If you have a DVD RECORDER, please help - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

RoseNylund · 12-09-2004, 08:46 PM

Hey all,

I have asked this before, but wondering:

If you have a DVD RECORDER, could you please tell us what brand it is, and how satisfied you are?

I bought one a few years back from Wal-Mart. it wasn't the best (but was cheap) and I ended up bringing it back. Now I have a few bucks in the bank

and I want to buy a good reliable recorder (up to $500 or so)

I was looking at the Panasonic E-85 with hard drive, but want to hear recommendations. So talk about yours and make recommendations.

Thanks for your help!

lazygrae · 12-09-2004, 11:40 PM

Have a Panasonic E80 (same as 85 w/80 gig instead of 120 gig hard drive). One year and 4 months now with tons and tons of use, no complaints. I have had a handful of bad burns, but at least when that happens the machine tells you. Unlike Philips where you can record a disc and not find out till you watch it if it recorded properly or not. I probably use equal amounts -R and RAM discs and both work great.

I've had, count 'em, 3 Philips machines. Great when they work but totally unreliable. They have some pros that the Panny doesn't, like they record and play PAL which is something I need, and component video inputs are handy, but for regular everyday use, I don't think you'd be disappointed with a Panasonic.

cp32 · 12-10-2004, 02:34 AM

I was looking at the rca with built in Time base correction unit walmart 300.00 Tbc will come in handy for those old tapes with noise fuzz on it.

cprompt · 12-10-2004, 02:44 AM

The New ilo DVD recorder that just came out 3 months -ago-around October 2004 at WAL-MART works perfectly except it has circuits that will absolutely FREEZE the DVD recorder if you try to copy\ transfer in any way shape or form any video source with Macrovision or CSS-protection -even if you run it thru a video stabilizer. For that reason I did return it to Wal-Mart....Other than that it is an amazing recorder!!!
Donald Charleston SC

wheezer · 12-10-2004, 04:40 AM

I purchased a Pioneer 220S and I an very pleased with it's perfomance. The time recording are VERY easy to follow and it has performed very well. Even VHS to DVD trnasfers with an older Panasonic vcr have turned out much better than I expected. Before I purchased it I looked for information on it and as far as I can tell it is a recorder Pioneer put out primarily for Europe. I am guessing that Wal-Mart struck a deal with Pioneer to make it NTSC and bought mass quantities.....just a guess.
There is a yahoo group dedicated to this recorder as well if you need further information.

Recording the disk and ripping to the HD then running it through TMPGEnc DVD Author1.6 to cut out commercials makes the process painless and quick.

.$248+tx. at Wal-Mart.

debwalsh · 12-10-2004, 09:04 AM

Several of the techheads on another trading forum I'm on trash the Philips and Panasonic, but love the JVC models. Now, I have a Panasonic DMR E80S, and I love it. But the truth is the discs I make on it won't play on every DVD player - most, but not all. I don't know about the playability of discs made off the JVC, but if I were buying now, I'd at least be looking into their models.

Agent 13 · 12-10-2004, 02:42 PM

I have a Panasonic DMR-E50 and a DMR-E80. After a year of running my Panasonic DMR-E50 almost literally around the clock, it died on me. I recently sent it in for repair as I have a four year warranty on it. But even with that, I'd stick with the Panasonics hands down.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I've read fewer complaints about the Panasonics than I've read about other brands.

nannyfan · 12-10-2004, 09:00 PM

I own a Philips dvdr80 and it "used" to work great! I'm not sure when it stopped working like it should because I never tried to burn a copy of anything I recorded until a couple of months ago. The dvds I recorded have burn errors and I cannot copy them - even though they will play fine.

Philips "technical support" (I use this term loosely! because they aren't "technical" at all) is of no help. I personally will not purchase any Philips electronics ever again. I've owned this recorder for 10 months when I figured out it is screwing up. It has to be mailed into a service center for repair.

There are several very happy folks who own Philips recorders and I'm sure you will see lots of pro/con comments on any other brand. It's a tough decision while figuring out which recorder you want to invest in. I went through the same thing when I purchased this recorder for $428.00 11 months ago. Next time, I'm going the cheap route. I do know of one person who owned a Cyberhome recorder that broke down on her and she called the factory and they told her to return it and they replaced it with a brand new unit. I like that kind of service! Next time around, I'll research company policy/warranty for repair/replacement.

Nannyfan

cprompt · 12-10-2004, 10:26 PM

I really believe that 2nd hand used or refurbished DVD recorders are very CHANCY !!! Get a new one at Wal-Mart and then test it out completely before your 90 days are up!!!

