Introduction

The Panasonic ES15, like it’s sibling the ES10 and other Panasonic DVD recorders such as the PAL EH-57, EX-77, can be used as a “poor man’s” substitute or replacement for a VCR’s line timebase corrector. It has excellent de-flagging (removing wavy vertical lines, including the edges of the picture) and stabilisation. I have posted examples of it’s stabilising capabilities here. These instructions are for a PAL ES15. I believe the NTSC model has a slightly different setup menu. There is a lengthy topic on VideoHelp regarding setup of the Panasonics here.

Remote

Most of the Panasonic DVD recorder remotes will work with the ES15, even quite late-model remotes. It must have a “Display” button. All of these work with my ES15 (original on the left):

Connections

General

For the video signal, it is preferable to use S-video cabling in and out. For audio, route the cabling through the ES15 to minimise audio desync.

Input

I use S-Video In (and audio) to the AV4 port. For Composite In, the AV4 port doesn’t work for me so if I am inputting Composite video, I use the front AV3 ports for video and audio.

Output

For S-Video Out, the AV 4 Out port generates a very slight brightness pump for a few frames at harsh scene changes. Even though this is not noticeable in normal video, it is worth keeping in mind. S-Video Out from AV1 via a SCART plug does not exhibit this pump. For output, I use a SCART plug on AV1 for S-Video and audio Out. Alternatively, if the brightness pumping isn’t an issue for you or you don’t have a SCART plug, AV4 Out is suitable. Note: the DV IN connection (front panel) will not be passed through. It’s only for recording on the internal DVD recorder.

Menus

A typical set up is as follows:

Functions button>To Others>Setup

Picture: set Comb Filter to On Display: • On-Screen Messages: as necessary; I use Automatic and have had no issues with the OSD getting in the way. • Grey Background: On Connection: • TV Aspect 4:3 • Progressive: Off • TV System to match your video format • AV1 Output: I have S-Video so I can output S- Video via the SCART plug Others: • Power Save: It is best to completely depower the unit when not in use to reduce wear on the power supply capacitors. I therefore suggest that you set the Power Save to OFF to provide you with a prompt, via the clock display, that you have left the unit powered by the mains after you have switched it off via the power button. With Power Save ON, the display goes blank when the unit is switched off at the power button. • Quick Start: as required; check manual for exact operation of this function.

Display Button

Picture: AV-in NR: Off. It is considered better to do noise reduction during post-capture processing, however this setting is personal preference.

Brightness Boosting

There are stories going around that the ES-15 boosts brightness. There are two parts to the story: 1/overall brightness is boosted slightly and 2/there is an overboost on scene changes with large brightness changes. To address point 1, while on a bad tape I’ve found there is a slight brightening (which can be corrected by slightly lowering the capture contrast), on a good tape, the ES-15 remains true to the original. Here is an example: Hi8 direct to GV-USB2 S-Video capture Hi8 to ES-15 (AV4 In, AV1 SCART Out) to GV- USB2, all S-Video