Panasonic DMREH50 flickers during darker scenes

[bimbamboom]

Has anybody else noticed flickering when playing darker scenes on DVD movies. I've noticed this subtle but annoying flicker on various movies, and confirmed that the flickering doesn't occur when playing the same dvd's on my old Panasonic RP62. The flickering occurs using component or s-video cables. I returned the first EH50 and brought home a 2nd unit only to find it had the same flickering issue.

[babybreese]

I just bought one yesterday and noticed this myself. I had read good things about this unit but had a bunch of issues with it and just posted my problems on the board hoping someone can help. I may have to take it back as it if they can't be resolved.
I recorded a program on HBO and saw the background contrast shifting around, it's slight but very much there and once I noticed it it became rather worrysome.
Granted I am a newbie with DVR but pretty savvy with A/V stuff, and I am wondering about the quality of these types of recorders. Maybe I need a pro model.

[Neuron]

This is not DVD recorder issue. This is electrical issue in your house. Try to use different power outlets and if it does not work and those floating bands and stripes are still present, then buy a good power surge/stabilizer. Some of the recorder's components are very sensitive to electromagnetic interference. Also, I would recommend to move your recorder far away from other electrical / electronic units.

[babybreese]

Thanks for the tip. I'll try some of these today and hopefully that will take care of the shadow. I do have alot of devices running off of the same outlet via two surge protected fused power strips. I'll try running a power cord in from another room via an extension.

[bimbamboom]

It has nothing to do with the power supply. As I said, the problem does not occur with my Pany RP62 player. Also, the flickering doesn't occur when playing back from the hard drive, just when playing DVD's.

[ofbarea]

Different machines have different pwoer suplies. It may be the power...

[oldfart13]

The backround shifting on channels like HBO, Showtime, etc. has nothing to do with the recorder and everything to do with the transmission fascilities compression of the signal. I see it all the time on my Dishnetwork receivers. No DVD recorder is going to clear up transmission problems...

[lordsmurf]

I've seen a Panasonic record and playback "pulsing" signals before. It was all about the recorder, and not at all about power or incoming signals. It's not a pretty sight.

There are better recorders out there. JVC, Pioneer, LiteOn, LG, etc.

[cmfslc]

I have a Panasonic DMR-ES30V. Same problem (or appears to be). It seems to happen only in dark scenes. Like the Panny is trying to compensate for the dark scenes. The whole scene will lighten for a second or two, then darken again. It's very annoying.

[cmfslc]

Could it be the TV? I have a 20 inch Poloroid LCD that I bought from Circuit City. I'm wondering if it is trying to compensate for dark scenes? Or is it the Panny that's trying to compensate?

[lordsmurf]

It's the Panasonic recording. I first noticed it on a computer monitor, no tv involved.

[toecheese]

It's the recorder. My ES-20 did the same thing. I returned it and the new one did the same thing. I moved it all over the place and it did the same thing. It's some kind of internal RF interference (maybe from the fan motor), it comes and goes in intensity but it is always there.

Until now, when I returned it back to Circuit City.

[spectroelectro]

Panasonic DVD recorders are well known for (at best) mediocre video quality, and this problem is just one of the many which afflict the pannies. The murky look due to the IRE bug, the macroblocking at anything but the SP rate, the poor video quality when transferring from VHS source, the issues with ac3 audio tracks laid down by the Pansonics...these are all known Panasonic DVD recorder problems. The flickering issue is just another problem to add to the list.

Really, I don't know why people continue to buy Panasonic brand recorders. It's the Bose of DVD video recording.

[oldfart13]

What would you prefer? A Liteon? Even Lordsmurf has dumped those it appears. I rebuilt the one my bud broke with much higher quality components. Maybe that's what these Chinese companies need to do with all those really crappy recorders we are being inundated with. Half of those don't even power up right out of the box. Panny may have faults but not powering up from a sealed box unit isn't one of them I'd guess. Give them an "A" for that kind of quality control at least...

[trhouse]

I have a Panasonic ES10, a Pioneer 531 and a borrowed ES30 for transferring VHS to DVD. The material is mostly amateur video shot with VHS or VHS-C camcorders. The tapes themselves are in pretty good shape but some show unskillied handling of the camera so scenes can be very dark or almost washed out.

I have burned more than 500 of these with the Panasonics for relatives but have never encountered this flickering. Last night I tested both the ES10 and ES30 with very dark scenes that lasted five to six minutes but they were well behaved.

Most people are sincere about what they post, so I believe the problem exists but so far I cannot demonstrate it in any test to be uploaded here. I might try the same test with either cable or a commercial material to see if there is a difference.