Panasonic 4-hour mode illustrated
 

(1) This is what a clean encode from an ATI AIW card would look like,
as well as any number of better DVD recorders (Pioneer, JVC, etc):

Attachment 425


(2) This is what a Panasonic would look like with a clean source. It has a "splotchy" effect to it, and the splotches tend to "wiggle" a bit on screen. Notice how gradient patterns are virtually destroyed:

Attachment 426


(3)And finally, this is what happens on VHS source. Notice the blocks, the noise, and the compounding of "splotchy" effect. The image quality is turned into video kibble.

Attachment 427


CONCLUSION: There is no special reasoning behind these errors. It's merely incompetent engineers at Panasonic developing inferior in-house video chips. Their encoders matrices are inadequate, and the bitrate is too shallow (especially on the newer line of "ES" machines).

So you are saying DO NOT buy a Panasonic recorder? LOL

Good thing i have a pioneer....