Panny E80 or Toshiba S32 ?

[chole]

Panny E80 or Toshiba S32 ?
I currently own a Panasonic e55 which I'm returning, I have a Toshiba S32 on order which I can still cancel.

For ease of use in learning the Hard Drive which is easier, the E80 or S32, I can get the E80 for about the same price as the S32.

I intend to copy SVHS tapes, and movies from cable, which will give me a better playback picture on other DVD players useing -R

I have comcast HBO on demand and can copy any movie or show like the Sopranos to my VHS recorder, is DVD the same.

At Amazon = $351 for the S32 and $360 for the E80

Thanks

[lordsmurf]

Panasonic image quality is not very good past 2½ hours.

Toshiba may still have the IRE problem.

Neither are great choices.

You should check out JVC, Pioneer and maybe LiteOn. Even the new Sony is worth a look.

[chole]

I'm looking to stay under $400, what are my best choices

[zorankarapancev]

My choice would be some of the newest Sony or Panasonic DVD recorders. The Panasonic DVD recorders have 10-bit/54Mhz AD converters, as the rest of the DVD recorders today. Sony is the only manufacturer that uses the new 12-bit/108Mhz AD converter making the difference in the picture quality evident to everybody. PQ is smoother with less digital artifacts and more natural colors and texture at any recording speed. That is why the newest Panasonic DVD recorders will be completely redesigned with a 100% higher resolution on LP recording mode and a new 12-bit A/D converter.
So, if you are not in a hurry, wait a few months and get some of the new exciting models. If you have to make the purchase now, look for the discounts on the existing Panasonic models.

[lordsmurf]

Higher resolution @ LP mode will likely yield WORSE results because you're lowering the bitrate allocation EVEN MORE than it already is. Why you think higher res will be better quality doesn't make much sense.

[zorankarapancev]

The new machines will use the new 12 bit/108Mhz AD converter, not the old 10 bit/54Mhz and they are completely redesign. Do you really believe that any manufacturer will introduce new models with worse performance that the previous ones? Instead of making assumptions, I think it’s wiser to wait a few months and see what the future brings.

[lordsmurf]

Do I believe that? Absolutely.
IRE problems are just one example. Some companies took forever to fix that, and others still have not. The bitrate is simply not enough. 2500 VBR on 720x480 will look like shit. Period.

[jrh1194]

I have had great results with Panasonic. Please remember that no manufacturer makes a perfect recorder. It has been well documented here that you should avoid JVC & Liteon. JVC's are problematic and Liteon models are barely better than a vcr. Beware of certain Panasonic bashers in this forum, they will steer you the wrong way

[hech54]

I wouldn't buy a Panachronic either. I'd buy a Pioneer or JVC as well. Once my beloved 2 1/2 year old Philips DVDR985 finally dies...I'll buy a Pioneer or JVC.

[zorankarapancev]

Regardless of the brand of the DVD recorders, we should look for the new 12 bit/108Mhz AD processors. The old 10bit/54Mhz processors are already obsolete.