|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
152.163.100.72
...I originally posted this over at Outside, but I thought some of you could give me a hand)
And is it really that big a deal in real usage. In other words, If I got a unit that can only do "-" would it be able to play back a "+" disc made on someone else's deck? What are commercial DVD's...+ or - or is this even an issue with DVD's you get that are commercially made?
Help!Any recommendations for a good DVD recorder with VCR built in that can record in either direction (DVD->VCR or VCR->DVD)?
Follow Ups:
Commercial DVDs (from the movie studios) are stamped, not burned, and are designated as -ROM discs. All of the others are burned discs and can be +R, -R, +RW, -RW, etc.The best way to avoid compatibility problems is to get a computer DVD writer based on the +R format (it can support burning of the other formats, but has to be a +R writer). It also has to support the book-type/bit-setting feature of the +R format. What this means is that the +R disc that you burn will read like a -ROM disc (instead of a +R disc) in any DVD player. Does the -ROM designation sound familiar? The -R format does not have this feature. If a DVD player is based on the +R format, it won't play the -R disc you made.
Why all the different formats? Because the manufacturers are assholes. They compete with each other for your dollars and have little concern about compatibility issues. They believe that's your problem -- not theirs. The +R format's "ace-in-hole" is the book-type/bit-setting feature. While both formats (+R and -R) claim 85% compatibility, the -ROM feature of the +R format gets them to about 98% compatibility. Several DVD writers (such as Plextor's P-716 series) support this feature.
Copy-protection is a big issue if you want to make additional discs or tapes. I don't know if you can defeat this roadblock in any of the DVD/VCR combo players (most combo players kinda suck anyway). There is a way around this on a computer. To make copies of DVDs, all you need is a free software program such as DVD Decrypter to remove the copy protection from the DVD and a free software program like DVD Shrink to decide what you want on the burned disc. And if you want to make a tape, just use the soundcard's output for the audio to the VCR and use a video card with a composite output (available for as little as $30 - $40 from newegg.com) for the video to the VCR.
Of course, if you don't want to go the computer route, most of the above won't make too much of a difference to you.
DVD-R:will playback on most dvd players after being finalized as with cd-rs
DVD+R:same as above with some exceptions
DVD+RW &-RW eraseable blanks that have some compatability issues with other players
DVD-RAM: Panasonic & few others will play these backAs far as decks go Sony makes a dvd/vhs recorder, as well as Samsung, Plus others
remember copyguarded movies will not record in either direction DVD> VHS or VHS> DVD...
Use Ecoustics.com to find reviews on any of these....
DVDR 75 has trouble making discs which play on the cheaper machines in the house. I have a Cyberhome DVD 300, and worse Magnavox all in one 19 in tv/dvdp/vcr (the latter being ok) and a Philips. I also own a Pioneer Elite DV-47 Ai which plays the newly recorded discs.Computers don't play the discs, either.
I'm not familiar with Cyberhome & all in one units.. I have no problems with computer playback & dvd players BUT I only record with DVD-R'S no rw's & +r's.....
dvd players are more finicky then cd players with recordable media...
I Use Sony dvd recorders for all my burning
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors: