Is Panasonic DMR-ES40V any good?
 

I have the opportunity to buy a Panasonic DMR-ES40V for $50, but can't find any concrete answer on if it's a good player. Being a DVD/VCR combo, I have some doubts as to how good its quality is, but it does have S-video output for the VCR. I plan to use it to digitize some old VHS tapes, so I'm not very concerned with the quality of the DVD player. Any suggestions?

TL;DR = no, don't buy that.

Those Panasonic VHS VCR (especially the combo units) are terrible for playing VHS.

Certain Panasonic DVD recorders/combos are good for "passthrough", but not playback of the tape, and I'm not aware of this being a model with that passthrough function.

When used for passthrough, you play the tape in a quality VHS VCR (Sharp, Sony, few others) or quality non-TBC JVC S-VHS VCR (x500+ series, not older <x400), then "pass through" the signal for line TBC(ish) + non-TBC frame sync. That output is passably decent. Not best, but definitely not worst.

Is there anything that you suggest that won't break the bank? I picked up a Panasonic PV-S4280 in rough shape last year, so would you suggest I just try to fix that? I made a post about the issues I had with it on here if you think I should go that route.

What do you consider "break the bank".

Decent video gear has costs like any other tool, such as lawnmowers and refrigerators. It's all relatively boring mechanical electronic stuff with a task to perform.

Get away from low-end Panasonic VCRs, nothing good will come from it. Only certain S-VHS VCRs, and certain DVD recorders (for passthrough) are any good. You want non-Panasonic, such as Sharp, Sony. Or better yet, a non-TBC JVC S-VHS, like the 3800 or 2901.

Assuming this is for conversion, at a very basic level, you need:
- good VCR
- some form of TBC
- good capture card

Not the Amazon/eBay "special" (junk), not just whatever gets dragged onto Facebook. Seek specific items.

Do you insist on only buying local? (It's silly, but some insist on it.)

Acquiring quality gear, and using it for playback/conversion/whatever, shouldn't be that hard. The obstacle is always willingness to spend money to get it. Again, video gear is a tool, not a lunch bill. $50 sounds great, but it's honestly somewhat laughable ("too good to be true").

- Give me a your budget to work with.
- Goals of the project. (VHS conversion?)
- Location where willing to buy gear. (Facebook, eBay, Goodwill, etc)

I'll see what I can come up with.

Obviously, you can buy my gear, and done. But failing that, I'll still help as I can. :)

I don't need anything too crazy since I'm just digitizing some home movies, but I'd at least like something that's going to give me a solid picture. The Panasonic I have is a SVHS VCR, but there's like zero documentation on the model I have, so I'm not sure if it's even worth fixing; it also sounds like Panasonic might not be the best choice anyway. If possible, I'd like to stay under/in the 150-200 range.

"too crazy" is when you try to correct every tiny thing to be 100% perfect. I'm not into crazy. As best as reasonably possible. So less than $5k, not frame-by-frame corrections, etc.

$200 is tight for a minimalist setup, unlikely, but not impossible. Note that you are well within gambling territory. You're not "buying" gear, but "hoping you buy something that isn't junk".

Rule #1 is either:
- don't buy without a return (so no Facebook, even eBay "for parts", etc)
- or buy from a reputable person (but not eBay, as the feedback system is gamed BS)

Looking at eBay just now ... man, what a bunch of junk. Several obvious liar sellers, too, if you know how to pick up on the slimy descriptions. Gosh, not easy right now. I knew that about higher-end gear, but the low-end too! Yikes. For non-TBC S-VHS, the least-sketchy VCR that I see is $175 for a JVC 3902.

For $60 shipped + tax, this Sharp rebadge look tempting: https://www.ebay.com/itm/176365061847
I see no red flag there.
In fact, I see at least 2 green flags.

Buy this ES15: https://www.ebay.com/itm/187318155151
About $110 shipped + tax.
I could attempt to squeeze down a few dollars, looking for comparable models. But, in general, ES10 working (not refurb'd) is about $100, and non-working is $50 (which is ridiculous altogether).

So that's $170 so far, leaving $30 for the capture card. Too tight to exactly his that number, but not far away...

If WinXP/Vista/7:
For about $40 shipped + tax, get this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/256727747410
Not ideal, but it could be worse.
All that Amazon/eBay crap is a to be avoided.

If Win8/10/11, just up the budget to $300, and I have something for you.

That will build an uber-cheap setup that "doesn't suck". Not great, not best, but definitely not worst. That's assuming, and hoping, all works as claimed.

Well, that's my good deed for the day. :salute:

Might I ask, what are the green flags you see, what even would be green flags to look out for Ebay listings of equipment if needed (Though I understand it is not recommended). I myself have only been buying some straight to VHS videos on Ebay to digitize because I'm bored. For VHS tape listings, I always go for listings that have photos of the cassette itself.

I’m a little surprised that any non-s-video machine (the Admiral) is deemed usable, at any price point. Good to know.

If your budget is almost unrealistic low, and plain VHS is in the running, then Sharp (or rebadge Admiral) is one of the best you can get. I've said this for at least 25 years now.

Video Capture Guide on Youtube made a video some months ago, and I saw it last week (and made a comment).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZru...kotdAb54AaABAg

The exact Sharp model he's using is a later generation (~'98-99) from the above linked/discussed Admiral (~'97). It got a bit cheaper before the final model (~'00), as seen by the LCD being removed. So the model he's showing is a bit degraded from the best Sharps.

So, as with anything else, not any random model/version, you must be specific.

And it must be paired with an external line TBC device (ES10/15 is most common).

Condition, OEM completeness. Any words the seller uses are worthless, and photos can be misleading. It's what I see in these exact images. Since I know this model so well, having bought several new, I know what it should look like. If it's a dud, I'd be surprised. Just make the the seller ships it properly (sturdy box, plenty of padding).