I need some help on purchasing a Stand alone DVD recorder

[uncleB]

I could use your help,
I’ve read a few of the posts and they’ve been helpful, but let me tell you exactly what my situation is and see if you can make some suggestions to me. I’d like a stand-alone DVD recorder that will enable me to copy some old VHS tapes (family heirlooms), and also some I took in 8mm (I suppose as long as it has input jacks they should work). I also have a High Definition TV that is hooked up to my Dish Network HD system. I want to be able to run my Dish Network through it so I can record show on it as well. I’d like to be able to record in 2 to 6 hr. modes if available and I’d like to have the ability to record some in as close to if not exactly like the HD broadcast. I don’t know much about dual layer (except some of what I’ve read here) and don’t know if that is what I possibly want. I don’t want the unit I purchase to diminish my reception in any way so it needs to have good guts. Reasonably priced, and it being easy to understand and operate are also very important (I’m a poor ole hard workin stiff). Also please tell me which has the best future, plus or minus disks so I can record my stuff in the best mode for viewing (by other units besides my own) and which disks are the best to purchase. I know it’s a lot of things to ask and I’m sorry but you all are my best bet, and I appreciate anything you can do to help.
God Bless
Uncle Bob

[Frobozz]

You aren't going to be recording High Definition to a DVD for some time to come. I record HD programs to my Pioneer DVR-510H-S in NTSC and the picture looks very good. But it's not HD.

I recommend the Pioneer DVR-520H-S (successor to mine) because it uses a hard drive to record the video in any of 32 quality settings. You then can edit out segments before burning it to a DVD. It will do everything you listed (except recording in High Definition) and does it well.

Don't fret about the +R or -R media issue. Any current model can play a burned DVD regardless of which media that was used. For example, the Pioneer only burns to -R or -RW but plays +R and +RW just fine.

As for easy to use, I recommend picking three or so finalists and downloading their manuals. This will give you a sense for the comparative features and ease of use. Good ones require careful study of the manual because they provide lots of options.

[Xyscaling]

and also some I took in 8mm

If you mean 8mm as in "film", you know this is not going to work. You've gotta first convert your rolls of 8mm film to video.........

[zorankarapancev]

The closest match for you: Sony RDR-HX900. It has everything that you need. For High Definition recordings you can use HQ+ mode – the best DVD recording quality on the planet today.

[zleepy]

If you want to record HiDef and good 6 hr mode, a PC is a must.
See CEF's posts:
https://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=246169&sid=49674806e633fbd21a669529ef7b7ca0

Heirloom 8mm films -- ouch! I hope you mean Sony 8mm tape format.

Sony and Panasonic use their own chipsets and not the BEST chipset made.
For the best 4hr & 6hr mode you'd do better with cheaper LSI chipset boxes.

6hr mode DVDR'd discs i've watch are pretty bad to unwatchable.
Maybe you should wait awhile, rather than replacing your 2004 HDTV recording
system in a year or two.

[tommyoz]

Frobozz. Could you tell me if the Pioneer DVR-520H-S or the Pioneer DVR-510H-S has DV in/out? or is it just in? I know the Pioneer DVR-320 has DV in/out.

[Frobozz]

The DVR-510H-s and the 520H-S both have Firewire/iLink in and out. I've used it on mine both ways. In fact, after I got this I sold my Canopus ADVC-55 on eBay. One thing to know is that it exports DV only from video already recorded to the hard drive or DVD disc. It doesn't stream live video through the Firewire port.

[tommyoz]

Thanks Frobozz, I knew about the non streaming of live video. I have the Pioneer DVR-320. I was just curious about the 520 & 510.

[Sam Ontario]

I could use your help,
I’ve read a few of the posts and they’ve been helpful, but let me tell you exactly what my situation is and see if you can make some suggestions to me. I’d like a stand-alone DVD recorder that will enable me to copy some old VHS tapes (family heirlooms), and also some I took in 8mm (I suppose as long as it has input jacks they should work). I also have a High Definition TV that is hooked up to my Dish Network HD system. I want to be able to run my Dish Network through it so I can record show on it as well. I’d like to be able to record in 2 to 6 hr. modes if available and I’d like to have the ability to record some in as close to if not exactly like the HD broadcast. I don’t know much about dual layer (except some of what I’ve read here) and don’t know if that is what I possibly want. I don’t want the unit I purchase to diminish my reception in any way so it needs to have good guts. Reasonably priced, and it being easy to understand and operate are also very important (I’m a poor ole hard workin stiff). Also please tell me which has the best future, plus or minus disks so I can record my stuff in the best mode for viewing (by other units besides my own) and which disks are the best to purchase. I know it’s a lot of things to ask and I’m sorry but you all are my best bet, and I appreciate anything you can do to help.
God Bless
Uncle Bob

Go for ILO HDR04, you will not regret it!

[Xyscaling]

Sam,

I agree,especially since UncleB wrote:

Reasonably priced, and it being easy to understand and operate are also very important (I’m a poor ole hard workin stiff).

The new Sony is fantastic, but a bit expensive.
Tom

[zleepy]

Me too, for Sam & Tom's ILO HDR04.

The new Sony is fantastic, but a bit expensive

But it's a joy to play VR discs without having to finalize them.

[Sam Ontario]

Me too, for Sam & Tom's ILO HDR04.

The new Sony is fantastic, but a bit expensive

But it's a joy to play VR discs without having to finalize them.

Yes! DVD+RW is good and convenient and ILO with a HD, you can do almost anything with it, I meant editing.

[spiderman2k1]

I like Panasonic I have not had one problem with my E80 so far and its a year old now.

[Sam Ontario]

I like Panasonic I have not had one problem with my E80 so far and its a year old now.

I have no experience with E80 or the newer version E85. I am asuming that E80 and HD04 are in the same class qualitywise and funtionwise, with the price of E80 or E85, you can at least buy 2 ILO HD04 recorders. Its far more economical with ILO, especially, the DVD recorders are still at its very premature stage of development - even Panasonics have newer recorder models, say half yearly.