Panasonic ES10 and ES15 the same for passthrough?
 

I've seen numerous Forum discussions alluding to the ES10/15 as interchangeable for use as pass through correction. Is one as good as the other with the ES15 just being a bit newer?

Must one have the European PAL versions to work with PAL tapes?

Technically, the ES10 is stronger than the ES15, but it can also have a bit more posterization as a result. But this is nitpick level. Only on the most severely signal-damaged tapes can you see the difference. In my collection of probably 1000 tapes, I may have 25 that rise to that level of fubarness. Those are nth gen copies of copies that I have from tape trading in the early/mid 90s.

The PAL versions supposedly have more difference, Bogelein has talked about them.
The ES15 PAL has no rear s-video input, only front.
The power cord is shaped differently as well. Not talking about the electrical outlet end, but the end that goes into the unit itself. Double rounded square, not square+oval. It's also not rated 110-240V, though I'm not sure if it will work with 110/120 AC anyway (edit: it does work with USA power!).

Thanks lordsmurf! Apart from the the differences you mention, is there any knowledge as to the NTSC version being able to process a PAL signal on pass through and visa versa?

No.

PAL for PAL.
NTSC for NTSC.

The PAL version of the ES10 has a NTSC input setting, I haven't tested it though.

Using an ES10/15 as a replacement for separate TBC/NoiseFilter/Proc-Amp is not a "preferrable" bargain.

It is a compromise.

The amount of noise reduction and filtering varies from the ES10 to the ES15 by design, you could come up with a reason for needing to use one or the other or none for each situation and tape.

Thanks to all of you for providing your experience on the ES10/15. Will probably get one and then worry about a separate TBC. Between now and then maybe I'll win the lottery :-).

Here you can see Panasonic ES10, ES15 and DX77 and compare

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_xue8-gGLM
VHS tape capture with Panasonic NV-HS800 VCR and ES10, ES15 and DX77 DVD recorder.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_xue8-gGLM
VHS tape capture with Panasonic NV-HS820 VCR and ES10, ES15 and DX77 DVD recorder.

In this test the ES10 and ES15 are very similar, but on other tapes I have experienced that ES10 is stronger. However I usually prefer the ES15 because white is more white and black is more black.

My ES15 have rear s-video in and out also as in front works properly with NTSC and PAL
More curious to try DMR-EH68 as second pass for hdmi out or as first pass but need time to receive one.

Anyone experience with the Panasonic DVD recorder DMR-EH545 as passthrough?

If it's a PAL model it'll likely work similar to the PAL es15 and newer models, if it's a north american unit much less likely, looks like it's a PAL model number though.

Yes, it's a PAL model.

I have the ES-15, you can change from PAL to NTSC in the menu with the remote control. You can use it with PAL VCR for PAL tapes and real NTSC VCR. You have to change it in the menu or it will not work. You probably also have to change to NTSC in the capture software.

If you try to play NTSC tapes with European PAL VCRs that is only "NTSC Playback" it will not work. You need a real NTSC VCR.

Yeah the European/international variants let you switch between NTSC 3.58 and PAL, the ones sold in North America are NTSC only.

Does every panasonic dvd recorder model stabilize the picture?

The dmr-es20, possibly the dmr-es40 (not sure if only north american variants or all) and the later north american models from 2007 and on (i.e dmr-ex/ez with digital tuner) use completely different ICs which lack the stabilizing features of the other models. There seem to be some differing opinions on the models from before 2005, some claiming and showing they work about as well as later ones, some claiming some of them don't do a good job (maybe some difference in european/north american models, or differences between individual models but idk).

the PAL version of ES35V has TBC like effect, (VHS fresh) from it's VHS deck, progressive mode possible over component (YUV) output.
Also no problem with LP mode recordings, has also quasy SVHS playback.