Enforcer said:
I have a Panasonic E55 DVD burner hooked up to my 811 and my 510 using svideo. The video I have recorded has been outstanding. I will say and I am probably going to get flamed on this, but I used those "standard" red and white audio cables along with the el cheapo svideo cable that came with the receivers. I tried them and ya they worked fine from both receivers going into the burner, however I decided to be a techno geek and try different cables. My oh my what a difference it made. I went out and bought 2 6ft monster svideo cables along with monster (red and white) audio cables going from both receivers into the burner. The difference between the "standard" el cheapo cables and monster was second to none. That's why I don't mind spending a few extra bucks on them. I hook the whole system up and use the optical sound out from the burner into my surround sound receiver. I also use the "component" output on the burner and plug it directly into the tv. So actually svideo going into the burner then component going out. I have had great success with my burner and my setup. If you need pointers let me know.
I have a similar setup only with an E-85 recorder, 811 & 508.
Although I get excellent PQ from either Dish receiver when hooked direct to my HDTV, neither look very good when passing through my E85, especially if I have progressive scan turned on. I run both S-Vid & component out from the E-85 to my TV and neither look as good as the direct lines to the TV but the component line looks worse than the S-Vid.
I will admit that if I record an HD program (down converted from S-Vid input) it usually looks better when played back (either from HDD or dvd-r) than it did while monitoring during recording. If I record at SP to HDD and high speed dub to dvd-r, it really looks pretty decent (except I haven't really figured out how to consistantly get a widescreen aspect ratio).
But recordings from SD usually don't look any better than if I recorded to a VHS tape. Even from programs where the PQ is excellent when viewed through a direct 508 to TV connection. It's like something is degrading the signal in the E-85 or I've got something setup wrong.
I haven't tried expensive S-Vid cables (I think mine are RCA brand) or a power conditioner yet but I've read mixed reviews as to the PQ improvment either provide. It looks like about $150 bucks to upgrade to decent cables and a power conditioner board, which I'd do if it would improve the quality of my dvd recordings.
WaltinVt