confused about -RW vs -RAM

[broadway]

I want to record to either -RW or -RAM and then take the disk to my PC and edit the video (mainly trimming the commercials) and burn to -R

I do not plan on sharing the disks, but I may decide to keep the disk with commericals and all.

Would either media suffice?

Thanks.

[Poppa_Meth]

RAM will require a drive capable of reading a RAM disc. RW should play back fine in any drive. RAM is more versatile and a longer lasting format as far as rewritability goes, but not many DVD drives will read them. If you have a toshiba or Lite-on DVD-ROM your drive may be able to play them back. Check to see if you drive supports it before even considering RAM.

[broadway]

Thanks.

Leaving aside the issue of finding drives that will read DVD-RAM, I want to know whether there is anything fundamentally different in editing a DVD-RAM versus a DVD-RW on a PC drive.

[tjdmobile]

Editing on the PC will be virtually the same. Both formats use .vro files (packet written in DVD-VR mode). -RW has the added benefit of being able to record in DVD-Video mode.

The issue of -RAM vs. -RW media? RAM is advertized to go up to 100,000 re-writes. -RW 1,000 re-writes. Personally, unless the RAM is in cartridge form, I sincerely doubt it could last more than 1000 re-writes before it's all scratched up an unusable anyway. I am very careful with my media, and I am only up to probably 50 re-writes with my media. I doubt I would re-write any media even 1000 times.

TJD

[Sam Ontario]

Editing on the PC will be virtually the same. Both formats use .vro files (packet written in DVD-VR mode). -RW has the added benefit of being able to record in DVD-Video mode.
........
TJD

Excuse me for slightly off topic - Lordsmurf said editing Ram and -RW is easier compared with +RW. I don't have experiences with -RW or Ram with DVD capturing and editing. What do you think?

I have been capturing with DVD recorder using DVD+RW or DVD+R media which records them in .vob files. Cropping or deleting unwanted scenes on PC is extremely easy with DVD shrink. Picture quality is good with 2 hour mode when the source is DV, or Hi8 or S-VHS, or LD or DVD and acceptable with 4 hour mode when the source is tape, on my 32" TV. I am only concerned with the contents not fancy menus. In my situation, I don't see recording or editing problem and maybe easier than using -RW DVD recorders. Correct me if I am wrong.

[tjdmobile]

Depends on the recorder. My +RW recorder (LiteOn 5001) disks are invalid when I load them in DVD shrink. I am going to look into using DVD shrink to edit my -RW (VIDEO-Mode) disks.

RW and RAM are easier because they use packet written data. This effectively turns these disks into low-capacity hard drives. When you make an edit, it's instant, and the space is reclaimed (even if the edit is in the middle of the cap). With +VR, space is reclaimed, but in a linear fashion like video tape. If you free a half hour at the beginning, you can't insert a 1 hour show there, as it will overwrite files further along. -RW and RAM again don't have this issue.

I think LordSmurf would have also been referring to on-disk editing being easier. In my case, edits of -RW are almost as fast as doing edits on the hard drive. Cuts in DVD-Movie factory also do not get re-encoded on -RW as the do in +VR.

Just my opinion.

TJD

[Sam Ontario]

Thanks for the info. and your opinion.

Depends on the recorder. My +RW recorder (LiteOn 5001) disks are invalid when I load them in DVD shrink. I am going to look into using DVD shrink to edit my -RW (VIDEO-Mode) disks.
......
TJD

You should try latest version 3.1.7 if you had not done so.

[spiderman2k1]

If you have a LG DVD burner DVD-RAM is better. you can get one at www.newegg.com

[lordsmurf]

+RW is best for PC editing (no finalize needed). +RW alter the IFO files badly when editing on those recorders (does NOT apply to editing on PC). Never found a recorder that did a good editing job.

-RW is 2nd best when using DVD-Video mode (but may need 3-15 minute finalize) ... just as easy to edit on a PC, and editing on the recorder yields decent results. -RW VRO sucks, VRO is not the easiest file to mess with (unable to decrypt by IFO which I prefer)

-RAM is VRO only. As above, VRO sucks. Add that to difficulty of getting the disc to load, and you'll hate it as much as me. (Plus a lot of ROM drives see RAM but won't load the files, forcing you to use ISO Buster or other UDF reader software). But it's the most perfect on-recorder editing solution, as the discs are durable and like optical hard drives.

[Sam Ontario]

Lordsmurf,
How do you compare the picture quality of 4 hour modes of your APEX or LiteOn LVW5001 with your JVC M10? See I am not a perfectionist, if there will be no noticeable difference on my 32" TV, I will stay with my +RW recorder, no upgrade (or downgrade) with -RW.