EASY method to xfer shows from DVR to DVD; cut out commercials???

[bookman1975]

I am newbie, and have not been able to find answers to the following questions.

Looking to buy a DVD recorder. Purpose is to put TV shows recorded on a DVR (DirecTV DVR specifically) on DVD and cut out commercials. I want basically the same functionality as a VCR, only on a DVD.

1. Should I get one with a hard drive or not?

2. Is it even possible to cut out the commercials without doing a bunch of editing on the computer first? I am looking to avoid the computer entirely.

3. Is there a big advantage to a DVD recorder with a tape deck? There are *some* shows and things I want to transfer, but what is the difference between a recorder/VCR and a recorder you can hook up a VCR to?

Any and all help is greatly appreciated.

[videomaniac]

How are you going to get the recorded video from the DVR? This could be more difficult than you might think.

I do not think there is an easy way to cut commercials without using a computer. Why not just go directly to a computer from the DVR, cut the commercials using something like VideoReDo Plus, author using TDA and burn to DVD using the DVD burner in your PC?

Or you could purchase a media player like the I-O Data Linkplayer2 or the MediaMPV. Once the commercial free video is on your computer you can then watch it on your TV using a wired media player or in the right conditions a wireless media player.

[bookman1975]

My intention was to hook up my DirecTV DVR to the DVD recorder and record to it like I already do with a VCR.

Assuming this is the way to go (and it looks more like this is the case as VideoReDo looks pretty cool) what would be the best way to get the video from the DVR into my computer? Should I buy a fairly basic DVR just to get the video into the computer? It would be a pain to hookup the DVR directly to the computer. Again, what should I look for? Does a deck with a VCR provide any supergreat advantages?

Thanks for the reply....

[DVWannaB]

If you want to avoid the computer altogether, then get a DVD recorder with a HDD (harddisc drive). Pioneer, Toshiba & JVC are my top choices.

Once you connect your cables (preferably s-video) just cue up your recorded DVR video and record directly to the DVD recorder HDD.

Then just cut out commercials (Pioneer & JVC deadly accurate cuts) and burn to DVD-R. Simple done.

[ClubSteeler]

Here are your options that I can think of without using a computer:

#1) Watch the program while you burn it and pause the DVD recorder during commercials.

#2) Buy a DVD Recorder with a HDD and edit out the commercials before burning.

#3) record your show onto a DVD +RW or -RW, then after you burn it you can make make the commercials into their own titles and delete those titles.

#4) Similarly, on my DVD recorder, on a +R or -R disc I can make the commercials a chapter and make that chapter hidden so that it skips it during playback (Caution though: these changes are not recognized in any other DVD players)


The #3 method actually erases the commercials beause RW disks are erasable. The #4 method just skips them on playback.

It's really pretty easy and fast. You just go to edit mode and watch the recorded program at super fast forward speed, mark the commericals and delete the titles. Probably takes 5 minutes once you get the hang of it.

A final option is to do nothing, keep the commercials and when views the disc, hit the commericial skip button to jump ahead in :30 intervals.

[videomaniac]

A key consideration in making your choice is how many shows a day are you intending to cut commercials. If it is 1-2 per day then the DVD recorder approach may work for you, if however it is greater than 3 or 4 per day then I do not think in the mid or long term the DVD recorder solution will keep you happy. It will become very repetative very quickly and while your cutting commercials with the DVD player you may not be able to record.

I have routinely recorded and cut commercials on 0-15 shows a day for the last 8mos using a PVR250 to my HDD. I then use SA and Dirmon2 to automatically detect commercials and generate a project file for VideoReDo. I drop the file/files into VRD and within minutes a 1 hr show is commerical free. I then view the shows on my 50" Sony using a wired LP2. When done viewing I delete the show. My entire family is hooked on watching commercial free shows and uses this setup extensively.

BTW, this does not require a dedicated PC like an HTPC. I am using the family computer that I have had for the last 5 years. We watch two different shows simultaneously, detect/find commercials, record a show and cruise the internet all at the same time.