VHS to DVD

socks_uk

Well, it allowed me to add the 3rd & 4th episodes... it's copying them to the same disc now.

Just to add... I don't need to finalise a disc if I only ever want to play it on my dvd recorder but I must finalise it if it is to be played on any other player.

It's just finished and it's worked! The playlist confirms the 4 episodes.

Miroslav

socks_uk wrote: »

Well, it allowed me to add the 3rd & 4th episodes... it's copying them to the same disc now.

Just to add... I don't need to finalise a disc if I only ever want to play it on my dvd recorder but I must finalise it if it is to be played on any other player.

It's just finished and it's worked! The playlist confirms the 4 episodes.

Wow, thanks for checking that. Glad it worked for you!

Now all I need to find is the right machine! Checked finances and can stretch a little further than I thought (taking into account cost of the DVD's I need to go with it.)

Miroslav

Okay, i'm getting bored looking

Really like this one @ £105 delivered -
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Samsung-DVD-SH895M-250GB-Hdd-DVD-Freeview-Recorder-/270581808082?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_Video_DVDPlayers_Recorders&hash=item3effeebbd2

Digital Storage Media Hard disc drive - 250 GB Recordable Media DVD-RAM, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, DVD+R, DVD+R DL, DVD-R DL

Other alternatives...£88 - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190397238250&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Recording Media: DVD+R/+RW, DVD-R/-RW, DVD+R DL, HDD, •Hard Disk Capacity: 160 GB

£85 http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320529222662&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Hard Disk Capacity: 160 GBRecording Media: DVD+R/+RW, DVD-R/-RW, DVD+R DL, HDD

Thoughts? This is just eBay. Checked eBuyer but nothing suitable and argos (!!) too expensive

ih8stress

Hi Miroslav. Just to let you know that it is really easy to copy to a dvd recorder with harddrive (either from an attached video recorder or the television).

You can use chapter marks as socks suggests but what I do is record to the harddrive then edit it by using something called a-b erase which lets you choose exactly where you want to delete a section from point a to point b. (You play back the program to edit and tell it where you want to delete sections as you go.). You can repeat this process as many times as you want.

You can also split programs into two by 'dividing' it at whatever point you choose. This can be helpful if you want to put something which is too long onto 2 x separate dvd's for example.

Don't worry about the finalising aspect. As socks says, if you use the finished dvd on THE SAME dvd recorder, then it will still be able to read it. It is only if you want to use it on a different machine. (Personally I DO finalise mine, after all the dvd's will probably last longer than the current machine).

Don't worry about when to finalise either - the recorder won't do it UNTIL you tell it to. You will still be able to add things to the disk as you go along, as long as there is room on it. (Mine needs a tiny bit of extra space at the end in order to finalise it but it will tell you beforehand).

With regards to disks. I use verbatim dvd-r (not had any dealings with dual-layer so can't advise there). I got my current batch from Currys. Not sure if I can post the link on here but if you go to hotukdeals and type in verbatim dvd-r you will see a deal for 50 x dvd-r's for £7.49 (It says PC World but Currys do the same)

HTH Good luck in your search.

Miroslav

ih8stress wrote: »

Hi Miroslav. Just to let you know that it is really easy to copy to a dvd recorder with harddrive (either from an attached video recorder or the television).

You can use chapter marks as socks suggests but what I do is record to the harddrive then edit it by using something called a-b erase which lets you choose exactly where you want to delete a section from point a to point b. (You play back the program to edit and tell it where you want to delete sections as you go.). You can repeat this process as many times as you want.

You can also split programs into two by 'dividing' it at whatever point you choose. This can be helpful if you want to put something which is too long onto 2 x separate dvd's for example.

Don't worry about the finalising aspect. As socks says, if you use the finished dvd on THE SAME dvd recorder, then it will still be able to read it. It is only if you want to use it on a different machine. (Personally I DO finalise mine, after all the dvd's will probably last longer than the current machine).

Don't worry about when to finalise either - the recorder won't do it UNTIL you tell it to. You will still be able to add things to the disk as you go along, as long as there is room on it. (Mine needs a tiny bit of extra space at the end in order to finalise it but it will tell you beforehand).

With regards to disks. I use verbatim dvd-r (not had any dealings with dual-layer so can't advise there). I got my current batch from Currys. Not sure if I can post the link on here but if you go to hotukdeals and type in verbatim dvd-r you will see a deal for 50 x dvd-r's for £7.49 (It says PC World but Currys do the same)

HTH Good luck in your search.

It sounds really easy - it's just me that isn't...so to speak :rotfl:If something can go wrong, then it will with me :rotfl:

Is a-b erase a program or something on certain machines? A quick google seems to suggest it's a Sony thing?

