DVD Hard drive recorders - link to external HD device

[Zukkster]

I'm looking to buy a machine that will play DivX. That's not a problem

However most DVD recorders have a Firewire port and most DVD players have USB port.

Most of the DivX files I get on my PC but want to watch on the DVD machine. I could burn loads of DVDs, but I'd much rather be able to plug my USB pen drive in. Then after looking around I thought I'd like to be able to link my camcorder up and record my video to DVD easily, so I'm thinking use the the firewire port in the DVD recorder.

So this gives me a dilema. If I buy a recorder I end up burning loads of DVDs, which just feels a bit wasteful, so then I thought, I'm in the market for an external hard drive because my PC is getting full. Should I look for one which has a firewire port, so I can plug it into a DVD recorder and copy files to the recorder - obviously the DVD recorder would need to be one with a hard drive.

From what I've read on here I'm starting to think the answer is no and I just need to burn DVD.
Before I go and waste my money I'd like so advice please. Thanks

[steveryan]

Would an external firewire drive actually work with a DVD recorder with firewire input? I've never heard of that feature, but i might be wrong I know that Pioneer do a DVD recorder with a SATA port but it's very expensive.

[trhouse]

The LG LRM-519 has a USB port for attaching an external USB hard drive.

http://us.lge.com/products/model/detail/tv|audio|video_digital%20video__LRM-519.jhtml

The manual is available in the upper right of the link.

[bobkart]

Would an external firewire drive actually work with a DVD recorder with firewire input? I've never heard of that feature, but i might be wrong :)

You're not wrong. The FireWire on all DVD Recorders works only with DV, most can just input DV, a very few could output also.

The Pioneer 640 allows connecting a USB stick/drive, but only lets you transfer non-video files (music, pictures) to its HDD. As far as I know NO DVD Recorder lets you put video on its HDD that is in a foreign format (not a format it could create itself).

[next]

The LG LRM-519 has a USB port for attaching an external USB hard drive.

http://us.lge.com/products/model/detail/tv|audio|video_digital%20video__LRM-519.jhtml

The manual is available in the upper right of the link.

I have this machine. Tested it for a few hours. Yes it does what it says. It is more of a Tivo type device than a DVD recorder of the likes that we are used to. For example there are no editing capabilities. When I understand it better I'll try to post more.

[Zukkster]

Excellent, thankyou everyone for your replies. It's not really the answer that I wanted to hear, but it's saved me £140, so I'm happy.

Justt to check (although this is a player question to follow up, so maybe needs posting seperately on that branch of the forum).

Am I correct in my assumption then that if I buy a much cheaper player only machine (something like a PHILIPS DVP5960) which can play DivX format, I can copy avi files to a USB memory stick, plug it into the USB port I can watch them using the DVD player?

I've just realised as well mother-in-law who lives a few streets away has a Sony DVD recorder, so I can use theirs to copy DV from my camcorder to DVD.

Now I can tell my wife I've bought a gadget and saved us money. Something she does everytime she goes shopping - look how much money I've saved!

[next]

Excellent, thankyou everyone for your replies. It's not really the answer that I wanted to hear, but it's saved me £140, so I'm happy.

Justt to check (although this is a player question to follow up, so maybe needs posting seperately on that branch of the forum).

Am I correct in my assumption then that if I buy a much cheaper player only machine (something like a PHILIPS DVP5960) which can play DivX format, I can copy avi files to a USB memory stick, plug it into the USB port I can watch them using the DVD player?

I've just realised as well mother-in-law who lives a few streets away has a Sony DVD recorder, so I can use theirs to copy DV from my camcorder to DVD.

Now I can tell my wife I've bought a gadget and saved us money. Something she does everytime she goes shopping - look how much money I've saved!

Actually I have the 5960 which I purchased for its HDMI capabilities. But the 5960, in addition to a USB thumb drive, will also allow you to hook up an external hard drive via USB for playback. So you could have all of your DivX files on the hard drive and use the 5960 to play them. Here is a long link that discusses it:

https://forum.videohelp.com/viewtopic.php?t=301465