Philips 3595 --- shortcomings?

[Trollheart]

Some of you have seen my posts about buying the above machine, and after consultation and consideration I did, on Saturday. However, I have to admit to being less than impressed with it. Here's what I have a problem with:-

1. Editing. The only "editing" possible seems to be "hiding" parts, like where the ads come in? And to get a good cut at the end it looks like you have to divide, as the edit program once it reaches the end of the clip doesn't stop, but goes back to the default, leaving you unable to hit the "hide" key in time. VERY frustrating!

2. Although it says you can, I can't get lowercase letters on the remote to put in the title. When I hit SELECT, which it says is the control between lower and uppercase, it stops doing anything. So all my titles are now in capitals.

3. Again, although it says you can in the manual, when I tried to copuy three items to DVD it said that I couldn't do multiple items, resulting in my having to transfer each one separately.

4. Picture quality on default setting (SPP) can only be described as shite, particularly when paused. Higher setting may improve this, but will shorten the amount that will go on the HDD. My old Panny used LP all the time, and the quality was fine.

5. This TSB thing (Time Shift Buffer) annoys me. If you've recorded a prog and want to edit it (inasmuch as it 's possible to edit!) you have to put the machine in standby first, to clear the TSB, otherise it doens't let you do anything until 6 hours later, when a new TSB is started!

6. It had trouble playing the only MP3 DVD I put into it (created with Roxio 9, and mt cheapo plays it no problem)

Other than that, it's fine!
Seriously, anyone who owns or has had one of these machines, I'd appreciate input. I really think I may have made the wrong choice. It may be too late, or not, but I'd welcome comments, particularly helpful ones.

Thx guys
TH

[wabjxo]

Hopefully, the Philips 3575 has the same editing inrterface and function as the 3595. If so,

1. To cut the beginning or end of a title, see this post.

2. Hold "Erase" button on existing text to clean out text-entry window when starting title edit. To get lowercase letter, arrow down from preselected caps, press OK (or center button inside circle), enter text in box at bottom. To get back to caps or number/symbols, arrow up/dn, then press OK, then enter text. Use Back button to exit.

[Trollheart]

Thanx wabjxo. I'll try that with the title edit character thing.
Looking at the post you recommended, I see the 3575 apparently does full scene deletes, whereas this one only does hide? It's pretty annoying, as the hde buttons are long and rectangular, at the top of the remote, and don't lend themselves well to being pressed. You sort of have to use your fingernail. Also the "home" button, which basically returns you to the menu, is very close to the fast forward key, leading to mroe than one occurrence of edits being lost because suddenly we were back at square one!
I'm seriously thinking of going back with this machine...

[wabjxo]

Hmmm, yes the 3575 does delete, no "hiding," and keys names are apparently diff. too... so the 3595 may be a different animal in many other regards as well!?

[jjeff]

4. Picture quality on default setting (SPP) can only be described as shite, particularly when paused. Higher setting may improve this, but will shorten the amount that will go on the HDD. My old Panny used LP all the time, and the quality was fine.

I'll address this one question. I can't remember what speed SPP is, but if it's the first speed slower than SP, I kind of agree. I too was used to Panny's that use full resolution through LP(4hr, in US anyway). The Philips, like almost every DVDR mfg. drops there resolution on any speed above SP(2hrs in US).
The downfall of Panny's using full resolution on speeds slower than SP is Macroblocking. Most noticeable in areas of fast movement, but when there is not a lot of fast movement you get the benefit of full resolution without macroblocking. I personally prefer the occasional macroblock if I can gain full resolution. If I know what I'm going to record had a lot of fast motion I will use SP, or even FR3. That is 3hrs/disc in the FR mode. I get lots less macroblocking using FR3 than LP.
PQ is rather subjective though. Other people actually prefer the PQ of the Philips on say 4hr mode. They would rather see slightly less resolution if it means less macroblocking. I'm not saying I'm right, it's just that I personally prefer the PQ of the Panny's, especially on speeds between 2 1/2 hrs and 4 hrs.

If I would have known you used speeds slower than SP, and liked the PQ of your Panny on those speeds, I would have mentioned this before you purchased your Philips. This was the one thing I didn't care about the 3575. Note I didn't have a problem with the Editing, you should be able to erase your commercials instead of just hiding them. At least that's the way the 3575 worked.
P.S. Happy St. Patrick's day to ya!

