[mariner]

I have a Panasonic DMR E55 linked through a Sky box to a Panasonic TX32PM1.

When I record programmes "live" the feed comes up as using RGB.

Likewise when the dvd recorder is off the Sky pictures are RGB.

However when I set up a timed recording I don't get the RGB display and the picture is noticeably inferior!

I am probably being even denser than usual but any help would be appreciated!

[Scorpio]

I have an E55 and I know that 'timed recordings' using Qlink to a Sky box can only be managed with composite as one of the RGB colour pins is used for the Qlink functionality.

(I have a Sky+ so the problem doesnt arise for me).

If you mean 'timed recordings' are things that you have recorded using the E55 timer (not Qlink) then these should show in RGB provided that you have the AV2/AV1 scarts set to RGB.

Your config should be

Sky TV scart (RGB) ---> E55 AV2 (RGB)
E55 AV1 (RGB) ---> TV AV1 (RGB)

When you play a prerecorded DVD do you get the RGB logo?

Rgds,
Scorp

[mariner]

Thanks for the reply Scorpio.

My configuration is as you describe and I don't use Q link only the E55 timer.

I only have the one RGB scart AV1 and this is missing the 21 pin as I was getting ghosting.

I get the RGB logo when playing prerecorded DVD's and when recording "live" so to speak. It is only when the DVD recorder is switched on by a timer recording that there is no logo and an appreciably poorer picture.

Thanks again.

[mariner]

Finally realised that the actual timer recordings are OK and are RGB quality. Only when the timed recording is taking place does the TV picture become poorer and RGB not displayed. Seeing as its a timed recording this is not a problem just a bit odd.

Thanks again for the help I think I'll go for a lie down in a cool room!

[comicsansserif]

As you have realised the machine does not pass through RGB when in timer mode and it is recording. However you could always press play at these times and watch the picture in RGB with the timeslip whilst it still records the program.

[Scorpio]

Another quirk of the E55: if you are recording (say) analog TV, BBC1 you cannot (with your config) watch Sky Movies on pass through.

The E55 does not have a SATMON (satellite monitor) function.

This may be a pain for you as it appears to be less flexible than a VCR. You can watch analog (on your TV tuner) and record Sky through AV2.

I got over this (I wanted to dub from external sources, VCR, DVD while watching Sky+) by connecting Sky+ directly to the TV AV1 using RGB scart and connecting to the E55 using Svideo.

This works well and effectively decouples the devices. I realise that your Sky box does not have an Svideo output so for the occaisions when you want to watch Sky and record from another source (the E55 has lots of inputs) or analog then I would suggest connecting a scart from the Sky VCR scart to the TV AV2 scart.

I know this will be composite but may give you some flexibility for future circumstances.

Rgds,
Scorp