TV capture

[blacklab88]

I apologize if this isn't the right forum for this question. I want to record TV shows onto DVD but don't wish to spend the $1500-2000 for a stand alone DVD recorder, such as those models from Pioneer, Philips, and Panasonic. If I get a TV tuner card, can I take the recording from my hard drive, burn it onto a DVD using my computer DVD recorder (not stand alone) and will the result be as good as what I see on TV? I use the DISH network and am very pleased with the quality. Thanks.

[deadpac]

A standalone DVD recorder is not recommended right now because of the competing standards. Although there is one company that is making a standalone that records in all of the current formats DVD-RW DVD+RW, etc... except for DVD-RAM.

Anyways buying a standalone DVD recorder would cost less than a computer system that did the same thing, unless you know how to build high end box's with low cost input.

Computer set for DVD capping/burning
computer $2000 well equiped for capturing, editing, burning
burner $500 to record onto blank DVD's
capture hardware $300 - $3000 depending on the quality you want to achieve on your captures.

Standalone DVD recorder
recorder $1500 - $2000 THAT'S IT

Neither way is suggested because of the different formats out there, with no universal standard.

Computer is more versatile in that you can upgrade later to the standard once it becomes defined, but it would cost A LOT to set one up right now.

Standalone is cheaper and figures to be less of a headache when setting up. But since there is no ONE universal standard, I would steer clear of the standalone recorder.


Back to your query.....
Getting a TV card is NOT going to allow you to make instantaneous DVD video, what it will do is let you capture the video into your computer and then you have to author the video that is on you drive, Encoding DVD I imagine would take anywhere from 18 hours to 48 hours. [this is based on my knowledge that SVCD usually take from 12-36 hours all depending on the speed of your computer.

I don't think ALL THAT TIME is worth the investment when it comes to simply making DVD videos.

Instantaneous DVD capture apps like the Pinnacle Bungee haven't been tested long enough to see how they can measure up to real DVD video; i mean there is nothing out there right now that will definitively give you DVD video on demand.


My suggestion: WAIT for a universal standard before buying a burner, and then wait a little longer for hardware capture apps that can truly give yod DVD video by just pressing record. By that time a standalone recorder will have come out and you might not need to go the computer route.

[sracer]

blacklab88, you'd do well to take deadpac's advice. The technology for DVD recording is still (relatively) very new and the dust hasn't settled yet.

deadpac, outstanding overview of the current climate, limitations, and advice. I wholeheartedly agree.

[dumwaldo]

My suggestion: WAIT for a universal standard before buying a burner, and then wait a little longer for hardware capture apps that can truly give yod DVD video by just pressing record. By that time a standalone recorder will have come out and you might not need to go the computer route.

just a thought but VCD's have been around for roughly 20 years and we still dont have a capture app that gives you VCD just by pressing record. sure they exist but i think you would be hard pressed to find one that performs acceptably. so what is it that makes you think we will get this with DVD?

there are 2 ways to do things... the easy way and the right way
do it the easy way and you will never match what is created doing it the right way.

[blacklab88]

Perhaps I didn't make myself clear, but I don't want to simply push "Record" and record DVDs's from TV capture. I want to capture A TV show from cable or satellite, record it onto my hard drive, clean it up a bit, and then record the show onto DVD.