Any good reason NOT to get a Pioneer 3100 recorder.

[Bartflaster]

I have seen a couple of people complain about these, but not what they are complaining about.
So, having watched one in action, recording from a digital reciever and displayed on a 42" plasma TV, with little to no noticable difference in the recording (done at SP) I am wondering what I missed.
Can anyone enlighten me ?

TIA

[bobinga]

I love mine. Still learning it's in and outs. If you can afford a Harddrive recorder DVR-510 , hold out for that.
Mine is actually the 210 but is identical to 310.
Do a search on 210 or 310 and you will find our issues.
Also go to
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=106
register and do the same search.
You should be aware that to have a warrenty you must buy from an authorized dealer, not from a reseller.

[Bartflaster]

Well, the hard drive model is out of my price range, and to be honest I am more than happy to use DVD-RW/R media, its price is lower than VCR casettes (in the UK at least), and obviously quality is far superior.
I still cant see any specifics, just something to the effect that the quality is not as good as, say, the sony model, but then I also hear lots of issues with the sony (GX3) and media compatability, as well as the motion isn't as fluid on the sony, and I would rather suffer a minor quality loss for smooth motion over a jerky motion anyday.
Yes I will be getting my recorder from a dealer, UK rules may be different, in that it has the warranty from any dealer, they do not need to be authorised Pioneer dealers.

[bobinga]

UK
I believe Philip L has posted that Pioneer products in UK are different from same models in US. You might search for his posts.

[PhilipL]

Withdrawn

[Bartflaster]

Thanks for the replies.
PhilipL, do you have a picture example of this comb filter problem ?
I will be using an input from a sattelite reciever via normal scart as the RGB input isn't on the 3100, and of course the inbuilt tuner, all other input sources will be done via s-video, with the exception of my digital camcorder, which naturally will go via firewire.
I am certain the recording I watched was done from a scart off a freeview box, and I didnt see anything obvious, then again I only watched around 10 mins of recording.

I was looking at the Sony GX3 but reports of media compatability, and motion not being as smooth as some of the other units, put me off.
I don't know if I have a dealer locally able to demonstrate the sony, so I can't go judge for myself.

[zorankarapancev]

Bartflaster,
see this post: "13 NEW DVD RECORDERS - TEST"

[PhilipL]

Withdrawn

[spiritgumm]

Hey PhilipL,
inre Pioneer 510H (here in the US), would it be fair to say it works well to copy VHS, and to internally copy dvd>HDD>dvd, but isn't good at recording broadcast? I'm only interested in the first two functions, not for TV recording.
From what I've read, the 510H Pioneer is currently the only HDD dvd recorder that can copy dvds>HDD>dvd. This is what we folks without burners have been waiting for, and can't be underestimated. The Panasonic HDD supposedly can, but only if you hook up it's output to it's own inputs, which means a degenerated copy. The soon-to-be-released Sony HX8 supposedly will do it but will be $$$.
-dave

[handyguy]

Bartflaster, on left column there is a great topic on recorders:
DVD Writers
& recorders feature
& user comments