DVD Recorder with Custom Menu

[NightFire]

I am looking for a DVD Recorder that can do custom menus. I have seen normal DVD Recorder menus and they are very simple to say the least. I am not looking for Hollywood menus but I do use Ulead DVD Workshop 2 on the PC and something similar to those menus would be nice. Does anybody have any experience with custom menu DVD recorders and how good can you make the custom menus?

[next]

The Toshiba XS series offers the ability to produce custom title and chapter menus. It is my understanding the Toshiba XS series were the only DVD recorders sold in North America to offer this. It is very powerful. The pics below are examples. Not very good ones but there were handy.

Here's an example of a custom title menu. Notice the custom backround and custom thimbnail:



And here is an example of a custom chapter menu. Again notice the custom backround and custom chapter thumbnails.



You can do a lot more than what these pics show. Again I believe only the Toshiba XS series offered this capability. The process is very similiar to what you see with PC editing programs.

[StuR]

Blimeyedit those Toshiba menu functions really are good!
Great think is you can frame grab an image to use as the menu background.
This alone is enough to heighten creativity to the point of leaving other DVD recorders behind. No PC required too.

I'm annoyed that my JVC MV300 has an option of 18 different backgrounds! great except there all terrible. Ok the grey 'Mac OS' pinstripe is fine and the only sophisticanted option most are for the under fives with clipart from the 1990's, hardly the target market. Alas only the Pro model MV700 ?? has the firmware addition to unload via disk your own bitmap and text colour, silly wasted opportunity.

[NightFire]

Thanks Next. Which Toshiba XS are those menus made with? I was actually going to ask about the Tosiba XS because the Tosiba site stated the XS54 has custom background capability. I am leaning towards the XS52 because there are some complaints about the 54s fan noise (maybe fixed with firmware by now though) and HD size isn't a big concern. I think I am sold also because LordSmurf recommended Tosiba and JVC for VHS captures. Anybody know where to get these besides eBay? Thanks

[next]

Those were done on either an XS54 or xs55. I can't remember at the moment. But any one of the XS series Toshibas are capable of custom menus.

[StuR]

And just for UK (or just PAL) folk who are interested that translates in the UK
XS32, XS34, RD85, and the current model RD97(I think look in comet/currys!)

For 1/2 frame DVD captures interestingly the XS32 seems to drop to 1/2 frame at about 2hr20mins even lower that JVC but this is increased to about 3hr or more on the RD85. This may be of interest for VHS convertions as at the 1/2 frame drop you get a high bitrate (effectively doubling it) to help reduce artifacts. Picture softening occurs too.

[NightFire]

Well I got an XS32 so I will play around with it and see but now my JVC 9600 is acting up. Anybody know a good place for VCR repair help?

[StuR]

Nightfire- here's the reviews I've read. One mentions that 1/2 frame is at just over 2hrs, and that menu's are customisable.
http://www.homecinemachoice.com/cgi-bin/displayreview.php?reviewid=4786
http://www.homecinemachoice.com/cgi-bin/displayreview.php?reviewid=4575
http://www.homecinemachoice.com/cgi-bin/displayreview.php?reviewid=4668
http://www.homecinemachoice.com/cgi-bin/displayreview.php?reviewid=5500
http://www.homecinemachoice.com/cgi-bin/displayreview.php?reviewid=5545
Don't know if the model is much different in Canada.
As for the VCR you may want to consider one of the panasonic SVHS with int.TBC rather than replacing the JVC.

[StuR]

Instead of starting a new tread I thought I'll just use this one its on topic.
Here are a set of all the JVC HDD model menu backgrounds available.
Text is only in white and there's a 1 line menu title (all along the top 50?? characters)
and a two line title name (to fit in the box under pic)


I've try and find a pioneer example link but if someone else can do that all the better.

