Dvd recorder cables

[Phil007]

I've been looking at dvd recorders 4 several months, on & off, particularly at the panasonic recorders. When it comes to connecting or tuning in these machines, i'm absolutely useless. What I wanted to ask was, what cables will I need to get a good picture & sound 4 connecting my tv-dvd recorder-vcr, so that I can transfer my vhs tapes 2 dvd. Any help would much appreciated.

Thanks

[thoots]

...what cables will I need to get a good picture & sound for connecting my tv-dvd recorder-vcr, so that I can transfer my vhs tapes to dvd...

Phil,

You'll need one set of cables to hook the VCR to the DVD recorder, and another set of cables to hook the DVD recorder to the TV.

For the VCR to DVD recorder connection, you'll probably use a typical "composite video" cable set, including left and right audio connectors. Something like this:

http://www.rca.com/product/viewdetail/0,2588,PI11-CI205,00.html?

That would be the "yellow" connector for the video, the "red" connector for the right audio, and the "white" conector for the left audio.

You can also do the DVD recoder to TV connection with the exact same kind of cable set, presuming your TV set has these kinds of "inputs" on the back. If you have more of a higher-end TV set, it might have a set of "component" inputs, which would give you better video quality than these "composite" cables I just mentioned. Here's what a "component" cable set looks like:

http://www.rca.com/product/viewdetail/0,2588,PI700489-CI205,00.html?

And, actually, this cable does not include any "audio" connectors -- that's three different connectors just for the video signal. So, you would also need a left and right audio connector, just like the "composite" cables I mentioned above included.

It's also possible that your VCR might have an "S-Video" connector, but that's pretty rare. But, if you've got one, then you could use that instead of the "composite" cable mentioned above.

The bottom line to all of this remains "what kind of inputs and outputs do you have on the back of your equipment?" Then, you just go and get the cables that will work with whatever inputs and outputs you've got.

The instruction manual included with your DVD recorder will have clear diagrams of all of these hookups, so that should help if you still find this confusing. You can actually download the Panasonic manuals, from this page:

http://www.pasc.panasonic.com/OperMan/FindManual.asp?Pass=1

Just type this model number into the "Model Number" blank:

DMR-E50

That'll get the manual for this machine for you -- choose to either "view" it or "download" it by making your choices on that page. Then, you can view the manual, which is in Adobe Acrobat format, and you'll find all of these diagrams in the manual.

I hope this helps -- good luck!

thoots

[Phil007]

Thanks 4 your help thoots. 1 more ?, Would these cables be ok 2 use 2 transfer from vhs tapes 2 dvd-r or dvd-ram ?.

Thanks

[piano632]

Most likely, all the cables you will need will be included in the box with the recorder. However, if you are really concerned about the *quality* of the audio and video, I would definitely spend the extra money and get good cables:

http://www.bettercables.com
http://www.monstercable.com
etc.

I'm sure most people will balk at the high cost of these cables, but they are a big improvement over those yellow, red & white things that come in the box.

[Phil007]

Thanks 4 replying piano632, the reason I asked is that I read or heard somewhere, that if u get some good cables u can get a better picture & sound. Any well known makes or recomendations would be much appreciated.

Thanks

[piano632]

Yes, it's true that cables can make a big difference - if you're willing to spend the money. Most people have a hard time believing that something like a cable can improve video or audio so much. Well, I'm here to say it does. I haven't used those in-the-box cables for over 15 years now - that's how bad I think they are.

Usually manufacturers can throw in all these cables because they are made of cheap materials like aluminum or nickel and probably cost less than $1 to include in the box. The problem is aluminum and nickel aren't the greatest conductors of an electrical signal - so the video and audio suffer. Copper is a better conductor and silver is about the best you can get, though silver can be pretty expensive to use in a cable.

The other problem with cables is the shielding. Those that come in the box usually have little or no shielding - which means they pick up every signal travelling through the air (radio, TV, cell phones, etc.) and let it interfere with the signal going through the cable - thus degrading your audio/video even more.

The "good" cables like BetterCables, Monster, etc. use copper & silver conductors and have heavy shielding - so the difference between these and the cheap ones can be very noticeable. Of course, there are always some people that are completely blind and can't see the difference between anything. But any *normal* person will notice much more contrast, more shades of colors, less "snow"/noise, more subtle details, etc.

Well, that's my spiel for now. You can read reviews on various audio/video cables at http://www.audioreview.com/Cables/PLS_1584crx.aspx
Monster and BetterCables are about the only 2 brands I've used, so I really can't comment on others. I'd say the BetterCables are a bit better (no pun intended) than the best Monsters, but also a bit more expensive.

[Phil007]

Thanks again piano632, i'll probably give those cables a try, if i'm not happy with the 1's I get.