DVD Recorder: Polaroid DRM-2001G tests

[dvr810]

I've had my Polaroid DRM-2001G since December 2006, and am generally very happy with it. I got it to mostly to transfer my huge library of video camera tapes to DVD -- so far I've burned about 100 DVDs worth of home videos, the sources being VHS, 8mm, and Hi8 Digital tapes. I'm using DVD+R discs, and am burning at the SP speed (2 hrs per disc). I'm using the YesDVD feature to create the intelligent menus with thumbnails, and to print covers. I actually like that feature! I've also started to burn some discs from shows recorded on the HD for my kids to play in the car DVD player, with great success.

All of a sudden, I'm seeing a problem. When I put a completed DVD into the unit (both commercial DVDs and ones I've burned myself) it is now often not "seeing" the disc at all. It says "Loading", but then nothing happens. No blank screen, no disc menu, nothing. It acts as if I never put a disc in at all. It doesn't happen on every disc -- just certain ones. This sometimes even happens at the end of trying to burn a new disc -- it won't allow me to finalize the disc because it won't even read that there is a disc in there! The same finished discs that won't play on the Polaroid play fine on my other DVD player (a Panasonic unit in another room). Can anyone suggest a remedy? Is there something inside that I should clean or service on the Polariod? HELP!

I've had similiar problems with my burner. I returned my original unit--to Wally-- when it was as bad as yours and actually swapped out the burners. All was fine for a while. But again today, after burning from HD recently and playing back ok, I tried to play this (DVD-R, not finalized) disk today. It wouldn't load. But after popping disk out and then loading and playing a commercial movie, tried it again and it plays back again!
mdspiro: how did you solve your problem--if you did, lol??

[mdspiro]

The answer is twofold: first of all, I exchanged my problematic Polaroid 2001-G at Walmart for a new one (same model, but a later series serial number). I had already burned over 100 DVD's on the first one, and I think part of the problem was simply that the burner was beginning to fail after my intensive usage. The new one works fine. The second thing I learned is that the Polaroid generally does not like DVD-R media. It will record and play them back (reluctantly, with some features like YesDVD disabled), but the native format for the Polaroid is DVD+R or DVD+RW. I can't prove it, but I believe that forcing my unit to record on DVD-R disks caused damage to the burner. Also -- use high quality media, and not off-brands, or sale items. I learned the hard way that sometimes even well known brands are crap (TDK's stink!). Now I stick to either Sony, or better yet, Taiyo Yuden brand -- which are considered the best media available. You can get them online from Supermediastore.com. Using high quality media reduces the burn failure rate significantly, and they are much more likely to hold up over time.

[dvr810]

Thanks mdspiro. I came close to buying some DVD+R a while ago. I will try that now!
I usually pick up either Sony, Memorex, and have tried Fuji. (Memorex is on sale most frequently lately.) Usually buy on sale from one of the electronics stores (Best Buy, Circuit City, etc.) But it's always DVD-R. That is the format that was designed for my older Pioneer DVR-810H-s. I keep putting off fixing that burner, lol. Thanks again for your advice!

[mdspiro]

Glad to be of help. You should read up on Blank DVD Media -- I learned that it's not so much the brand name that counts, as the actual "Media ID". Here's a good resource: http://www.digitalfaq.com/media/dvdmedia.htm As a rule of thumb, anything that's on sale at Circuit City, or Best Buy or any of those big box stores is probably garbage. With blank DVD's, it's really true that you get what you pay for.

[mike1061]

Glad to be of help. You should read up on Blank DVD Media -- I learned that it's not so much the brand name that counts, as the actual "Media ID". Here's a good resource: http://www.digitalfaq.com/media/dvdmedia.htm As a rule of thumb, anything that's on sale at Circuit City, or Best Buy or any of those big box stores is probably garbage. With blank DVD's, it's really true that you get what you pay for.

That is very good advise.
TY's and Verabiutm are not very expensive if you buy a 100, or more, on the internet.
Thanks Mike

[n7oo]

I recently purchased the DRM-2001G and appreciate all the great tips provided by this forum!

One issue I've not seen addressed in the test reports is whether or not the TV tuner
can be set for both channel formats. On mine, it only provides for the standard UHF
channels but I would prefer it to be able to receive the cable channel scheme. I know
on most VCRs and TVs I've experienced one can select either format. Has anyone
advice on this topic?

N7OO

[mdspiro]

I recently purchased the DRM-2001G and appreciate all the great tips provided by this forum!

One issue I've not seen addressed in the test reports is whether or not the TV tuner
can be set for both channel formats. On mine, it only provides for the standard UHF
channels but I would prefer it to be able to receive the cable channel scheme. I know
on most VCRs and TVs I've experienced one can select either format. Has anyone
advice on this topic?