RoseNylund · 12-11-2004, 11:10 PM

Well, I did it. I just bought my DVD Recorder. The Panasonic DMR-E85H, and I'm making my first DVD! I really like the editing features. I hope this works out. I did buy the 4 year service plan because I thought it was worth it, in case something should happen to it. Set me back $99 more dollars but I'd rather have the peace of mind.

nannyfan · 12-12-2004, 09:53 AM

I think you made a wise decision in purchasing the extended service agreement! Depending on how much you plan on using your recorder, from what I've heard, these recorders (all brands) tend to wear out (or, break down) before 4 yrs are up!! I'm gonna follow your example and do the same thing the next time I invest in a recorder!!

So, are your menus pictures w/text or just text?

Thanks!!

Nannyfan

David · 12-12-2004, 10:09 AM

I've always wanted a DVD Recorder. I hope I get one for Christmas

RoseNylund · 12-12-2004, 05:29 PM

I have 9 templates to choose from for menus, and you can choose the picture you want next to the title and of course name the episode. I'm on my 3rd one so far. it takes a while to edit and stuff, but I like it so far.

cprompt · 12-12-2004, 06:40 PM

It sounds like your DVD recorder has a lot of advanced features.. Did you say that you could edit out commercials????? Donald- South Carolina

nannyfan · 12-12-2004, 07:06 PM

Sounds like you chose a nice model! My philips will allow me to choose the pictures as well as add the text menu - but, it doesn't have 9 templates to choose from for a background.

12-09-2004, 08:46 PM	#1
RoseNylund Back in St. Olaf... Frequent Poster Join Date: Jan 19, 2003 Posts: 248	If you have a DVD RECORDER, please help Hey all, I have asked this before, but wondering: If you have a DVD RECORDER, could you please tell us what brand it is, and how satisfied you are? I bought one a few years back from Wal-Mart. it wasn't the best (but was cheap) and I ended up bringing it back. Now I have a few bucks in the bank and I want to buy a good reliable recorder (up to $500 or so) I was looking at the Panasonic E-85 with hard drive, but want to hear recommendations. So talk about yours and make recommendations. Thanks for your help!

12-10-2004, 02:34 AM	#3
cp32 Member Frequent Poster Join Date: May 26, 2003 Location: Wintersville Oh Posts: 384	If you have a DVD RECORDER, please help I was looking at the rca with built in Time base correction unit walmart 300.00 Tbc will come in handy for those old tapes with noise fuzz on it.

12-10-2004, 02:44 AM	#4
cprompt Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jun 29, 2004 Location: Charleston South Carolina Posts: 158	I had a $148 "ilo-brand" DVD recorder from Wal-Mart and it worked GREAT The New ilo DVD recorder that just came out 3 months -ago-around October 2004 at WAL-MART works perfectly except it has circuits that will absolutely FREEZE the DVD recorder if you try to copy\ transfer in any way shape or form any video source with Macrovision or CSS-protection -even if you run it thru a video stabilizer. For that reason I did return it to Wal-Mart....Other than that it is an amazing recorder!!! Donald Charleston SC Attached Images
	__________________ To all my friends on SitcomsOnline My Cell Phone Number is always available upon request..... eMail me at: cprompt100@yahoo.com website: http://profiles.yahoo.com/cprompt100 Last edited by cprompt; 12-10-2004 at 10:28 PM.

12-10-2004, 04:40 AM	#5
wheezer Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Jun 29, 2003 Posts: 9	DVD Recorder I purchased a Pioneer 220S and I an very pleased with it's perfomance. The time recording are VERY easy to follow and it has performed very well. Even VHS to DVD trnasfers with an older Panasonic vcr have turned out much better than I expected. Before I purchased it I looked for information on it and as far as I can tell it is a recorder Pioneer put out primarily for Europe. I am guessing that Wal-Mart struck a deal with Pioneer to make it NTSC and bought mass quantities.....just a guess. There is a yahoo group dedicated to this recorder as well if you need further information. Recording the disk and ripping to the HD then running it through TMPGEnc DVD Author1.6 to cut out commercials makes the process painless and quick. .$248+tx. at Wal-Mart.

12-10-2004, 09:04 AM	#6
debwalsh Ancient Archivist Frequent Poster Join Date: Mar 23, 2004 Location: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Posts: 503	Several of the techheads on another trading forum I'm on trash the Philips and Panasonic, but love the JVC models. Now, I have a Panasonic DMR E80S, and I love it. But the truth is the discs I make on it won't play on every DVD player - most, but not all. I don't know about the playability of discs made off the JVC, but if I were buying now, I'd at least be looking into their models.
	__________________ Deb Walsh Savage Traders Online!

