Question for Zoran

[chole]

Zoran, I read that post of yours about the proper video settings for a Panasonic, I just purchased my first DVD, a Panny E55, I checked their video settings and they were exactly what you suggested to change them to, does that sound correct?

Also, if I copy tapes from SVHS to a ram disc (so I can edit out certain things easier) and then copy to a DVD-R, will the copy be just as good as the Ram, or should I just copy directly to DVD-R

Thanks

[zorankarapancev]

If the video setting on your new DVD recorder are the same as the ones I have mention in my post, then you are fine.

I can’t see any problem either way of capturing VHS/SVHS tapes. Usually, when I am familiar with the content of the tapes, I do editing (using “pause” and “stop” buttons) in a fly, while I am converting those tapes directly on DVD-R. That way I am taking out the parts that I don’t need, I create new chapters when I want to do that and I am saving lots of my precious time. Yes, with Panasonic machines it is possible to do everything in real time.

Let me tell you what happened to me last year.

I got a job from one of the “Speed” channel programs to create a DVD for sale on the Internet. Using my McIntosh computer I made a 2 hours “Hollywood” style DVD with all the bells and whistles. They were very pleased with it, but I was asked if it’s possible to create 10 more DVD’s for a lower price. I was happy to present them with the 2 hour test recording from my Panasonic DVD recorder showing their cars flying through the screen left and right. They couldn’t see any difference in the picture quality between the Mac and Panasonic recordings and their jaws simply dropped down when I told them that I would be very happy to make each of those 10 DVD’s for a 1/4 of the price of the first one. I got the job immediately and 40 DV tapes, each half hour in length recording, were supplied to me the very next day.

In order to prepare myself better for the job I scanned one of the tapes to find out the exact length of the programs and the timings of the commercial slots that I had to edit out.

In the beginning of the each program I pressed the “REC” button on my Panasonic recorder, at the end of each segment and just before the commercial block, I pressed “PAUSE”. I fast forwarded the tape to the end of the commercial blocks and then I pressed the “PAUSE” button again to continue with the recording. At the end of each program I pressed ‘STOP”. That way the Panasonic recorder created another chapter automatically.
After four programs of about 1/2 hour each, the DVD was completely edited and created with four chapters. It took me only 2 hours and 15 minutes to create each of those 2 hour DVD’s! That is really impressive flexibility, responsitivity and speed from the Panasonic DVD recorders.