Toshiba D-VR7 vs. Panasonic DMR-EZ48 vs. Magnovox RZV427MG9

[sturedman]

I was able to get the Toshiba for 201.~ after taxes. The Magnovox is 99.99 with no return from Xsess Cargo, and the Panasonic e-48 is almost double after taxes. These are all dual vhs-dvd recorders and I don't have much of a choice anymore as many have probably found out now. My goal is to back up 75-150 vhs tapes to good quality and back them up on dvd and a backup onto a couple of hardrives.

Is there any reason I might want to go with the Panasonic at almost twice the cost?. There are a few tapes that I would like to edit and maybe buy a Canopus product, but for basic 1:1 copies should I stick with this clunky to use unit? And is there any reason at all that a "pretty" Panasonic ez48 might be worth the cost?

I seem to be getting jumps in the video playback with the D-VR7 on my computer. Is that do to the indexes that are set in the dvd recorder? Or are they due to the index's that the original vcr made.

I really do appreciate any help. Thanks Stuart.

[sturedman]

I turned off auto chapters in the D-VR7 and no skip/jump forward so far. Hope I can get through all my VHS tapes.

[jjeff]

Separates are really better than combos but if you must have a combo I'd stay away from the Panasonic. It's really quite buggy and problem prone(and this is coming from a Panasonic fan). If the Toshiba is working for you then I'd stick with it and be happy.

[sturedman]

The dvr7 is a nightmare and not intuitive but as long as it holds up for another 100 tapes I will be happy. I think the Picture quality rivals the original if not the same. Not a lot of fun to use though, not at all.

[sturedman]

Seems to be doing a good job. Ten tapes or so down now that I have this toshiba figured out. I am using Image Burn to rip to ISO's which I then back up. Copy and paste takes forever but ripping it is about as fast as a 16x write, theoretically of course. Average 8 minutes I guess. I did not plan on keeping the images but they will take up less than half of my backup drive so why not!.

Just a note, but I think that dvd-rw in video mode might be the best way to go. I have not bought dvd-r's yet but the manual says they will be VR-MODE. And DVD-RW can do both and don't leave an empty title in the image like DVD +RW's.

Edit: After trial and error just using the default mode with DVD+R seems to do the job without skipping. All My -rw's have skipping. Unfortunately this mode leaves a second "blank" title in its authoring after finalization. I still have "auto" chapters turned off.

[Tilley]

I'm replying to an older thread, but just wanted to say thanks. Just bought the Toshiba D-VR7 as my old VCR recently failed. Your thread was useful in helping me take the plunge with the Toshiba (even less choice in VCR equipment these days though it seems). Knowing there are units out there where people are having relative success, was reassuring. And your tips for transfer to disc etc, are very much appreciated.

[jman98]

Tilley - We're glad we helped you, but to be blunt we really would have preferred to not have seen your post. Adding unnecessarily to old threads is strongly discouraged around here and frankly nobody benefits from someone doing it to just say "thanks". We'd rather you let sleeping dogs lie.

[Tilley]

Wow, what a welcome for a newbie. I was going to add my own experience once I get my D-VR7 up and running, but I think I'd rather just go away and find somewhere friendlier. How do I get un-registered?

And anyways, don't you have the option of not opening the thread to read it if the subject doesn't sound interesting to you?

And frankly, you could have sent me a Private Message instead of responding to the thread, right? Didn't that just perpetuate it for even longer, which is exactly what you don't want members to do?

[Tom81]

Tilley,
Don't let one social-challenged individual turn you off to this board. Many of us grew up in nice families .
Kick off your shoes and stay awhile.

[smartel]

well the toshiba is still available and was once thinking of buying one ,, so your experience may help me (and others)

god bless those old threads so much information in them .. and why not giving them a new life !?