12-09-2004, 11:40 PM	#2
lazygrae Archivist Frequent Poster Join Date: Sep 30, 2003 Location: Canada, watching the grooviest gang of fuzz who ever wore a badge. Posts: 460	Have a Panasonic E80 (same as 85 w/80 gig instead of 120 gig hard drive). One year and 4 months now with tons and tons of use, no complaints. I have had a handful of bad burns, but at least when that happens the machine tells you. Unlike Philips where you can record a disc and not find out till you watch it if it recorded properly or not. I probably use equal amounts -R and RAM discs and both work great. I've had, count 'em, 3 Philips machines. Great when they work but totally unreliable. They have some pros that the Panny doesn't, like they record and play PAL which is something I need, and component video inputs are handy, but for regular everyday use, I don't think you'd be disappointed with a Panasonic.

12-10-2004, 02:42 PM	#7
Agent 13 Member Senior Member Join Date: Feb 02, 2003 Location: Good ol' USA Posts: 1,510	Panasonic I have a Panasonic DMR-E50 and a DMR-E80. After a year of running my Panasonic DMR-E50 almost literally around the clock, it died on me. I recently sent it in for repair as I have a four year warranty on it. But even with that, I'd stick with the Panasonics hands down. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I've read fewer complaints about the Panasonics than I've read about other brands.
	__________________ It often requires more courage to dare to do right than to fear to do wrong. Abraham Lincoln

12-10-2004, 09:00 PM	#8
nannyfan Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 11, 2003 Location: USA Posts: 342	I own a Philips dvdr80 and it "used" to work great! I'm not sure when it stopped working like it should because I never tried to burn a copy of anything I recorded until a couple of months ago. The dvds I recorded have burn errors and I cannot copy them - even though they will play fine. Philips "technical support" (I use this term loosely! because they aren't "technical" at all) is of no help. I personally will not purchase any Philips electronics ever again. I've owned this recorder for 10 months when I figured out it is screwing up. It has to be mailed into a service center for repair. There are several very happy folks who own Philips recorders and I'm sure you will see lots of pro/con comments on any other brand. It's a tough decision while figuring out which recorder you want to invest in. I went through the same thing when I purchased this recorder for $428.00 11 months ago. Next time, I'm going the cheap route. I do know of one person who owned a Cyberhome recorder that broke down on her and she called the factory and they told her to return it and they replaced it with a brand new unit. I like that kind of service! Next time around, I'll research company policy/warranty for repair/replacement. Nannyfan

12-10-2004, 10:26 PM	#9
cprompt Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jun 29, 2004 Location: Charleston South Carolina Posts: 158	I think that USED DVD recorders are "CHANCY" I really believe that 2nd hand used or refurbished DVD recorders are very CHANCY !!! Get a new one at Wal-Mart and then test it out completely before your 90 days are up!!!

12-11-2004, 11:10 PM	#10
RoseNylund Back in St. Olaf... Frequent Poster Join Date: Jan 19, 2003 Posts: 248	Well, I did it. I just bought my DVD Recorder. The Panasonic DMR-E85H, and I'm making my first DVD! I really like the editing features. I hope this works out. I did buy the 4 year service plan because I thought it was worth it, in case something should happen to it. Set me back $99 more dollars but I'd rather have the peace of mind.

12-12-2004, 09:53 AM	#11
nannyfan Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 11, 2003 Location: USA Posts: 342	I think you made a wise decision in purchasing the extended service agreement! Depending on how much you plan on using your recorder, from what I've heard, these recorders (all brands) tend to wear out (or, break down) before 4 yrs are up!! I'm gonna follow your example and do the same thing the next time I invest in a recorder!! So, are your menus pictures w/text or just text? Thanks!! Nannyfan

12-12-2004, 10:09 AM	#12
David mcphee. Forum Superstar Join Date: Jan 30, 2003 Location: jacksonville, FL. Posts: 28,115	I've always wanted a DVD Recorder. I hope I get one for Christmas
	__________________ v. 39 - katharine and chris elliott, you rock.

12-12-2004, 05:29 PM	#13
RoseNylund Back in St. Olaf... Frequent Poster Join Date: Jan 19, 2003 Posts: 248	I have 9 templates to choose from for menus, and you can choose the picture you want next to the title and of course name the episode. I'm on my 3rd one so far. it takes a while to edit and stuff, but I like it so far.

12-12-2004, 06:40 PM	#14
cprompt Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Jun 29, 2004 Location: Charleston South Carolina Posts: 158	I had no idea that you machine had such features It sounds like your DVD recorder has a lot of advanced features.. Did you say that you could edit out commercials????? Donald- South Carolina

12-12-2004, 07:06 PM	#15
nannyfan Member Frequent Poster Join Date: Aug 11, 2003 Location: USA Posts: 342	Sounds like you chose a nice model! My philips will allow me to choose the pictures as well as add the text menu - but, it doesn't have 9 templates to choose from for a background.