DVD recorders....i need an FAQ

[JerseyBoy]

I've read up on them and I'd definitely like to get one one but no one seems to have the easy answers for me. I basically want to be able to put VHS tapes on to DVD's.

What is the differences of getting a DVD extrenal (like my normal DVD player) instead of an internal (for my computer)? pro's/con's?

Why wouldnt I get an internal?

I thought I saw that you can record at different speeds....is that true?

How about editing and chapters and sound/voice overlays? Can they both do this?

pricing? (under $500 would be a good thing)

someone help so I don't have to trek out to Circuit City!

 

[ma_guy]

I've read up on them and I'd definitely like to get one one but no one seems to have the easy answers for me. I basically want to be able to put VHS tapes on to DVD's.

What is the differences of getting a DVD extrenal (like my normal DVD player) instead of an internal (for my computer)? pro's/con's?

Why wouldnt I get an internal?

You might select an external because you may not have a drive bay to install an internal or you may not have an open EIDE port to connect it to. Externals can be bought to use the USB port which makes connecting it pretty easy and you don't have to frig around with connecting another EIDE controller if you already have 4 IDE devices... It also makes it very easy to move the burner between machines if the need should arise.

I thought I saw that you can record at different speeds....is that true?

Yep! But results will vary.. Not all blank media will like the highest speeds and your system may not be able to feed the burner at the highest speeds.

How about editing and chapters and sound/voice overlays? Can they both do this?

This really has nothing to do with the DVD burner itself. These are all functions done by editing software. You'd record the video stream to your HD, edit it and then burn the edited file to DVD. You'd have to check the software that comes with any drive you buy for it's capabilities or find some 3rd party app to do what you want depending on which features are near and dear to you.

pricing? (under $500 would be a good thing)

If you can utilize an Internal EIDE you can find them for under $200 on sites like Pricewatch.com...

 

[JerseyBoy]

thanks...

what about the recorders that fit in your stereo rack? I see some have a VHS player built right in...

and what about DVD-R's? what do they run these days? about $3 each in bulk?

 

[sensational204]

Try http://www.cnet.com for good answers to all of your questions. Look under Hardware: Storage Devices.

 

[JerseyBoy]

Try http://www.cnet.com for good answers to all of your questions. Look under Hardware: Storage Devices.

thanks...ill give it a spin

 

[lobito]

if you go with the "computer version", I read somewhere that Panasonic was the ONE manufacturer who's "home made" DVD's worked with nearly every DVD player out there, while others weren't fully or as compatible. They may have fixed this though, since I read it a few months ago, when I was looking at buying one.

The external units cost around $500+, so that could be another factor in whether you get "internal or external" also. Keep in mind as well, that if you go "internal", that your machine SHOULD be at least a 1GHZ with plenty of memory and hard drive space available, (of course).

 

[u2slow13]

Check out the Philips 985 recorder, stand alone unit and uses rewritable(+rw). Outstanding editing features, down to the frame. Unit may be a little more pricey than what you wanted but not much. Besides once you finalize a -r or a +r, you can't re-record them and disks aren't cheap,at least the ones that work on any playback device.