DR-4 hell; What is the most reliable unit that does DVD-RAM and -R -RW

[johnmoon]

Ok Guys. I am fed up with DR-4 hell
What is the most reliable unit that does DVD-RAM and -R -RW like my Toshiba?
Also one I can buy in a store and take back if it does not work.
Should I try a dr-5 at Sears ??

[johnmoon]

Anyone know anything about the DMR-ES25S ??

[kitty]

The new Panasonics are good but it would help to know exactly what you're trying to get out of a DVD Recorder.

[johnmoon]

The new Panasonics are good but it would help to know exactly what you're trying to get out of a DVD Recorder.

1. Record off my TV and Cable Box.
2. At some point use a GoDVD to transfer some old VHS Tapes.
3. I like the DVD-RAM cartridge format (disk is protected).
4. I also want to be able to stick a DVD-R & -RW in for a 2 hour movie and it
automatically creates chapters (for when you don't want to fool with anything ).

[musher70]

i went out and got the LG dvd recorder for like $200
at best buy, it does RAm and +/- and hard DVi also
of some sort...

[lordsmurf]

JVC DR-M100S

[samijubal]

Most reliable is probably Panasonic. They aren't the best picture quality though.

[Marvingj]

Theres nothing wrong with DR-4, if recording off cable get a Clarifer to eliminated MV, etc. Go DVD will not.

[johnmoon]

Theres nothing wrong with DR-4, if recording off cable get a Clarifer to eliminated MV, etc. Go DVD will not.

Nothing wrong with DR-4 if you got one that works.
Sounds like half the folks do and half don't.
I like the Toshiba when it works. That is why I am considering a New DR-5 from Sears ect..
Have folks had good luck with the JVC ???
Any one know about the picture quality on the DMR-ES25S???

[johnmoon]

JVC DR-M100S

Where is the best place to buy one ?
Do any retail stores have them ?

[FulciLives]

If you want good quality and reliable get the Pioneer DVR-640H-S

I have last year's model (the DVR-531H-S) and I am very happy with it.

I use DVD-RW all the time because I like to rip it to the computer and re-author with TMPGEnc DVD Author so I have more control over the menu and chapter marks and I've been using the same batch of DVD-RW discs since Sept. 2005 without issues.

It doesn't do DVD-RAM but it has a built-in HDD so **** DVD-RAM

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[samijubal]

Unless they've made some serious improvements, the JVC is a lousy RAM recorder. You won't find a recorder that does RAM better than a Panasonic. I can't find a burner that reads RAM anywhere near as good as a Panasonic standalone.

[lordsmurf]

I don't know what the hell samijubal is trolling about when it comes to JVC. He bitches and moans in every single thread where JVC is mentioned. The machines he used are gone, and even then most of them were fine, only a small minority had the loading issue. He likes his dark images with "details" (noise and false over-sharpening). Fine. Now let the rest of us discuss machines without popping in 2 cents of "it sucks" every time the anti-JVC-o-meter sounds off. It would be a different situation if he actually said something important instead of just bland negative comments. The current JVC has excellent image quality as always, and the stability issues of the first generation were fixed in the second generation of recorders, and we're in the third generation here pretty soon.
.

JVC DR-M100S

Where is the best place to buy one ?
Do any retail stores have them ?

JVC is largely considered a "prosumer" line of equipment, so it's often not found in the local junk shops (Best Buy, Circuit City, etc).

Fry's Electronics carries it in their stores. Online, B&H Photo and Video carries it too. If you have any specialty type electronics stores (Fry's, Ultimate Electronics, J&R, etc) in your area, give them a call.

On a side note, I don't know why you'd want to use DVD-RAM, given it's compatility issues. And then Toshiba makes decent equipment, so I'm curious about what precisely went wrong here. Something here is not adding up. What, specifically, is the problem?

Pioneer is another option you may want to try.

[johnmoon]

On a side note, I don't know why you'd want to use DVD-RAM, given it's compatility issues. And then Toshiba makes decent equipment, so I'm curious about what precisely went wrong here. Something here is not adding up. What, specifically, is the problem?

Does not want to create chapters on a -R or -RW.
Has been to Toshiba Service twice. Waiting for FedEx label third return
And the icing on the cake. It now does not want to load disks when you turn it on!
Ram and -RW. So I tried timer recording. Can't load disk. No recording AHHHH$%#@%^^.

