Which DVD recorder would you get ?
I went to a Best Buy near me yesterday and they had both for about the same price (online price is more for the Sony).

The only difference I can see is that the Panasonic can also record RAM disks.
Is there any advantage recording in RAM ?
But the Panasonic can only manually record chapters using RAM disks.


Sony RDRGX315 - $ 189
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1118844246884

Panasonic DMR-ES20S - $179
http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1117178795463

I just found this comment about the Sony:

"Unit will not record some live programs due to built-in copyright protection detection, even for personal use. This makes the recorder practically useless. Sony just lost a loyal customer over this one. I took it back and bought the Panasonic DMR-ES20which does not have this problem and produces an equally good image quality! "

Can anyone confirm this ?
If it's true then I'm getting the Panasonic.

The Sony is only rated 6.7 http://www.videohelp.com/dvdrecorder...ist=1#comments
The comment there makes it sound like the built-in copy protection is what it burns on the DVD and not that it can't record live TV.

The Panny is rated 7.2 http://www.videohelp.com/dvdrecorder...ist=1#comments
RAM ability is something you don't have to worry about.

With BB return policy, I would give each a try for a couple weeks. Recorders can vary greatly in their encoding abilities and you may think one has much better picture quality over the other.

I'd get the ES-20.

I've had a panasonic for a year now with zero problems and have made hundreds of dvds. The RAM allows for flexibility as far as tv viewing, so I definately recommend the panasonic.

Mike7162,

How does the RAM give flexibility ?
What's the diefference between RAM and RW ?

DVD-RAM offers time slip viewing, which means I can watch prior recordings(or the start of the current recording) on the disc while still recording. It also allows you to edit programs, assign chapters, and has 1/3x playback speed with normal sound. These are great features for me for time shifting,because I work at night, and I can remove commercials from shows I decide to archive. As far as RW goes, the features are the same, but RW has a limited re-writeability. The only drawback to this machine, in my view, is that these features only apply to RAM and not =/-r,and RAM isn't compatible with a lot of players. Otherwise, I think it's a perfect recorder.

So if I record a dvd in RAM in won't play in my other dvd players ?

No it won't, my friend. It'll play in all panasonic players, and recently Toshiba has jumped on board, but by and large, RAM is a proprietary format. From what I've read, more companies are including the format in newer players, so you may want to include that into your decision.

Thanks Mike.

I know they cost more $$$ buck a Panasonic with built in hard drive is the best way to go. I started with a Panny E30 about 3 years ago and got the E80 a year later. Don't know how I ever lived without it. Depending on the size of the hard drive you can record over 100 hours onto it. You can edit programs stored on the HD and then burn them internally to DVD-R. It's just like having a built in RAM disc.

I agree with the built in hard drive (although I have a Pioneer). I don't use mine to time shift, as we have Tivo, but I use mine quite a bit to archive anything I want to keep around.

I prefer DVD-RAM and hard drive combo for recording offa tv

I'm waiting on the dmreh55 to come out though

I'm mostly going to use it to copy tons of 8mm & mini-dv home videos and copy fom TIVO.

I picked up the new Panasonic DVD recorder, model ES15S.
It just came out.

It was $10 cheaper than the ES20S model.

Another vote for the ES20.

That copy protection makes that Sony a $200 paper weight.

I bought a lite-on with a 160gb hard drive and love it for the fact that there is firmware out there that makes it even better.

I love the earlier generation Sony RDR-GX300, but I haven't heard good things about the newer model. The older 300 has no issue with recording premium channels, but I've read the newer one does.

I've got the Panasonic E10 also, and have been happy with it.

If I had to pick between the two newer models you mention, I'd go with the Panny.


Sony: records on DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-RW (in both video and VR modes) and DVD+RW.

Panasonic: Records on DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-RW (video mode only) and DVD-RAM. Will also play back DVD-RW (VR mode) and DVD+RW.

From what I understand, the very newest Panasonic models will also now record in DVD+RW, so they are nearly truly universal recording devices.

Any comments on the Pioneer that on Woot today?

DVR-531H-S DVD-R/RW Recorder with 80GB DVR

It is refurbished, but only $250. Any good? Good price for a refurb?