DVD+R Recording Time

[Mistress Diana]

I am copying all my family VHS tapes to DVD+R disks. Most of the VHS tapes are 6 to 8 hours in length, recorded from various comcorders and then cleaned up and combined into long tapes. I am using a DVD Recorder to make these copies. Generally, what is the actual amount of time that the DVD disk will hold in comparison to the VHS tape. In other words, will 1 DVD disk hold all the info from a 6 or 8 hour VSH tape recorded at SLP speed, and does it make any difference if some were at EP. Thanks much

D

[Heywould3]

it al ldepends on the resolution and bitrate the vhs files are recorded in.. you could use half D1 which if i remember correctly 352x480 ntsc and a fairly low bitrate compared to dvd like 2500 and fit maybe 4 hours .. do a search there are lots of topics around regarding this exact topic.

what it boils down ti is file size.. if you have a file that is 30 min long at high bitrate in HD it could be huge close to the 4.3gig limit on DVDr but you could also use low quality and fit huge amounts of video.. just look crapy.. its dependent on the filesize as far as time fit on dvd.. BUT if you want it to play as a DVD in your dvd player then it will need to comply with the dvd standards.. and thats also found here on this board..

[Capmaster]

Since this discussion includes resolutions and bitrates, I think it's better off in the Capturing forum ...

[Mistress Diana]

Thanks sorry to post in wrong area. D

[Capmaster]

Thanks sorry to post in wrong area. D

Not even a problem

[RonBoy]

I've been doing this to my VHS using a Philips DVDR 75 and suggest using the 1 and 2 hr speeds.
Using the longer speeds you will see some pixilation in your copys at the 2 1/2 and 3 hr speeds and I've not used a longer speed but I don't suggest you do either.

[hsugawar]

It depends on the video quality. With my GoVideo VR4940, the XP (1 hour) and SP (2 hours) modes are pretty good for copying commercial VHS tapes, but the LP (4 hours) mode is too poor in quality to be an acceptable level. So, I've decided to never use the LP mode.

You mileage, however, may vary. The GoViode DVD recorder+VCR performs video compression with limited signal processing power in real time, which may not be able to result in the best compression quality. On the other hand, a powerful PC may be able to result in a lot better compression quality in an off-line mode. So that 4-6 hours can be recorded in good quality.

hiro