E30 Playback Quality in SP

[zippychimp]

I must admit after several recordings off over-the-air television programs, I am getting increasingly intolerant of the quality during playing back what was recorded. I've seen better looking VHS SP recordings than the quality I'm getting recording on SP on the Panasonic E30. I guess the next thing to try would be XP (1 Hour) recording, but I wondered if anyone else feels this way.

My best description is the shows when played back have that subtle, "computerized" mpeg look about them, and edges on shapes and lines are pixelated looking and not as smooth as a VHS recording, let alone broadcast-quality.

Any suggestions?

[mkelley]

What is your source? You say "over the air" but you need to have a source somewhere. Are you recording off a VCR tuner? And SVideo in or RCA?

I record direct from my Sat dish receiver (DirectTV) and at SP mode the results are indistinguisable from the original (actually, I take the output from TiVo but either way...) I use SVideo in.

I wouldn't say I'm an overly critical person, but I would sure notice if the recording was less quality than the original -- and in this case it isn't.

[zippychimp]

I am recording off the "LINE 1" input which has Monster Cable RCA/AV cables running in to the E30 from the Digital Cable Box.

[handyguy]

What media are you using?

Try some other cables too if you got some.

[mkelley]

If you don't have SVideo out then you are indeed hurting yourself in terms of quality.

Try and get a cable box that has SVideo out and I'm sure you'll be happier.

[scottymac]

I think your machine may have a problem.

I record using co-ax from my DTV to the E-30 in SP mode, and it looks comparable to the original signal.

[zippychimp]

I am recording onto the blank DVD RAM disc Panasonic included with the purchase of the E30 machine.

My digital cable box does not have S-Video Outputs, and my cable co. (Comcast) says not many of their boxes do.

I noticed my E30 was manufactured in Sept. 2002 (according to the sticker on the back). I have read here that this could be a bad thing? Could someone enlighten me as to why?

Thanks.

[mkelley]

My digital cable box does not have S-Video Outputs, and my cable co. (Comcast) says not many of their boxes do.

.

And I'm sure not many of their customers need them, or request them -- but you're one of them. Get one of those boxes to improve your quality.