Registered: Jan 2003
Location: NW Florida
Posts: 45

I would like to record from the TiVo to a DVD instead of a VCR.

My component JVC S-VHS decided to go south.

I have been looking at several different recorders. Has anyone ever used the Phillips DVDR985, or Pioneer DVR-7000, or Panasonic DMR-E30 or E50 with a TiVo?

Thanks for any thoughts....

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Thanks,

Mike

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Registered: Feb 2002
Location:
Posts: 1

I am recording direct to a Panasonic DMR-E20. It works fine and I don't have to screw around with any network transfers, tivonet, or anything else. Records in real time and the resolution seems fine to me. The disks aren't playable on any portable players except those made by Panasonic so compatibility is an issue. I use the flexible recrding to record movies longer than the standard 2 hrs. Even "Dances with Wolves" at 3 hrs came out acceptable. I could never get any of the tivonet stuff to work and went this route instead. Very happay and I also made DVD's of over 600 of my VHS tapes as well. Need a Macrovision remover for that but they run $35 on Ebay. DVD-R's are running about 68 cents each these days and getting cheaper every day.

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Registered: Mar 2003
Location: Fort Walton Beach, FL
Posts: 7

I just bought a Phillips DVDR985 a few weeks ago and love it.
I have a Sony SAT-T60 (dual tuner), so its a little difficult to force it to dump to dvd during a recorded event (never know which tuner is the active tuner). The DVDR985 uses DVD+R(RW) media, not DVD-R(RW) media which I have found is the more compatible format (the whole reason I decided on this recorder).

For a pretty accurate listing of compatible players with both of the PLUS R media formats (+R, +RW) see http://store.yahoo.com/meritline/dvdvdplusrwa.html

My old DVD player is an Apex AD-600A, which does not play DVD-R, DVD-RW or DVD+RW, but it DOES play the DVD+R media perfectly.

I found that EP mode (4hr per disc) is pretty poor quality, but LP (3hr per disc) is very acceptable. I can barely tell the difference between standard (2hr per disc) and LP (3rd) on my 61" screen.

Compared to my old VHS, DVD is definately the way to archive video!.
I see you live in Shalimar, I'm here in Fort Walton Beach... I could give you a DVD i've archived so you can see the quality.

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Registered: Apr 2002
Location:
Posts: 295

Actually it is -R/RW formats that are more popular, but if you have have a DVD player that just plays +RW, then + is the choice :-)

For a excelent listings of ALL DVD players (AND A LOT of other info on anything video related) chech out http://www.vcdhelp.com They have a searchable DB of DVD player with all capabilities.

-H

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Registered: Mar 2003
Location: Fort Walton Beach, FL
Posts: 7

Right, in doing my research before purchasing I found the -R -RW is more POPUPULAR, but the +R, +RW tended to be more COMPATIBLE with older players (which is what myself & most of my friends have).

Before deciding to throw down the ~$600 on a Set top recorder, do you own research for both compatibility and reviews.

You will find any newer player (within the past two years or so) will play both of the formats (including the RW disc's).

Both formats also also just about the same price.

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Registered: Aug 2002
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 3

I'm using the Panasonic DMR-E30, and have been VERY pleased with the results. You can use it any way you would use your VCR. Discs made with the system have been playable on any DVD system we've tried.

Larry

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Registered: Aug 2000
Location: Nashua, NH
Posts: 7476

I have the Philips DVDR985 and it is wonderful. The rewriteable discs play on almost any DVD player (I dump Buffy episodes to DVD+RW and watch them on my laptop during business trips, for example.) Keep in mind that the rewriteable discs for the Panasonic are DVD-RAM, which won't play anywhere except a DVD-RAM recorder.

Another advantage of the DVD+R/RW system is that you can record a show on a +R disc, play it on a DVD player, come back and add another show, play that, etc. Can't do that with the DVD-R format (requires "finalization" to be able to play on a standard DVD player.)

See www.dvdplusrw.org for a lot of comparative information.

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Steve

One thousand three hundred thirty-three, zero

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Registered: Jun 2000
Location:
Posts: 1000

When it comes to compatibility, please be careful.

There are many manufacturer sites that say their format is best and more compatible than the other. Just make sure to note if the info is coming from a site with a vested interest in one format or the other.

...and I have to chime in with Hichhiker. The vcdhelp site (compatibility database now at http://www.dvdrhelp.com/dvdplayers) is by far the best, and most objective available, as it is a info site with no ties to either camp and the info is put together by folks like you and me.

... hundreds of plain old folks who have actually used and tested the dvdplayers listed.

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Registered: Apr 2003
Location: Sparta NJ
Posts: 8

Hello folks, sorta untechy person logging in ...
I would love to read an answer to the question, or be directed to some other thread if possible. I have a Series 2 Tivo and DirectTv, and would like to get a DVD burner that I can use with my Toshiba SD 2200 and to convert my rather extensive VHS collection. After researching the several models noted here, they look like they can act like a Tivo which is more than I need ... maybe. The Panasonic DMR-E20 sounds like it might be okay.
Main need is to record DVDs from Tivo and from VHS.
I would like to edit commercials out (can I do that by watching the show, pausing the recording and fast forwarding past commercials?) and be able to label each show. Also, recorded most of my stuff on Tivo on the basic setting, so would like to cram 12 episodes (half hr each) of Reign: The Conqueror or Cowboy BeBop on one DVD if possible.
Would it be cheaper and less confusing to get a new PC with and ALL in Wonder card and the NEC burner (I just bought the Maxtor 120 gb drive :-)

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Registered: Apr 2002
Location:
Posts: 295

quote:

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Originally posted by ObeyGiant

Would it be cheaper and less confusing to get a new PC with and ALL in Wonder card and the NEC burner (I just bought the Maxtor 120 gb drive :-)

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