looking for Mac Compatible DVD/VCR Combo Unit

[terryj]

By that, i mean, a combo standalone unit, that
can replace my aging vcr for my wife ( she records DOL on it)
and that can add DVD capability to the bedroom.

Must be able to handle anything I can burn on my mac
to it:
DVD-R/RW
VCD
SVCD
CD-R/RW

anybody who has a unit like, this, please chime in.
I'm looking to get this done this weekend.

Thanks!

[Frobozz]

Terryj, there should be no compatibility issue between any brand of standalone DVD recorder that records to -R or -RW media. VCD and SVCD playback also should be no problem but it is wise to check the DVD Recorders database here at videohelp.

As for brands, the JVC models have very good DVD recorders but also seem to have some reliability issues. Toshiba and Pioneer make these as well but I've never seen the Pioneer one for sale anywhere.

The Panasonics don't record to DVD-RW but will play them.

My first choice would be the JVC, followed by a Toshiba unless I could find a Pioneer.

If you can find one with a Firewire port it can be used to encode DVDs from your Mac in real time from 720 X 480 DV video (such as from iMovie).

[albloom]

I've an older Sharp unit that plays quite nicely with our Macs,
once we got our ducks aligned. I don't know how many coasters
I bought/returned before terryj here pointed me to a reputable
vendor (meritline.com) and reputable 1-2X discs (Samsung
Digitall 4.7gb DVD-R). The manual is written in Klingon, but you
get used to it eventually, and recording to DVD is like copying to
VCR, and copying a VCR to DVD is a button-push.

[terryj]

Albloom--Good to hear from Youmy friend!
I've been looking at the Sharp Brands and
the Samsungs ( which seem to be all that is
my area as far as Combo units), and most recent
units seem to either point to problems with
the VCR side, or problems accepting VCDs,
(Which long time members know I have a
HUGE collection of).
Can you point me to your particular Model Number?
At this point, I'm even willing to troll Pawn Shops
to find a good unit.

Frobozz--Shame on you for not even assuming I would
have checked the "DVD Players" listings BEFORE posting
this thread. I mean, c'mon how many times have I myself
reccommended this tatic...


Again, most listings under "DVD Players" looking at the reports on the combo units points to problems either with
the VCR side ( poor playback, eating tapes) or
Problems with the DVD side ( no VCD compatability,
inability to play back -RW/+RW, no MP3 AUDIO support),
that it makes me feel like I'm back in 1999 testing
DVD Players again!!
<lol>

Like I said earlier, I'm willing to go to GREAT lengths to find
a solid unit, so I will take a look at your JVC suggestion.

[Frobozz]

terryj, my wrist is deservedly slapped. Do I dare suggest your reading through some of the DVD recorder threads on this topic at the AVS forum?
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=106

My reason for recommending the JVC is from reading comments from owners of JVC standalone recorders (without VHS) who rate highly the recording quality, and from reading the manual of the JVC combination unit with hard drive. I was impressed with its features.

Personally, I have a Pioneer DVD recorder and Mitsubishi S-VHS that meet my needs better than would a combination unit. I've had no trouble playing VCDs and SVCDs on the Pioneer. I'm probably naive to think other brands also play them without difficulty.

[albloom]

Wait one. I didn't mean to imply that the old Sharp does
VCD. Matter of fact, that tidbit went right past me. I
didn't even know what VCD is until doing a bit of reading
this afternoon (Google can be useful).

I've never seen a VCD, but my old Toast (Everything around
here is old -- me, the dogs, everything but Leslye who is
forever young) says it'll take a VCD disk image and burn
a CD. If you, or anyone else lurking about, has a small
one (a meg or so), you could e-mail it to me, and I could
maybe create a VCD and see if the Sharp'll do it.

Speaking of which, my Sharp is a DV-RW340U. The manual is
on sharpusa.com. Look under "support" for the DV-RW350U.
Same manual for both, and I've no idea what the differences
are. The Klingon who wrote the manual didn't bother to say.

As for the videotape part of the Sharp, problems with playback
and tape eating arose because of the way-old tapes I've been
converting to DVD. That sucker did its best, even autocorrecting
the tracking, and I did need to run a high quality VCR cleaner
real often to de-crud the mechanism. But some of those moldy
oldies were just landfill fodder. Works fine on the fairly
new tapes I get from the local library. And of course the lib's
tapes aren't copy protected. Normal commercial tapes don't copy
to disc.

[terryj]

Aaah, ok!
I will PM you a link shortly
with a disc image of a vcd.
Right now, its storming here
and power cuts in and out....

[ps2daddy]

I have a ilo model dvdr04
It doesnt have a vcr but you can program it like one
It also has firmare upgrade that removes macrovision and makes it region free and they are $98 at walmart right now

I also eit out commercials and transfer stuff to imovie with it on my mac fairly easy using toast 6 to convert to dv and then using a applescript to cut into pieces for imovie

[albloom]

How far down in "Da Dirty South" do you live, Terry?
Even in the wilds of southwestern Virginia we haven't
had a multi-day power outage in months.

AppCo is our friend.

Whenever you want to send a vcd image, I'll be happy
to see if it'll do anything useful on our VCR/DVD unit.

[terryj]

Al, sending you a PM now.