DVD Recorders With DivX

[oldtrout]

Is anyone aware if there are any manufactures of DVD recorders (Not PC Type) that will record in the .divX format, or can direct me to a source that may be able to answer my query?

Thanks

[Barnabas]

Don't think you are going to find any DVD recorders that will record in divx.

[kurbads]

There is Plextor DivX certified DivX recorder. It compresses on board, but probably still needs PC since it is USB2. It costs like 200$
http://www.plextor.com/english/products/M402U.htm

[budz]

There is Plextor DivX certified DivX recorder. It compresses on board, but probably still needs PC since it is USB2. It costs like 200$
http://www.plextor.com/english/products/M402U.htm

With that Plextor device it would need a pc.
I've yet to see/hear of a dvd recorder that will record in divx mode. Why not use a pc to convert something that is recorded off of a standalone dvd recorder? It's not difficult to do.

[BCdave]

I'm not sure if this helps, but my LG LRH-780 recorder (and the more expensive LRH-790, which has a 250GB HDD), will record to the hard drive in Xvid format. They will play (but not record) DivX files.

Both machines are available at Future Shop.

[handyguy]

.divx ?

You need to do some research, divx format is usually .AVI Use your computer to do it.

[Baldrick]

.divx is divx video in the divx container format. But I think oldtrout mean divx in any container...

BCdave: any good quality?

[BCdave]

Baldrick, I tried MPEG4 recording for the first time today, to check the video quality. I recorded part of a football game using the LG's tuner (from cable tv) in Mpeg4, plus Mpeg2 in 4 hour & 6 hour modes for comparison.

I used the highest resolution (640X480) of Mpeg4, with the bit rate approximately equal to 4 hour mode of Mpeg2, and the quality was a bit disappointing. I would judge it to be somewhere between 4 hour and 6 hour mode, with some background noise.

As the Mpeg4 mode has other limitations - no editing, and I'm not sure about dubbing to a dvd-R - I don't think I'll be using it very often.

[Tiago]

Hi BCdave,

Thanks for sharing your opinion. I´m really looking for a mpeg4 recorder. I dont see the point of only using mpeg2. Do you know what was the bit rate you used? But the lack of editing is a major disadvantage.

Cheers

[BCdave]

Hi, Tiago. Good question. I need to check the bit rate on the mpeg2 recording, and then I can calculate the bit rate on the several resolutions of mpeg4, based on the total recording time for the 80GB HDD noted in the manual.

I'll get back to you in a day or so with the info.

[Tiago]

Hi BCdave, lets hope for at least 1000 kbps!

[PuzZLeR]

I know it's a pain, but you really should be using your PC to do the DivX (and other) conversions, not a DVR.

I would assume that DivX conversions on a DVR would be cookie-cutter templates that don't have much choice, and only would produce good quality at a high bitrate anyway. You should always finalize your video with the flexiblity a PC offers for the final product.

My DVR doesn't record or play in DivX, but I wouldn't care if it did. DVRs are good for capturing video really, not editiing or encoding it. And it's always better to have your source as MPEG-2 before you edit, finalize and re-encode your final product anyway.

[Tiago]

Hi Puzzler, I´m still considering the PC choice but: I dont want to edit more than cut off commercials and stuff and I dont have a bad PC, but I think that to play games, surfing the web, and downloads is more than the time my PC as to spare. So the choice is. Do I buy other PC or do I buy a standalone DVR? A few years ago someone offered me a tv capture card. Althought it worked well with win98, with XP it sucks. And it also wasnt any good for high quality. Can you recommend me for a card and what are the must have specs?

Cheers

[BCdave]

Tiago, the manual for my LG LRH-780 doesn't give the bit rates, but does give the total recording time to fill the 80GB HDD for the various recording modes. Mpeg2 in XP mode fills the HDD in 21 hours, and VideoRedo shows a bit rate of 9.2 MB/sec. for processed video.

I just used the comparable times to fill 80GB at the various Mpeg4 modes to get an approximate bit rate, as follows:
Mpeg4 XP (640x480) 83hrs. (21/83 x 9.2 =) 2.3 MB/sec
Mpeg4 SP (640x480) 108 hrs. (21/108 x 9.2 =) 1.8 MB/sec
Mpeg4 LP (480x352) 138 hrs. = 1.4 MB/sec
Mpeg4 EP (352x256) 201 hrs. = 1.0 MB/sec

I'm sure that I should be fine-tuning the calculation by deducting a constant total bit usage for the AC3 audio, but this is the best I could do, and hopefully will give you a ballpark idea of the bit rates.

Please note, however, that Mpeg4 recordings can't be edited on the LRH-780, and I can't see any way to dub them to a Dvd+/-R/RW in order to process them in a computer, so I don't find the format to be useful, except to record for later viewing.

[Tiago]

Hi BCdave, you just proved my point. With MPEG4 in XP mode versus MPEG2 in XP you can have four times more time with the same HDD. But I reckon its a pain in the a** not being able to dub and edit. Is this because of the ability of divx VOD? They dont want the people to record video on demand files i guess. when you edit the filename of a file can you edit the extension? my guess is that you cant but if you could maybe with another extension you could dub the files. The way companies try to make restrictions for protection just make me sick. Its always the ones that dont want to abuse that get to be abused.

And again, thanks for all your info on the subject.

[handyguy]

My panny e500 converts to several mpeg4 resolutions. Not just one. It's interesting. But it won't give me subs, so I dont use it.

[Tiago]

I´m confused. When you record with your panny E500, using MPEG4, something from tv that has subs, the subs just arent recorded is that it?