It's pleasing to hear I can split programs as well as that will make it easier when worrying about disc space.

I want to finalise the DVD's for the reasons you say - eventually they will be played elsewhere. I just don't want the DVD finalising before i've used up the majority of the space.

50 dvd-r's for £7.49 sounds great! Verbatim too? I see it's a web exclusive so may have to get some of them at that price.

Not sure if it's right, but the PC World site is saying instore that the Verbatim DVD+R 25 spindle is £1.97 at the moment Probably a mis-print.

Thanks for your post - when I saw ih8stress, it reminded me of the stress i'm feeling to find the right machine :rotfl:

socks_uk

Don't buy your blank discs until you have decided on which machine you are buying (if you do go down the DVDHD route) because some use DVD+R, some use DVD-R and some use either.

Miroslav

socks_uk wrote: »

Don't buy your blank discs until you have decided on which machine you are buying (if you do go down the DVDHD route) because some use DVD+R, some use DVD-R and some use either.

Don't worry, I won't. I already have DVD+R anyway as that's what my PC Dvd drive uses.

Miroslav

Miroslav wrote: »

Okay, i'm getting bored looking

Really like this one @ £105 delivered -
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Samsung-DVD-SH895M-250GB-Hdd-DVD-Freeview-Recorder-/270581808082?cmd=ViewItem&pt=UK_AudioTVElectronics_Video_DVDPlayers_Recorders&hash=item3effeebbd2

Digital Storage Media Hard disc drive - 250 GB Recordable Media DVD-RAM, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, DVD+R, DVD+R DL, DVD-R DL

Other alternatives...£88 - http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190397238250&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Recording Media: DVD+R/+RW, DVD-R/-RW, DVD+R DL, HDD, •Hard Disk Capacity: 160 GB

£85 http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320529222662&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Hard Disk Capacity: 160 GBRecording Media: DVD+R/+RW, DVD-R/-RW, DVD+R DL, HDD

Thoughts? This is just eBay. Checked eBuyer but nothing suitable and argos (!!) too expensive

The 2nd one I listed - the eBay seller has told me it won't record VHS to DVD without it being a combi machine, even through a scart (I contacted all 3 asking to make sure)

So it's one of the other two then?

ih8stress

Miroslav wrote: »

It sounds really easy - it's just me that isn't...so to speak :rotfl:If something can go wrong, then it will with me :rotfl: Believe me, I am a technophobe, so if I can do it, I'm sure you will be able to. Besides the lovely people on this forum will be sure to talk you through it if necessary.

Is a-b erase a program or something on certain machines? A quick google seems to suggest it's a Sony thing?Yes, my recorder is a Sony one. I didn't know this was Sony specific as it is the only hard drive one I've had.

It's pleasing to hear I can split programs as well as that will make it easier when worrying about disc space.I hope this feature isn't just Sony specific too, then.

I want to finalise the DVD's for the reasons you say - eventually they will be played elsewhere. I just don't want the DVD finalising before i've used up the majority of the space.Like I said earlier, you should be able to do this when you are ready to.

50 dvd-r's for £7.49 sounds great! Verbatim too? I see it's a web exclusive so may have to get some of them at that price.

Not sure if it's right, but the PC World site is saying instore that the Verbatim DVD+R 25 spindle is £1.97 at the moment Probably a mis-print.:TWell spotted! I'll have to nip down to my local store tomorrow to see if they have any (it won't let you check or order online unfortunately)

Thanks for your post - when I saw ih8stress, it reminded me of the stress i'm feeling to find the right machine :rotfl:
Try not to get TOO stressed with it - that's MY domain:D Don't worry, the right machine will come along. You are doing right to research first and buy later.

Need to recheck your thread but if you've already got your video player and tapes perhaps you could be sorting these ready ie. positioning where you need to start copying them from/doing lists etc. This will save you doing it all when you DO get your recorder as it can be very time-consuming.

Pity you don't live nearby and only needed a couple doing, I would have done them for you. Mind you, I think you will find a hard drive recorder will come in very handy afterwards anyway. One of the best things I've bought.

Incidentally I always copy anything to the hard drive first, THEN make a dvd of it. That way, if the disk turns out to be a dud, I've still got it on the hard drive. I finally check the disk before deleting from the hard drive (or if it's important, leave it on the hard drive as a back-up copy).

Good luck. Sorry for the long reply:eek:

ih8stress

socks_uk wrote: »

Don't buy your blank discs until you have decided on which machine you are buying (if you do go down the DVDHD route) because some use DVD+R, some use DVD-R and some use either.

Good point:) I thought they all used both these days but like you say, it's better to get the recorder first. Offers on disks crop up quite regularly online.