DVD Recorders - DVDfile.com forum for DVD, Blu-Ray, and HD-DVD

chiprocks1 · 11-17-2003, 01:50 AM

Hi all,

I'm looking to get a DVD recorder and want your opinion on what to get.

Who here has a DVD recorder? Which brand did you buy and why?

Which is considered to be the best of the bunch?

Price for me isnt a concern. I want inforamtion on all that is good out there.

As far as the recorders go, how is the final product? By this I mean...when you record (insert favorite TV show on a weekly basis), are there options of creating Menu's? Chapters? 5.1 audio? Or does it basically record like that of a VHS tape, wherein I would still have to fast-foward to get to a favorite episode/spot on the disk?

Please advised...I want to get one ASAP.

Thanks

chiprocks1 · 11-20-2003, 05:26 AM

No one here has one? Strange. Could have sworn that there were a few that did.

videoworx · 11-20-2003, 06:20 AM

wow, i missed your post first time around...where was i??

anyway, I have several Panasonic recorders (and Pioneer PC/Mac-based recorders). The Panasonic models act exactly like a VCR.
Menus selections are generated when you hit the record button (hitting the record button will create a new chapter, and will show up as a thumbnail/text selection in the dvd menu). You won't be able to record 5.1 audio (just 2.0 dolby digital or PCM) - that's not the fault of the recorder, but licensing issues with Dolby (they want to get paid a royalty every time someone encodes a DD 5.1 signal - which is impossible on a consumer device). I don't think any consumer model records 5.1 (and certainly not DTS).

Anyway, some great Tivo-like features on the Panasonic: chase playback, which lets you start watching something while it is still recording. You can also watch program A, while recording program B(there are 2 laser pickups).

As for space, there are several recording speeds. XP records a signal with no noticeable loss for a maximum record time of 1 hour. SP lets you record up to 2 hours (and I don't see MUCH loss from the XP mode). Other modes allow you to go all the way up to 8 hours, but by that point, the signal looks like crap. Panasonic recorders use DVD-R for compatibility with other players - and also the RAM format, for erasing, and continuous re-use. I use the -R discs for permanent recording, and the RAM discs for tv shows, etc...

Panasonic has several models, the base model (E50) is great, and cheap ($369 online). the E60 adds firewire INPUT (not output), for connecting dv cameras and transferring home movies. Also, a PC card slot to connect digital camera stuff.
The E80 and 100 models add a hard drive, for people who don't know if they really want to record something to dvd...

Philips, Sony, and Pioneer all offer similar models, so definitely check them all out, and see what suits you best. Samsung also offers a cheap sub-$400 model, but it's just a clone of the Panasonic E50 (literally, the guts are identical).

hope that helps, and sorry I didn't read your post earlier...

chiprocks1 · 11-20-2003, 02:31 PM

Thanks for the reply. The info helps a great deal. Just a side question here...I havent really heard much about Tivo, but do the offer a DVD recorder with a Tivo box? Would this be an option? Or is quality not as good as a stand-alone DVD player/Recorder?

unhdavid · 11-20-2003, 07:12 PM

Pioneer makes two of them:

http://www.pioneerburner.com/

They have TiVo basic, but you can upgrade for their monthly or flat fees.

tomdkat · 11-20-2003, 07:56 PM

First, have you taken a peek at this thread:

Official DVDR thread

That thread should contain some useful info for you.

Peace...

11-17-2003, 01:50 AM	#1 (permalink)
chiprocks1 Actor Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: San Diego, CA	DVD Recorders Hi all, I'm looking to get a DVD recorder and want your opinion on what to get. Who here has a DVD recorder? Which brand did you buy and why? Which is considered to be the best of the bunch? Price for me isnt a concern. I want inforamtion on all that is good out there. As far as the recorders go, how is the final product? By this I mean...when you record (insert favorite TV show on a weekly basis), are there options of creating Menu's? Chapters? 5.1 audio? Or does it basically record like that of a VHS tape, wherein I would still have to fast-foward to get to a favorite episode/spot on the disk? Please advised...I want to get one ASAP. Thanks

11-20-2003, 06:20 AM	#3 (permalink)
videoworx Would Make a Good Incubus Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: nowhere near Nebraska	wow, i missed your post first time around...where was i?? anyway, I have several Panasonic recorders (and Pioneer PC/Mac-based recorders). The Panasonic models act exactly like a VCR. Menus selections are generated when you hit the record button (hitting the record button will create a new chapter, and will show up as a thumbnail/text selection in the dvd menu). You won't be able to record 5.1 audio (just 2.0 dolby digital or PCM) - that's not the fault of the recorder, but licensing issues with Dolby (they want to get paid a royalty every time someone encodes a DD 5.1 signal - which is impossible on a consumer device). I don't think any consumer model records 5.1 (and certainly not DTS). Anyway, some great Tivo-like features on the Panasonic: chase playback, which lets you start watching something while it is still recording. You can also watch program A, while recording program B(there are 2 laser pickups). As for space, there are several recording speeds. XP records a signal with no noticeable loss for a maximum record time of 1 hour. SP lets you record up to 2 hours (and I don't see MUCH loss from the XP mode). Other modes allow you to go all the way up to 8 hours, but by that point, the signal looks like crap. Panasonic recorders use DVD-R for compatibility with other players - and also the RAM format, for erasing, and continuous re-use. I use the -R discs for permanent recording, and the RAM discs for tv shows, etc... Panasonic has several models, the base model (E50) is great, and cheap ($369 online). the E60 adds firewire INPUT (not output), for connecting dv cameras and transferring home movies. Also, a PC card slot to connect digital camera stuff. The E80 and 100 models add a hard drive, for people who don't know if they really want to record something to dvd... Philips, Sony, and Pioneer all offer similar models, so definitely check them all out, and see what suits you best. Samsung also offers a cheap sub-$400 model, but it's just a clone of the Panasonic E50 (literally, the guts are identical). hope that helps, and sorry I didn't read your post earlier... __________________ And let’s not forget the fact that Tron turned the Frisbee into an instrument of righteous smiting.

11-20-2003, 07:56 PM	#6 (permalink)
tomdkat Official Forum Warmonger "Dial Tone" Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Hayward, CA, USA	First, have you taken a peek at this thread: Official DVDR thread That thread should contain some useful info for you. Peace... __________________ My DVD Aficionado List "At last we shall reveal ourselves to the Jedi, at last we shall have revenge!"

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11-20-2003, 05:26 AM	#2 (permalink)
chiprocks1 Actor Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: San Diego, CA	No one here has one? Strange. Could have sworn that there were a few that did.

11-20-2003, 02:31 PM	#4 (permalink)
chiprocks1 Actor Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: San Diego, CA	Thanks for the reply. The info helps a great deal. Just a side question here...I havent really heard much about Tivo, but do the offer a DVD recorder with a Tivo box? Would this be an option? Or is quality not as good as a stand-alone DVD player/Recorder?

11-20-2003, 07:12 PM	#5 (permalink)
unhdavid Supporting Actor Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Derry, NH USA	Pioneer makes two of them: http://www.pioneerburner.com/ They have TiVo basic, but you can upgrade for their monthly or flat fees.