Do I invest in a standalone DVD recorder?

[markjj]

Hi all.

I've got loads of camcorder footage on hi8 and dv. I've got wedding video's on vhs and a sky+ box stuffed with programs I'd like to archive. So far I've been using a Dazzle dvc2 to transfer the camcorder stuff onto the pc then using DVDMF2 to author onto my dvd burner. It works ok but I'm wondering if it is now time to buy a dvd recorder to sit under the tv. That way I can just plug the camcorder(s) in or the vhs etc and archive to disc.

I'd really like to save some old programs onto disc which are on my sky+ box but that currently means dragging the pc into the loungue, hooking it up to the DVC2/sky box etc. then back out again once I'm finished.

I'm coming round to the idea that a standalone will be much more convenient for day to day recordings etc. I've done some research for a recorder and Richer Sounds are selling the Philips DVDR 880 for £299 all in.

Am I going in the right direction with this and are there any views on the recorder I mentioned? It seems to have good reviews from the av mags. etc. Thanks

[thoots]

Mark,

Yes, I think you'll find lots of folks here who will recommend getting a standalone DVD recorder. The ease of use is just amazing compared to doing it on a computer, at least for about seemingly 99% of people, and the results are excellent if you use the best recording quality your machine offers.

By all means, browse through many of the threads in this forum, and you should be able to get a very good understanding of what these machines can do, and how they work. Good luck, and let me just put a bug in your ear: "Panasonic."

Again, good luck!

thoots

[next]

Mark,

Yes, I think you'll find lots of folks here who will recommend getting a standalone DVD recorder. The ease of use is just amazing compared to doing it on a computer, at least for about seemingly 99% of people, and the results are excellent if you use the best recording quality your machine offers.

By all means, browse through many of the threads in this forum, and you should be able to get a very good understanding of what these machines can do, and how they work. Good luck, and let me just put a bug in your ear: "Panasonic."

Again, good luck!

thoots

I agree. Good advice. These may be other options as well:

https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=166660

https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=157660

Your choice.

[lordsmurf]

It's more time (computer) vs. no customization (standalone).
Which is important?

You sound like you have more videos than time.

I want one too, as I'm in the same boat. But no money here, so I make do with a PC for now, plus I like to make my own menus and other custom tweaks to video, especially if I restore footage video/audio quality.

The APEX looks pretty good. It's at Walmart. If you don't like it, take it back within 30 days. The end. Also, get the firmware upgrade before using it. When I get $$$, that's what I'll do.

[markjj]

thoots, next, lordsmurf. Many thanks for replies. Most helpful. You are right - i've more footage than time allows although I do take your point about lack of customisation - that's particularly relevant for one or two "special" videos such as our wedding and the kids first steps etc - who wants 30 seconds ofa thumb image across the lens!

thoots - panasonic, eh? I'll keep an eye out then.

Thanks again guys,

Mark

[markjj]

thoots & all.

All my local av retailers have no 880's in stock and don't foresee any deliveries soon. I've been told to wait 2 or 3 weeks as Philips are bringing out some new models. One retailer even advised against the 880 and steered me towards the E50 (Panasonic - flea in ear!). Having read up some more on this I am interested. techtronics.com are retailing it for £278 + postage. My only concern is the lack of + or -rw, and RAM instead. There would be occasions when I'd like to get some recorded footage etc onto the pc so I guess a dvd rom/ram drive is an answer - is there such a product available (preferably in the uk and without breaking the bank)?

Thanks again all.

[ejai]

The question is; How could you NOT invest in a standalone recorder?

[ejai]

I own an E50 and E30 (I gave to by son). Both models are great and without a doubt solve your needs for digital video production. I use my computer with a DVD-ram drive to make beautiful professional menus.

[mybook4]

For editing, you could always just record to rw and bring the footage to your computer. In my opinion, DVD Recorders do a much better job bringing analog footage to mpeg-2 than capture cards (if you get a good recorder like one of the panasonic's). Plus they always work. How many of us have had driver issues and conflicts with av equipment on our pc's? It really is worth the money. It sounds like you have lots of footage and too little time. Do you really want to waste some of that time setting up stuff and dealing with pc issues (whatever may arise, and trust me something will)?

[markjj]

Yeh. I do agree . The only concern at present, assuming I go for the E50, is getting the footage onto PC (ignoring the -r route which would end up expensive). Some members have recommended buying a dvd rom drive which can read dvd ram but that adds to the overall cost. For an entry level recorder I'd really prefer -rw / +rw as a feature so I can wipe the discs when I'm done.

Why can't life just be simple?

[MicoMan]

I have the Panasonic E50 and am in the process of putting my Hi8 tapes onto DVD-R
The quality is very good if you do a 90 min tape too one disc.

The bad thing is I can't really edit very well. The HS2 with hard drive would do it better but at over double the cost is too much for me.

I do like the PC option but need a faster PC and bigger hard drive to do it well. Not had much luck with capture cards but DV camcorders sound better.

If you have DV in on your camcorder and a large hard disc on your PC then edit with PC put back on tape then copy too DVD-R. Get a E60 with DV in for best quality.
Also some DV camcorders can record Analoge in so you could copy Hi8 - DV.

