Recording Quality

[khaverblad]

I kind if enjoy reading reviews and suggestion of hardware in general and this forum has as well also helped me out a bit regarding getting a new dvd recorder with hd. But, the trick here is also to sort out what is actually good quality when it comes to recording due to that I noticed that there are some few opinions regarding what is good and what is bad.

So when talking about image quality isn't there any kind of gallery or test DVD that could be used to record something and then publish a part of an mpeg stream or part zommed screen capture so people really can compare.

I know above can be hard to arrange; but some kind of guide to set up a quality check would be nice?

[lordsmurf]

It would never work. Too many people differ.

Some are like me, value a clean image above all else.
Some only care about sharpness and will sit through macroblocks as long as it is super-sharp.

Some people have a tv screen bigger than a truck.
Some have a screen the size of a gameboy.

Some use trash VCDs or 8th generation EP copies for source.
Some use satellite, commercial VHS, etc.

Lots of other factors too: VCRs, wires, user knowledge. Huge list.

If you want to compare like that, you need do it yourself.

[Epicurus8a]

Specs are always an important consideration, but they only mean so much.
A subjective viewpoint is always more important, and everyone has a different viewpoint.

Bottom line: If it works for, then it works.

[ejai]

It would never work. Too many people differ.

Some are like me, value a clean image above all else.
Some only care about sharpness and will sit through macroblocks as long as it is super-sharp.

Some people have a tv screen bigger than a truck.
Some have a screen the size of a gameboy.

Some use trash VCDs or 8th generation EP copies for source.
Some use satellite, commercial VHS, etc.

Also some claim to know quality even if the video is blurred and lacking of contrast.

[khaverblad]

Well, I finally manage to get to view some recorded images from both Panasonic 85 and Pioneer 520 and at highest recording level I have hard to say who would be the "winner". At the next level I kind liked the Pioneer a bit more on some parts I would say the Pioneer looked better. But going down a step more, well then the Pioneer recording was really bad compared with the Panasonic.

[ejai]

What I've learned in the last few months is that no one personal can predict what overall quality is. Each person sees it differently, my only interest is whether the products does a good job for me.

The Panasonic does a very good job and I agree with the Consumer Reports finding to a degree. I like strong colors and sharp images along with noise reduction.

The JVC does give you a clean look but, it's a bit lacking in detail for my taste. Yet it looks good as well. I don't agree that the Panasonic has terrible qualilty as some might want us to believe.

I have copied VHS tapes using both machines and found one might do a better job than the other depending on the source quality.
I've done some personal testing letting friends and family evaluate video recorded using the Panasonic E50 and JVC M10. I didn't tell them what to look for, all I did was asked which one they like more and for what reason. Most liked the Panasonic due to its strong color and sharpness.

This doesn't mean the Panasonic is better, It just shows that we all may look at the same frame but see a different picture.