Panasonic ES20 IRE issues

[pmatthews1]

I am considering the above-mentioned ES20 recorder and have heard several mentions of color/brightness issues with the Panasonic models.

Has this problem been corrected on this model? Some posts had indicated that this was an issue for early models.

Thanks,
Paul

[gshelley61]

The ES20 has no black level (brightness) problems. It correctly compensates for analog NTSC 7.5 IRE black level video sources like TV, cable, VHS, etc.

[spiritgumm]

I had two issues with the Panny es20. One is you HAVE to pick either Lighter or Darker for black level input. The resulting dvd was thus either slightly lighter or darker compared to the vhs source. Maybe it's not noticeable if you only play it on the Panny but is noticeable on other players. If input black level can be set to Normal (for composite inputs), I'd like to know how.

The other problem I had was a slight but noticeable picture flutter (appearing like a loose cable). It did it in the same spots on a vhs tape; didn't matter if it was a homemade or factory vhs. I changed vcr's and it did it in different places, though repeatedly. Didn't matter if the Noise reduction was on or off, or when I exchanged es20's. The Toshiba Dr4 recorder doesn't have this issue, so something's amiss.

[handyguy]

I have 2 pannys & both let you select a few types of picture quality, inluding your own custom setting if you want. Sometimes its the tv not the recorder that needs adjusting.

[spiritgumm]

We're talking specifically about the Panny es20 - is that what you have?

[gshelley61]

The specific brightness/contrast/color analog video output of each particular model of VCR, DVD recorder, camcorder, TV tuner and cable box varies a little bit. In North America, the video output black level (brightness) of these devices is supposed to at a standardized 7.5 IRE, but you will find that this will vary with different brands, models, videotapes, TV and cable channels, TV and cable programs, and laserdiscs.

When transferring VHS (in North America) to DVD, the source black level must be "stretched" from 7.5 IRE down to 0 IRE for a proper DVD encode... if you transfer the VHS to DVD at exactly the same black level as the source tape in an attempt to make the DVD look identical to the VHS, your DVD will appear washed out when played back on another DVD player because the black level will be off.

"Darker" is the correct input video black level setting on the DMR-ES20 (and all other Panasonic machines with adjustable input black level) for recording North American analog NTSC sources like VHS and S-VHS, 8mm and Hi8, broadcast and cable TV, laserdisc, etc. This activates a compensation circuit that brings the video source black level down -7.5 IRE without affecting the luma (contrast) level. The resulting DVD recording will then have a black level of approximately 0 IRE as it is supposed to.

"Lighter" is the correct composite/s-video output video black level setting for standard NTSC 7.5 IRE setup. That is the same output black level as your VCR, TV tuner and cable box has in North America.

The "Darker" video output black level setting is for those who wish to run their DVD system at 0 IRE (no black level setup applied to the source in this case). Your blacks will be black instead of dark gray. You would need to adjust your TV set brightness up a bit to run at 0 IRE. This is how I run my system.

I hope that clears things up a bit...

[spiritgumm]

So different vcrs might output different brightness, color, & black levels, and making a dvd from them might vary. Different dvd players might output different colors, blacks, etc. so there's no way to guarantee the dvd-result will ever look like the vhs. Is this what's going on?
For vcr composite, you suggest setting the Panny es20 black input to Dark. What is the Light input for?

[gshelley61]

So different vcrs might output different brightness, color, & black levels, and making a dvd from them might vary. Different dvd players might output different colors, blacks, etc. so there's no way to guarantee the dvd-result will ever look like the vhs. Is this what's going on?
For vcr composite, you suggest setting the Panny es20 black input to Dark. What is the Light input for?

The "Lighter" input video black level setting would be for capturing digital video sources with the composite or s-video inputs. MiniDV, Digital8 and the newer DVD and hard drive camcorders all shoot digital video at 0 IRE black level. This is an important setting for the Panasonic units that do not have a firewire DV input - like the DMR-ES10, for example. The "Lighter" setting simply bypasses the black level compensation circuit and records exactly what it is sent.

And yes, every brand and model of gear will vary a bit in terms of what the image they produce looks like. The differences are usually subtle, but they are there. When it comes to the actual source material (TV channels, TV shows, commercial VHS tapes, etc. ) the variations can be even more pronounced.