JVC DR-MH30S or Pioneer 520HS?

[Ade007]

I am not sure which recorder I should go with between JVC DR-MH30S and Pionneer 520HS. I have found the JVC for $399 and Pioneer for $349. What reasons should I choose one over the other recorder? I'd like to get it within the next week. I have searched for reviews on the JVC on this forum but couldn't find anything. I would appreciate your input.

Thanks.

[lordsmurf]

From an image perspective, I'd suggest the JVC. From a hard drive features perspective, I'm not sure. You have narrowed the choices down to two excellent machines, so you'll probably be happy with either. It just depends on what you want to nitpick most.

[donpedro]

It depends on your needs. For me (for example) is important PAL/NTSC compatibility of Pioneer.

BTW: There are newer models of Pioneer

[gshelley61]

$349 is an excellent deal for the Pioneer 520... where did you find that price?

The JVC has better overall recorded image quality, the Pioneer has very useful input video picture adjustments (IRE setting, black level, white level, detail, noise reduction, AGC, color and hue). Tough choice!

[Neuron]

I recently purchased JVC DR-MH30S for my work needs. This is my second JVC DVD recorder. The first one is DR-M10.
Both equally have an excellent picture quality. 160MG HDD is even more then enough (at least for my needs). The only one disadvantage in DR-MH30S is the navigation and editing functions user interface. Software GUI looks nice but user interface itself on this model is not intuitive and not a straight forward. You have to learn how to use it with its user manual in front of you. Even user manual can make you confused. So you have to allocate enough time for yourself to play around with this unit. I wandered how this machine can be considered as a "consumer-level" DVD recorder for regular non-rpo users. Other than that - great machine with an excellent PQ and besides has a very modern attractive design.

[mikel]

gshelley61,
look here....... http://goodguys.com/adtemplate.asp?invky=22030

[doxtorRay]

The 520 is no longer available at that price online. If you want one, you have to live where there is a GoodGuys store (west coast, basically)


Neuron or other JVC DR-MH30S owners:
How accurate is it for editiing? The manual states that it can be off by "several seconds." Is this an exaggeration? Usually, the Pioneers cut to the nearest GOP, which is about half a second (15 frames). Is the JVC off by more than that?

Thanks in advance.

[Ade007]

It depends on your needs. For me (for example) is important PAL/NTSC compatibility of Pioneer.

BTW: There are newer models of Pioneer

I have found only the DVR-520HS or DVR-220-S here in the USA and the 220 is not as good as the 520HS. Where did you find other pioneer dvd recorders on the same level or better than the svr-520HS?

[Frobozz]

Where did you find other pioneer dvd recorders on the same level or better than the svr-520HS?

The DVR-520H-S is about to be replaced by the DVR-533H-S and the DVR-633H-S - any day now. The new models have a new MPEG encoder. Here is a link to a Pioneer Web page describing the 633 that hasn't yet gone live: http://www.pioneerelectronics.com/pna/product/detail/0,,2076_4139_237566718,00.html

[Ade007]

How will these models stack up against the JVC MH30S?

lordsmurf, which JVC recorder model do you have? I have heard of the units shuting off while recording and having to unplug the unit to reset it.

Cheers.

[bnbhoha]

It's been said at the other forum that walmart carries the Pioneer 531 which is the same has the upcoming pioneer w/o firewire. It also has been confirmed that it has dual layered -R capabilities. All for $337 at Wally world

[Ade007]

It's been said at the other forum that walmart carries the Pioneer 531 which is the same has the upcoming pioneer w/o firewire. It also has been confirmed that it has dual layered -R capabilities. All for $337 at Wally world

At walmart? I just checked walmart.com and I couldn't find it. I also called the store and I was told they do not not carry it. Also did a search in here with nothing coming up. Where did you find this topic?

[bnbhoha]

It's a new model that came out a couple of days ago. Here's a link:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=555417

[doxtorRay]

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=555417
(darn, bnbhoha beat me)
So far, citings are confirmed only in stores in Texas, but may be rolling its way outward from the soft underbelly of the 48 contiguous.

[DVWannaB]

How will these models stack up against the JVC MH30S?

lordsmurf, which JVC recorder model do you have? I have heard of the units shuting off while recording and having to unplug the unit to reset it.

Cheers.

I was one of the persons who had such an experience and posted it on the forum. Apparently there is some power mechanism that had to be replaced. I sent it to a JVC service center and it now it works fine again. Its irritating that manufacturers would ship products without doing enough troubleshooting.

I also have a Pioneer 520 and while it is easier to use and navigate and what not than the JVC, the JVC PQ is superior. So I guess the Pioneer 520 has better ergonomics and JVC 530 better record quality.

WOW!!!!! Just read the link on the AVSforum concerning the new Pioneer 531/533/633 all with Dual Layer -DL capability. This is looking like my next recorder.............if I can sneak it in without my wife noticing

[Neuron]

... Neuron or other JVC DR-MH30S owners:
How accurate is it for editiing? The manual states that it can be off by "several seconds." .... Thanks in advance.

