A couple of DVD recorder questions

[Theodoric]

I have been told that Father Xmas may bring me a DVD recorder if I'm a good boy. We're talking £200 max, or a bit more if I grovel. So, a couple of questions occur to me.

1) An exhaustive googling session has more or less convinced me that I can forget about a recorder with a HDD drive and that I need to look at recording on DVDs. I'm interested at the moment in the Panasonic DMR-ES10 which seems to have received glowing reviews. This recorder can use DVD-RW, DVD-R, DVD+R and DVD-RAM disks. However, only the DVD-RAM has editing options so, would it be possible to edit TV programs recorded on a DVD-RW, eg removing ads, on my PC. Alternatively, if I invested in a single DVD-RAM and edited on disk, could I copy the material in my PC (I believe that my DVD burner can handle DVD-RAMs) and transfer it to a DVD-RW?

2) Even though I have serious doubts about it, Argos do the Goodmans GHDD177DVDR with a 80GB hard disk for £200. Unfortunately, I can't find an independent review - has anyone? Would I be right in guessing that for that price, you're not likely to get a worthwhile product?

[jrhnewark]

1) Yes, you could copy material onto your PC via DVD Decrypter, Gordian Knot and then edit out adverts and the like with VDub. The advantage to this is that you could then burn copies onto cheapo DVD-Rs or even store the programmes ready to be put back onto DVD-RW.

I personally have a Philips DVD-R70, about £130, and does a damn good job. Sadly, I believe it only takes DVD+R/RW for recording purposes. However, this isn't really a problem for me.

2) It may well be alright. If you're not initially satisfied with it, you could always take it back within 14 days, as per Argos' policy. If it goes wrong, I'm sure it'll have a years warranty, just like any other product - and there are always duff pieces of equipment, even with the best models!

[Matth]

One problem I can forsee with DVD Recorders...

The current trend in media is that 4x media is being phased out, though there is still quite a lot around.

When the standard is 8x or 16x media, and with DVD media often NOT doing that well at lower speeds, just how well will it work at the 1x speed of a realtime recorder ?

I can see it ending up with a very limited range of acceptable media.

[Hom3r]

Argos sell a BUSH DVD recorder that has a bulit in VHS that enables you to copy from VHS to DVD and DVD to VHS. (around £200).

We've put all our kiddy films from DVD on to VHS so that my Nephew & Neice cannot damage the master DVD.

Also my Dad had been putting his video collection on to DVD.
__________________

Originally Posted by Matth

One problem I can forsee with DVD Recorders...

The current trend in media is that 4x media is being phased out, though there is still quite a lot around.

When the standard is 8x or 16x media, and with DVD media often NOT doing that well at lower speeds, just how well will it work at the 1x speed of a realtime recorder ?

I can see it ending up with a very limited range of acceptable media.

I asked this question in PC World.

Some media says it's 8X that will only work on 8X recorders (They I belive check the media)
while others say 1X-16X so this will work on any recorder up to 16X

Theo - do you have an Aldi store, near you, apparently on 20th October they will have a 160GB HD/DVD Recorder, for £229.99 , available

[Theodoric]

Originally Posted by homealone

Theo - do you have an Aldi store, near you, apparently on 20th October they will have a 160GB HD/DVD Recorder, for £229.99 , available

At Swanley, near the big Asda, IIRC. I'll have a look at the Aldi site.And they'll take goods back. I got the large HD mentioned here a while ago, then discovered that I couldn't use it in my PC. Fortunately, I hadn't unpacked it, so I took it back, confessed complete idiocy on my part and they gave me my money back without any quibbles.

[altis]

If I were you, I'd consider getting one with a Freeview decoder too. After all, terrestrial analogue is going to be switched off soon. This will also allow you to record the digital signal directly instead of it going from digital to analogue and then back to digital again.

Have a look here:
http://www.radioandtelly.co.uk/pvr.html
http://www.dttboxes.co.uk/pvrs/index.html

Some HDD recorders have a removable caddy. If you could find the mating half then you could presumably plug it straight in your PC.

[banjo]

Are these recorders compatible with high definition tv, as, if not they will not be future proof even for a short while ?

[Stuart]

Originally Posted by banjo

Are these recorders compatible with high definition tv, as, if not they will not be future proof even for a short while ?

Doubtful, they haven't even started releasing High Def DVD players yet, I think High Def recorders are a while away..

[banjo]

Originally Posted by Stuart C

Doubtful, they haven't even started releasing High Def DVD players yet, I think High Def recorders are a while away..

Thank's for that, just a thought

[Theodoric]

Originally Posted by altis

If I were you, I'd consider getting one with a Freeview decoder too. After all, terrestrial analogue is going to be switched off soon. This will also allow you to record the digital signal directly instead of it going from digital to analogue and then back to digital again.

<Snip>

Just what I was wondering about. Further searching has let me to the Panasonic DMR-ES20 which seems to be the DMR-ES10 with a Freeview decoder. I assume that this is what you are suggesting.

Now, I've got to admit that I'm getting a little confused at the moment so, perhaps, someone can clarify the following for me.

1) If I go for the DMR-ES20 I will have a DVD recorder with a built-in Freeview decoder, digital ntl and a TV, all interconnected by a mess of cables. Are their any likely clashes here.

2) I gather that having a Freeview decoder means that I can record a digital channel whilst watching a different one. Is this correct? Also, presumably this only applies to the Freeview channels, not the digital ntl ones.

PS Many, many years ago I built a shortwave receiver that consisted of one valve, a few other components and a long length of wire as an aerial. I had a vague idea how things worked in those days.

[zoombini]

if it's a pressie then are you sure that the person giving it hasn't been to Asda & spent £84 on one?

[Tricky]

Just bought the LiteOn 5045 with 160gb HDD for 227.90 from dixons using a discount code from www.hotukdeals.co.uk - Excellent piece of kit so far (looks a bit 80's!)

[altis]

Originally Posted by Theodoric

1) If I go for the DMR-ES20 I will have a DVD recorder with a built-in Freeview decoder, digital ntl and a TV, all interconnected by a mess of cables. Are their any likely clashes here.

2) I gather that having a Freeview decoder means that I can record a digital channel whilst watching a different one. Is this correct? Also, presumably this only applies to the Freeview channels, not the digital ntl ones.

Specs:
http://www.panasonic.co.uk/dvd-recor...s20d/index.htm
Manual:
http://www.panasonic.co.uk/customer-...135029&fmt=pdf

It looks like a good choice. It will record RGB (many don't) and has two scart sockets.

You should be able to wire it up as follows:
RF: Aerial -> DVD(RF-in), DVD(RF-out) -> TV
Scart: NTL -> DVD(AV2), DVD(AV1) -> TV

This will allow you to record cable in RGB (best quality). From a quick glance at the manual I'm not absolutely sure whether you can simultaneously record one and watch another but my guess is that you'll almost certainly be able to record Freeview and watch cable or a DVD. The other way round may well not be possible, but I'm not sure.

I always go here before buying recorders, writers etc... www.vcdhelp.com

Heres whats on there about the Goodmans GHDD177DVDR

only seems to support dvd+r and dvd+rw