[disco_al]

Wow. I was very close to buying the Philips 3575, but after reading this thread and seeing what the Toshiba XS series can do regarding customizable menus, i am impressed. I have a couple of questions maybe suited to other threads but i'll give them a quick go here:

1. Can you customize DVD menu audio with any Toshiba XS?
2. Do any Toshiba XS models support Dual-Layer Recording?
3. How easy are they to buy in USA now? Ebay only?
4. Can anyone post a link or add a pic as to what menus the Philips 3575 can do (like the above JVC HDD model's images), so i can see how bad/good they are.

Thanks for the help,
Disco Al

[lordsmurf]

One thing to consider in favor of the Philips is it plays MPEG-4, and it can tune QAM and record down-converted HD signals. SP mode only, however, before quality drops significantly.

I'll try to remember to look at menu options later today. I don't recall seeing many choices, if any at all.

The Toshiba is an older model, so no DL, not new in stores, no HD/ATSC/QAM tuner. But all that said, the model has excellent image quality and is highly suggested for VHS transfers (second only to JVC), due to bitrate control and adjustable noise filters.

All this said, DVD recorders were never really meant for making menus. Consider them a VCR replacement. You'll need to transfer the MPEG to your computer, and author there, to create high-end menus.

[DVWannaB]

1. Can you customize DVD menu audio with any Toshiba XS?
The audio that is in your recording is used in the finalized DVD. You cannot select various audio settings when creating your menu. You can select the bitrate of your audio before recording. If you re-encode your recording you can change audio selection (DM1 or DM2).

2. Do any Toshiba XS models support Dual-Layer Recording?
NO.

3. How easy are they to buy in USA now? Ebay only?
Most on-line stores that list them, do not have them in stock. Ebay prices are cut-throat, but thats what happens for hard to find items. Be prepared to pay top dollar on ebay.

4. Can anyone post a link or add a pic as to what menus the Philips 3575 can do (like the above JVC HDD model's images), so i can see how bad/good they are.
Dont have one, sorry.

[disco_al]

Thanks for the reply Lordsmurf. Do i take it you have a Philips 3575?

One of the big uses for me will be VHS to DVD transfer. Can you tell me how good the 3575 is at this?

And you're saying the 3575 has only 1 (default) DVD menu option?
Anyone know of a link or an image of how it looks?

Thanks again,
Disco Al

[lordsmurf]

I don't think it has any degree of filtering, but I've not tested. I'll carry a VCR into that room, and test it for you later today. I need to post a full review of that machine sometime anyway. I've used it to record HDTV to 16:9 (downconverted, of course, 720x480), and in SP mode it looked great. The same HDTV it's connected to has a ton of video filters, so any mild imperfections would be hidden from me. I'll see about hooking it into a non-fancy television too, check out the "raw" image quality. Audio is perfect.

I've not burned a disc yet. I've recorded the the hard drive and edited. Editing was a breeze, easiest editing I've ever seen on any machine, even more than the LiteOn was. Everything is on the remote, or in an easy SETUP menu. Nothing was hidden or cryptic, something Philips had issues with in the past. It has adequate fan cooling, and the fan is not very loud.

The only thing that concerns me is the DVD burner inside seems to be like EVERY OTHER RECORDER right now: cheap and underpowered (tray moves slow). But like most other machines, a like drive would probably swap out if needed.

I didn't take the Walmart extended policy, those things are mostly worthless. I still remember the time Best Buy kept cleaning a CD player, and the problem was the lens assembly. Bastards. I told them to quit f-ing cleaning it, and try to fix it for once.

[disco_al]

Thanks for the reply. For those wondering, I plan on using the machine in the following ways with my existing equipment (Philips DVD player, TimeWarnerCable DVR, VCR & miniDV camcorder):

1. Transferring miniDV tapes onto HDD (via Firewire) then onto DVD
2. Transferring VHS tapes onto HDD then onto DVD
3. Transferring shows from my DVR onto HDD then onto DVD
4. Transferring DVDs (non-copyright) onto HDD then onto DVD

[StuR]

Hope you got one with a big HDD

[Seeker47]

I've try and find a pioneer example link but if someone else can do that all the better.

