Hi all!!:wave:

I spent all day shopping for a dvd recorder and ended up having to order it online. Is there anybody out there that has this model:
Philips dvdr80?? I need to order a spool of discs and I can't figure out what I need!! Please do not refer me to dvdrhelp or other sites because I have been there/done that and still can't figure this stuff out!

I know I need the +r media, but - what is the difference between the 2x, 4x, 8x options? I also do not currently have a label program...any advice on this is appreciated as well. I'm thinking I should get Roxio to burn dvds....and, I need to upgrade my cdrw/dvd to a dvdrw/cdrw...I'm thinking this will be relatively inexpensive to do - adding a dvd burner to my computer...

Please...I need advice/help from anybody who want to share their knowledge/experience!! Thanks guys!!
Sharon
jordanandemy@hotmail.com

Well Hello Nannyfan! :wave: I did some research and I hope this link is useful to you.

http://reviews.cnet.com/Philips_DVDR80/4852-6473_7-20847624.html?tag=dir


Also, I use NEATo labeling system by Fellowes.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?id=cat12085&type=page&_requestid=77481

Another one to use is Memorex labeling system. You can buy both at CompUSA, Wal-Mart, Best Buy, etc..their fairly inexpensive...the CD/DVD label systems, and also the DVD case labeling system. Runs around$9.99 -$19.99.

Also, When buying spools, stay away from Staples or Office Depot or Best Buy. It's a rip off! A spool of 25 DVD-RW are pcied around $89.00+ too much. The DVD-R discs are a little less expensive, but in yourcase, go with the DVD+RW discs, since you can re-use them over again up 1000 times. I just recently bought 30 DVD-RW discs from CompUSA, and only cost me $45.00, way cheeaper than RIMA.com and all those other places, etc.. RW media is more expensive than standard -R /+R media, because of the versatility. Comes in handy when you first start out and you make a mistake. With R discs, you're screwed and you waste a good disc. with RW discs, simply reformat the disc and start over again. hope this helps.

Also, the labeling system is real easy. You can either label the actual disc itself, or do what I do, and just create DVD Case Inserts instead, (inside the plastic cover) You'll also need DVD Cases, EBAY has them, and I usually pay $6.99 for 10 at CompUSA, so do the math for starters. It's expensive, really expensive when you start transferring to DVD in general, as I'm learning myself...because it all adds up...the discs, $$$ the cases $$$, the labels, and the time.. Cha-Ching! LOL

Good luck! and Congrats on your new trip! :)

Well, I have a Philips DVDR985 and I know I had to have the firmware updated to use 4x discs (though I haven't even tried that yet). But since yours is a new model, I'd say 4x should work.

I believe 4x is just faster, but don't quote me on that. I usually use the 2.4x DVD+R discs and that works great.

Hey Beavis:wave:

Howzit going with your Go-video dvd recorder? Are you still as happy with it? Thanks for the info and spending your time researching!! That is really nice of you to do! I'm more confused than ever! I spent hours and hours researching dvd recorders trying to decide what to buy and, of course there are both, negative and positive reviews on it - but, the guide plus stuff has me concerned that I might have problems with it when I'm living on the island because there is no cable tv there. The use "antennas" (back to the old rabbit ears days!!) - to receive signals for tv. I am soooo :confused: I can still cancel my order because it takes 5-7 business days to leave the warehouse and I can go purchase one if I decide to do so. I know everybody believes there system is the best - whether it is panasonic, pioneer, philips, etc. From what I have read - +r is more compatible with other dvd players than -r. I would love to have one with a hard drive but they are pretty expensive still. Man...this is soooooo confusing and I need to seriously get busy with transferring because I can't take the videos with me...we can't ship more than 2000lbs and that needs to be other stuff!! I also do not plan on buying the jewel cases for now unless i can find the flexible, slim plastic ones. I plan on handcarring them on the plane in a carrier "thing"...like a cd case. should have a couple hundred of them to carry. We are going to buy one of those tiny dvd players with the screen to watch on the plan 'cause we have lots of airplane time coming up.

