Hello, Could you please advise whether it would be wise purchasing the DMR-E100GCS (leaving budget aside), considering I need an international version, region free, with a sufficiently large HDD, and which produces the BEST recording quality in terms of both picture and audio. I am mainly interested in transferring VHS tapes to DVD and, of course, recording from satellite and Cable TV straight to the built-in HDD at best possible quality. Moreover, I'd like to be able to have nearly perfect control over the edit of the HDD contents prior the actual burning (excluding any redundancies, commercials, etc). Any help from your part would be most appreciated. Thanks in advance. Best Regards, Yuval.
You've essentially asked several questions in one; so I'll try to help the best that I can. First, I don't see your model listed on the Panasonic Web site. As for a region-free dvd recorder, I don't know of any on the market. I assume that by "international" version you mean a 50Hz compatability, or a 50 or 60Hz switchable compatability. Having both will limit the models from which you can select, and you'll have to visit manufacturers' Web sites and do your research. Alternately, you can use your posting here at those Web sites as an e-mail to the sales team at each site. As for editing, I don't think there is such a thing as a frame-accurate editor on any standalone model (I own Phillips, Panasonic and Sony), and I have to take the rewritable dvd to the computer to use a program like Womble MPEG Video Wizard to remove all stray frames from dvd recorder-removed TV segments that cause mini-freezes unless removed. (For instance, three frames left over from removing a commercial, can cause a mini-freeze on playback. Take those frames out on the PC, and no freeze). You'll never have "near-perfect control" on a standalone in the forseeable future. There are a number of models that are VCR-DVD recorder combos. Or, you can buy the VCR and dvd recorders separately and use a video stablizer to negate Macrovision. If you don't have Macrovision VHS tapes, then buy a combo. If you do have Macrovision, using separate dvd and VHS recorders makes more sense, as you can insert a video stablizer between the two units. In a combo scenario, the dvd recorder sees the Macrovision on the VHS, and since both recorders share the same signals, will not record. Thus, you can't interject a video stablizer between them for the dvd recorder to "see around" the Macrovision. All dvd recorders can record from satellite or cable using ANALOG connections; and only the VERY expensive dvd recorders can record true high definition (such as the new top-of-the-line Sony, for example) that can record all the quality available from HDTV signals. High-def signals will require at least a dual-layer recorder, which are priced beyond many people's budgets, and use the DIGITAL connections rather than analog. Thus, sticking with analog is the most cost-effective means for now, and will remain so until the recorder-makers decide to give us more resolution at cheaper prices. Our sole comfort for now is that the signals from Hi-Def programs, via analog connections, is better than over-the-air signals. Hope this essay helps; others may have thoughts regarding your "wish list." Regards