The Pioneer menu templates on the 520 or model 640 are basic, generic, and mostly dull. I actually prefer the ones they had on the 520. There, at least, they had a "galaxy" one that seems pretty appropriate for sci-fi or fantasy material, plus one that worked well for classics or older movies. I have not seen whatever they have been using now on later models like the 550 or 650 that are being sold in Canada. What the Toshiba XS ones could do seems to be a nice added feature, but not one I would describe as being of key importance. (While the fact that they never offered DL recording is.) As Lordsmurf pointed out, since you can always do menu replacement on the computer, you are only missing a level of convenience here.

[lordsmurf]

I've not had time to do this yet, but I didn't forget you. I'll be putting some DVDs together tomoorrow, and I'll put some images online for you.

[mn072065]

I just got interested in the Toshiba's mentioned. Just because of the custom menus. Does anyone know if the Toshiba RD-XS64 have the same ability with menus of the other two mentioned above. I figure this is the better model. Thanks for anyone's opinion. I currently have the Pioneer 633 model, But I'm planning on moving it to the bedroom. Keep like the Toshiba in the living room. Thanks all.Any screen shots of the Toshiba menus would greatly be appreciated.

[Seeker47]

I just got interested in the Toshiba's mentioned. Just because of the custom menus. Does anyone know if the Toshiba RD-XS64 have the same ability with menus of the other two mentioned above. I figure this is the better model. Thanks for anyone's opinion. I currently have the Pioneer 633 model, But I'm planning on moving it to the bedroom. Keep like the Toshiba in the living room. Thanks all.Any screen shots of the Toshiba menus would greatly be appreciated.

Later models are not necessarily the better ones -- it really depends.
In regard to a bedroom location, I think you'll find that the Pioneers have much quieter fans than the Toshibas . . . but then I've not heard the most recent models of either. I can tell you that the 640 has been extremely quiet. It would not have been a good choice for the bedroom otherwise, as I'm a light sleeper, easily disturbed by such distractions.

[mn072065]

Thanks for the reply. Anyone know where I can buy the Toshiba RD-XS64? Can't seem to find it or I'm looking at the wrong location.

[lordsmurf]

eBay

[mn072065]

Thanks forgot to check there.

[mn072065]

lordsmurf, would you happen to know if the Toshiba RD-XS34 has the custom menu like the s54,s55 mentioned above. Thanks, becasue i see one on ebay now.

[DVWannaB]

lordsmurf, would you happen to know if the Toshiba RD-XS34 has the custom menu like the s54,s55 mentioned above. Thanks, becasue i see one on ebay now.

They should. The XS-34 and XS-54 should be identical except for the XS-54 with a larger Hard Drive.

[lordsmurf]

The 32, 34 and 35 are basically the same. The 34 and 35 have IRE adjusted correctly.

[mn072065]

Thank you ALL.

[StuR]

mn072065
As far as I've seen all toshiba HDD models have the same menu/editting functions, at least from XS32 on (which is an early model).
As far as differences are concerned the drop to half frame DVD goes higher the newer the model. XS32 are under the 2.5hr rec time were as later models get to 3hrs and poss 4hr. This is better to keep low for VHS captures if this is required. For NTSC the IRE issue is something to consider. Not an issue on PAL ver. for UK users.
It's stupid to buy a DVD/HDD just for nice menu's but luckily Toshiba are good recorders anyway so the custom menus are a bonus and for me would sway the balance.

[mn072065]

Thanks StuR, you see I want to get the Toshiba because I have not had any luck with any program that is easy to use for menus. My Pioneer 633 is great, love it, but these Toshiba's sound great. I just hope to find one, lost two on ebay bidding.

[StuR]

Good luck, it'll be good to hear how you get on if you do get one after abit of use, it'll help others decide in the future.