DVD-RAM and DVD-RW whats best?

cheghead

I have a Panasonic DVD Recorder which uses both of above. Whats the difference and which format should I use when recording TV programmes?

meep_2

DVD-RW, the RAM is pretty much dead these days m8

cherries_3

Yeah go with DVD-RW, as the other posts DVD-RAM is oretty much only usd for computer backuos - if that anymore! Oh how things change fast!

BenL

I have been thinking about a DVD recorder and saw the Panny DMRES10 model.

From what I read the DVD RAM discs have the benefit of allowing timeslip (like Sky+) and you can add chapters to the disc.

Ben

rogerramjet

I think gizmoleeds have said it all....my JVC uses DVD-R/W and RAM, the timeslip facitily is a fantastic feature (now I know why peeps like the sky+ boxes)

jjames_3

Agree with gizmoleeds, and I would add that DVD-RAM is by far and away the most reliable rewritable DVD storage medium. The discs last longer, they're more robust, can be written on more often and are the only format actually designed for the kind of heavy-duty usage video writing demands.

Having said all that, however, there isn't much RAM can do that a HDD can't, and in all honesty I wouldn't consider a system without a hard drive, making RAM somewhat redundant.

meep_2

i stand corrected then, I had never seen it used since its release in 1996.

newfoundglory

I agree with all the above, you would ideally want to be using a RAM disk.

That said, this format is not playback compatible with many standard DVD players. Nor is it always compatible with dvd rom drives found in computers. For maximum compatibilty, you would want to be using an RW disk.

But, RAM does have the property that you can watch the start of something you have recorded while the end of it is still recording (called a "time slip").

Jon_C

Ram's the way to go, IMHO.

The timeslip facility is very handy and I have a cheapo Panasonic DVD player linked up to my recorder so that if there's anything I want to keep I can edit out the adverts etc before transferring to a single-use disc at best available quality. This also makes me popular with friends/relatives who want things recorded from the TV!

With regard to PCs, note that many new DVD burners (esp the LG brand multi-drives) can now handle Ram discs, should you need this option. Many people treat Ram discs as portable hard drives, since they are designed to be truly rewritable while at the same time being regarded as a very safe way to preserve data. I don't know about this myself because I haven't needed to use the discs in this way but it's worth considering.

Also see my other post in the techie forum about the LG GSA-5169D Super Multi External USB2.0 DVD Rewriter with AV Capture which seems like a very handy and desirable gadget. I've just ordered one.

Woby_Tide

meep wrote:

i stand corrected then, I had never seen it used since its release in 1996.

crikey have you been living in a box? honestly most surprised by your comments, having read various forums (avforums/videohelp/dvd-reviewer) over last few years since getting a recorder myself, it's amazing just how much RAM is used and liked by many people. I've honestly never thought of a scenario where I would have wanted to use a DVD-RW (if I could anyway) instead of RAM.

Also to OP try and get hold of a double sided RAM Disc in a caddy, closest thing to handling an old style video and also much easier than fiddling with discs on their own, and quite child proof from fingers too