VHS to DVD workflow

[terryj]

this is saying only one direction via fw, which is input only.
IIRC, Fro said he could get his to go out and INTO iMovie.....
or at least, into his Mac.

[Frobozz]

Frobozz, is this your experience also? Thanks.

Exactly. That's how it works for me. As for being able to output DV video from the recorder's HDD or nonencrypted DVD, that only works with the Pioneer DVR-310, 320, 510 and 520. DV output is not supported in the current Pioneer models and is not a feature in any other brand of which I'm aware. My opinion is the 520 will be regarded as the best consumer SD DVD recorder ever manufactured. But the 640 could be a contender if the cost-cutting doesn't mean reduction of the tremendous control Pioneer gives for recording and picture quality.

[bigthor]

Frobozz, what about the 510? Amazon.com offers it for sale. Does it burn Double layer discs? Should I go for it? Or try to get the 520? I'm going to download the 510 product manual.

Pioneer DVR-510H - DVD recorder / HDD recorder

List Price: $799.99
Price: $498.95
You Save: $301.04 (38%)

Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days. Ships from and sold by eek Technology.

2 used & new available from $425.00

View the product manual [Download: PDF, 6MB]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0001MTLFW/ref=pd_sbs_e_1/002-6391279-2197643?%5Fenco...lance&n=172282

[bigthor]

Amazon also offers the 520 in this manner, asking what price I would be willing to pay for it. I can also download the product manual for the 520:

Interested in this item? Select your price and condition, and if we find a match we'll ship it to you directly!

Our sellers load used and refurbished inventory every day. Even though no used copy is available right now, you can get in line for a copy at the price and condition that works for you. Your credit card will only be charged when, and if, a suitable item becomes available. We'll forward your shipping address directly to the seller and the seller will ship the item to you. Thanks for your pre-order. We hope you get what you're looking for!

You Are Pre-ordering:

Pioneer DVR-520H-S DVD recorder + 80GB digital video recorder
Shipping weight: 14.70 pounds.
ASIN: B0002IG6A8

http://s1.amazon.com/exec/varzea/preorder/new/B0002IG6A8/ref=oor_dp_e_re/002-6391279-2197643

[terryj]

So Fro,
IYHO,
as regards to what I do
(current: record off of Cable to Canopus ADVC, then to Mac
to edit and author via FCP/DVDSP3),
if I want to insert a DVD Recorder in this, just ouputting
direct to disc, then Any Recorder should work fine?
(replacing the FCP/DVDSP3 stage).

But if I want to replace the Canopus in this scenario,
then I can't, unless I hunt down a 310, 320, 510, or 520?

[Frobozz]

So Fro,
IYHO,
as regards to what I do
(current: record off of Cable to Canopus ADVC, then to Mac
to edit and author via FCP/DVDSP3),
if I want to insert a DVD Recorder in this, just ouputting
direct to disc, then Any Recorder should work fine?
(replacing the FCP/DVDSP3 stage).

But if I want to replace the Canopus in this scenario,
then I can't, unless I hunt down a 310, 320, 510, or 520?

First I'll reply to bigthor's question about the 510 vs 520. The 520 is a little better because they tweaked its features and added an 8X drive instead of the 510's 4X drive. The 520 also is thinner and weighs less (and the price was lowered, too). I would pay less for a used 510 than I would pay for a used 520.

Now to you, terryj

Although this series does have Firewire DV export, it only works for video that has is already MPEG encoded to either the HDD or DVD. That means it isn't as good as using the Canopus to capture live TV because it you're adding the MPEG 2 encoding in the middle of the process. I did get rid of my Canopus ADVC 55 after getting the Pioneer recorder, though.

Of course I can convert the VOBs on the DVD to DV anytime you want on the Mac, so the DV export feature is more of a convenience than a necessity. What is a necessity IMHO is a DVD recorder with hard drive. I can't imagine not having the hard drive.

[bigthor]

Frobozz, it appears that the 520 doesn't record on dual layer discs. My internal Pioneer 110D records on Double layer discs DVD+DL.

From the DVR-520H manual:

This recorder also supports the IEC’s Super VCD standard. Compared to the Video CD standard, Super VCD offers superior picture quality, and allows two soundtracks to be recorded. Super VCD also supports the widescreen size.

From the DVR633 manual:

About DualDisc playback

• A DualDisc is a new two -sided disc, one side of which contains DVD content – video, audio, etc. – while the other side contains non-DVD content such as digital audio material.
The non-DVD, audio side of the disc is not compliant with the CD Audio specification and therefore may not play.

For more detailed information on the DualDisc specification, please refer to the disc manufacturer or disc retailer.

A major factor of my wanting an A/D converter is to be able to burn discs of my old VHS/Beta tapes that modern DVD players will play. So far, my internal 110D drive burns DVD+DL discs that will play on my newer player (Toshiba). The older player I have (Panasonic) has trouble, whether the disc is double or single layer.

From the Pioneer press statement:

The DVR-640H-S possesses these additional features:

Video
DVD-R Dual Layer Recording Front AV input (S-Video)

I have heard that DVD-DL discs are not as compatible with modern DVD players as the DVD+DL discs are. Any thoughts on that, Fro? Thanks.