Well...I guess I'll do some serious dvd recorder research tonight and figure this mess out once and for all! Basically, what is available in the stores right now within my price range is the philips dvdr75, panasonic "..50" model, and pioneer 310s (I think). Actually, I have about $400-$450 to spend. I open to opinions and advice!! thanks again!! sharon:wave:

Hi Nannyfan,

I didn't mean to alarm you, but http://www.cnet.com is where I ALWAYS go for reviews on stuff...because there's pros and cons etc...but buyers can post their personal reviews on the products themselves, which helps alot with feeback BEFORE you buy. Personally? I would cancel my order on the Phillips since you have time, but that's me.

2nd. DON'T be confused. You know something? as MUCH as I love my GoVideo? There is another one, JUST as good if not better, and easy to use, and VERY good quality. Is the NEW

Sansui VRDVD-4005 http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/product.do?BV_UseBVCookie=Yes&vertical=ELEC&pid=05757103000

Don't KNOCK it! :mad: :lol: My brother bought one the day after I got my GoVideo and HE LOVES IT! and a neightbor of mine bought one last week!!! SOO Simple to use and works AWESOME! For $100.00 - $200 cheaper than the GoVideo. Sears sells them for $399.00 and it lets you record VHS to DVD and DVD to VHS. LIKE the GoVideo, they USE DVD-R/DVD-RW dics, and NOT the + format. The general format now is -R/-RW as opposed to the +R/+RW, don't ask me why, some will tell you the opposite.

The featres of this Sansui? (I know, you're skeptical of the brand name...DON'T BE!!) I feel foolish spending way more on the GoVideo for which the Sansui does EQUALLY as good if not better. No need to worry about hookups, cables etc..just use your antenna if need be,or whatever your situation calls for you'llbe fine! :) Viola! I've used it myslef to try it out??? and tried it, and the Sansui works like a charm! I'm plugging the Sansui for you, since it's RIGHT IN YOUR BUDEGET and much more versatily than anything else out there. Only GoVideo and Sansui make this type of DVD Recorder + VCR compboi unit!

Persoanlly, if I were to buy again? I'd Buy thge Sansui. I love the GoVideo, but it's overpriced since the Sansui is just as good if not better for $100-$200 cheaper!


You'll always read pros and cons on any product! That is good. Don;t let the Phillips review scare you eaither, but to me it sopunds complicated and I don;t want to mess with hookups, cabl;es, video quality etc.. The GoVidoe AND Sansui, is ONE unit. Pop in tapes and/or DVD's and press RECORD, and VIOLA! LOLOLOL It is soooo simople and you'll be happy you bought one.! Go to Sears! I kid you not. The customer supporrt is awesome, and my brother is in love with it, trust me!!

The choice is yours, and whatever you decide is right for you, do it. There is a differnce between a DVD BURNER and DVD Recorder. the Burner records like CD's record, with the Bar on the menu etc.. the DVD Recorder, records like VHS tapes..which is good for me, since I need to know what I have etc..and make my edits.

I prefer the -R/-RW format as opposed to +R/+RW format, but they're equally as good. All players support 1x speed discs. If you see DVD dics with 2x or 4x, etc...that;s is FINE. It's just a faster recording speed, but your machine supports the technology. The discs format isn't differnt, just the recording speed is all. So you could buy blank DVD 1x, or 2x of 4x speed and use them interchangeably... etc... But I've come to learn that a spool of TDK DVD-RW discs run retail for $89.00+! NO! I learned the hardway. Then someone told me of these other sites, and they were expensive also. So I went to CompUSA and bought a 10 pack DVD-RW discs for $17.00 a pack on sale... if you can get better deals, go for it...I'm happy with the price. I think $1.00 or less per disc is reasonable, NOT $89.00 for 25 discs only...
:mad:

The Sansui is NOT on cnet yet, but my brother and neighhbor got one for X-mas and is having a blast! I would recommend a Sansui just to burn and transfer. PLUS, if you do trades now? Go ahead and get VHS from folks that have the shows or stuff you want, because NOW you can no problem transfer it yourself! Viola!

