Confused. dvd recorder or writer?

[Ade007]

Hello all,

I need your advice on whether I should get a stand alone dvd recorder or a dvd writer and whic format should come with the recorder or writer I get. I plan to convert my wedding vhs tapes to dvd and make copies of some of the dvd moviesand vhs i bought . I know some dvds may be copy protected but can the programs such as dvd shrink be used on the stand alone recorders just like the dvdwriters? Also, what format do the movies come in?
I'm trying to make sure I get the right product so please bare with me if some of the questions are basic questions.

[handyguy]

None of the dvd recorders or writers copy protect your dvds when you make them that I know of.

The panasonic dvd recorders seem to get the best ratings, they were voted top by Consumer Reports. They write -r & dvdram.

https://www.videohelp.com/dvdrecorders

[Ade007]

What I meant is some of the movies I have might be copy protected since they are a commercial versions. I already own these movies but I would like to make copies to preserve them. The other question is what is a better option for me? A dvd writer or a stand alone dvd recorder? Also, do programs such as dvd shrink and dvd encrypter only work with the dvd writers?
Sorry if I posted this topic in the wrong area.

[lordsmurf]

Read this: https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=246129

[ZippyP.]

What I meant is some of the movies I have might be copy protected since they are a commercial versions. I already own these movies but I would like to make copies to preserve them.

The best (and fastest) way to copy a DVD is to do it on a PC with a DVD writer. Almost identical copies and defeats all copy protection. In order to copy using a player-recorder combination you need a seperate box between the two which will filter out the copy protection. Time consuming and inferior quality.

The other question is what is a better option for me? A dvd writer or a stand alone dvd recorder?

For copying VHS tapes you still need a capture device and some skill to produce a good quality DVD. With a DVD recorder you can produce a good quality DVD from your VHS with a minimal amount of knowledge and almost no learning curve.

I would say that for your purposes that you need both a writer and a recorder. Writers are cheap and recorders are dropping as well. Most DVD writers these days come in both + and - formats.

You do not need DVDShrink or DVDecrypter with a disk from a recorder. These programs are for defeating copy protection and for shrinking dual layer DVDs onto single layer DVD-r's. Disks from a recorder are easily copied using simple disk copying software. You can also copy them to your PC, edit them and then reburn a DVD using your own custom menus if you wish.

[Epicurus8a]

I would agree with ZippyP., BOTH is the solution.

I wasted a lot of time and money trying to find a capture card I liked. Then I threw up my hands in disgust and bought a DVD-Recorder (Pioneer). That was one of the luckiest and best investments I've made in quite some time. And I'm able to use my computer while the Pioneer is recording.

If you want custom menus/chapters, however, you'll need to rip your disc to your computer and re-author it. DVD Decrypter (free) is very handy for ripping. I select IFO mode (no file splitting), then VOB is ripped as a single file (instead of being split up). Then I re-author as I see fit.

There are advocates of -R/RW & +R/RW, and both show compatibility charts touting their advantage over the other. My personal experience is that quality -R discs are the most compatible with other players. Japanese manufactorers like Taiyo-Yuden, Fuji, Maxell, & Mitsubishi Chemical Corp. tend to produce the best discs. This, however, is always subject to change depending upon their latest "innovation(s)."

Buy a name brand DVD recorder and start using it tomorrow. When your budget permits, buy a writer for your computer. Meanwhile you can study up on the argument about authoring software. The LISTS to the left will help you choose what is right for you.

[Ade007]

Thanks for all your replies. This is really helping me out. Which dvd recorder would you recommend? Pioneer, Sony, Panasonic? Epicurus8a, which Pioneer dvd recorder do you have? and what's your suggestion for a dvd writer? Sony, Pioneer, Lite-on or any other top brand?
Thank's for your help.

[tweedledee]

I reckon that the TOSHIBA with the 40G HHD is a good bet. It records in plus, minus, and RAM and it has front AVI's for a Camcorder.

[Epicurus8a]

You don't state the country in which you reside or your TV system.

I live in the USA. I've been using a Pioneer 210s for 6 months or so and just bought a Pioneer 420H-s with an 80gig hard drive (for storage and editing). Both machines have been flawless so far and are a true joy to own. Both machines record DVD-R, DVD-RW. Also, they both have the option to record in VR mode* (for editing) with an RW disc. Editing is well thought out, and a breeze! The best feature by far is the manual (VBR) bit rate selection.

Other members speak highly of the JVC units. Lordsmurf is the gent who can help you out there. Also, check his link regarding Time Base Correctors for transferring your tapes to DVD+/-R.

Right now the Pioneer 108 & NEC 3500 are generally considered to be the best burners. As you are aware something new and better could come along next week.

*NOTE: VR mode is not supported by the majority of DVD Players currently on the market. The same is true for computer software, but the numbers are getting larger as time goes by.

[Ade007]

Oh, sorry I forgot to state I live in California. I have a lot of my relatives in England though. It would be nice to be able to make dvd copies of my wedding for my relatives in England but if thats too complicated, working with only the system over here is fine for now.

Cheers.

[Nilfennasion]

Most AV equipment sold in England during the last 15 years is capable of playing NTSC material, but it does help to check, just in case. If the people you are making the disc for can play back NTSC material on their equipment, then, being that you're in America, it is preferable to send them NTSC material. Standards conversions introduce some rather annoying artefacts.

[handyguy]

Im in Calif & my friends in the uk can play any dvd or vhs I send them. Dunno what machine they have but I have a Panasonic dvd recorder. Just read the dvd recorder topic I posted a link to.