled it copyrighted content. So much for being able to timeshift with it.

So I returned it, and am now considering others. I've stumbled upon the Panasonic ES20S and the Toshiba D-R4. Either would come in under $200. I don't need a lot of features, but I do want the best picture quality for recording off of satellite TV feed. I also would like a 1394, and I guess the Toshiba doesn't have it, but that wouldn't be a deal breaker if the Toshiba does a better quality job.

I usually need 2 hr or 3 hr speed, but sometimes record at 1 hr if I'm around to swap discs. It doesn't matter whether it is either + or - R, but RW of some form (preferable not RAM) would be needed.

Can anyone relate experiences with these machines that would be helpful in my purchase? Also, are there other models that give good video quality?

Thanks

[Marvingj]

Try Liteon it has a nice picture & Has Hacks for Macro & No region. Plus it fits the $200 budget.

[samijubal]

The Toshiba blows the Panasonics away for picture quality. I never had any problems with copy once programs with any Panasonic though, DVD-R or DVD-RAM. The Toshiba will only do copy once programs on RAM discs, at least that's what the manual says.

[pchan]

I have been using a LG model for a couple of months now. It supports -/+R/RW and +R DL. Play Divx too. Has 1394 connection. Never miss a schedule recording but once unplug power supply, all info on memory is gone !

[lordsmurf]

If you liked the Apex, you'll love the JVC DR-M100S.

[trhouse]

There are some real bargains out there for last year models right now. I saw at a Best Buy recently, a Panasonic DMR-ES10 for $79, a JVC DR-MV1 for $99. The 2006 Consumer Electronics Show was about two weeks ago with manufacturers showing new models which may be on the shelves in a few months.

For example,

http://www2.panasonic.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/prModelDetail?storeId=11301&catalo...42006103543880