[terryj]

Now to you, terryj

Although this series does have Firewire DV export, it only works for video that has is already MPEG encoded to either the HDD or DVD. That means it isn't as good as using the Canopus to capture live TV because it you're adding the MPEG 2 encoding in the middle of the process. I did get rid of my Canopus ADVC 55 after getting the Pioneer recorder, though.

Of course I can convert the VOBs on the DVD to DV anytime you want on the Mac, so the DV export feature is more of a convenience than a necessity. What is a necessity IMHO is a DVD recorder with hard drive. I can't imagine not having the hard drive.

Gotcha Fro.

So instead of looking to change the INSTRUMENTS in my workflow,
it looks like I would be better served CHANGING the Workflow itself,
with Continuing on the path for newer recordings from Cable
to the Canopus, and Older VHS recordings ( non-essential) to
a Pioneer ( 520?) so I can record several things at once (like 3-4 eps)
and then master straight to DVD.

........a plan is forming........ 8)

[bigthor]

I'm waiting to hear Fro's answer about writing to Double Layer discs on the 520.

Impatient video nut that I am, I may have to wait for the 640 to come out in June. I've even considered buying both the Canopus 300 and a Pioneer 633. But for that kind of money, I'd rather spend it on one superior unit that will do practically anything.

[willrob]

Are these units capable of having their DVD drives replaced by the consumer? It may then be possible to get DL support.

[Frobozz]

bigthor,
The Pioneer 520 does not record to any DL media but will play DVD+R DL video DVDs. The DVD-R DL format didn't exist when the 520 was introduced so I don't know if it will play back video recorded to that media. However, since Pioneer developed the DVD-R DL media it might work for playback.

The Pioneer 533/633 will record to DVD-R DL but not to DVD+R DL. Apparently that will change with the 640.

The reference to the Dual disc in the manual is about some commercial DVDs that have a movie on one side and an audio CD on the other. It isn't referring to DL media.

willrob, I don't know about swapping the DVD drive in these units but I'm confident that it would not add DL burning support to a model whose software wasn't designed for DL burning.

By the way, Pioneer still makes a professional-level DVD recorder that is very similar to the 520 except that it can record and play NTSC or PAL. It is a PRV-9200 and sells for nearly $1,000. I'm looking forward to checking out the 640 for under $400.

[bigthor]

Thanks, Frobozz. Your answers make a lot of sense.

I am going to have to force myself to wait until the 640 comes out. I hope it will burn to DVD+DL.

Pioneer claims the units will be sold at MyerEmco stores. I like to go in and look at electronics before purchasing. Can't wait.

[bigthor]

bigthor,
The Pioneer 520 does not record to any DL media but will play DVD+R DL video DVDs. The DVD-R DL format didn't exist when the 520 was introduced so I don't know if it will play back video recorded to that media. However, since Pioneer developed the DVD-R DL media it might work for playback.

The Pioneer 533/633 will record to DVD-R DL but not to DVD+R DL. Apparently that will change with the 640.

The reference to the Dual disc in the manual is about some commercial DVDs that have a movie on one side and an audio CD on the other. It isn't referring to DL media.

willrob, I don't know about swapping the DVD drive in these units but I'm confident that it would not add DL burning support to a model whose software wasn't designed for DL burning.

By the way, Pioneer still makes a professional-level DVD recorder that is very similar to the 520 except that it can record and play NTSC or PAL. It is a PRV-9200 and sells for nearly $1,000. I'm looking forward to checking out the 640 for under $400.

Frobozz, the Pioneer site claims that the new DVR-640H-S will have a wide playback capability:

Besides regular DVD movies, you can play your homemade DVDs containing TV content or home movies (HDD/DVD-R/-RW/DVD-R DL/DVD-RAM/DVD+R/+RW/DVD+R DL Recorder, DVD-R/DVD-R DL/DVD-RW (Video Mode and VR Mode Recording, Compatible with CPRM3)/DVD-RAM (Compatible with CPRM3)/DVD+R/+RW/DVD+R DL/DVD). It also plays CDs and CD-R/RW discs with WMA and MP3 files, and its JPEG photo viewer is compatible with Fujifilm™ and Kodak® discs and CD-R/RWs burned from your computer.

But does "wide playback" also mean that it will burn both DVD-R DL and DVD+R DL discs?

wabjxo on AVS Forum said that:

Even for the more-capable Japanese version, their news release listed only -R DL.

Thus he says it will play both +R and -R DL, but will only burn -R DL. What do you think?

[lawnman]

Specs. from Pioneer web site:

DVR-640H-S
DVD Recorder with 160GB HDD for Up to 340 Hours of Recording

Suggested Price: $399.00

Features
Dual-Layer DVD-R Recording Yes
Copy Speed High-Speed
Video DAC 10-bit/108MHz
Audio DAC 24-bit/192kHz
Outputs
Component Video Output Yes
Dolby(R) Digital and DTS(R) Digital Output Yes
Inputs
S-Video 1 Front Input/ 2 Rear Inputs
Warranty
Parts and Labor 1 Year
Dimensions
Dimensions (inches) 16-9/16 x 2-11/16 x 12-1/2 (WxHxD)
Dimensions (mm) 420 x 69 x 318 (WxHxD)
Weight 9lbs. 7 oz.

Looks like DL-R's only.

[Frobozz]

Looks like DL-R's only.

That's what I think, too.