Philips DVDR985 is the answer?

[Redeye07]

Have I been wasting my time figuring out how to capture from VHS (I had HUGE issues with this), encode (takes hours), author (mixed results), and burn (I made quite a few coasters)?

Could I have just bought a Philips DVDR985, poped in a video casette, and 2 hours later have a perfectly recorded DVD?

I have looked at Philips.com and read various reviews about this recorder on the net. Is it really that fast and easy?

[tonyp12]

http://www.bestbuy.com/Detail.asp?m=1&cat=32&scat=&e=11101883


But $900 for a press-a-button solution?

Capturing with a PC gives you options of editing video and audio.
Transistions and special effects etc

But if you want to "press a button" and
have money laying around, go ahead.

[Redeye07]

Sure, I want to press a button and have a perfect copy pop out! I've been killing myself trying to learn this stuff.

I had no idea it could be easy. Since I am goal oriented, I do want a fast, easy solution.

I've already spent $600 doing this the hard way.

[PrasadKulkarni]

Now it's for $799.00 at CompUSA. Please go check

http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?product_code=296718

[Redeye07]

I see it is $799. Well that's too bad for me because I already went over my budget and don't have any more $$$.

I guess what I'm really asking is: Would someone please explain to me that doing it by capturing, encoding, authoring, and burning has some advantages over the push-a-button method.

Any advantages at all???? Please???

[tonyp12]

Fill out your profile so we know what you spent with your $600

This is what I would done:

DV camcorder with pass-through feature like Canon ZR40 etc
(Or a really good capture card)

Use Moviemaker2.0 that is free with WindowsXP,
to import DV file, for cutting and special effects. (save as DV file)

Encode to m2v + m2a with tmpgenc 2.59 ($50)

DVD author with ifoedit 0.95 (freeware)
or Sonic MyDVD (free with dvd burner)

Burn VIDEO_TS folder with NERO. (free with dvd burner)

---
Any advantages?

If you bought a DVD burner for your PC just so you
could transfer a few old VHS tapes, maybe gotten the DVDR985
would been better for you if you do not have the time to learn.

But if you own a DV camcorder and like to video edit,
backup DVDs to DVDR, backup Harddrive..............
You can do some much more when you do not act like a tool
and buy a "press a button solution"

[Redeye07]

If you bought a DVD burner for your PC just so you
could transfer a few old VHS tapes, maybe gotten the DVDR985
would been better for you if you do not have the time to learn.

Thanks, Tony. I guess that answers my question.

[tonyp12]

But $800 for a few tapes?

A service company like this can do a few tapes.
http://www.vhs-to-dvd.com

If you have 20+ tapes maybe doing it yourself is more economical.

[SingSing]

I agreed. If the number of tape is not many.,
send to a service burea.

[arealgijoe]

I went out an bought a panasonic E-30 DVD recorder and works great. Better check compatability issues BEFORE spending a dime. The Philips DVD+R/RW is not as compatable as the DVD-R/RW! I have several Sony dvd players and NONE of them play the +R/+RW disks.

I make great DVD copies from video tapes and then I have a under $200 burnner to make digital copies of the recorded DVD disks. I also have a Terapin VCD recorder and works well within its limitations. Great for making videos to send others, Cheaply since it uses regular CD-R blanks for video. (AudioCD copies require use of music CD blanks).

JD

[yg1968]

I am not sure where you got your information. +R and +RW disks are compatible with just about all Sony DVD-video players. +R is at least as compatible as -R. +RW is more compatible than -RW.

http://www.dvdplusrw.org/resources/compatibilitylist_dvdvideo.html

[Gil T Pleasure]

The problem with the Panasonic E30 is that you cannot play the DVD-RAM disc on most DVD players. So if compatibility is your main goal, you're stuck using DVD-Rs. Unfortunately, you're not utilizing the unit's best feature (Time Slip and Chasing Play) if all you're using is DVD-R.

Of course you can always buy a DVD player that can play DVD-RAM. But that's adding extra $$$ to your buttom line.

[arealgijoe]

[/b] . """" I am not sure where you got your information. +R and +RW disks are compatible with just about all Sony DVD-video players. +R is at least as compatible as -R. +RW is more compatible than -RW.

http://www.dvdplusrw.org/resources/compatibilitylist_dvdvideo.html""""
<>><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><

I did NOT get my information from a mfg supported biased list!

I got my compatability info right HERE!

Sure most of the compatable models may be listed but what models are NOT LISTED on their site?

Anyone can pick a select group of models to skew the results. I looked up ALL my DVD players, several Sony, one Pioneer and my panasonic portable BEFORE deciding on either format. In fact teh DIS-information delayed my selections a little untill I could research the issue more!

:P 8)

[thxkid]

Stay with your E30 I have the E20 and my backups of DVD's look as good and most, Better than what a burner can do and in 1/3 the time, I am getting a Burner also but not for this long drawn out Ripping, I want it for home grown DVD Video's and data transfer, the Stand alone DVD recorder is the best thing to come around since the VCR!