One hour v. two hour DVD

[edong]

Years ago, I have transferred to DVDs some 60 hours of home video. It's a collection of videos of my son (since he was a baby) and my late wife. Using a JVC VHS/DVD recorder, I set the recording to two hours for all of them mainly to accommodate the 2 hour VHS tape. I also have Sony 8mm and Digital 8 tapes which contain one hour videos (I used firewire to record these 8mms).

I want to re-record those tapes again on DVDs. Would there be a noticeable difference if I set the recording to one (1) hour instead of two, assuming the monitor is 40" LED/LCD HDTV? Thanks.

[lordsmurf]

Yes -- double the bitrate, about 150% of the quality.
It's going to look far cleaner, and have virtually no noise compared to the SP mode.

Read this: Is SP MODE the Best DVD Recorder Mode? (NO!)

[robjv1]

I agree. On a screen that big, you'll certainly notice a difference with home videos, especially on camera pans or parts where the camera isn't on a tripod.

You could also consider using dual-layer discs if you'd like to fit closer to two hours per disc -- although I'd recommend you have a set burned onto single-layer discs as well for backup.

[edong]

Thanks. guys. Now I have to buy tons of media. I might decide on single layer though.

[usually_quiet]

Many DVD recorders don't support dual-layer media. Check the manual for the JVC recorder before you buy any. Verbatim makes the only good dual-layer media (DVD+R DL), and it has to be ordered online. It isn't cheap. Last time I ordered a 20-disc spindle from Amazon the price was $23.41, and there are others selling the same size spindle for more.

[robjv1]

Yes, the Verbatim DL discs average a little over a dollar per disc these days for a 50 pack from most places.