Panasonic DMR ES35 VCR DVD recorder opinions?
 

I would appreciate any opinions on this piece of kit, the Panny ES35 VCR/DVD Recorder.

http://tv.manualsonline.com/manuals/...35v_1_2_3.html

I don't want to use it as a TBCish; I already have an ES15 which "works" well, nor will I be burning DVDs with it.

It appears to have S-Video and Component video out from the VCR. I assume that that would be a big improvement over Composite out.

Any reliability and functionality reports?

It doesn't have proper Separate Y/C video out from the video IC like a SVHS deck, the VHS part is connected via composite internally (seems to be the case with most DVD-Recorder/VHS combos) to the digital/DVD part. So, what you get is the composite out from the VHS part that has gone through the internal digitizer, it's a bit like a standard hi-fi VCR hooked up to an ES15. I think they're both from the same lineup so the DVD/Digital part is probably quite similar but I don't know for sure, the earlier ES30 and ES40 share a bit with the ES10 at least as noted here.

Thanks for that info, Hodgey, much appreciated.

So a definite "no" then. ;)

Yes, I use this one (DMR-ES35V) to capture from component video out, works perfect, read the manual if you want to set to progressive mode, it comes down to setting it to "video with component", then you can set progressive mode, it won't work when set to "RGB1" or "RGB2"
But the composite output will also do fine (with a Intensity Shuttle), so this "Panny" is okay :) both for PAL and NTSC, my guess it has some features other VHS decks don't have.
and indeed Y/C for s-video is lousy, so don't use s-video with the ES35.

Thanks Eric. The only menu item I have is "progressive" On/Off. I can't see your "Video with component" or RGB selections. Must be a variation in machines. I think I have the correct manual, but "RGB" as a setting isn't mentioned. Anyway, I can't capture Component so that is a moot point.

I found that the S-Video signal from the ES-35 would only go through the ES-15 in colour if I connected to the front S-video IN (A3). If I put it in through the top SCART port (A1), the output video was black and white.

As it turns out, I feel that the S-Video output is a little better than Composite. The attached screenshot shows the difference; subtle but there, with less noise/more even colour. The third part of the image is the result of S-Video through the ES-15 (in through A3 and out S-Video), which is better still; not by much but nevertheless...

Looks like the S-Video output goes through the internal digitizer which stabilizes the vidoe, while the composite doesn't. You can see the top of video is bent to the left on the composite capture. Won't expect the ES15 to do much to the S-Video output since it has already been digitized and re-created, but it would probably stabilize the composite output in a similar way to the S-Video out from the ES35.

If using scart S-Video out/in has to be set manually. The video switching chip can sometimes go bad on the panasonic DVRs though, which can cause some inputs/outputs to not work properly, e.g on my ES10 only composite in works.

Thanks Hodgey, I didn't even notice that bend! I looked at another frame and noticed the Composite was a little brighter (underside of the aircraft), but I haven't learnt how to properly adjust the procamp to correct that yet. That's the next task. Of course, the $64,000 question: which is right?! :hmm:

The SCART works OK using Composite in, so it must be something on the blink in the box, as you say. Still, I'm happy with my acquisition.

You can't select this menu on the ES35V ? Setup > Connection > AV1 > video (with component)
then, if you want, you can set Progressive > On (see attachments)

btw. i always use the RCA connections on the vcr for capture, SCART can have interferrence due to the thin and density of the wires, RCA cables are generaly better, because of the better shielding and impedance.
for TV you can use SCART if needed.

Mine's slightly different: it's missing the 2 "AV" settings. :hmm:

Thanks for the tip on the connections; I connected the S-Video to the AV4 in on the ES-15 and I now have colour video! Obviously a SCART issue.

Judgin by the manual the ES35V does not support S-Video output over the scart connection (though it can accept S-Video input the other SCART it if set to it), may as well use the S-video connector though.

Me and others have had the issue with PAL Panasonic DVRs that they like to clip brights (can be worked around by lowering the video level in some manner before it enters the DVR), wonder if the ES35 and other combos do the same to the internal playback.

Eric, interestingly, the ES15 has similar menu options to your ES35.

When I get another SCART connector, I'll see if I can get colour video out with the attached settings on the ES15 (the "TBC" on the ES15 only works on the AV1 out, I think I read on DigitalFAQ).

Yes, the ES35 has different video outputs of the same input/playing VHS tape, because i once noticed one output had a "on screen" message, while the other output had not, there are some special things going on i guess... there is also a SCART-less version i guess, and also a different "onboard" software version, with me, the composite RCA video output on the back is also TBCish, (used directly on my BMD IS)
The component black level settings i can't find anywhere in my ES35 menu's....

The attached images must be less than 895px wide. So stack vertical, not horizontal. PNG, and wider, should be attached inside archive files (7z,rar,zip,etc)

The ES35 downconverts to composite from s-video, and that's just not a good thing.

Comparison.jpg looks terrible to me, lots of chroma noise. Ugh.

This is just a generic DVD recorder, no use for quality capturing.

Done. Feel free to edit my previous attachment with my "tallboy". :wink2:

I was just pointing out that from a normal (non SVHS) VHS tape, I'm seeing the S-Video output from the ES35 being better than Composite. :congrats:

Beggars can't be choosers, especially in PAL land, at the bottom of the world! :D

Would this hardware (DMR-ES35V) provide the same functionality as the ES-10 that gets mentioned a lot if just using it to passthrough from another VCR?

