Where is your DVD recorder manufactured? (Quality Indicator)

[mcjwang]

Hi,
After reading the reviews here, I've decided I would get the Panasonic DMR-E55K (black, $289), since Amazon.com now charges $450 + shipping for the Sharp DV-HR300U. I will get plenty of DVD-RAM blanks and edit on my PC, with no recompression (any quick recommendations for software?). I hope my recording laser will last longer by getting DVD-RAM discs of higher quality. I'll certainly not play anything less than Taiyo Yuden DVD-R or pressed media in my DMR-E55K, lest it skips alot and wears out the mechanism.

I have some concerns I couldn't find in the forums, and hope to hear your kind comments:

1. Are all DMR-E55K units sold in the US (or others in the series like DMR-E85, etc.) made in Japan? The E55's low pricing worries me that they'd compromise. Did anyone get one from other factories? I was surprised to see a DMR-E80"TN" that was Made in Taiwan (at a Costco warehouse in Taiwan). Hope that doesn't mean low end models will be made there, too. Is the Sharp DV-HR300U made in Japan, too?

2. Which DVD-RAM discs do you use for this model (series)? (I know this is a question for media board, but I wish to know which media is better for the machine, not in general) Does double sided media work as well as single sided ones? I would think DS DVD-RAM requires higher end production facilities with more precision, thus better products... am I wrong?

Thanks a lot!

[FulciLives]

You should forget Panasonic and instead look at the JVC DRM10S which right now appears to be THE best quality stand alone DVD recorder on the market.

You can even find it for as cheap as $299.99

Take a look at this thread:

https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=222312

Please note that users of the JVC DRM10S have found out that for computer re-authoring purposes it is BEST to use DVD-RW in DVD Video mode as opposed to DVD-RW in VRO mode or DVD-RAM which only uses VRO mode.

Read that thread in total.

Will open you eyes

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[Sabro]

As to where they are made, I really wish I could remember the URL of a site (I believe associated with the FCC) as I recall it let you search on model numbers, and the numbers printed on circuit boards, etc and would tell you the location of where it was made.

Anyone out there have a clue as to the site I am talking about? Been years, since I used it, but it was very accurate since that type of information has to be registered with the FCC or something to that effect.

Sorry I cant help anymore then that, but hopefully it leads ya in the right direction...


Sabro

[lordsmurf]

Where it is assembled makes no real difference. The parts are from all-over anywhere, and that affects quality/operation more than anything else.

[wingnut2003]

sabro, here is the link for fcc id http://www.fcc.gov/oet/fccid/Welcome.html. As far as where the drives are made, lordsmurf is right, many parts from many places. Look a vcr's, there are only a few compnanies that make the circuit boards and the tape mechinism's, it's just a different case and brand name.

[Sabro]

Wingnut,

Thanks for the link, its exactly the same as I remember it! =)


Sabro

[mcjwang]

Thanks for your replies. I plan to get a DVD recorder in August, so I'll stick around this forum for more information.

As regards to the place of manufacture, I'm sure we'll all be suspicious if we suddenly found Taiyo Yudens "made in Taiwan". Same with DVD recorders. If I am convinced with your experiences with the JVC DRM10S that I should get one, too, I'll have to make sure it's the same batch! If they established a reputation with Japanese made units and decided to outsource to any other factory, maybe with a price drop, it may be a whole other experience. I think this may happen in the current competitive environment.
Hopefully people who get a machine from different factories would point it out here, if true.

The FCC site is interesting, although I'm still figuring out all those codes and id's to find what I'm looking for!

[kcfoulk]

Are all DMR-E55K units sold in the US (or others in the series like DMR-E85, etc.) made in Japan?

It's interesting to note that no one answered the original question so far, another example of this forum with people full of opinions, but short on facts. All Panasonic DVD recorders sold in the US are still made in Japan, and so is the Pioneer DVR-220-S model sold in Wal-Mart at least for now. Other brands/models are mostly made (assembled) in China. With the price of DVD recorders falling so fast and the competition becoming so fierce, it's just a matter of time before Panasonic moves its assembly to China.

(Edited for my lack of fact checking.)

[kabanero]

It's interesting to note that no one answered the original question so far, another example of this forum with people full of opinions, but short on facts.

kcfoulk,

You are still posting on this "stinking'" forum? Your attitude SUCKS.

All Panasonic DVD recorders sold in the US are still made in Japan, and so is the Pioneer DVR-220-S model sold in Wal-Mart at least for now.

Bull shit. I bought Pioneer DVR-220S in Wall Mart and returned it after two days. It was MADE IN CHINA.

Other brands/models are mostly made (assembled) in China, including the JVC DR-M10S.

Bull shit. Here is the picture for you, my "friend":



kcfoulk,

You have no credibility in your posts and knowledge.

[kcfoulk]

kcfoulk,
You have no credibility in your posts and knowledge.

Yes, you did catch my mistake, and I apolagize. Glad that you finally got some facts straight. I was thinking about the JVC DR-MV1S model, apparently not the DR-M10S , and I stand corrected. As for the Pioneer DVR-220-S, I did get a made in Japan model, so apparently they have switched to another batch made in a different country. Thanks for your correction, and now I've lost my credibility just like most people around here.

[Sabro]

One thing I've heard is to stay away from any of the RCA set top dvd recorders. Friend of mine got one from Sam's Club and I guess it was very picky as to the DVD +/- discs it would burn to. Seemed to only use the most expensive types and even when she did get the supported types the results varied.

Ended up about 2 months later where the recorded refused to close the sessions of the disc and she was lucky Sam's Club refunded her money.

Sabro

[JSquare]

kcfoulk,
You have no credibility in your posts and knowledge.

