Pioneer dvr-231s VS. panasonic DMR -ES10

[captcrunch]

I would like to get a few opinions on which is the really the better of the two burners.
And does the pioneer do a good job on capturing bad quality videos and do a a good job as a pass-thru?Please chime in lord smurf.
Thanks.

[lordsmurf]

Neither of them do much for VHS tapes. Pioneer is a cleaner recording, but only if you give it a clean signal. Panasonic is blotchy on SP and blocky beyond that, especially the closer you get to 4 hours.

If you want to clean VHS, buy a machine with LSI chipset, like the JVC, maybe a LiteOn.

[captcrunch]

Thanks lordsmurf,
But if you choose between the two,Which would you pick.
Were also talking about $200.00 recorders here,I don't know the prices of the lite-on or the JVC?

[budz]

The PIONEER 231-s will work fine. I have the PIONEER 220-s which is just the older model of the 231-s. I've done many VHS to DVD recordings without any problems or issues. Do a search in here regarding the JVC & LITEON recorders. You'll fine they have different problems. The PIONEER recorders are good!

[lordsmurf]

The Pioneer recorders do nothing for flawed tape sources (bad tapes). Even if the recording quality is better. In fact, sometime Pioneer chokes on bad VHS input.

Given these two choices, I'd reluctantly have to pick Panasonic. But stick to 2-hour mode only.

Both units are about $200.

For $30 more, the JVC DR-M100S is $230.
And that will do a better job on VHS tapes.

[piano632]

JVC DR-M100S for $200 here:

http://www.ecost.com/ecost/ecsplash/shop/detail~dpno~547191.asp

Pioneer recorders are definitely not the greatest for tapes with tracking problems.

[trhouse]

You might want to read this thread. Seems like the new 231/233 lack features the older 220 has.

https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=270431

[captcrunch]

Thanks guys.
Actually I am currently testing both models myself,But I still wanted opinions here.
Lordsmurf I have read alot of your reviews on the panasonic and I do agree with the beyond 2 hr mode as poor quality, it is true.
I've had the panny for about 3 weeks and the pioneer for a day,And the panasonic seems the be more modern with the menus and options,ect.
The pioneer graphics are poorer.
The weird thing about the pioneer, and the tests I did today are on a RW discs are when I record something and It is not finalized and It is ejected and when I put it back in it won't recall what I recorded??
I'm under the impression here that the mode used for major editing is not playable in other players,Same as the major editing done on the panny ram disc is only playable with ram compatible players although I might be wrong on this topic.
One thing definately is that the 4 hr mode with the pioneer is better than the panasonic.
Lordsmurf you did mention the panny does have TBC qualities which I like and is a great pass-thru.
I will continue to test but I do like the panny more.