I'm not sure if I clearly understand your question. Is your question related to editing process? or recording to HDD? There is only a 2-3 seconds startup delay at the beginning of record video on to the hard drive and I think it is just a recording initialization time and/or buffering. I'm not sure what "off by several seconds..." are you talking about. Sorry.

.... new Pioneer 531/533/633 all with Dual Layer -DL capability. This is looking like my next recorder.............if I can sneak it in without my wife noticing

I'm not sure, but I think JVC DR-MH30 is also Dual Layer DVD capable. I used to read about it somewhere on JVC global web site. I have to check manual or at last I can give it a try.

[DVWannaB]

.... new Pioneer 531/533/633 all with Dual Layer -DL capability. This is looking like my next recorder.............if I can sneak it in without my wife noticing

I'm not sure, but I think JVC DR-MH30 is also Dual Layer DVD capable. I used to read about it somewhere on JVC global web site. I have to check manual or at last I can give it a try.

Neuron,

Let us know what you find out. I would be TOTALLY JAZZED if the MH30 can do dual layer burns, especially with football season quickly approaching. I dont think there is mention in the manual, which sucks BTW (the manual that is).

[slacker]

The only units I know of that are dual layer capable at this time are the LG LRW-516 and LRW-517.

[Neuron]

Neuron,
Let us know what you find out. I would be TOTALLY JAZZED if the MH30 can do dual layer burns....

OK. I think I were confused. I took a quick look and I realized that JVC was talking about "Double Sided Single Layered" DVD-RAM and DVD-RW 9.4GB discs, not Double Layer discs (unfortunately!).

[OldeMan]

The new Pioneer 531/532/533/633HS series support DVD-R DL discs if you can find them. I got a 531 from my local Wal$mart yesterday.

[DVWannaB]

I believe Meritline has them for $5.5 each for 9 disks (-DL). I couldnt seem to find any lower prices than that.

I am going to have to swing by nearest Walmart in Alexandria, VA on a scouting mission

[Neuron]

I believe Meritline has them for $5.5 each for 9 disks (-DL). I couldnt seem to find any lower prices ....

Even for $5.5 for each - I'll stick with DVD-5 format discs for a while which are now in their price less than $1 in general. Not a big deal.

[Ade007]

If I get a recorder with double layer capabilities and record with double layers discs, will these discs work on recorders that aren't double layer capable and on the computer?

Anyone know if JVC has double layer capable recorders now or soon to be released?

[doxtorRay]

... Neuron or other JVC DR-MH30S owners:
How accurate is it for editiing? The manual states that it can be off by "several seconds." .... Thanks in advance.

I'm not sure if I clearly understand your question. Is your question related to editing process? or recording to HDD? There is only a 2-3 seconds startup delay at the beginning of record video on to the hard drive and I think it is just a recording initialization time and/or buffering. I'm not sure what "off by several seconds..." are you talking about. Sorry.

I was asking about the chapter edits needed to do things like cut commercials or split programs up (for example, I record SCTV and cut out commercials as well as cut the segments into individual vignettes).

I think heavyharmonies said in another thread that the edits were frame-accurate. For what I do, I would have settled for 15 frames or half a second, but that is considerably less than the "several seconds" that the manual warns about, so I was reluctant.

Yes, I know lots of you say that editing is for computers, but I'm too busy doing other stuff on my computer to load it up with hundreds of gigs of video. I do the video stuff when I want to take a break from working on the computer!

Thanks, Neuron!

[DVWannaB]

My JVC MH30s does frame accurate cuts. I just use the remote to fast-forward to the general section I want to cut. Then to get to precise cut point, I use just one click at a time of the forward or rewind buttons. One click moves through the scenes one frame at a time.

Also, I dont thing JVC has a dual layer DVD recorder out yet. But it is just a matter of time before all the major heavies have one out.

[Neuron]

... I was asking about the chapter edits needed to do things like cut commercials or split programs up (for example, I record SCTV and cut out commercials as well as cut the segments into individual vignettes). ...... I think heavyharmonies said in another thread that the edits were frame-accurate. For what I do, I would have settled for 15 frames or half a second, but that is considerably less than the "several seconds" that the manual warns about, so I was reluctant. ....!

The same as DVWannaB already answered. DR-MH30 does pretty accurate frame cuts. I’m as you do not have enough time now for PC-based editing, so I do editing on DR-MH30 and it does its job well enough and accurately for at least in my particular application. But I’m not sure if I could answer anything about your “15 frames” idea. I guess I probably do not know what you mean by that.

[DVWannaB]

Oh, oh, not so fast on the new Pioneer 531. Seems there are problems with timer - EPG - TV guide, etc. See it here from avsforum (page 3 & 4):

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=555417

[gshelley61]

That "TV Guide On Screen" feature has been buggy for some people, and has worked fine for others. The brand of DVD recorder doesn't appear to matter. It seems to depend on the cable system you're connected to, etc. The system can be completely bypassed and not used at all for those who plan on using the unit strictly as a conversion encoder.