Yes, you did catch my mistake, and I apolagize. Glad that you finally got some facts straight. I was thinking about the JVC DR-MV1S model, apparently not the DR-M10S , and I stand corrected. As for the Pioneer DVR-220-S, I did get a made in Japan model, so apparently they have switched to another batch made in a different country. Thanks for your correction, and now I've lost my credibility just like most people around here.

I can confirm that the JVC DR-MV1S is made in China and the quality is really BAD. I returned 2 in a row this week to BestBuy, the first would freeze when accessing a DVD-RAM and sometimes will turn-off in the middle of a DUB VHS->DVD, the second one won't recognize any type of media not even an original DVD, got a refund today and now trying the Pioneer DVR-225 which is made in China too. I will return the Pioneer once the DR-M10S that I purchased from eCost arrives next week and hopefully will be made in Japan, not China.

[tag]

....I will return the Pioneer once the DR-M10S that I purchased from eCost arrives next week and hopefully will be made in Japan, not China.

Just received my M10S from eCost and it was made in China.

FWIW......

[lordsmurf]

My JVC is JAPAN ... not that it should matter where it got put together. As long as the parts are the same, who cares.

[tag]

My JVC is JAPAN ... not that it should matter where it got put together. As long as the parts are the same, who cares.

My sentiments exactly. The specs are what really matter.

I was just curious as to whether one reseller (eCost, specifically) was getting units made in China while another (Crutchfield) was getting units made in Japan.

[Neuron]

My JVC DR-M10SL is made in Japan and the quality is excellent. Works like a charm. No problem whatsoever.

[Jraf]

my JVC DR-M10S is called DR-MS10SEF and is assembled in Germany.

Good picture, just wondering if the lack of RVB entry is not a big problem : Terrestrial Numerical Television is coming next year in France, and I'm certainly going to loose all its benefits.

[JSquare]

My JVC is JAPAN ... not that it should matter where it got put together. As long as the parts are the same, who cares.

Quality Control is an important part on a production line, even if the design/parts are the same I doupt that China has the same high standard as a Japanese assembled unit. Someone mentioned on some other post that JVC was late participant on the DVD Recorder market, that may confirm the problems I had with the DR-MV1S as a design that seems "rushed" thru the QC process.
Only time will tell if there's a difference between the China or Japan made DR-M10S, mine will go to some rigorous tests and I'll get back with the results.

[Offroad]

I've had two JVC DR-M10's, the first from Crutchfield was made in Japan, the second from eCost was made in China.

The Japan made unit wasn't flat on the bottom and rocked from rear corner to the diagonal front corner. Other than that they were identical, I only returned the one to Crutchfield because they offer a free 30 return and eCost's unit was quite a bit cheaper.

Be aware if your getting ready to purchase from eCost they pretty much consider all sales final. They may take a return but not without a restocking fee. That said the price they are selling the DR-M10 at is great ($306.95 with shipping they call handling).

[waltchan]

Ok, I know who makes what in electronics. Here in the Los Angeles, CA area, all Panasonic DVD recorders are Made in Japan. All of the Pioneer DVR-220-S DVD recorders that are found in Walmart stores in California are Made in China, which is a disapointment. All of the Pioneer DVR-225-S DVD recorders that are found in Best Buy are Made in China. Every Sharp DVD Recorders, even a $800 one that I saw a year ago, are Made in Malaysia and are never Made in Japan (Sharp is an idiot). Sanyo standalone DVD recorders are made by NEC in China. Sanyo DVD recorder/VCR combo is actually made by LG Electronics (Goldstar). Go Video DVD recorder/VCR combo is made by LG Electronics (Goldstar). Emerson and Sylvania DVD recorders are made by Funai in China, in the Digitec Electric plant in China. All Toshiba DVD recorders, except the RD-X2, are Made in China. The RD-X2, which is Made in Japan, has no black-level problems unlike Made in China Toshiba DVD recorders. I feel jelous when people already got their Made in Japan Pioneer DVR-220-S and Made in Japan JVC standalone DVD recorder. DAMMMMMMMMM.



Walter Chan

[cchang]

Hi,

I ordered two JVC DR-M10S from eCost. The first one was ordered on 06/14/04 and it was made in Japan, April 2004. The second one was ordered on 06/22/04 and it was made in China, May 2004. I opened both up and compared them side by side. Could not find any difference. Both used same drives, same power supplies, mother boards etc.

[gshelley61]

The second one... was made in China, May 2005.

2005... ? Talk about being ahead of schedule!

[gshelley61]

Oh, yeah -

My JVC DR-M10S is a Chinese assembled unit and not only is the build quality excellent, but after weeks of nearly daily use hasn't given me any problems. Several dozen recordings have all turned out fine.

I wouldn't worry too much about where the assembly plant is located.

[mcjwang]

Okay, so it's established that JVC units are fine whether made in Japan or China. Good, because I'm Chinese!

Still got to watch out when the first Chinese made Panasonics turn up, because new production lines take a while to optimize for good and reliable products... There's also the DANGER that it might become an outsourced product, as third party OEMs might use the cheapest components that blow up or deteriorate quickly.

Like when Seagate first moved production of the hard drives to China, lots of people had errors out of the box when they ran SeaTools diagnostics. Nowadays they're just fine, and I'm actually glad to get of of those Made in China, in Seagate's own production facility.

[cchang]

Sorry, it is 2004, not 2005.

[pjcwu256]

Strange for Walter Chan to bash "Made in China" products. In the past three years about 90% of the electronics I bought happened to be made in china, not by selection but by supply, and I have not have any one crapped on me. My Sony notebook computer, Sony Vaio desktop computer and Panasonic VCR (made in Japan) have since died within 3 years.