Panasonic DVD Recorder + DVD Duplicator

[JJ1958]

Hope there is a simple answer to this (then again, is there EVER a simple answer to anything?)

I have a Panasonic DMR-E50 DVD Recorder that I use to make DVD-R copies of old VHS videos.

I have been looking at the plethora of standalone DVD Duplicators/Copiers out on the market. I would like to use one of these to make copies of a master DVD rather than repeatedly playing the old VHS masters to copy with the Panasonic.

I know that for a DVD-R recorded on the Panasonic to be playable in a basic DVD player, it must be finalized. It then becomes a DVD-Video (or DVD-V as Panasonic likes to shorthand it).

Looking at the specs for some of these DVD Duplicators, they seem to show that they can READ DVD-Video as well as DVD-R, but only WRITE to DVD-R.

So, if I take a finalized DVD made on the Panasonic, put it in the Duplicator and make a copy, is the copy a plain unfinalized DVD-R that will be of no use in a DVD player, or will it be an exact clone and play like the original?

This is, needless to say, a critical question to answer before I sink money into a duplicator. Please advise if I am completely off-base on my reasoning here. Thanks.

[tonx]

the duplicator will make an exact copy of your
finalized disk.dvd-r stands for dvd-recordable.

[JJ1958]

Do you speak from experience or theory? (Not trying to cast aspersions on your credibility, as I don't even know you...) I really would like to hear from someone who has done this exact process -- create DVD-R on a consumer recorder like the Panasonic, finalize it to DVD-Video, pop it into a duplicator, and end up with a playable (on commercial players) disc.

[zorankarapancev]

Do you speak from experience or theory? (Not trying to cast aspersions on your credibility, as I don't even know you...) I really would like to hear from someone who has done this exact process -- create DVD-R on a consumer recorder like the Panasonic, finalize it to DVD-Video, pop it into a duplicator, and end up with a playable (on commercial players) disc.

I am in video production and post-production business. tonx is absolutely right. I videotape school recitals and concerts, as well as any kind of corporate and family events. Most of my master DVD's are done on Panasonic DMR E-60 and consequent copys are done on DVD duplicator.

[ckdexterhn1]

You should understand that the type of DVD that the Panasonic creates is not 100% compatible with other standalone players. There was a thread about that on the forum, I'm sure that someone will come along with the link.

How many copies are you trying to reproduce? Is it worth it to spend a thousand dollars or more for a duplicating machine? If it is a 1000 copies or more, you could get a studio to create a factory pressed DVD with real menus instead of a DVD-R burned copy of a Panasonic disc.

[JJ1958]

You should understand that the type of DVD that the Panasonic creates is not 100% compatible with other standalone players.


I understand that -- however, I have probably sent out close to 1000 DVDs created on the Panasonic, all over the world, and I have yet to get a single report of incompatibility. The possibility DOES exist, but it seems to be very rare.

How many copies are you trying to reproduce? Is it worth it to spend a thousand dollars or more for a duplicating machine? If it is a 1000 copies or more, you could get a studio to create a factory pressed DVD with real menus instead of a DVD-R burned copy of a Panasonic disc.

Well, I've seen such units from many vendors for under $500. I'm only looking for a 1-to-1 unit -- I don't need to do 3 or 5 or 7 at a time. I don't do a huge volume, but enough that it is very inconvenient to have to spend a full 2 hours burning each and every one on the Panasonic -- with a duplicator and decent media, I can cut that down to less than half an hour. Plus, many of my VHS masters are quite old and have been subject to many repeated playings over the years -- a few of the oldest are starting to show some problems. Creating a DVD master of each one will preserve the original masters. And let's not forget that these Panasonic units are not really made for heavy-duty use -- I believe the laser tends to crap out around 1000 hours of use. I already burned out one machine, so eventually I would like to keep the current unit solely for the purpose of making future DVD masters.

(Please feel free to let me know if my reasoning is faulty here, anybody. I think this makes sense....)

And thank you, zorankarapancev -- that is exactly the kind of reassurance I needed!

[hech54]

I occasionally sell home-made DVD's all over the world as well. Like you....not HUGE volume. I just use my computer's DVD Rom drive and my DVD Burner and copy on the fly at 2x or 2.4x depending on which media I use. Sure beats re-recording in real-time with my Philips DVD Recorder.....besides....I won't retain my menu's doing it in real-time either.
Just a thought...

[handyguy]

This assumes the duplicator can read the disk format your Panasonic writes.

[JJ1958]

HANDYGUY writes:

This assumes the duplicator can read the disk format your Panasonic writes.

Don't see why it wouldn't -- they all handle DVD-R. I mean, a DVD duplicator is basically just two DVD drives -- one read, one write -- tied together with a controller and software.

Hey, ZORANKARAPANCEV, what duplicator are you using for your work?

[ckdexterhn1]

Why not just make ISO images on your hard drive and then make the copies as you need them on a DVD burner?

[JJ1958]

CKDEXTERHN1 writes:

Why not just make ISO images on your hard drive and then make the copies as you need them on a DVD burner?

Cos I have a very primitive computer that has not nearly enough speed or RAM to do that efficiently, plus it would tie up/slow down this hunk o'junk all day while I have other things to do on it. Considering the money I would have to spend to upgrade this dinosaur (or buy a new one) and add a burner, it's cheaper and easier just to spend $300-400 on a standalone duplicator that can sit off in the corner churning out DVDs while I play on my Edsel here.