Question:
My parents want to get a standalone DVD recorder before Christmas, and I'm a bit wary due to the different standards. From what I can figure out, DVD+R/RW is better than DVD-R/RW, in terms of compatibility with DVD players and in some cases with quality (due to using VBR).
Is this correct? Anyone know of any advantages that DVD-R/RW has over DVD+R/RW?
Is there going to be a standalone recorder coming out any time soon that will be compatible with both of these formats? Or anything else I should be aware of? Can these models record to CD-Rs successfully (i.e. create SVCDs or similar?)
Any website references would also be appreciated!
Many thanks!
A.
I have a Panasonic E30 (DVD-R/DVDRAM) and can thoroughly recommend it,have had no problems playing DVD-R's I've recorded on any other standalone player I've tried.
I can use VBR for recording and DVD-R discs are cheaper and easier to get hold of than DVD+R.
AFAIK none of the standalone DVD recorders will record to CDR.
IMHO DVD+R/RW will head the same way as Video2000/Betamax.
Originally posted by snoopstah
My parents want to get a standalone DVD recorder before Christmas, and I'm a bit wary due to the different standards. From what I can figure out, DVD+R/RW is better than DVD-R/RW, in terms of compatibility with DVD players and in some cases with quality (due to using VBR).
Is this correct? Anyone know of any advantages that DVD-R/RW has over DVD+R/RW?
Is there going to be a standalone recorder coming out any time soon that will be compatible with both of these formats? Or anything else I should be aware of? Can these models record to CD-Rs successfully (i.e. create SVCDs or similar?)
Any website references would also be appreciated!
Many thanks!
A.
This is almost completely incorrect.
DVD-R is more compatible than DVD+R. See VCDhelp.com for the list of player compatability.
At the moment you will be choosing between the Panasonic DMR-E30 and the Phillips DVDR880 or 890.
The 880 and the E30 are available for about £400 from various online sources.
Recording quality seems to be similar for both so your choice will be dictated by the features of the two models and your concerns over the differing formats.
The main differences are as follow.
The E30 uses DVDRAM as its rewritable format and this will not play in any standalone DVD player. So you can't lend a DVDRAM disc to a friend. However the DVDRAM format lets the E30 record from the TV while you watch the disc at the same time, rather like a tivo or sky+.
The 880 and 890 use +RW as its rewritable format and this can be lent to someone to watch with a compatible DVD player. +RW discs are available for about £6 each. I'm not sure how much DVDRAM discs are now bit the last time I looked they were about £15. You do get two thrown in with the E30 though.
The E30 uses DVD-R for its archive format, the 880 and 890 use DVD+R.
DVD-R media is cheaper and more compatible than DVD+R. Bulkpaq Gen3 DVD-R is available for about 50p per disc. DVD+R is available for about £3.00 per disc.
I would choose the E30 for its more sophisticated timeshifting abilities and cheaper media.
If your parents are always lending stuff they've recorded to friends, you'll definately be better off with the 880.
If you want to record archive DV output go for the 890 which has a firewire link.
I'm not aware of any recorders which are compatible with all formats. None of the above will make SVCD or VCD discs.
NEC are releasing a computer DVD writer which will read and write DVD-R/RW and DVD+R/RW next month, but that's off topic really.
I would recommend that they wait until the DVD recorders with the built in DVR/Tivo functionallity come to the market as surely these would kill two birds with one stone.
Unfortunatly although I've heard of them exsisting, I haven't any exact details.
Originally posted by cjb110
I would recommend that they wait until the DVD recorders with the built in DVR/Tivo functionallity come to the market as surely these would kill two birds with one stone.
Unfortunatly although I've heard of them exsisting, I haven't any exact details.
Panasonic DMRHS2EBS but about £900+.
But if you already have TIVO or SKY+, you're better off just getting the DVD recorder.
Even if you don't have the TIVO or sky+ you would be better off getting one or the other plus a separate DVD Recorder. TIVO and SKY+ will make better PVRs because of their dedicated EPGs. You're not likely to get season passes, suggestions, etc ... with a harddisk recorder.
