Panasonic E55 - "Tint my Ride"

[lordsmurf]

Each retailer gets an "exclusive model" with a distinctive model number. This is done with a lot of products, especially electronics and appliances. This technique is used to prevent bargain hunting and will also prevent one store from being forced to price match against another store. Some stores like Future Shop will price match against a competitor plus 10% of the difference. However if the model numbers are different, they don't have to match it, even though it is the virtually same product. Clever, eh?

Exactly. The bastards.
Ever try to price match blank media, like CD/DVD/tape?
Nobody has the same "pack" size. 12, 15, 18, 20, 25, 30 ... etc.

You cannot price match the CC special at Target because their pack has 5 less discs or 2 less tapes. You're screwed. "Identical items only."




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And as far as the green tint is concerned, you have the same opinion as me, it seems. Why should I have to continually fix the tv when it's obviously not the one at fault. Sure, we have to often change it because sources are no the same contrast/brightness (VHS, cable, channel to channel, etc) ... but to be required to SHIFT THE COLOR too.... totally unacceptable.

[Brent G.]

And as far as the green tint is concerned, you have the same opinion as me, it seems. Why should I have to continually fix the tv when it's obviously not the one at fault. Sure, we have to often change it because sources are no the same contrast/brightness (VHS, cable, channel to channel, etc) ... but to be required to SHIFT THE COLOR too.... totally unacceptable.

With the Panny E55's blacklevel lightened, it corrects most (95%) of the green gilled people. I'll keep testing it to see how it stacks up.

Can I assume the Pioneer 220 doesn't have a color tint problem?
How is the 220 in EP mode? I use EP to record documentaries and a few movies. The Panny is pretty good if I Smooth the video to eliminate the pixel shifting that is present in Fine or Normal. I also like the ability to record SP for 2hrs 20 minutes without having to downgrade to a lower resolution. Does the 220 have anything like that?

Unfortunately the Pioneer 220 costs $100 more than the Panny E55 that was on sale. I'll keep an eye out for one in my area.

[iluvJLO]

I was dead set on getting myself the e55 last night after doing a lot of research on it, but I also read the thread about the green tinting and decided to get the DVR-220S instead.

I kind of wished I had gotten the panny instead because of their Flexible recording mode. I think I read that the Panasonic utilized that feature the best out of all the recorders because it kept a 704x480 resolution. On the DVR-220, If I set it at anything above SP mode, the res drops to like 480x480 which sucks.

[FulciLives]

I was dead set on getting myself the e55 last night after doing a lot of research on it, but I also read the thread about the green tinting and decided to get the DVR-220S instead.

I kind of wished I had gotten the panny instead because of their Flexible recording mode. I think I read that the Panasonic utilized that feature the best out of all the recorders because it kept a 704x480 resolution. On the DVR-220, If I set it at anything above SP mode, the res drops to like 480x480 which sucks.

I think the 480x480 is only if you are using VR mode instead of VIDEO mode.

I'm not 100% on that though ...

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[lordsmurf]

Use DVD-Video mode, not VR mode.

[gshelley61]

I was dead set on getting myself the e55 last night after doing a lot of research on it, but I also read the thread about the green tinting and decided to get the DVR-220S instead.

I kind of wished I had gotten the panny instead because of their Flexible recording mode. I think I read that the Panasonic utilized that feature the best out of all the recorders because it kept a 704x480 resolution. On the DVR-220, If I set it at anything above SP mode, the res drops to like 480x480 which sucks.

Only in VR format. The Pioneer stays DVD compliant if you record in standard DVD-Video format. It has 32 different "MN" recording time lengths, same thing as FR mode recording.

[FulciLives]

It seems from what I have read that many stand alone DVD recorders do "strange" things ... resolution wise ... when using VR mode whereas DVD VIDEO mode seems to work more "normal". The stand alone DVD recorders that do DVD-RAM also seem to behave "oddly" when using that format.

At least when you are recording long enough times (usually 2+ hours) thus causing a resolution drop i.e., that odd 480x480 thing ... where did THAT ever come from?

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[handyguy]

Pannys have an AUTO & a fixed setting.....If you use the auto setting, it changes resolutions, use the other one so it stays the same.

[FulciLives]

Pannys have an AUTO & a fixed setting.....If you use the auto setting, it changes resolutions, use the other one so it stays the same.

Earlier, older models of Panasonic stand alone DVD recorders had this set, by default, to AUTO but I think the newer models have this set to a default of FIXED. My friend just bought a DMR-E55 and that was the default (FIXED not AUTO).

Unfortunately he didn't consult me or I would have told him NOT to buy the Panasonic LOL :P

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[ejai]

The Panasonic does have issues with blocks and at times and greenish tints especially when using the s-video inputs. I prefer the composite, I find it gives a more smoother look, less blocky.

