Posted September 26, 200520 yr comment_3522010 The one I'm probably going to get is a Sony brand and plays DVD-R and DVD+R. Goes from VHS to DVD and DVD to VHS with the push of a button and runs $399.99 (plus $50 rebate). It'll be the end of the year before I purchase it, but I wanted to make sure this is: (a) a good deal and ( a good system. I can also convert files to DVD from .wmv, .mpg, etc. I'm excited. I do recall hearing something about one of the systems that's out there recording DVDs at 2:40 instead of 2:00. Anyone know what system that is?
September 26, 200520 yr comment_3522136 Whatever brand you get, make sure you get a multi-year warranty. Now, what you want to check is not if it will play DVD+R but if it will RECORD on DVD+R. The Panasonic brand that Brian, teke and I have is supposed to not record DVD+R but Brian was able to record them anyway. I don't know why. It also looks like you are looking at a DVD/VCR combo. Personally, I don't care for them but if you need a VCR then I guess it could be passable. Also, when I was talking to Dan Ginnetty, the VQ you receive is dependant upon the VCR you have, first and foremost. You will probably lose more VQ than necessary because newer VCRs are really cheaply made. As for the price, it really depends on if it has a hard drive and how much it stores. To save money, I chose not to get one with the hard drive and just stop when I needed. Then again, a hard drive does allow you to compile comps and store more footage and edit it later. I have a love/hate relationship with Sony. I have had to replace my DVD Burner once. My VCRs however have held up for 5 years already even though there are better brands there. Do you know the model numer?
September 26, 200520 yr comment_3522150 OH! For the 2:40 recording, I don't know what that is about to be honest. I have converted up to 2:30 with very little quality loss on mine. I think Bob Barnett uses a JVC model and claims it will take 2:40 on SP mode.
September 26, 200520 yr Author comment_3522180 I'll go back into the store to find out the model number as soon as I can. I do know the player has its own hard drive. I want to make sure I can create my own chapters and add music like you've done. I don't actually need a VCR. I didn't realize you could purchase a DVD recorder without one. Do you just hook up the VCR to the recorder? And if so, does it matter what type of TV you have? I have an old TV with only one outlet on the back. I also purchased an adaptor so I could hook up VCR, Tivo and DVD to the same television, but I'm thinking some of that is going to have to go to make this work. Does your recorder play DVDs for viewing purposes only if that's all you want to do or do you have to record?
September 26, 200520 yr comment_3522349 I want to make sure I can create my own chapters and add music like you've done. Ok, I do this with Nerovision on the computer, not with the DVD converter. This is specifically for DVD to DVD conversions. I don't actually need a VCR. I didn't realize you could purchase a DVD recorder without one. Do you just hook up the VCR to the recorder? Yep, you feed the cable from the TV to the Converter to the VCR. I am going to hook my PS2 to my VCR and see if I can go DVD to DVD through that method. And if so, does it matter what type of TV you have? I have an old TV with only one outlet on the back. As long as it has a slot for a coaxial cable, I don't think so. I am not sure if you need RCA jacks or not. I also purchased an adaptor so I could hook up VCR, Tivo and DVD to the same television, but I'm thinking some of that is going to have to go to make this work. You shouldn't have to let go of anything but if you do, I'll answer your next question... Does your recorder play DVDs for viewing purposes only if that's all you want to do or do you have to record? Yes, for instance, I am watching a DVD on my recorder as we speak. So, if you were to get rid of anything on your setup, it would be the DVD Player. Then again, if your VCR has RCA cables, you should be able to hook up the DVD player through the VCR and just use one of the Auxillary channels on the VCR to play the DVDs.
September 26, 200520 yr comment_3522364 About the question of if Loss needs RCA jacks for his TV, if he's just recording it doesn't matter. You only need them if you're going to be watching stuff on the recorder (presumably you'd want to hear it too).