N7OO

I'm not sure what you are referring to when you say "it only provides for the standard UHF channels". Do you mean VHF and UHF, like when you only have a regular antenna instead of cable? If you hook up your cable to the input on the back, you simply choose "scan" in the setup menu and the tuner on the DMR-2001G scans for any active channels it detects -- you don't select a type. It will lock in all the cable channels. Now, it is an analogue-only tuner ... if the cable channels you are looking for are digital, you're out of luck. The next generation Polaroid DVR includes a separate digital tuner, but not this one.

[n7oo]

On my unit, SCAN didn't report the cable TV channels. It got the VHF okay but not
cable channel 74, for instance. Both of my TVs are recent models and they have menu
settings for either regular or cable.

n7oo

[Gesundheit]

Guys, I'm at my wits end and am very much in need of some basic help.

I'm not big on technical jargon, so please be easy on me in any response.

All I'm trying to do is hook up my 5.1 from my DRM-2001G to my Prodynamics surround sound, but I'm having a few problems.

As of right now, the only audio I get coming out of the back of the DRM is from the 5.1 red/white buttons on the back labeled R and L. I can't get audio to come out of any of the others. So, I have my choice of hooking up my back speakers, front speakers of center/bass units, but not the three together, or even two for that matter.

I've tried hitting the audio button on the remote to possibly change settings, but all that happens when I hit that button is a small "you can't do that" icon appears at the bottom right portion of the screen.

I've also tried adjusting the audio under the setup menu, but it won't even let me click on the audio button on the menu.

Please help ... Thanks in advance.

[Gesundheit]

Guys, I'm at my wits end and am very much in need of some basic help.

I'm not big on technical jargon, so please be easy on me in any response.

All I'm trying to do is hook up my 5.1 from my DRM-2001G to my Prodynamics surround sound, but I'm having a few problems.

As of right now, the only audio I get coming out of the back of the DRM is from the 5.1 red/white buttons on the back labeled R and L. I can't get audio to come out of any of the others. So, I have my choice of hooking up my back speakers, front speakers of center/bass units, but not the three together, or even two for that matter.

I've tried hitting the audio button on the remote to possibly change settings, but all that happens when I hit that button is a small "you can't do that" icon appears at the bottom right portion of the screen.

I've also tried adjusting the audio under the setup menu, but it won't even let me click on the audio button on the menu.

Please help ... Thanks in advance.

OK, let me add to what I just posted ... Through the timeshift button on the remote, I've been able to adjust the audio settings to 5.1 instead of 2 ch.

That said, I am still getting sound out of one of the outputs on the back of the unit.

What am I missing here?

[Fused0ne]

I finally have enough money to get a new hard drive for my recorder, and I read it has to be IDE. Does it matter what brand? Western Digital? Seagate? Cache? Seek time? Any of that matter?

Thank you.

[lordsmurf]

Seagate 300-320 or Western Digital 250 are recommended.

I think it's IDE/PATA, but open your Polaroid and look at the wire. SATA is totally different than IDE/PATA, easy to spot. If you're unsure, Google image search for help on what these connections look like.

7200rpm with 8MB cache are typical.

[Fused0ne]

Ok then, thank you very much. So a 500gb is not good for this dvd rec?

[mike1061]

He told you what people are recomending. There have been posts about the 500's not working. Made by people that seem to know.
Thanks Mike

[Fused0ne]

Oh ok then, I hadnt seen msg's about that.

Thank you both.

[n7oo]

Excuse me if this function has been addressed. On some movies that were recorded to
the HD I get this message when attempting to transfer them to DVD:

The space of titles exceed the
remain space of DVD disk.

If it is explained in the manual then I missed it. I assumed it was referring to trying to
record a 3 hour movie onto a DVD formatted for 2 hours. I then selected DVD times
up to 6 hours but still get the same warning. Has anyone experienced this?

[tase2]

Sorry about bumping such an old thread.

Stuck in hotel with a TV that only has the coax connection no cable box. I thought maybe if I had the cable come into the DRM-2001G, and out to TV that I might get something. I tried watching a dvd, but only static on TV. I read through some of the threads and now realize the tuner is anologue only, and therefore now obsolete.

But is there a way that I can get dvd output?
I also wanted to hook components out from theDRM-2001G to a Tivo series 3. This is the one with cable cards. I know there is no way to record, but have hours and hours of shows I wish to watch. I am stuck for another entire week. The cable stinks.

Thanks

EDIT
RF modulator-oh well too late

[slytrans69]

I want to replace my burner. Is there a DL or Blu-Ray burner that will work? Can I just use any IDE burner?