[KTH]

I had a DR-4 for a little while and yes it's picture quality is very good, but it was very picky on the disc's that it would burn properly on. What I mean is if I filled the disc up to capacity on disc's it didn't like it would not let me finalize. On good quality media like TY or Maxell (MIJ) it worked fine.

In answer to your question I would have to suggest the JVC or Panasonic. The JVC in my opinion has a better picture than the Panasonic, but I believe the Panasonic is better built. Of course this might have changed since the last Panasonic that I owned. The units are getting cheaper in price and this usually means a lowering in quality.

[samijubal]

The JVC pixelates on RAM discs. It has nothing to do with the loading problem. Like I said, it's a lousy RAM recorder. If you want to do RAM and want reliability, Panasonic is the one to get. They aren't as bad as smurf wants to make them up to be.

[piano632]

Unless they've made some serious improvements, the JVC is a lousy RAM recorder.

RAM recording works flawlessly on my M10 using Panasonic MIJ 3x RAM discs. Can't say the JVC's are the best built since mine has had little problems here and there, though I've always been able to use work-arounds.

You don't really need a cartridge with RAM discs. Panasonic and Maxell put a scratch-resistant coating on their bare RAM discs. They are pretty hard to scratch under normal usage.

[FulciLives]

I was looking around on the newegg website and they actually have some stock on the Pioneer DVR-310-S and the price is only $159.99 + shipping.

If you don't want a model with a HDD built-in then I say go for this although it only does DVD-R and DVD-RW ... no DVD-RAM.

This was the last really good DVD recorder that Pioneer made (without a HDD).

I thought they were all gone so I doubt newegg will have them for much longer.

Here is a direct link ---> CLICK HERE

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

P.S.
Once people realize that newegg has these they will go very quickly!

[davideck]

He likes his dark images with "details" (noise and false over-sharpening).

I am sure that many on this forum are capable of distinguishing between "detail" and "(noise and false over-sharpening)". I suspect that many of them capture VHS at 720 at a high bitrate. Capturing with a JVC in 3-hour mode is not the way to preserve detail.

[samijubal]

I don't know what the hell samijubal is trolling about when it comes to JVC. He bitches and moans in every single thread where JVC is mentioned. The machines he used are gone, and even then most of them were fine, only a small minority had the loading issue. He likes his dark images with "details" (noise and false over-sharpening). Fine. Now let the rest of us discuss machines without popping in 2 cents of "it sucks" every time the anti-JVC-o-meter sounds off. It would be a different situation if he actually said something important instead of just bland negative comments. The current JVC has excellent image quality as always, and the stability issues of the first generation were fixed in the second generation of recorders, and we're in the third generation here pretty soon.
.

JVC DR-M100S

Where is the best place to buy one ?
Do any retail stores have them ?

JVC is largely considered a "prosumer" line of equipment, so it's often not found in the local junk shops (Best Buy, Circuit City, etc).

Fry's Electronics carries it in their stores. Online, B&H Photo and Video carries it too. If you have any specialty type electronics stores (Fry's, Ultimate Electronics, J&R, etc) in your area, give them a call.

On a side note, I don't know why you'd want to use DVD-RAM, given it's compatility issues. And then Toshiba makes decent equipment, so I'm curious about what precisely went wrong here. Something here is not adding up. What, specifically, is the problem?

Pioneer is another option you may want to try.

I like how it's considered trolling when I bash the JVC. What's it called when you do the same with Panasonic? I suppose then it's constructive criticism or some such garbage.

[shakabrah]

Theres nothing wrong with DR-4, if recording off cable get a Clarifer to eliminated MV, etc. Go DVD will not.

The clarifier will not work when hooked up with the DR 4. I tried recording HBO sports and I am not able to record. Before I had the DR 4, I had an APEX 9000. I had no problems with that machine even recording HBO sports.

[shakabrah]

Ok Guys. I am fed up with DR-4 hell
What is the most reliable unit that does DVD-RAM and -R -RW like my Toshiba?
Also one I can buy in a store and take back if it does not work.
Should I try a dr-5 at Sears ??

johnmoon
I tried the DR 5 after my DR 4 refused to record chapters. There was nothing wrong with the DR 5. THE CHAPTERS WORKED!! Its just that the DR 4 had more control over the picture. The menus weren't as nice either. Also, the onsreen keyboard was a little more confusing than the DR 4. Mostly petty stuff I guess.