Whay will my DVD recorder only record DVD+R

[Balliol]

I have a Cambridge Audio DVD55RWi player recorder and when I bought it I knew even less than I do now about such things. When I started to record some old VHS tapes to DVD I was suprised to find that although the DVD player recorder would play all sorts of discs it will only record in DVD+R format. Can anyone throw some light on this?

[oldandinthe way]

That's what it is spec'ed to do.

Drive replacement might remedy this if the device supports PC ccompatible IDE drives.

[steveryan]

Seems pretty clear to me, your recorder can only record to DVD+R

[Balliol]

I am extremely new to this DVD technology so I apologise for asking what may appear very basic questions.
I am starting to transfer film from VHS tape to DVDs using a VHS player connected to a DVD recorder and a TV. I then want to do some basic editing to get rid of the rubbish from the DVDs once I can get the DVDs onto a PC.

I understand that I have to get the appropriate software to do what I am told is, “Rip them.”
I also understand that I then need to get the appropriate software to edit the DVDS.

Now to your reply:
I understand, "That's what it is spec'ed to do." But I don’t understand why it is spec'ed that way. In other words why is it not + and – capable? Are any DVD recorders made that are and if so would I have been better of buying one?
I don’t understand what is meant by, "Drive replacement might remedy this if the device supports PC compatible IDE drives." So, what is meant by, “Drive replacement”?
I also don’t understand what is meant by “supports PC compatible IDE drives”?

[oldandinthe way]

Yes there are recorders that do both DVD+ and DVD-.

Individual drives can be capable of writing only +, only -, or both.

If you do not understand what drive replacement is, you are not likely to be able to modify your recorder to handle both types of media.

The manufacturer of your recorder probably saved a few pennies by using a DVD+R drive rather than a combo.

[Noahtuck]

Seems pretty clear to me, your recorder can only record to DVD+R

8)
Well how come my bike won't run on water and only super unleaded
:P

[jman98]

Balliol - If you click on the "DVD Recorders" link at the left and put in Cambridge in the search box, it has info on 3 recorders, all of which only work on +R media. Some recorders only work on +R. Some only work on -R. Some work on both.

We have no idea, but if your recorder supports PC compatible IDE drives, you could in theory buy a new DVD burner that supports both +R and -R and install it in your recorder in place of the burner that is in their now. I don't recommend this solution at all because it may not work and to be blunt, I think that's a little advanced for you. If you simply must be able to record to -R DVD discs, then you need to buy another recorder. Sorry.

[Balliol]

I may have asked this question before so I hope that I don't annoy you by asking it again.
I have copied some VHS tapes while playing them on a TV which was connected to my DVD recorder on DVD+ DVDs but was unable to get them to run on my PC. Am I right in saying that I have to get the appropriate software to do what I am told is, “Rip them” so that I can then edit the rubbish out?
If that is correct could anyone advise me as to what ripping and editing software is suitable to a new starter with the limited aim of cutting rubbish out and adding sub titles?

[hech54]

I have copied some VHS tapes while playing them on a TV which was connected to my DVD recorder on DVD+ DVDs but was unable to get them to run on my PC.

Check the manual.....the DVD's from the recorder probably need to be finalized.

If that is correct could anyone advise me as to what ripping and editing software is suitable to a new starter with the limited aim of cutting rubbish out and adding sub titles?

Editing on the computer is pretty easy....even for a newbie.....BUT you probably can do it on the recorder first OR at least set chapter markers between the rubbish and the good stuff to make PC editing MUCH easier. Again....check the manual.
Also....no offense but being a newbie....I would completely forget the idea of adding subtitles until MUCH later in your DVD-ing career.

[MysticE]

My older Pioneer recorder has the option of recoding in either Video Mode (VOBs) or VR Mode (VROs). I record in Video Mode which produces a playable DVD that I can open in DVDShrink. I then reauthor to remove the useless menu and 'Trim' the 'rubbish' from the start/end of the recording.