Panasonic DVD recorder passthrough settings (DMR-ES10, DMR-ES15, DMR-ES25)

[Eric-jan]

Eric-jan, I did not understand a word of what you wanted to explain. Never mind, Skiller already gave the right indications...

I have the same with you, so that could be it.

[Eric-jan]

It's this one...https://amzn.eu/d/f0CMW8q

Correct, only a male-male s-video cable needs to be added, the switchable SCART cable versions don't have a s-video option most of the time, because of the complex switch it needs to switch also s-video at the same time, this adapter plug you mention here has such a (complexed) switch.

[Skiller]

any cable will be short enough to not get any loss. we're not talking about HDMI 4K here…

I don't think you understand the issue in potential signal degradation with these adapters. If we were talking about HDMI I would not be worried at all because it is digital and lossless. Analog on the contrary is inherently lossy; any junction the signal needs to pass introduces losses and noise. The question is only: how much? Hopefully so little it's not noticable.

Making the signal path as straightforward as possible provides best protection against these things. But whatever floats your boat.

[Eric-jan]

Also, there is no good convention for the naming of the SCART to s-video cables….. s-video uses a mini DIN connector, so it's a mini DIN to SCART or…. SCART to mini DIN cable, does this say if the mini DIN is an input or output ? this isn't correctly used by most people, who sell you this.
most vcr's have already an video input at the front, most one direction adapting SCART cables or plugs are made for connecting a source to a TV, so that's also the wrong direction.
The OP has already the plug adapter, a try with a s-video cable, is an easy option for now. before being scared off by non existing problems that "could" occur.
so for now, it's not needed to buy a very expensive SCART cable, this would be listed as a last resort on the options list.

[Traderbam]

Thanks all. Need to sort some better cables perhaps than the cheap version I have. Right now I'm running some test captures but since I don't have enough cables I'm using SCART from VCR to SCART input on the ES15. If I've got it correctly the best approach I can do is VCR s-video out to s-video in on front panel, then use the SCART out (SCART to s-video cable) into capture card, thus avoiding the problematic s-video out on ES15. I'm not convinced I need this thing for many scenarios but it was going cheap so thought I'd add to the collection should the need arise.

[Sharc]

The OP has already the plug adapter, a try with a s-video cable, is an easy option for now. before being scared off by non existing problems that "could" occur.
so for now, it's not needed to buy a very expensive SCART cable, this would be listed as a last resort on the options list.

Yes. Just be aware of what happens with poorly wired (unscreened) adaptors and poorly screened cables, as shown here:
https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/411872-SCART-to-S-Video-adapter-strange-problems#post2708738
In that example the contaminated Y wire produced a fine pattern of dots (similar to dotcrawl) due to the ripple on the Y signal on the otherwise saturated solid color (i.e. what we would get without the ripple on the Y signal). May only be noticed once you know that the effect exists, and less even so on "natural" VHS captures.

[Skiller]

Thanks Sharc, this is exactly what I'm talking about.

While it may be pretty hard to spot in an actual VHS capture, once I know it is there, I will see it now and then. And it would drive me crazy to the point of wanting to re-capture. Trying to help others not to fall down this rabbit hole is why I'm so into preventative measures rather than follow-up treatments. Imagine in 20 years you are watching some valuable memories you captured off VHS in 2023 and be like "if only I spent those extra 15 bucks on a proper cable/adapter, now it's forever too late to recapture".

[lollo]

+1. Completely agree with Skiller and Sharc

[Eric-jan]

What is known for the DMR-EH49 ? (EC S) it's the PAL/SCART model,(with 160GB HDD) sofar i discovered no VHS-refresh passthrough capabillities, but that could be caused by wrong settings, any upscaling is only at (HDMI) playback i noticed, it has s-video in and output, both component and HDMI video output.
found it at thriftstore, found no defects, works fine with my ES35V remote.
noticed some letterboxed 16:9 recordings on the HDD, i guess it has an analog tuner..
Has somebody have had any experiences with the DMR-EH49 ?
<edit>
I do notice now, that the different aspect ratio/HDMI settings, has different effect on the video component output, the image is different within the 4:3 720x576 image, it's either stretched, or letterboxed.
only could capture a dvd sofar for now, next try will hopefully a vcr on passthrough.
I guess the HDMI output can also upscale to 1920x1080i/p i guess the 16:9 transmissions where super bad because it was upscaled letterbox to 1920x1080….. the 16:9 tv programs where stored in letterbox on the HDD

[Master Tape]

I would very much like to get my hands on a Scart to S-Video cable as the adapter i'm currently using is introducing heavy herringbone noise, so would be nice to have a clearer picture.

Having had a look, there's sellers on ebay selling Monster cable ones (the same as lollo's picture) But they are incorrectly being listed as "S-Video to Scart" as the box says otherwise.

Is this a legit Scart to S-Video cable? The S-Video ends says "Out"
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/285275068764?