DVD recorder for easy recording, MPEG-2 transfer

[Mitch Cohen]

I'm looking for a DVD recorder (combo with VHS would be nice) for recording of government meetings. A major requirement is the DVD has to be a standard computer-readable format for the VIDEO_TS folder. It also has to be super easy to use.

We currently have a Sony RDR-VX515. Its major problem is the disc it creates has a faulty directory structure making conversion to standard MPEG2 a huge chore. We use a digital playback system so everything is converted to MPEG2 for playback. People also forget to finalize the DVD, and the computer can't read it until finalized.

I ran across the JVC SR-MV40US which looks nice. It has an auto-finalize feature which sounds great. $400 is more than I wanted to spend, but if it works that's fine. Does anyone have this that can comment on the disc's format?

Do any other DVD recorders (with or without VHS) have auto-finalize?

Thanks!

[trhouse]

The newer Panasonic combos like the ES35V allow auto finalizing if you hit REC while doing dubbing and not if you hit PLAY to start dubbing. They are about $260. Auto finalizing does have drawbacks. For example, you cannot give the disk a title.

I am more concerned with your comment about the Sony creating a faulty directory structure. Can you explain why you think it faulty?

[Mitch Cohen]

With DVD's made on my Sony RDR-VX515, here's what I see. Now this is on a Mac, I haven't tried on Windows but will now that I'm thinking about it.

I insert the DVD. I see the VIDEO_TS folder, but the owner is set as root and is chmod'd so I can't see the contents. I can manually go to the directory. If I open the VOB files in any VOB-reading application (MPEG Streamclip, HandBrake, etc) I get a read error. If I open any VOB file other than the first in the sequence in a text editor they are entirely blank. Really.

If I image the entire disk using a disk-copying program (like MacTheRipper) I get a proper disk image fine. VOB-reading programs can read the resultant VOB files about 50% of the time, otherwise same problems.

If I manually copy the VOB files from the DVD to my hard drive, they appear to copy fine - but again all except the first in the sequence are blank.

Seriously, that's how it works. I have access to two VX515's, and they're exactly the same. If there's only one VOB file (ie one title under 1GB) I'm often ok. Otherwise, it's haywire.

The DVD *plays* fine, even using the standard Mac DVD Player app. It's strictly the directory structure as seen by the computer.

I've spoken to others who have experienced the same, including the author of MPEG Streamclip who knows his stuff.

I will test on my Windows box (which otherwise collects dust so I might as well power it up for the latest security fixes ) and will add comments to the thread.

Thanks for the input on the Panasonic auto-finalizing. This needs to be as simple as possible. The users who will be recording will not be video/tech people, but often the secretary to a government committee. There's a fixed-mount camera and an audio mixer going in, and the user needs do little other than hit record. We need to be sure we get a good DVD, both so I can convert it to our playback system (a Leightronix Nexus) and then the DVD can be filed if ever needed for an official meeting record.

Thanks again.

[trhouse]

I have tested a Sony GX315 but there are suggestions that it is a Sony branded Samsung. The VX515 may be a real Sony and behave differently.

I would test some disks made with other recorders in the same way to see what the software does just to be certain where the fault lies.