DVD Player Compatability

[tedmarx38]

Simple question: can I buy an inexpensive DVD player that plays virtually ALL DVD formats and will record content from an external source onto DVD RW? We recorded a bunch of VHS cassettes DVD+R's on our current player a few years ago, but now that won't play DVD-RW's and I'm concerned that DVD+R compatability will disappear eventually (as in when our current player bites the dust). Thanks.

[DB83]

Simple question with a most confusing text.

NO dvd player can record anything so let us assume you want/need a dvd RECORDER. And let us equally assume you want/need one that will record/play both -R/RW and +R/RW formats. There are no other formats.

So one BIG question since we are not mind-readers. Where is your location as there is little point in recommding a European model if you are from another part of the globe.

[tedmarx38]

I'm sorry that you weren't cuddled more as a child.

[Noahtuck]

I'm sorry that you weren't cuddled more as a child.

LOL!!!

Could you be any more of an idiot ?!?!?!

Simple question: can I buy an inexpensive DVD player that plays virtually ALL DVD formats

There is only ONE "dvd" format for dvd video.

Or do you mean "all" formats that you can record to a dvdr ?
The answer is NO!!!!

and will record content from an external source onto DVD RW?

Well, by definition a "DVD PLAYER" only PLAYS dvd's, it does not record them.....

We recorded a bunch of VHS cassettes DVD+R's on our current player a few years ago,

REALLY ?!?!
You have a player that records VHS to DVD ?!?!
You have the only one known to exist!!!!

but now that won't play DVD-RW's and I'm concerned that DVD+R compatability will disappear eventually

I am just going to leave that one alone as I have had my fun....
LOL!!!

Don't be a smart@$$ noob and you may get a better response.......
And yes, it is VERY obvious you are from the way you worded your post then decided to be a smart@$$ to a reply that was extremely correct and to the point, unlike you......

[Cornucopia]

Player = Only Plays, doesn't record at all. Recorder = Records (some sources) and Plays. DVD Recorders are becoming few and far between. Most good ones favor either the + or - camp (particularly WRT recording capability), but almost all of them can still accept the various kinds for playback (certainly the later models).

BTW, there are additional physical formats: DVD-ROM (aka stamped/store-bought discs) and DVD-RAM (made mainly by/for Panasonic).
There are also additional application formats beyond DVD-Video: DVD-VR and DVD+VR.
Likely you will never find a single player that can play, let alone record, all three of those types (because of the whole sides-taking), but if IIWY I'd never record in anything except the DVD-Video application format (regardless of the physical format).

As was mentioned, you will NEVER find a VHSplayer+DVDrecorder combo, because Hollywood wouldn't allow it. If it did (obviously by including Macrovision copy lockout for protected VHS titles), that would render it workable for ONLY home movies, and there isn't a big enough market for it to be worth building/selling a model such as that.
Plus, DVD-recorders are on the wane anyway (with NO likely possibility for BD-recorders), so that just leaves "DVR/PVR" devices or your PC...

As was also mentioned, you would improve your response if you were: thoroughly detailed in your setup/circumstances & outcome needs, and more humble/less sarcastic as a newbie. See what happened once you started slinging mud (that 1st response was pointed, but had good info)...

Scott

[sanlyn]

In North America and a few other large and small countries, DVD-R is the DVD standard. DVD-R will play on any DVD player. DVD-R recordable will record on any standard DVD recorder and will play on any DVD player.

Many players and recorders will record and play DVD+R. However, if you insert a DVD+R in some players or recorders, the machine will either stare at you, or spit it back out, or freeze.

Some players will play and/or record to DVD-RW or DVD+RW. However, if you insert a DVD-RW or DVD+RW in some players or recorders, the machine will either stare at you, or spit it back out, or freeze.

A very few DVD recorders will accept DVD-RAM. Most will not.

The dual-layer standard is DVD+R Dual Layer.

If you live on Pango Pango, it's anyone's guess whether or not another answer would be more correct.

However there is one item that holds true anywhere: one of the worst ways to transfer old VHS tape to DVD is to record directly from a VCR to a DVD recorder.

[manono]

Simple question: can I buy an inexpensive DVD player that plays virtually ALL DVD formats and will record content from an external source onto DVD RW?

So now you understand that the answer to your simple question is a simple 'no'?

[jman98]

I'm sorry that you weren't cuddled more as a child.

Guys, we're all done here after that reply. No point in going on any further.

I'm not proud of it, but I've been known to be, uh, "blunt" with posters, but geez, DB83's post was really pretty tame compared to a lot of both me and hech54 have said around here and the OP still flipped out about it. No point in posting any further info.

[tedmarx38]

What a hopeless flock of gizmo wizards. Had a great time tonight. With your mothers.

[deadmeow]

DVD recorders are DVD players.

[manono]

DVD recorders are DVD players.

But, more to the point, DVD players aren't recorders, most of them. And the ones that record are called recorders and not players.

[Hoser Rob]

What a hopeless flock of gizmo wizards. Had a great time tonight. With your mothers.

Retard questions always lead to retard comments.

[jimdagys]

My DVD player is a no name Chinese brand bought in 2001. Some (unscratched) DVD disks play very poorly. The movie will play a few seconds, then pause, seek, resume, etc. In this case I just copy the disk (using DVDFab) to a reburnable disk and then it plays fine. The only reason I don't get another DVD player is because this player can be connected to a VCR and then to my old TV, without Macrovision effects.

[sanlyn]

You mean, you connect those components this way:
VCR -> DVD -> TV
If that circuit defeats Macrovision with (most) copy protected tapes, then the DVD recorder contains a tbc of some kind. Most Panasonic and Toshiba DVD recorders have built-in tbc's that are often used as line-tbc pass-thru devices for VHS -> digital transfer.

Chances are pretty good, however, that if you tell your DVD recorder to record one of those protected tapes directly to disc inside the machine, it will refuse to do so. If it actually records with no problem and you can burn/finalize a disc, then you own a bargain.