[wabjxo]

On your #3, dubbing more than one title, maybe there's some clues in this post?

[Trollheart]

Wabjxo: no, don't see anything there, and I've read it twice...
jjeff: yes, it's the speed just below SP, so I guess I would need to use SP/XP in future? Fact is, I used to record and keep jsut about every series/film I watched, but nowadays I don't bother. Unless they're really great and I want to keep them, seeing them once is enough. Spooks is a good example. I had he opportunity to record it all, from seaon 1 to 5, without any commercials at all, but tbh once I'd watched the eps, though brilliant, I just didn't fel it was worth dubbibng to disc, so I dont really do that much anymore. Really, I'd probably only do it if I wanted to tape the show for someone, which happens rarely anyway.
So for my purposes I guess SP/XP would be the best to use, and then erase as I watch the progs...

[jjeff]

I found the SP and XP(don't let Wabjxo hear us say that) on Philips the 1hr speed is called HQ to be just fine. With the HDD you can record your programs to HDD in SP, then if you like them enough "dub" them HS to the DVD. There will be no loss in PQ recording HS from the HDD to the DVD. Note you cannot change speeds during the dub, so whatever speed you recorded on the HDD, the DVD will need to be the same. Keep this in mind for longer programs. If you record a 2hr program in HQ on the HDD, you will not be able to dub HS to the DVD, since you can only get 1hr HQ on the DVD. Just something to keep in mind if there's a chance of dubbing to DVD.
Note all the speeds I'm referring to are for the US model 3575, I trust the 3595 is the same? I know with VHS tapes the European and US machines had different times per tape, not sure about DVD's.

[wabjxo]

Wabjxo: no, don't see anything there, and I've read it twice...
jjeff: yes, it's the speed just below SP, so I guess I would need to use SP/XP in future? Fact is, I used to record and keep jsut about every series/film I watched, but nowadays I don't bother. Unless they're really great and I want to keep them, seeing them once is enough. Spooks is a good example. I had he opportunity to record it all, from seaon 1 to 5, without any commercials at all, but tbh once I'd watched the eps, though brilliant, I just didn't fel it was worth dubbibng to disc, so I dont really do that much anymore. Really, I'd probably only do it if I wanted to tape the show for someone, which happens rarely anyway.
So for my purposes I guess SP/XP would be the best to use, and then erase as I watch the progs...

You're the perfect candidate for recording your favorite shows in HQ for the ultimate VIEWING experience, then on those "rare" occasions where you might want a DVD copy, even a real-time dub to SP (if over 1-hour program) would be very nice quality. I've done some tests on this scenario with the 3575 and the results are very good... can't notice any PQ degradation in the HQ>SP copy???

[jjeff]

Do you think he would be better doing that, or record in SP on the HDD, then HS copy to DVD(no PQ loss from re-encoding).
I never did a PQ test between the 2 methods, but like the idea of not re-encoding the material during the transfer, and IMO the SP PQ is quite good.
I suppose Trollheart could try both methods and decide which one he liked better. With the Philips he's got lots of options.

[LCSHG]

I mostly use SP (2hr mode) in the In the units I have. This is full D1 with a lower bit-rate than HQ but very acceptable. At times when the resolution is not there I will drop to LP (3hr mode) D 2 and a lower bit rate. I have even gone to EP (4jr mode) at times
No Macroblocking
One problem with the Panasonic was using Full D1 to 4hr and the Pioneer units allow the operator to set the resolution and bit-rate. Way to many users tried to set these values TO HIGH and the result was macroblocks.
I don’t believe the Philips units allow this
For a lot of users. --- Thank goodness they don’t


PS
There are times when I wish my units had a 21/2 hr mode (not often ) that could be Full D! I just split the program to 2 disks if I want the High resolution and bit-rate

[Trollheart]

