Problem with Malata VDR-R1 VCD Recorder

[houtx67]

Hello Everyone,
I recently purchased the Malata VDR-R1 VCD/SVCD recorder. The video quality is excellent, however I seem to be getting a slight lip sync problem on the finished product when recording from DVD (both composite and S-Video inputs yield the same result). It is less so with Laserdisc, and basically non-existent with VHS.I'm using a Toshiba 6109 as the source, but I have tried my Apex 660 also with the same result. Sometimes, if I fast forward a bit, the sync will be restored. My question is: do any other owners/users of this machine have this problem? If so, did you find a workaround? I have tried several brands of CD-R media. I have to also say that this problem does not happen in SVCD mode (only in VCD). That's good, but sometimes I only want to use 2 discs and not 3 or 4 per movie.
Also, does anyone know how to create chapters while recording with the Malata besides actually pausing or stopping the recording session (like the Terapin)? The manual isn't very informative.
Finally, I'd like to share that both 74 and 80 minute media work fine (as indicated on AVDeals' site), however, 99 minute CD-R's (Comp-USA brand) are read as 80 minutes (and occasionally exhibit a slight video "hiccup&quot. If anyone has any feedback on using 99 minute CD-R's, please contibute as well.

[navarros]

I've experienced the same sync problem when recording in VCD format. However, in SVCD recordings are perfect.

[ejai]

I've experienced the same problem with the Terapin.

[dougwx]

I have a Terapin and have problems like you state. Only way to re-sync is to hit pause and play again. Although this is not always a problem. I have also noticed that they do not always sync when played in a DVD player, and that pause and play also works with them. I also know that some cheapie DVD's also have this problem when played back on a DVD player (such as Madacy, etc). The VCD spec (as far as I know) does not allow a chapter without a pause. Even ones created on a computer have at least a 2 second pause, irrating as it is. I have had a Terapin unit for 7 months now and only problem I ever had was that when I tried to record something when the unit was "cold" it would record for approx 30 mins then make a coaster. Apparently this is due to the fact the grease on the lens assembly was hard and would cause the unit to not allow the laser to travel smoothly. The work around for this was to play an audio CD for about 30 minutes prior to making a video CD to heat up the grease on the slider arm.

Doug

[houtx67]

Well, I don't know if I'm relieved or not to hear that someone else is having the VCD lip-sync problem. I was hoping I could find a work around. I did also find that by hitting fast forward or reverse search sometimes "reset" the audio track more or less (for both Malata and DVD players). BTW, I have noticed the problem is more prevalent with cheaper media. If anyone finds a brand/speed that works with minimal problems, please post.

I have emailed AVDeals about my problem, but they have yet to respond.

Has anyone figured out how to make chapters without hitting the stop button? I would like to create chapters "on the fly" and w/o disruption to the movie.

[ejai]

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font size=-1>Quote:</font><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT SIZE=-1><BLOCKQUOTE>
On 2001-10-10 23:13:18, houtx67 wrote:
Well, I don't know if I'm relieved or not to hear that someone else is having the VCD lip-sync problem. I was hoping I could find a work around. I did also find that by hitting fast forward or reverse search sometimes "reset" the audio track more or less (for both Malata and DVD players). BTW, I have noticed the problem is more prevalent with cheaper media. If anyone finds a brand/speed that works with minimal problems, please post.

I have emailed AVDeals about my problem, but they have yet to respond.

Has anyone figured out how to make chapters without hitting the stop button? I would like to create chapters "on the fly" and w/o disruption to the movie.
</BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></TD></TR><TR><TD><HR size=1 color=black></TD></TR></TABLE>

There is no way to make chapters like the software products do. I'm sorry but the pause/stop button is your only option. I spoke to Avdeal about the sync issue and there's really nothing they could do about it. I also spoke to the Terapin tech and they stated there will be a slight audio sync problem in some video.

[houtx67]

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On 2001-10-10 23:52:05, ejai wrote:

There is no way to make chapters like the software products do. I'm sorry but the pause/stop button is your only option. I spoke to Avdeal about the sync issue and there's really nothing they could do about it. I also spoke to the Terapin tech and they stated there will be a slight audio sync problem in some video.
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Thanks for the follow up. I'll just try to be happy with finding the best media that might minimize this sync problem. I guess the convenience of an on-the-fly recorder has a slight cost. I do want to remind anyone considering getting the Malata that the SVCDs do not show this problem. They look wonderful. The VCD quality is usually very good to excellent, too (barring the slight sync problem).

[navarros]

I purchased the Malata about a month ago. After 3 weeks of intense testing, the unit died. I got a replacement from AVDeals and these are my comments on the unit:

1) Recording on VCD is very poor. NOT VHS QUALITY! There are always sync problems and heavy pixelation.

2) Recording on SVCD is excellent (about S-VHS quality), but unstable (due probably to bad media)

3) To find the right media is a NIGHTMARE. I've tried it all and in 20% of cases the unit gets stuck and I have to start all over again. The problem is even more serious with CDRW.

4) AVDeals includes an addedum to the instructions where they recommend using 4X or 8X (not 16X), and never spindled CDRs. DOES ANYONE KNOW WHICH IS THE BEST BRAND FOR THIS UNIT? The problem I find right now if that most media are 16X and if you want a decent price you need to get them in a 100 spindle.

Please share your comments on the MALATA.

[houtx67]

I have had luck with PNY media (12X). I also hear that Memorex works well. Many people have mentioned that they use CD-RW (still able to be found in 4X speed) with little problems (but increases your cost from .30-.50 per disc to .90-1.25 per disc). I would also assume that you would be able to reuse a CD-RW that freezes (after erasing) versus the coasters that are created from CD-R's.

I have had decent luck with the VCD recordings except for the slight lip sync problem (less evident on laserdisc and VHS sources). Of course, the SVCD is almost as good as some lower bitrate DVD's provided the DVD recording source has a good bitrate to begin with. I just dislike having to go through 3-4 discs vs 2 (for VCD).