STB recording quality for SCART

[waefwaeefwaefw]

My specific situation in the UK

32" CRT TV -> SCART -> STB DVD Recorder -> SCART -> SKY Satellite Box OR DVB Box

DVD recorders can be set to record 1-4 hours per disc (or 1-4 hours per 4G of data if you like)

So what is the 'data rate' of a SCART (I know its not digital) so I can set my DVD recorder to record all of the data possible but put as much as possible on the disc.

[Krispy Kritter]

I'd suggest performing a test at the various recordings and judge the quality yourself. Standard DVD quality video is 2hr (per 4gb). Once you exceed the 2 hours, you are likely going to see a difference. The amount of difference will likely vary from recorder to recorder (based on chipset used). So testing yourself is the only way to judge if it is acceptable to you.

[waefwaeefwaefw]

I have tried 3 and 4 hours a disc and would say there is no difference, next time something is on that I already have I will try at 2 hours.

[jjeff]

Don't just do your comparisons on static images. Static images are easy to see things but with mpeg2 compression they don't tell nearly the whole story.
If you have a Panasonic they will maintain full resolution (d1) up to 4hrs/disc. The problem arises when you introduce fast motion. Using 4hrs/disc with full resolution will bit starve the recorder as soon as motion is introduced.
Even though it will be harder to see you'll want to use a good source that has plenty of movement, especially something like water or confetti falling.
Look in those areas of movement, if you're using 4hrs/disc in full resolution you're bound to not like what you see. In this case it's better to lower your speed to not over 3hrs/disc and closer to SP (2hrs/disc) is better.
Most other DVDRs cut resolution at speeds above 2hrs/disc. You might not have the macroblocking but IMO the resolution looks bad.
If you do have a Panny and you want to get 4hrs/disc and really dislike macroblocking and want to trade it for resolution you could use FR set for 4hrs and a few minutes. This will force the resolution to half d1 but give you much less macroblocking. Personally I can't stand half d1 but others can't stand macroblocking. I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder
Since you're recording from a analog source there is really no such thing as matching the recorder to the source. With analog more (faster speed) is always better although as you get closer to 1hr/disc the payback becomes less.