Help noob choose DVD recorder!

[wwenze]

Need a new one after my Panasonic DMR-E60 died after... 4 years? Need to be able to use RAM (because I realised first-hand how much more durable they are compared to RW especially in rewritability), and if possible be able to finalize and read the DVD-R/RAM burnt by the previous recorder. :P

So out of the relatively few choices left (I'm thinking only same brand can finalize same brand, is that true?), which would have the best picture quality?

Previously eyeing ES15 (or E10, ES10, E20, ES20) but saw many commenting that picture quality is bad especially for the ES15. I'm buying Euro model BTW, if this info is of any use.

[trhouse]

Are you really considering buying a E10 or E20? Those units date from 2000 or 2001? The ES10 came out in 2005 and was replaced by the ES20 which was replaced by the ES15. All three units seem to have different mpeg processors. The ES20 has an LSI processor. The ES10 was the last unit to have 704 by 480 resolution in the US. It changed after that to 720 by 480. I am not sure if that will affect finalizing.

[lordsmurf]

JVC and Panasonic can finalize each other's discs.
LiteOn can also finalize a number of RW machines, like Polaroid.

[KeepItSimple]

You can get a refurb DMR-ES10 anytime on ebay 'buy it now' for 79.99 plus shipping. I got a new one from Fry's a couple of years ago and I've been happy with it.

It finalizes the discs recorded on my Panasonic DMR-E60, E50, JVC DR-M10 and has DVD-RAM.

That particular model also has a Line-In filter that makes it worthy for Lordsmurf's fleet. I guess it does great filtery things that other devices don't . I use it to clean up noisy analog cable-tv recordings and it works great.

It has 704x480 resolution but seems fully interchangeable for recording/finalizing with the JVC which is 720x480.

[wwenze]

Thx for all the useful info!

Unfortunately I can hardly find JVCs around, I know they're cheap and good but just too hard to find here.

What about LG RH1777? Can it take Panasonic's -R/-RAM? I'm asking this because it's selling relatively cheap.