DVD Recorder's

[USAF_Vol]

OK, I am going shopping tomorrow for a DVD recorder. And I have no idea what I want. Here are my needs.

1: Record games from TV.
2: My Uncle and Grandfather have a ton of games on VHS, I want to put them on DVD
3: I have a mini DV camcorder and want to put things like my kids ballet show and soccer game on DVD for the family.

Anyone with the "know" please advise. I'll hang up and listen

[rwemyss]

It is pretty standard these days, but be sure it has "firewire input" to get those videos off your miniDV cam without any loss in quality.

[USAF_Vol]

Well then what the heck is DVD -, DVD+, DVD-RW-, DVD-RX+, and DVD-RAM

[rwemyss]

DVD-R and DVD+R are the two standard writeable DVD media... comparable to a standard recordable CD. I use +R, but people have arguments about which is best. Most recorders should accept either, so if you find one type of disc doesn't work well in your standard DVD player, get the other type.

I've never heard of RX+, and RAMs should be avoided. The +/-RWs are erasable and can be written to over and over like a VHS tape.

[OWB]

Originally Posted by rwemyss

I use +R, but people have arguments about which is best.

Sounds like those people need something to do.

[USAF_Vol]

That should have been RW not RX, Sorry.

So, you got any suggestions as to what I sahould buy

[rwemyss]

Well, obviously I don't own a standalone DVD recorder... I have a PC drive. My dad has a really nice LG unit, but it is also surround, and I don't think you need THAT, do you?

[USAF_Vol]

No, I got a 5 disc sony surround that pisses the neighbors off. I want to set it up on the TV in my bedroom. It won't be my primary DVD player.

[rwemyss]

I kinda like this cheapo Lite-On.

Lite On - Progressive-Scan Multiformat DVD-R/-RW/+R/+RW Recorder - LVW-1107HC1

[rwemyss]

It should even play these MPEG-4 videos of the Cal and Air Force games.

[USAF_Vol]

Originally Posted by rwemyss

I kinda like this cheapo Lite-On.

Lite On - Progressive-Scan Multiformat DVD-R/-RW/+R/+RW Recorder - LVW-1107HC1

It said it's sold out.

Money is not too much of an option right now. I was hoping not to exceed $250-300.

What kind of speed is there. I know CD writers have different speeds. What about DVD recorders?

Hey Ryan, sign onto MSN, I got an off topic question for ya.

[volinbham]

I agree with rwemyss about R+/R- most will accept either and the discs are about the same price.

The RW is rewritable - disks are more expensive - most machines will do this too. For archiving games, you don't need RW.

GET ONE WITH A HARD DRIVE! I have a Pioneer with a hard drive and the recorder. You can park the shows on the hard drive and edit them (take out commercials, etc.) then when you have it like you want you record it onto the DVD. It also works as a pseudo-DVR (Tivo).

Games without editing are tough to fit on a DVD but with the hard drive for editing, you can either cut all the commercials or just split it at the half and put it on 2 disks.

[volinbham]

I have an older version of this one. Works good and should be in your price range.

Pioneer Electronics - Sound. Vision. Soul

[volinbham]

You might also go to CNET.com (CNET - Technology product reviews, price comparisons, tech video, and more).

They have product reviews and buying guides that will explain the whole R/RW +- stuff.

[USAF_Vol]

WOW Volinbham. HArd drive. That was not brought up. Thanks for the info. I really don't want commercials and editing it sounds the way to go.

Tell me, can I play the VHS tapes to the hard drive, edit, then record to disc??