Is this correct? Anyone know of any advantages that DVD-R/RW has over DVD+R/RW?
Is there going to be a standalone recorder coming out any time soon that will be compatible with both of these formats? Or anything else I should be aware of? Can these models record to CD-Rs successfully (i.e. create SVCDs or similar?)
Any website references would also be appreciated!
Many thanks!
A.
Answers:
I have a Panasonic E30 (DVD-R/DVDRAM) and can thoroughly recommend it,have had no problems playing DVD-R's I've recorded on any other standalone player I've tried.
I can use VBR for recording and DVD-R discs are cheaper and easier to get hold of than DVD+R.
AFAIK none of the standalone DVD recorders will record to CDR.
IMHO DVD+R/RW will head the same way as Video2000/Betamax.
Answers:
Originally posted by snoopstah
My parents want to get a standalone DVD recorder before Christmas, and I'm a bit wary due to the different standards. From what I can figure out, DVD+R/RW is better than DVD-R/RW, in terms of compatibility with DVD players and in some cases with quality (due to using VBR).
Is this correct? Anyone know of any advantages that DVD-R/RW has over DVD+R/RW?
Is there going to be a standalone recorder coming out any time soon that will be compatible with both of these formats? Or anything else I should be aware of? Can these models record to CD-Rs successfully (i.e. create SVCDs or similar?)
Any website references would also be appreciated!
Many thanks!
A.
This is almost completely incorrect.
DVD-R is more compatible than DVD+R. See VCDhelp.com for the list of player compatability.
At the moment you will be choosing between the Panasonic DMR-E30 and the Phillips DVDR880 or 890.
The 880 and the E30 are available for about £400 from various online sources.
Recording quality seems to be similar for both so your choice will be dictated by the features of the two models and your concerns over the differing formats.
The main differences are as follow.
The E30 uses DVDRAM as its rewritable format and this will not play in any standalone DVD player. So you can't lend a DVDRAM disc to a friend. However the DVDRAM format lets the E30 record from the TV while you watch the disc at the same time, rather like a tivo or sky+.
The 880 and 890 use +RW as its rewritable format and this can be lent to someone to watch with a compatible DVD player. +RW discs are available for about £6 each. I'm not sure how much DVDRAM discs are now bit the last time I looked they were about £15. You do get two thrown in with the E30 though.
The E30 uses DVD-R for its archive format, the 880 and 890 use DVD+R.
DVD-R media is cheaper and more compatible than DVD+R. Bulkpaq Gen3 DVD-R is available for about 50p per disc. DVD+R is available for about £3.00 per disc.
I would choose the E30 for its more sophisticated timeshifting abilities and cheaper media.
If your parents are always lending stuff they've recorded to friends, you'll definately be better off with the 880.
If you want to record archive DV output go for the 890 which has a firewire link.
I'm not aware of any recorders which are compatible with all formats. None of the above will make SVCD or VCD discs.
NEC are releasing a computer DVD writer which will read and write DVD-R/RW and DVD+R/RW next month, but that's off topic really.
Answers:
I would recommend that they wait until the DVD recorders with the built in DVR/Tivo functionallity come to the market as surely these would kill two birds with one stone.
Unfortunatly although I've heard of them exsisting, I haven't any exact details.
Answers:
Originally posted by cjb110
I would recommend that they wait until the DVD recorders with the built in DVR/Tivo functionallity come to the market as surely these would kill two birds with one stone.
Unfortunatly although I've heard of them exsisting, I haven't any exact details.
Panasonic DMRHS2EBS but about £900+.
But if you already have TIVO or SKY+, you're better off just getting the DVD recorder.
Even if you don't have the TIVO or sky+ you would be better off getting one or the other plus a separate DVD Recorder. TIVO and SKY+ will make better PVRs because of their dedicated EPGs. You're not likely to get season passes, suggestions, etc ... with a harddisk recorder.
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