I use both machines, and it depends on what I plan to copy.

As I said in my previous posts, I would not recommend the Panasonic or the JVC because both have real issues.

The JVC does not have the blocky issue but it does have a contrast and sharpness problem. It had a durability problem as well, but I think that one has been resolved.

If you can wait for the next generation of recorders then do so. Most of the recorders today have issues that need to be addressed.

[Brent G.]

@ejai & @FulciLives

As I said in my previous posts, I would not recommend the Panasonic or the JVC because both have real issues.

Unfortunately he didn't consult me or I would have told him NOT to buy the Panasonic LOL tongue.gif

You guys sure know how to cheer a guy up.

At least I still have 3 1/2 weeks to evaluate the Panny and find a Pioneer 220.

How does the Pioneer 220 compare to the Panny E55 for EP video clarity.

@gshelley61

The Pioneer stays DVD compliant if you record in standard DVD-Video format. It has 32 different "MN" recording time lengths, same thing as FR mode recording.

Does this mean you can record 2.5 hours in SP mode on the Pioneer 220?

[FulciLives]

The Pioneer has pre-set modes like the Panasonic.

XP = 1 hour
SP = 2 hours
LP = 4 hours
EP = 6 hours

Also, like the Panasonic, Pioneer has "flex" recording time. It does work different than the Panasonic though ...

The Pioneer hast manual recording "modes" and each "mode" = "x" number of minutes with increaments of 5, 10 and 15 minutes.

For instance. If you want to record something that is 90 minutes long you would pick "MN 26" which = 90 minutes. What some breathing room? You can pick "MN 25" which = 95 minutes.

What to record 150 minutes (2.5 hours) then pick "MN 18" which = 150 minutes or for some breathing room pick "MN 17" which = 160 minutes.

There is a simple, easy-to-follow chart in the printed manual so you know which "MN" setting (or "mode" as I called it earlier in the post) to pick for "x" number of minutes desired in "flex" recording time.

The increments start at about 5 minutes, then 10 minutes (as the recording time increases) and finally by 15 minutes (once you get over 255 minutes).

So it is simple enough to use and has the same "effect" as the Panasonic FR or FLEX MODE.

Now as for resolution ... you can go over 2 hours and still get FULL D1 resolution. At some point (in DVD VIDEO MODE) the resolution will drop down to HALF D1 resolution but I forget at what point (I want to say around 140 minutes but I am very NOT sure of that).

I suggest you go to the PIONEER WEBSITE and download the on-line PDF manual for the DVR-310-S which is going to work almost exactly as the 200 series (minus the DV port functionality). I couldn't find a 200 series PDF manual.

BTW you have to "register" to download the PDF manual but they just want your name and e-mail address is all ... no real biggie.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[gshelley61]

Yeah, I'm not exactly sure when the DVD-Video format resolution changes to half D1 with the Pioneer. It is at two hours thirty five minutes with the JVC... it is full D1 up to two hours thirty minutes. I would expect the Pioneer to be somewhere near the same figure. Someone here probably knows for sure -

[TomJones]

Pioneers are full D1 thru 140 min. Half D1 150min -270min. Quarter D1 longer.

[vhelp]

The noise level as with any source will be dependant upon the source
quality (noise level ect) That goes for pretty much any kind of
recorder/encoder setup.
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And, the more noise in your source, the more blocks in your EP recording
mode (or other mode, factoring in the noise level)

I myself, have not approached that area (EP recording) w/ my 220 unit.
I've ben too busy comparing my AD-500 vs. AD-1500 output levels after
the 220 used it, and so far, I'm geting different outputs (to be posted
in another thread more related perhaps) anyways.

Also, bitrate'wize.. the lowest/highest is 1.73mb (EP) to 10.08mb (FINE)

For curiosity Pioneer 220s (and higher) people:

Home/initial setup/recording/manual recording/[on] go to setup..

 EP      LP          SP             FINE
 |       |           |              |
 oHHHHH HoHHH HHHHH HoHH HHHHHHHHHHHo
 123456 12345 12345 1234 123456789012
1.73mb  2.60mb      5.20mb        10.08mb

-vhelp 3204

[ChachiFace]

vhelp, Thanks again for all the screen shots, I just purchased a 200 from wal-mart online. This totally seems like the one for me (in that price range). Anyway, thanks again for taking the time to make those screen shots.


ps...thanks for reminding me about the avatar....chachi is back! :P

[iluvJLO]

I just recorded a compilation of boxing fights for 2hrs 43mins on the 220 and played it on my PC. the res is 352x480. What is the limit for the E55 til it drops from it's native 704x480?

Walmart said I could return this within 90 days, maybe I will.

[FulciLives]

I just recorded a compilation of boxing fights for 2hrs 43mins on the 220 and played it on my PC. the res is 352x480. What is the limit for the E55 til it drops from it's native 704x480?

Walmart said I could return this within 90 days, maybe I will.

As I recall the Panasonic's drop from Full D1 to Half D1 somewhere around 135 minutes to 140 minutes.

At 2hrs 43mins you wouldn't want Full D1 anyways ... that is just too long to use Full D1 and still get a good image.

Half D1 can look nearly as good with low bitrates. Do not let the lower resolution scare you off.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[gshelley61]

That's right. Anything longer than about 2.5 hours and the bitrate is too low for full D1... you'd get terrible macroblocks and other artifacts. If you want to maintain the higher resolution, use more than one disc. This is one advantage the hard drive units have... they can record non-stop at the higher quality settings for long periods of time. If you have a very long program to record, you can split it on to two or more discs when you do the transfer from the HDD to DVD.

[FulciLives]

That's right. Anything longer than about 2.5 hours and the bitrate is too low for full D1... you'd get terrible macroblocks and other artifacts. If you want to maintain the higher resolution, use more than one disc. This is one advantage the hard drive units have... they can record non-stop at the higher quality settings for long periods of time. If you have a very long program to record, you can split it on to two or more discs when you do the transfer from the HDD to DVD.

Exactly the reason why, once I have a enough money saved up, I will be getting the Pioneer 520 model since it has a built-in 80GB HDD although I hear a newer model is due out "sometime soon" that will have a 160GB HDD!

Going to put my tax return to some "good" use this year me thinks LOL

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[handyguy]

"The noise level as with any source will be dependant upon the source
quality (noise level ect)"

Also, the quality of the cable you are using.

I got a great picture after I changed my cable tv cable from the outside box to the tv.

A cable guy told me that lots of old apts have the old cable type outside & need to update but the owners don't want to.

[mracer]

I don't know about older Panasonic's, but the current generation like the DMR-E55 record 704x480 resolution all the way out to 180 minutes in FR mode. They DO NOT drop of at 135, 140 or 150 minutes. In fact, I've never tested FR beyond 180 mintues to see exactly where it drops off, I'll have to experiment with that. I can absolutely vouch for the fact that a 3 hour recording in FR is 704x480 for the duration. There's nothing quite like facts to get in the way of a good videohelp thread.

[FulciLives]

I don't know about older Panasonic's, but the current generation like the DMR-E55 record 704x480 resolution all the way out to 180 minutes in FR mode. They DO NOT drop of at 135, 140 or 150 minutes. In fact, I've never tested FR beyond 180 mintues to see exactly where it drops off, I'll have to experiment with that. I can absolutely vouch for the fact that a 3 hour recording in FR is 704x480 for the duration. There's nothing quite like facts to get in the way of a good videohelp thread.

Facts?

Are you talking about your recent meaningless thread where you question the other thread about the Panny "tint" problem etc.?

I think you are having a bad day today

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[iluvJLO]

Yeah, I'm not exactly sure when the DVD-Video format resolution changes to half D1 with the Pioneer. It is at two hours thirty five minutes with the JVC... it is full D1 up to two hours thirty minutes. I would expect the Pioneer to be somewhere near the same figure. Someone here probably knows for sure -

Can you find out at what point it drops resolution?
It doesn't even say on my 220 manual.

[gshelley61]

Yeah, I'm not exactly sure when the DVD-Video format resolution changes to half D1 with the Pioneer. It is at two hours thirty five minutes with the JVC... it is full D1 up to two hours thirty minutes. I would expect the Pioneer to be somewhere near the same figure. Someone here probably knows for sure -

Can you find out at what point it drops resolution?
It doesn't even say on my 220 manual.

I though someone answered this and said it occurs beyond 2 hours 20 minutes... ?

[Brent G.]

As the guy who started this thread I thought I'd let everyone know how things turned out. After trying 3 LiteOn 5101's (all of them defective IMHO) and a Panasonic E55, I still wasn't happy. So thanks to the urging of some of the guys on the forum I went out last week and bought a Pioneer 220. It took me a week to find one locally and I installed it last weekend. Boy what a difference in picture quality!

The whites are white, greys are grey, and blues are blues. This sounds ridiculous but the other recorders couldn't show the colors properly. The Pioneer picture is much sharper than the Panny and I find the onscreen menus easier to navigate. Flesh tones are much better too.

The LiteOn and Panny went back to the store yesterday. I'm the new proud owner of a bouncing baby Pioneer. :P

[Captain Satellite]

The LiteOn and Panny went back to the store yesterday. I'm the new proud owner of a bouncing baby Pioneer. :P

I'm so happy for you.