recorder burns lower bitrate than I set it for

[spiritgumm]

I'm trying a Pioneer 225(aka 320) and it works pretty well, except when I try and record a b&w 90 vhs tape, the bit rate dips lower than I set it for, with noticeably poorer results. I've tried using timer recording with Optimization on and off, but the rate is always lower that the 90 min. rate should be. If I set it for 1hour speed, it will record in higher mode, but I'd have to use dvd-rw and edit two parts on pc. Anyway, it records properly for color vhs. I'm also trying a Toshiba DR4 and that will record b&w properly. Any ideas?

[hech54]

My DVD Recorder won't even record in B&W.

[spiritgumm]

I realize that bitrate fluctuates based on how much info the recorder thinks it needs, and a b&w picture might represent less demand for info. A higher rate would finally kick in if I switched completely to XP (rather than at the 90 min. step).
The Toshiba DR4 recorded the appropriate bitrate at the 90 min. step (FYI it does do flex record but only in timer recording mode).

[hech54]

My DVD Recorder won't even record in B&W.

So if you feed an old black & white vhs tape into it, does it colorise it like Ted Turner :P

It flashes "No Signal"....just like the manual states it will.

[Noahtuck]

My DVD Recorder won't even record in B&W.

So if you feed an old black & white vhs tape into it, does it colorise it like Ted Turner :P

It flashes "No Signal"....just like the manual states it will.

No shit!!!
What is your recorder ??
I would think that regardless if whether or not it was a color vhs or a B&W vhs it would record it no matter what you pumped into it, as long as it was not protected or the macrovision was disabled by various methods ??
Just being B&W should not matter ?

I have never tried a B&W but regardless of what i feed into my dvd recorder, it records it 8) but i do have some old batman serial vhs's i might have to see once

[spiritgumm]

Ah, getting back to my original question...

[hech54]

My DVD Recorder won't even record in B&W.

So if you feed an old black & white vhs tape into it, does it colorise it like Ted Turner :P

It flashes "No Signal"....just like the manual states it will.

No shit!!!
What is your recorder ??
I would think that regardless if whether or not it was a color vhs or a B&W vhs it would record it no matter what you pumped into it, as long as it was not protected or the macrovision was disabled by various methods ??
Just being B&W should not matter ?

I have never tried a B&W but regardless of what i feed into my dvd recorder, it records it 8) but i do have some old batman serial vhs's i might have to see once

I have an OLD Philips DVDR985.
I also agree that my recorder's inability to record B&W and his recorder's problems are probably not related....BUT....'ya never know. My purpose was to inform him and others that the B&W issue has been a problem in the past for DVD Recorders.
Geez....I sound like my recorder has a hand crank on it somewhere...

[smearbrick1]

OTP: I believe you have answered your own question. I believe it is simply a function of the Pioneer recorder. You have a setting for one thing, it "senses" that the information being pumped through the input does not require a high bitrate and it compensates, albeit too much.