Philips DVR75 or Panasonic E50?

[tommyoz]

So you basically wanted quality.

[Kevin abq]

That was the most important. My wife is particularly sensitive to macro blocks. They don't really bother me too much. I must have thrown away 100 DVDs that I burned where macro blocks turned up when we reviewed them. That's why the adaptive bitrate was so important and why the choice was so easy.

[asichter]

Just a quick update: I've still had no issues with the Philips DVDR75. I'm burning on a daily basis, a couple of discs a day, and absolutely no dramas. No problems either with 'timer recordings', which I've read have been an issue for some users. I'm very happy, and the old Panny E20 is happy to having a bit of a rest!

Andy.

[rjack1]

rjack1
Would you please comment on any other differances between them. Do both models leave a blank space between edits? what I mean is when you play back the disks can you tell where the comercials were? Or how about if you put in track marker (or split the track) in the middle of the program. Like if you were to seperate the parts (and the nominiees are, and there acceptance speech).
Thanks Mike.

Mike I generally deal with complete movie vhs to dvd transfers most of the time without edits. But I have on ocassion had to edit out nudity and profanity for younger family members before viewing. I would have to say that the Panasonic has a more professional feature, because it is hard to tell where the transitions took place, without any overlap. Although the Phillips displays a sharper recording image, it will however leave a miniscule trace of overlap between scene changes.
This can also occur from recording tv,cable, or satelite programs. I would also elect the Panasonic as the best unit to deal with track markers.
In closing I would have to say that a great deal of timing is involved with the pause button, and getting a feel for that right moment to hit pause.

[rjack1]

The Panasonic has the one true feature for transferring analog vhs to digital, which is a true time base corrector right at the input circuits, where it belongs. The Phillips has a virtual time base corrector, for all intents and purposes does not exist.

What is the difference between a standard TBC and a 'virtual' TBC. The Panasonic has the TBC on the input circuts, at what point does the TBC come into play with the Philips?

Andy.

A standard time base corrector will stabalize the signal coming from a vhs tape from the output of that machine, or at the input of the recording machine, such as the Panasonic. It basically keeps the image from being unstable, such as a jittery shaking, or bending image.
I have both the Panasonic E-50 and the Phillips DVDR/75 and I can honestly say that the Phillips does not have a real time base corrector installed. As for Phillips stating a virtual time base corrector in this unit, was probably for marketing purposes to sell more units. In the real world
Phillips knows that virtual means not real,holographic or not all there.
Maybe the next generation models, will include real time base corrector circuits like Panasonic, and not insult our intelligence with make beleive.

[mike1061]

rjack1
Thanks MIke.

[pjcrown]

Just thought I'd add my 2 cents worth. I've had the Philips for a week now and copied from VCR via composite and Digital 8 camcorder via DV. The 6 hour mode is great for backing up some of my 20+ year old EP video tapes. The 2 and 2.5 hour modes produce excellent results for my higher quality recordings. I've used only +RW so far (got a deal at local Best Buy and Staples). Most of the usual tools seem to work well with the resultant DVD's. Exception: You have to use DVD Decryptor before using DVD Shrink which has been noted here previously. Note that ripping the +RW using DVD Decryptor in ISO mode will produce an error when it reaches the end of the disk. Just quit on the error and use the resultant ISO file. You can also rip in File or IFO mode. Observation: A DVD recorder is a real time saver. I was using Pinnacle Studio 8 and the other usual tools for DVD production which seem to take forever. My computer now gets to sleep overnight!