To balance this out, I must admit I am totally blown away by my first taste of pausing live TV! I was watching "Family Guy" last night, and it had just started, then I thought I might go down and get a cup of tea, will I wait for the break? But that's ten minutes away.
Then I thought: why not try this thing? Probably won't work, but why not have a go?
So I did, and it did! I know it's probably old hat to you guys, but this is the first time I have ever been able to pause onscreen a prog I wasn't recording, come back and pick it up where it was paused and continue on. Not only that, I could then fast forward through the ads too.
Excellent invention!
Almost makes the Philips worth the price on its own!
BTW, I've calmed down a bit now, and realised that I don't usually keep much on DVD from recordings anymore, so in reality I don't need to do much editing. If I do, it's just a case I guess of getting used to this hiding thing. I haven't tried the suggestions re the capitalisation thing with the remote yet, the mutiple copy thing I guess I can live with, though I wonder why it lets me mark multiple items but not copy them, and why it says I can in the manual when in fact I can't? I've upped the PQ to SP now. Haven't seen any of the recordings done on that setting yet, but I have a few timers running while I'm here at work, so when I get home will check.
All in all, I think I'm a bit more relaxed now.
Thx guys. Any more helpful hints very welcome!
TH

[wabjxo]

See if this helps.

If you get a dub menu that looks like this:


For your multiple-title dub, check the file sizes on the bottom right... make sure the top number is NOT larger than the bottom number. Top num is for file size being copied, bottom num is for disc capacity. If top num is larger, that's why you can't High-speed copy those titles in one shot. If total file size (top num) is larger, the rec mode that'll fit all the titles is auto-selected for a real-time copy. If total files size is too large for a disc at any rec mode, you'll get a message on that and have to delete one of the titles.

If you keep the top num on or below the bottom num, the dub can be in High-speed and in the same rec modes as each title was recorded in.

[Trollheart]

No, that wouldn't be it. It didn't say "insufficent space on disc" or anything, and when I dubbed them one at a time, all three titles fit (with about 2 mins to spare).
Maybe there's some sort of buffer that needs to be left free when dubbing, that I might have overreached when trying to do 3 titles?
It's not a problem anyway: each 1-hour title copied in about 5 mins, it was just the inconvience of having to be here to set each up and dub it. I would have preferred to have loaded them all up, then been able to go out and come back later to find them all dubbed across...

[wabjxo]

One more try... I think I know how you dubbed the titles individually rather than all at once.

Guessing you clicked each title and selected the "Dubbing" option. That would dub each title as an individual item.

Instead, you should use the Dubbing menu under the Setup button. Load a disc, then click the Setup > Dubbing item, which will only be available AFTER the disc is fully loaded... takes about 20 sec. That menu lets you add as many titles as you want for a single dubbing from HDD to DVD... multiple titles you CAN walk away from!

Here's another procedure you can read if interested in the details... halfway down under heading "Dubbing Multiple Titles to DVD."

[Trollheart]

Cool! I'll try that, wajxbo! I did indeed go clicking each title and then dub, so when I get home I'll try your way and see if it works. As I say, if not it's not a huge deal: there's never that much I need to dub anyway.
As it happens, that "hide" thing isn't that hard to get used to, it's just different to what I'm used to. A good thing is that you can go through the title, hiding and stop-hiding (essentially creating blocks of video that are not seen and therefore to all intents and purposes cut out of the title, then when you get to the end you can just hit the yellow Divide key, whcih makes a second file out of the ending bits, which you can then delete. The BEST thing about this is that, unlike my Panny, if I want to divide I can do this in the same session as my "hiding". On the HS2 I had to edit, cut, then go back into the title, hit divide, go all the way through until I got to the end credits and THEN divide.
This way is much better!
Think I'm starting to like this machine now.
I also like the big, friendly blue and red leds on the front, which you can't miss. On the Panny it was a small red led for recording, and once or twice I thought I had pushed the button (well, I had, but something had blocked the sensor and it hadn't received the input) but the recording didn't start and I had to press it again, often missing a few seconds of the start of a prog. There's no way you could miss the red recording led on the Philips!

[Trollheart]

Oh, one more thing, if I may continue to be a pest: any idea where the delete key is on the remote for entering titles? Like, how do I get rid of too many letters? I know how to clear the whole title, but if I have, for instance, MOONLIGIHT instead of MOONLIGHT, how do I get rid of the extra letter?
THX
TH

[FulciLives]

I find it much easier to use a DVD-RW or DVD+RW on the stand alone DVD recorder ... take that to the computer ... copy it to the computer ... edit it on the computer ... throw it into a simple DVD authoring program ... then burn to a DVD-R or DVD+R using the computer's burner.

Erase the DVD-RW or DVD+RW and go back to the stand alone DVD recorder for the next recording.

