DVD Recorders??

[The Heretic]

I am talking about a set top box - not a DVD burner in a computer.

I have wanted one for a while now. I almost bought one a couple of months ago, but decided against it because it only burnt the +R/+RW format, and about two thirds of the set top players out there seemed to only playback the -R/-RW format, and I wanted to be able to take my DVDs to someone else's player too.

Dual format (both -R and +R) drives have been around for a while for computers, so I was wondering why there were no recorders (the recorders often use the same drives as computers). Now one company (Lite-On) has come out with an inexpensive (under $350) DVD recorder that not only does both formats, but records to VCD and SVCD, and also records audio CDs as well (if I understand correctly).

That is what I want - I know that there is a next generation DVD drive and media coming out this year that is double sided/double capacity, but since it will be a while before this becomes affordable, I figured I would bite now instead of later as the setup is now below my threshold for price ($350 is not too much to spend - even if the recorder is obsolete in 3-5 years).

But I thought I would ask the GB for feedback on DVD recorders as they are fairly new yet. I am especially interested in feedback with regards to taking a burnt disc to someone else's player and compatibility, or any other little gotchas.

TIA

 

[Spinaroonie]

Be careful with Lite-on - I have the LVD-2001 and they stopped updating it within a year from when it came out, failing to give it capabilities they said they would.

The actual thing works like a charm, but they didn't go as far as they said it would.

 

[Angel]

You can always hook your TV to your Computer.

 

[The Heretic]

Be careful with Lite-on - I have the LVD-2001 and they stopped updating it within a year from when it came out, failing to give it capabilities they said they would.

The actual thing works like a charm, but they didn't go as far as they said it would.

That is fairly par for the course with any company. I never count on a company to update any tech - if it doesn't do what I want out of the box then I don't buy it.

 

[Monazwx]

Is this a TIVO Thread?

 

[Spinaroonie]

That is fairly par for the course with any company. I never count on a company to update any tech - if it doesn't do what I want out of the box then I don't buy it.

They gave it a firmware flashing system to keep it going on for a long time - that was one of the reasons why I went for it. They didn't go far.

 

[illinois_guy2]

ok, slightly off topic here (but somewhat related, since I figured the DVD experts that might be drawn to this thread would know the answer to my question).

My wife and I bought a cheap DVD player (it was only about 30 or 40 bucks), and half the movies we rent just get stuck and won't continue playing. Is this what can be expected when you buy one of these things on the cheap?

 

[Spinaroonie]

ok, slightly off topic here (but somewhat related, since I figured the DVD experts that might be drawn to this thread would know the answer to my question).

My wife and I bought a cheap DVD player (it was only about 30 or 40 bucks), and half the movies we rent just get stuck and won't continue playing. Is this what can be expected when you buy one of these things on the cheap?

If it was an Apex brand, yes.

 

[freakygirl]

ok, slightly off topic here (but somewhat related, since I figured the DVD experts that might be drawn to this thread would know the answer to my question).

My wife and I bought a cheap DVD player (it was only about 30 or 40 bucks), and half the movies we rent just get stuck and won't continue playing. Is this what can be expected when you buy one of these things on the cheap?

Yes, we bought a cheap one for the kids to use in their room.. and it's a piece of shit. It's an Audiovox and we only paid about $50 for it.

I bought them the same kind we have in the living room (Sony) and it's perfect. Haven't found anything that it won't play (to include all of the DVDs that the other player wouldn't play)

 

[Monazwx]

Is this a TIVO Thread?

Bump

Is TiVo is DVD Recorder?
I need some info. please.

 

[The Heretic]

Bump

Is TiVo is DVD Recorder?
I need some info. please.

No - Tivo is not a DVD recorder. Tivo is a DVR or Digital Video Recorder. The difference is that a DVD recorder records video to removable optical media (a DVD), and a DVR records to a "hard drive" like the main hard drive in your computer that is not removable. Tivo is a company that sells DVRs and the Tivo service (program scheduling info).

I already have a Tivo (one made for DTV - i.e., one made for satellite service) - I need a DVD recorder to save stuff like all the Duckman episodes I record on the DVR. I have a VCR, but I am not satisfied with the quality of the video on VHS - it is about half the quality I get on the DVR.

I see where Panasonic (or maybe it is somebody else) is putting out a combo DVD recorder with a Tivo.

 

[Monazwx]

Thanks.

 

[Sailbad the Sinner]

I have a Philips DVD+R. The DVD's play on all machines whether + or - format. The quality of picture is excellent.

 

[Monazwx]

I think I understand the portability aspect, but the + and - confuse me.

 

[The Heretic]

I think I understand the portability aspect, but the + and - confuse me.

They are two different DVD recording formats and media - kinda like BetaMax and VHS, more similar, but not compatible with each other. There are drives that can read and write both, but some cannot. That is why I want the dual format recorder - this way I don't get stuck when the music stops and the winning format is the one I don't have - plus some players can't read one or other of the formats.

 

[Monazwx]

Thanks again.

Let us know how it goes.

 

[The Heretic]

*bump* for those that were gone over the weekend.

 

[Lost Cause]

I'll snag a dual VHS/DVD player because of all the tapes I have. I'll probably get one after I pay off my loan from my next door neighbor, and mow the lawn.

 

[The Heretic]

I'll snag a dual VHS/DVD player because of all the tapes I have. I'll probably get one after I pay off my loan from my next door neighbor, and mow the lawn.

Okay, so that means that in about 5 years you'll get one - right?

 

[DreamOfSun]

We have the Panasonic DMR-E80H and love it! It records/plays the -R format. We have transferred several home movies to DVDs using it, and have also recorded shows/movies from the TV. So far there have been no problems in replaying the DVDs in other players of family and friends. It also has a hard drive that sort of mimics the whole TiVo idea.

All in all, it was a great purchase and well worth the $$$.