Can't use timer with IEEE1394 on Panasonic DMR-ES20?

[troublechuter1]

I purchased the Panasonic DMR-ES20 so that I could convert some of my home videos from my Sony Handycan to DVD. The Handycam has an IEEE1394 (i.e. DV/Ilink/Firewire) port in it, as does the DMR-ES20.

But, when I went to set up the DMR-ES20 for the first time, I discovered that I cannot set the timer to record from the DV port.

You can set the timer to record from the analog in1 or analog in2 ports, as well as TV-tuner channels, but not the DV port.

Can anyone confirm/deny this? Or, what do I need to do to make this work?

I purchased the Panasonic DMR-ES20 based on the good reviews that it has gotten, the fact that our local cable TV station seems to like Panasonic (they have several Panasonic DVD players/recorders scattered around the studio), among other things.

Does anyone know of a good DVD recorder that has a IEEE1394 port that can be set up to do timer-recordings from the DV port? I'm ready to return the Panasonic that I got because I really need this timer-functionality.

Thanks.

[donpedro]

If I may ask.... Why do you need timer for IEEE1394 port ?

[troublechuter1]

The short answer is, to obtain the highest quality by removing one A/D converter from the recording process. The long answer is...

Among other things the following workflow accomplishes NOT tying up my computer for real-time transfer of tape to my hard drive (even as a background task), as well as "immediately" providing me with a DVD master from which to do further editing work. One of the biggest advantages for me is that this allows for unattended (digital) transfers--I don't have to sit around and wait for the tape to be done for me to STOP the DVD recorder. I have many other things I need to spend my time on.

1. Set timer on DVD recorder to 1 minute longer than the actual content of the tape. (This ensures that the entire content of the tape will be transferred.)

2. START DVD timer recording. START tape playing.

3. DVD timer stops. If I'm not around to STOP the tape playing, it will stop automatically (and rewind the tape, also).

4. Finalize DVD.

5. Use editing suite (such as TMPEG) to cut unwanted scenes, including any automatic titling added by the DVD recorder, and any "black"/empty space at beginning or end of DVD. (Remember, this gives me a master that I can put in my library and make future copies for friends/family from).

6. Burn edited DVD, if desired. Put edited version in library.

This all works well with my set-top Sansui DVD recorder and PC. However, the tape-to-DVD transfer must be done via analog connections. (There is no firewire port on the Sansui.) I want the transfer to be digital, for highest quality.

It is my understanding that with Samsung's DVD-R120, it is possible to do timer recording with IEEE1394. (I checked out the manual online.) I will be returning the Panasonic and seriously considering the Samsung, among one or two others.

Your question is an interesting one because, to me, it begs another question: why would one NOT make timer recording available for the IEEE1394 port? (The Samsung I mentioned above includes it as well as a couple of other recorders I've looked at.)

[donpedro]

1. Set timer on DVD recorder to 1 minute longer than the actual content of the tape. (This ensures that the entire content of the tape will be transferred.)

2. START DVD timer recording. START tape playing.

3. DVD timer stops. If I'm not around to STOP the tape playing, it will stop automatically (and rewind the tape, also).

My experience is that recording should stop automaticaly when tape is done. Did you test it before ??? Try last 3 minutes on tape, right before end of tape.

[trhouse]

I do the same with VHS transfers but not with the timer. I use the FR ( flexible record mode ) which allows me to tell the recorder how long the tape will be. I can add a few minutes to that time and enter it, then start the tape and recorder. The recorder stops recording after the end of the time that was set above and the tape rewinds itself.

[troublechuter1]

Don--->"My experience is that recording should stop automaticaly when tape is done. Did you test it before ??? Try last 3 minutes on tape, right before end of tape."

Don...Yes, I did test this. The recording did not stop automatically--it continued to record. That would have made all of this so much easier. Have you used the DMR-ES20 for this specific scenario? If not, what DVD recorder(s) are you talking about?

Trhouse-->"I do the same with VHS transfers but not with the timer. I use the FR ( flexible record mode ) which allows me to tell the recorder how long the tape will be. I can add a few minutes to that time and enter it, then start the tape and recorder. The recorder stops recording after the end of the time that was set above and the tape rewinds itself."

Trhouse...Yes, I considered that method, too. I can't remember the exact reason why that wouldn't work for me--perhaps it was a complication with the way I would eventually author edited DVD's and the specific method the FR uses to record. But, again, I did think of that.

Thanks to both of you for your feedback!

[donpedro]

Don...Yes, I did test this. The recording did not stop automatically--it continued to record. That would have made all of this so much easier. Have you used the DMR-ES20 for this specific scenario? If not, what DVD recorder(s) are you talking about?

It was Philips and Pioneer. Philips was long time ago and cooperation with MiniDV camcorder was realy good. If my memory does not lie, it could even start recording when you pressed play on camcorder.

Pioneer is what I have now and I can test it again just to confirm that I am not talking something that is not true.