[markjj]

Guys.

If it's any help to anyone out there I located a dvd rom drive which reads ram discs - the model is an LG "GDR-8161B". I got it from PC World but dabs.com are doing it £15 cheaper. Having used it a few times now I can confirm it reads ram discs fine and allows me to get footage onto the pc to author etc.

Dvd Movie Factory 2 with AC-3 is another story...

[MicoMan]

Good to hear.

How does the video file show up on a RAM disc and how do you copy it to your hard drive? Is a ripper program need or can you just copy file over?

Panasonic 16x48 DVD Drive here for only £28.78 Including delivery -
http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?action=c2VsZWN0X3Byb2R1Y3Rfb3ZlcnZp...duct_uid=40271

Link works now

[markjj]

MicoMan.

In "My Computer" the LG dvd rom drive (with a RAM disc loaded and including a recording off the E50) shows the following info:

The disc title is "DVD_VIDEO_RECORDER". The root folder is DVD_RTAV. On opening there are three files - an IFO, a BUP and a VRO (which contains the video). This might be getting a bit off topic here so apologies to the Mods but in answer to your next query have a look at my reply in this thread:

https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=167593

Couldn't get details of that Panasonic dvd rom from the url but at that price (and if it reads RAM) its about £11 cheaper than what I paid for the LG at PC World

[CHAOS]

I just copy and paste the .VRO to my hard drive then rename it to .mpg, works great!!! then edit and author. i even have an older model, the panasonic e30 and it's the best thing i ever bought!!!! all my vcr's bacame obsolete in about 5 minutes!!!!

[donpedro]

let me just put a bug in your ear: "Panasonic."

Be aware of this issue

https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=175473

[markjj]

donpedro. I'l tell you something. If I get a whiff of that happening on my machine, it'll be straight back to the retailer and shoved right up his chalfonts. I know you boys in the US are a bit more well mannered on the high street but I am not going to stand for a bag of shite in the form of £400 of my hard earned on something which don't do what it says on the tin (so to speak).

As it happens, I haven't experienced any such symptoms yet but I've got another 11 months and 2 weeks before the guarantee expires. Let's just hope it stays that way.

[Bob W]

I have the Panasonic E50 recorder and to date have made about 100 DVD-R discs mostly from VHS movies that are not out on DVD yet. All the discs play just fine in any of the three players I have at home FYI.

I'm really pleased I bought this recorder as it has saved me a ton of time plus the copies look much better than I could ever do via capture and computer.

I should add that I bought a $39 DVD drive that reads DVD-RAM so to get video onto my computer I just re-name the VRO files as either mpeg or VOB and use NeoDVD plus to do any editing and create new DVD files.

[markjj]

Bob. Have you used any other software to edit, e.g. DVDMF2, Tmpg Dvd Author etc? I'd be interested to hear how neodvd performs by comparison. I wouldn't mind trying neo but cant' see any trial download on their site.

On another point do you have any problems with the vro files once they've been renamed vob etc or is it really that simple?

Thanks, Mark

[handyguy]

I got a panasonic s35 dvd player that reads the dvdram format too, so I just put a disk in it & copy to a panasonic dvd recorder s-video input to put on dvd-r if I want.

[CHAOS]

Bob. Have you used any other software to edit, e.g. DVDMF2, Tmpg Dvd Author etc? I'd be interested to hear how neodvd performs by comparison. I wouldn't mind trying neo but cant' see any trial download on their site.

On another point do you have any problems with the vro files once they've been renamed vob etc or is it really that simple?

Thanks, Mark

Well, Bob is the one that also told me about renaming the files from .VRO to .mpg from a ram disc, and i have had no issues what so ever. i have made several copies of Laserdiscs with my panasonic e30 using the s-video input and authored them with TMPGEnc DVD Author, made full motion menus with background music & TMPGEnc DVD Author also allowed the ac3 audio to pass right through and all the dvd's came out looking & sounding GREAT!!!
As a matter of fact, my buddy has a toshiba dvd player that is about 5 years old, according to all the comments people put on the DVD Players comment section, it would not play dvdr's, well i tried some of the dvd's i made, "+" & "-", & they worked perfect!!

[Heavie]

Call me crazy. Why bother with a standalone recorder, when you're plans are to move the video to the pc with dvdram.

I have a Panasonic DMR-E80Hs and it saves so much time, when making backup from vhs tapes and recording pay per view movies from directv. I use my computer to copy my original dvd to a blank dvd-r, with DVD2one v1.1.3 and backing up my ps2 and xbox games .

See the luxury of having both. The dvd I burn from the DMR-E80Hs, plays in my Samsung DVD-711 player, my ps2 and my xbox. Who cares if it don't plays in my friends dvd. I hope it don't, so I don't have to lend movies to them and wait forever to get them back.

[donpedro]

Here is my reason (still not planing to buy standalone but anyway).

1. There is no good way to backup old VHS tapes other than DVD Recorder.

2. It is the best way to record TV program on DVD. All the other ways involves too much time and result is not guaranteed.