Calling all intelligent people

[Eddie-D]

I'm looking to purchase a DVD recorder (700$ or less preferably) for the main purpose of taking all my movies and TV shows recorded on VHS and converting them to DVD's. I would also like to be able to play homemade vcd's I have but that's not that big of a deal. So what do all of you recommend as the best DVD Recorder, as far as picture quality, ease of use and best blank disc compatibility. I just want the recorder that will make the best copies of my VHS tapes. All input is welcome and GREATLY appreciated...Thanks so much everyone.

[pan-dmre30s]

For your wanted features and price requirement I recommend a panasonic dmr-e30s.

Price:

I think it is $450 online and $700 in stores like best buy.

Picture quality - ease of use:

It is excellent for backing up VHS. I have already converted over 70 tapes.

It does have some video stabilization circuitry built in which can help with some tapes.

However major glitches on the source are still in the final recording.


I find it is easy to use

Here is the set of steps I follow when making a Dub

1 turn on recorder
2 insert DVD-R

3 wait a few seconds while it reads the disc
4 Set input source to connected VCR (if not already from before)

5 Turn on VCR , pop in tape

6 Go to Functions
select flex record

7 enter length of movie
(Note: I always pad this with a few extra minutes)

8 hit play on VCR

9 select start on recorder at appropriate point in video which you are watching on TV.

(note there is sometimes a sec or two delay before recording actually starts )

I manually stop the recording at end of movie but it would stop on its own after time expired

10 select disc settings

11 Enter a title

(Note menu is limited on DVD-R and you cannot set chapter break points)

12 Select finalize

(Note you MUST finalize each disc a four minute procedure before putting in another player)

13 check final recording by visual playback

Be sure you check your recording and make sure you can at least jump to all chapters.

I have recorded movies straight for 10-12 hours many times so it is reliable.

Play VCD:

I have had on rare occasions bad discs which record and finalize but will not playback correctly.

I have never tried playing VCD's in it because it busy recording for me.

Also I have many other VCD alternative like computer or Apex standalone DVD player.

(I kind of wish I never did VCD's myself now - DVD would have been much better)

DVD media compatibility:

I use bulk 1X DVD-R media whcih is cheap when bought in spindles
DVD Pro is what brand it was called. White surface with purplish dye on reverse.

No need to buy any other speed since you only record at 1X.

I cannot comment on any other brands .

[arealgijoe]

I use Priinco DVD-Rs. I have had no problems (SO FAR) recording or playing in my Panasonic E-30, Pacific digital DVD-R/RAM or my Cyndyne (Pioneer 105).

I use the DVD-R butrnners to make copies of DVDs recorded on my E-30. Works great. Even at 1X I can copy a whole DVD in about 56 minutes even if it contains 6 hours of video. Try to dub a 6hr VHS in one hour! Not only that, the copies are digital clone copies and NO quality loss.

JD