My list is 94% complete. The list only. I will be posting my HAVE LIST by next weekend. I've only so far transferred about 39 tapes to DVD and I have over 400 tapes of shows, concerts, sports, cartoons, sitcoms, movies from 30's-90's, horrors, etc.. etc.. to transfer, but my list is quite good and am having fun recording 2 tapes per night and 12 tapes on weekends.. (I have a life you know) LOLOL Even though I'll post my list, it's good if people want some of my stuff, because I can tranfer their stuff ASAP onto DVD if they wish or make them a VHS copy as well...

email me if you like cafeforums@san.rr.com and we can chat or exhange info or whatever... but my list will be finished by next weekend at least. Lastly if it's practical and all you want to do is transfer VHS to DVD, I'd go with the Sansui and do away with the cables, hookups, formatting, setups with menus and guides etc... it's too complicated. Remember, Sansui and GoVideo, it's pop in VHS, pop in DVD, and press RECORD! LOLOLOL Oh, one last thing if you have home videos or movies , you can hook up your camcorder in the front, and transfer to either DVD or VHS as well! SOOO SIMPLE! It's in your BUDGET and the quality is good! PLays MP3s, CD's as well! The menus are simplae and awesome! My brother knows this first hand and rubs in my face he got his for $200 cheaper than the GoVideo! :mad: LOL

I have a DVDR80. It's okay. Lots of people, including myself, have trouble with the EPG (like TiVo) function. If you're going to buy a computer burner, I would buy a cheaper model recorder (extended warranty not a bad idea). All you need to do is get the footage onto disc and then can do all your edits way more accurately and nicely on the computer so there's no point in paying for bells and whistles (which don't come close to what you can do on the computer anyway) on the recorder. Best to put that money into memory :-)

Don't know about Roxio, I use DVD Decryptor to rip, Womble to edit out ads and ULead Movie Factory to add chapter markers and make menus. Works great.

You don't need to use anything other than 1X media on the recorder as it only records in real time. Higher writing speed discs are for the computer only.

Originally posted by nannyfan
From what I have read - +r is more compatible with other dvd players than -r.

It is. If you plan on playing them a lot on another non-recording DVD player or a DVD-Rom, +R is a better choice. If not, them it really doesn't matter.

Thanks - everybody!!!! I cancelled my dvdr80 order and am going to go buy something else today - a cheaper model...probably the 75 because I do want to upgrade my computer with a dvd burner & will need more memory so it just makes sense to go this route. I still have to wait on the macrovision eliminator thing to arrive, so - now I have to find out how to go about getting my laptop upgraded from the cdrw/dv to the dvd writer. I guess I will also need additional software. Geez, this is an expensive hobby to get started in!!

I saw an Apex dvd recorder at Walmart for 229.00 (I think) the other day - for those of you who may want to start with a really low price option. I would - but, I haven't seen any reviews on it so I'm going with the Philips dvdr75. I've heard plenty of raves about that one!

I'm off to shop!!

Thanks again for your advice!!!:wave:

Good choice. It has the 2.5 hour speed which comes in handy sometimes and component inputs, both of which the Apex lack.

I have always heard the exact opposite regarding compatibility. That -R is more compatible than +. I read somewhere recently that -R was compatible with 97% of the players out there and + was about 84% if I recall correctly. It has also been my experience. Whether or not it's true
doesn't matter, buy a dual format burner and one can dupe any disc onto any format they please as easily as any other. Except RAM of course.

Hello all:wave:

I have lots of new stuff - none of which is a stand-alone dvd recorder. I decided to go with a TDK external dvd burner that can burn up to 8x and can burn any format of dvd or cd on the market today. It can go either way +/- r's and rw's. I purchased a Dazzle video creator (hi-speed 150) to connect the vcr to and had to add a fire-wire card thing. I also purchased DvD-X Platinum to burn back-up copies of any dvd I'ld want to copy. I now have 3 or 4 different movie creator software and the only thing I need now is the video stabilizer to arrive in the mail. I've tried to copy a dvd and so far, I've spent about 4 hours dorking around with hooking up stuff and have trashed 1 dvd+r. I'm trying to figure out how to do the menu thing...because this dvd has several episodes and no menus - but, so far...no luck. I still need to disconnect/reconnect to this system, a vcr. I am beginning to think I should have chosen to hook all of this stuff up to the desk top in the other room because now I have stuff all over my dining room table surrounding my laptop! Thanks again for the advice...I'll be back for more...no doubt:crazy: