Page 1 of Panasonic HS2 slated in Dealtime reviews... Any truth before I buy???

:o A couple of reviews related to the "deal time" website have slated this model.

It is `alleged` that the machine does not like recording from sky digiboxes of any make.
It is also reported to have a "black bug" firware problem meaning that finalised DVD-r discs have a foggy white appearence if played back on other machine than a Panny.
The fan is reported to be intolerrably noisy.
It is not possible to connect it to a current 5.1 home theatre system even though Panasonic technical and the manual says otherwise.

The damning reviews suggested waiting for the next Panasonics to be released when the blackbug had disappeared and Panasonic have got their act together.

Does anybody own one of these??? What are they really like??

This seems to be the only forum that is sensible about anything!

Thanks
Andy

The above is incorrect bar one item.There are no problems recording from Digiboxes of any make ,or Sky+.In fact,this is the first time I have ever heard of such a thing.The new Humax HDD Freeview box seems to have a problem in triggering Macrovision on dvd recorders,not just the HS2.I have dozens and dozens of finalised dvd-r,s that play perfectly on a PS2, a Pioneer recorder and a Dansai,as well as dozens of others I have tested.Fan noise was reported on one forum,but I have no problems and did not even realise there was a fan in it at all until I saw someone mention it.If this is a problem it is not widespread.But it WILL NOT record 5.1 sound,just as no other dvd recorder will either.Sky + is currently the only device capable of doing this.It is not something most quality companies seem to be bothered about at the moment,although Philips will,reportedly have a 5.1 recorder within a year.Check out AVForums where the HS2 is recorder of choice.

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But it WILL NOT record 5.1 sound,just as no other dvd recorder will either.Sky + is currently the only device capable of doing this.It is not something most quality companies seem to be bothered about at the moment,although Philips will,reportedly have a 5.1 recorder within a year.Check out AVForums where the HS2 is recorder of choice

Was waiting for your response to this before posting, as we don`t sell the HS2 nor have I experience of them, but kinda thought similar to what you`ve posted.

However, I think what the original post is saying is that the HS2 won`t *output* Dolby 5.1 to a seperate amp/decoder for surround sound playback (ie: normal, store bought movie), which I find hard to believe as the E50 definitely does and works fine on DTS too.

Back to you on that one Phellings :)

Jimbo : oÞ

I have the Panasonics HS2, and it does output to 5.1 when you play a pre-recorded dvd, the article is rubbish, i have never had any slightest bit of trouble and i dont regret buying this model for a second. I have about 100 finalised dvd-r (archived lots of videos etc) and they`ve played on any dvd player i`ve encountered even the ps2.

Thanks for the replies. The review was implying the HS2 would not `output 5.1`. I have been looking so long now and the HS2 seems to be the one that covers most bases at the momment.
This particular review also intimated that everybody should now hang on for Blu-ray technology as DVD as we know it will cease to exsist. Surely this is an exaggeration!

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This particular review also intimated that everybody should now hang on for Blu-ray technology as DVD as we know it will cease to exsist. Surely this is an exaggeration!

The scaremongering starts :D

Blu-Ray is being developed in two different camps, and from what I gather, they aint compatible with each others recording formats.
Both will allow very similar features though, one of which is backwards compatibility with DVD Video as we know it.

I`d say the review you`ve read is part speculation with minor abilities to test the equipment correctly, as to say the unit can`t output 5.1 signals when it clearly can, would render it useless as a test review in my eyes.

Obviously they meant it can`t record in 5.1, but then none can, and if I`m right, Blu-Ray is still around a year+ away, and we still have no idea of how much it`s gonna set us all back initially.

Jimbo : oÞ

All dvd recorders and players output 5.1 to an amp.Maybe they were moaning that the HS2 ,like most devices these days,does not supply both coaxial and optical outputs-only the latter.So if your amp has only one optical input and you also have Sky+-you have a problem.
Bluray was set to be the Holy Grail of home recording,but as a competing format is on the cards,we will be in the same format mess we are in now.
Just checked the Dealtime specs.I think this is a company best avoided.No mention of the all important RGB output,but it does mention the Component Output and progressive scan-which it has neither of.

This item was edited on Sunday, 18th January 2004, 21:57