There are more versions of the DMR-ES35V the US version region1 has no SCART connectors i noticed,
The PAL version i have, does have SCART connectors, and is a multi-tv system recorder combo, you can capture PAL or NTSC from it (my case scenario, so no PAL60 or NTSC50 on video out) I have never used it as passthrough for VHS, because it can play VHS tapes itself, the video signal is rock-steady, no TBC needed, on all video output connections: composite, s-video, and component (YUV) interlaced or progressive, i prefer component progressive, it gives slightly more detail, but this will mean you also see a fine noise pattern, not seen on composite output or s-video.
do not use the SCART video output, this looks worse on my Sony Bravia LCD/TFT don't know for shure if this is caused by the ES35V or my Sony Bravia, i use the SCART only for monitoring.
I have no experience with the ES-10 dvd-recorder.
My ES-35V has also a front Firewire/iLink input.
what source you want to connect to the input of the ES35V ?

Funny you ask this today, as I was thinking about making a post on what I've found out with the DMR-ES35V:

CAVEAT: I have only been at this tape-transfer thing for a couple weeks now so am still learning the ropes. Take my words below for their value at your own risk. :wink2:

I have no experience using the ES10 or ES15 recorders for pass through, but I own two DMR-ES35V recorders and can confirm they do perform some sort of pass-through clean-up as I am using one right now to transfer my family's Video 8 tapes.

If I run my Sony CCD-TR67 camcorder's output directly into the Diamond VC500's input, the bottom portion of the captured video horizontally "jitters" slightly. If I run it through IN 1 and out the DVD Priority output then it's extremely stable. This sounds like the frame-syncing that people desire in the ES10/ES15 recorders. Do correct me if I'm wrong on terminology. I don't notice any significant artifacts or detail loss in the video coming from the recorders, so my take is this is another unit that can be used to help stabilize otherwise good condition tapes.

You are a lucky to have the Panasonic DMR-ES35V, if you have PAL version even better, you simply don't need a TBC, and that's a big advantage, if you do have any dropped frames, this is due to a slow computer, try to shutdown some background tasks, or "virus shields" it also matters which codec you use when you capture,
capturing on a MAC has the advantage of the ProRes codec use, it does use compression but this compression differs in that it compress per frame and not per frame set, so you won't notice quality loss, like you have with it in post when you finally compress to h264 MP4 in the end.
Capturing in s-video gave some artifacts, compared to composite, with me, i use the Intensity Shuttle (Thunderbold2) from BlackMagic Design, and capture through component video, (best results for me) which is a great feature of the DMR-ES35V, to switch to different modes with the DMR-ES35V you really need the correct manual for your model type, you will notice the difference in the back connectons,(SCART or no SCART) and the available system menu's.
you should try different settings and see what works best for you, it allways depends on the complete setup, that will be different per user.
Only thing that needs some attention is de-interlacing, you should not notice "saw tooths" with fast movements on edges in the image, experiment with the comb filter off or on in the ES35V system menu, or experiment with the Yadif de-interlace settings in the computer software you have, or just leave it so, if there's no problem.

I was going to post the same thing. Going through DMR-ES35V seems to have fixed some issues I have had with certain tapes. Didn't know if it was just by luck or if this device has the functionality others have mentioned the ES-10 and ES-15 have.

It's part of the same lineup of dvd/hdd-recorders as the ES15 so the dvd-recorder side pretty similar to what's in that model I think. It's basically just a dvd-recorder with a vcr permanently connected to it. On the NTSC panasonic changed things with both the standalone and combo units for the units newer than this one (dmr-ezxxx) which use a completely different chipset so those are probably not all that great at stabilization.

Comb filter doesn't affect deinterlacing; it's how luma is separated from chroma for composite input. "On" enables the 3D comb filter. (And this option is only available on the PAL models; on NTSC models it's always on.)

It certainly has, and maybe even better, in case of VHS, because it has a VHS deck in it, and don't have to use the composite or s-video circuitry of the ES35V, i can only speak for the model i use, which is the multi-tv system standard and with the SCART connections, which differs from the US/NTSC model, but both have the DMR-ES35V model type notation.
The DMR-ES35V is a recorder combo that came out just about at the end of the VHS era, hence the build-in DVD recorder deck in it, but is an allround device, which is great to have, without the ES35V other options would be: miniDV or Digital8 devices which also have video/audio inputs that are capable as (Firewire)passthrough, or record from their inputs, but…. some of these can even be restricted by local law for copyright restrictions.
Without a combo like the ES35V or dvd recorder like the ES10/15 things are getting harder to do, there are some folow-ups models of these Panasonics, but you have to check the pdf manuals for that, the ManualsLib website is the best source for that, and is free for use, no account/fee needed. even service manuals are available.
Time Base Correctors are very rare, and mostly only available in the US, because many where used pro wise by local tv-studios/stations to make recordings "fit" to broadcast standard, and to sync with other equipment,
Recorded analog video signals on (any) tape are just not stable when played without a TBC, and there are different kind of TBC's so you have to know your thing what to buy, or use for it.

Just to add some info: don't put your hope up on devices that have HDMI output and using HDMI or converter in between to capture that way, this method will fail most of the time, there are some combinations of these with HDMI solid state recorders too, but you need to know exactly how such a use-case was accomplished, with that exact hardware that was used, one deviation from that is already a failpoint.
Also watch carefully for the naming between composite and component these two are much different !
technically s-video gives slightly better image quality,compaired to composite, but in some cases not, due to the combination of equipment or settings.
avoid using capturing via a SCART cable, or too long cables, because interferrence of signals inside or outside will have affect.