DVD Recorders and playback format compatibility??

[q1aqza]

Merry Christmas!!

I'm looking at getting a DVD Recorder in the New Year but of the various models out there it seems, from reading manufacturers specs, that most of them will only playback the same format of disc that they can write in?

In particular the shortlist of three models I am interested in are the JVC-DRM1, Pioneer 3100 and the Tosh DR1 and all, according to their specs, will only playback -R/RW discs with no mention of playback for +R/RW discs.

As I have quite a selection of -R/RW and +R/RW discs I need a recorder that will will playback both formats even it if it will only record in just one format.

Does anyone have any direct experience or knowledge on this subject?

[erickotto]

The sony recorder will playback and record both , if not mistaken the type is Sony RDR-GX7. But no HD present !

Erick

[q1aqza]

Unfortunately the GX7 is out of my price range. It seems very short-sighted of the current manufacturers to restrict playback format compatibility - I can understand most of them sticking with one format or other for recording but not being able to playback both - & + formats is bit daft.

I believe the cheaper GX3 is also dual format for both recording and playback, so, although I'm not a big fan of Sony DVD players, I might have to opt for that one.

[Scobo]

The new Philips range of recorders (R70,R75 & R80) are reported on this site under "DVD players" as playing all the recordable formats (except DVD-RAM) as well as VCD and SVCD.
I'm thinking about buying the R70 myself at a current UK best price of £229.99.
The R75 is basically the same machine with firewire input and the R80 has some advanced features such as Disc Manager and Guide + (but not worth the extra £100+ in my opinion!)

[handyguy]

I don't get it. Almost all dvd players/recorders play back +r or -r they don't care what media you wrote it on. Just read the huge topic on the left column that says DVD PLAYERS. to see what plays what.

[hech54]

Don't throw away your DVD PLAYER if you plan to buy a Philips DVD RECORDER.....in my opinion...they are TERRIBLE players. I own and old 985 which so far has been bulletproof....but then again I do not play DVD's in it...JUST RECORD.

[Scobo]

I plan on keeping my Logix 3000 as it plays every type of DVD/CD I've ever chucked at it and it has great firmware support via an unofficial user group at Yahoo.
I had also considered the Panasonic E50 but it's a bit hit or miss reading + discs and isn't too hot on playback quality from I've heard.
I'm also put off by the incompatibilty of DVD-RAM although it does offer more recording options over DVD+RW.

[q1aqza]

I don't get it. Almost all dvd players/recorders play back +r or -r they don't care what media you wrote it on. Just read the huge topic on the left column that says DVD PLAYERS. to see what plays what.

That was the whole point of my question - does anyone have any knowledge or experience on whether DVD Recorders will generally playback both +r and -R discs. Handyguy, are you saying then that players such as the Pioneer 3100, JVC DRM1 and the Toshiba DR1 will playback home created/backed-up DVDs on +R media?

I was making that same assumption until I read the manufacturers specifications for these three which ONLY state playback for -R/RW media plus RAM for the latter two - which seems pretty useless if that is the case, hence I need to find out before I spend lots of money on something that won't playback a large number of my +R home movies / DVD movie back-ups

I must confess that I hadn't looked in the DVD Player info for Recorders (I'd only looked in the DVD Recorder section which only shows record formats) but now you mentioned I had a look, thanks. I notice that neither the JVC nor the Tosh that are on my shortlist don't seem to be listed but the Pioneer 3100 is and, according to just one person, it will playback +R/RW. I did notice that the Panasonics which are RAM and -R do not playback +R/RW so it shows that it is not a given that DVD recorders will playback both formats.

Scobo, thanks for the info on the Philips although I have been put off them by too many bad reports on various forums.

Anyway thanks for the replies everyone.

[Scobo]

I've read many bad reports on the Philips recorders myself but mainly the older models (880, 980, etc).
I don't think I've seen a recorder yet which someone hasn't had problems with.
The newer Philips machines don't get nearly as bad a press and for every bad report I'd say there was about 3 or 4 good ones.
Philips appear to have addressed many of the faults with their earlier models.
It's a bit like the situation with new software.
The first couple of versions tend to be riddled with bugs and we get ripped off having to shell out for the newer bug-free versions !

[handyguy]

"Pioneer 3100, JVC DRM1 and the Toshiba DR1"

Im not familiar with those just the Panasonics. You can check any manf web site for info. A lot of them have online free chat support.

Dont forget left Column:
DVD Writers
& recorders feature
& user comments