In that way you don't have to use the stand alone DVD recorder's editing functions (other than maybe to trim the start and/or ending of programs).

All of this can be done with TMPGEnc DVD Author 3 (it will import and edit and create a new DVD with menu etc. that is ready-to-burn on the computer's DVD burner).

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[wabjxo]

Oh, one more thing, if I may continue to be a pest: any idea where the delete key is on the remote for entering titles? Like, how do I get rid of too many letters? I know how to clear the whole title, but if I have, for instance, MOONLIGIHT instead of MOONLIGHT, how do I get rid of the extra letter?
THX
TH

Again, assuming the 3595 and 3575 are similar, in the Edit title name menu, move the white highlight square over the letter you want to delete, using the arrow keys, then press the Clear button. On the 3575 remote, it's the bottom left key, 2nd from bottom. That letter will delete and bring the next letter to the highlight square. Wherever the highlight square is, you can delete or enter new letters as needed.

[KeepItSimple]

On my 3575 remote that button says CLEAR, not Erase.

[wabjxo]

Thanks! I'm always calling it Erase... changed my post.

[Trollheart]

Thx wabjxo, I'll try that when I get home.
I thought the CLEAR button just deleted the whole title though?
Anyway, I'll give it a go.

[Trollheart]

FL, I understand what you mean about editing on the PC, but the edits I do (when I have to do them) are minimal, ie cut out ads, chop beginning and end bits off (ie bits before the start of and after the finish of the prog), so it's not really worth it for me, going to all that trouble. For my needs, the limited editing facilities of the DVD recorder do fine. In fairness, my last one, the Panny HS2, was just as limited really, and I never had any problems using it.

[wabjxo]

Thx wabjxo, I'll try that when I get home.
I thought the CLEAR button just deleted the whole title though?
Anyway, I'll give it a go.

If you HOLD the Clear button, eventually it'll delete the entire line (from the position of the highlight box).

[LCSHG]

KeepItSimple quote

On my 3575 remote that button says CLEAR, not Erase.
-------------------------------

Trollheart quote
I thought the CLEAR button just deleted the whole title though?


What was thought. That the Erase button erased one frame of a title at a time.
What does the manual say

[Trollheart]

If I recall (and I haven't got the manual to hand) it says something like "To clear a title, use the CLEAR (red) key"
I'm pretty sure I pushed it once and it erased the whole title (as I wanted it to do).
Haven't got round to trying yet, as yesterday I was bringing my little sick cat home from his operation....

[Trollheart]

Now I'm home, and I DO have the manual. Verbatim, it reads

"To clear the title name, press the RED button for CLEAR"

Don't say nothing about holding it down, or that it might clear one character at a time...

[wabjxo]

Two possibilities:

1. Your CLEAR button does one thing, clear all the letters under and after the highlight box. Try moving the highlight box right, over another letter, then press CLEAR and see if it STILL clears the entire title or just the letters under and behind the highlight box. On the 3575, the CLEAR button clears the entire title if the box is over the 1st letter and you HOLD the button down for a sec or two. Moving the box right with the arrow key and pressing CLEAR once quickly deletes only the letter under the box and ratchets rest of letters left.

2. There might be another button named "Delete" or "Erase" or something to delete just a letter or two as desired. Manual must say something about that!? I know on my telephone, presing the zero (0) button adds a space and pressing the "Clear" button deletes a space or letter, wherever the highlight box is... could be an "odd" key to delete just a space or letter?

We're at a disadvantage trying to help with a 3595 based on 3575 experience.

[LCSHG]

Trollllheart

In my post I said frame and that was wrong I meant to say letter
Does your remote have a Clear button, On the 3575 it’s the 2nd from the bottom on the left.

What [wabjxo} said is correct in the use of that button ---And his Quote
“We're at a disadvantage trying to help with a 3595 based on 3575 experience.”
Pin points the issue well.

I had ordered some parts from the UK and one person said they have a 3595 and the button says Clear and operates as [wabjxo] stated

In my units there is an option for a title to select Back or Clear
Clear, will clear the whole title in one press.
Back, will clear one letter at a time but a continued press will clear all.

[Trollheart]

OK guys, appreciate the fact that you're kind of operating in the dark as regards the 3595. Have to report no that no matter where you put the cursor on the title, how long or short you hold the key down, it deletes the entire thing.
No sign of any other clear or backspace button either...