DVD-R discs - 8x or 16x?

Heinz

Simple question for those of you in the know, I'm sure - it's just I'm not.

I have a Panasonic DVD recorder in which I usually record/re-record onto DVD-RAM discs but which can also record (one-time-only) onto DVD-R discs.

I've finally got round to archiving my old VHS tapes, so, obviously, want to use DVD-R discs.

OK, now the question - I see I can buy 4x, 8x and 16x DVD-R blank discs - but which do I need for video?

superscaper

Depends at what speed the DVD recorder can record at but I imagine it'd convert from VHS at probably 1:1 speed anyway so it doesn't actually matter what speed the discs can record up to. So you may as well get the cheapest.

spakkker

Cheapest-the recorder will only record in real time -ie. as the video tape plays- so in this case you certainly don't need 16x, maybe 8x will be the cheapest as they are kind of a standard, bread and butter type.

Heinz

Thanks superscaper and spakkker.

Any idea why it rejected as 'incompatible' some 4x DVD-R discs I found in a drawer? I'm not even sure why I had them - perhaps for my laptop's DVD burner?

superscaper

Heinz wrote: »

Thanks superscaper and spakkker.

Any idea why it rejected as 'incompatible' some 4x DVD-R discs I found in a drawer? I'm not even sure why I had them - perhaps for my laptop's DVD burner?

Are you sure that the recorder is compatible with DVD-R and not say DVD+R. Also even though they're meant to all be standard, some manufacturers can have compatibility issues with some recorders and writers. That can usually be solved with a firmware upgrade and the manufacturer may have a list of known problems with certain disc manufacturers. Do you know the model number of the Panasonic Recorder?

Heinz

No, I've checked the manual and it's definitely DVD-R (although, unhelpfully, it doesn't say anything about x).

superscaper

Heinz wrote: »

No, I've checked the manual and it's definitely DVD-R (although, unhelpfully, it doesn't say anything about x).

The speeds shouldn't be a problem though, as spakkker said they'd record in real time anyway. For example you can use a 16 x disc in a 4 x DVD rewriter but it'll only be able to write up to 4 x. Any compatibility issues you have with certain discs must be just down to differences in manufacture. Your player may have known problems with discs made by certain manufacturers.

Heinz

superscaper wrote: »

The speeds shouldn't be a problem though, as spakkker said they'd record in real time anyway. For example you can use a 16 x disc in a 4 x DVD rewriter but it'll only be able to write up to 4 x. Any compatibility issues you have with certain discs must be just down to differences in manufacture. Your player may have known problems with discs made by certain manufacturers.

Thanks. The 4x discs are a make I've never heard of (DataCell) so I've played safe now and bought some Panasonic 16x discs on ebay to try them out.

superscaper

Heinz wrote: »

Thanks. The 4x discs are a make I've never heard of (DataCell) so I've played safe now and bought some Panasonic 16x discs on ebay to try them out.

I think most Panasonic ones are actually manufactured by Taiyo Yuden which just so happens to be one of the best DVD manufacturers. So you should definitely be getting some high quality discs.

spakkker

Hi , there's a free prog called dvdidentifier which tells you exactly what discs you have see http://club.cdfreaks.com/f96/dvdidentifier-3-5-out-now-114272/
Also there is a lot of info at this site regarding compatibility etc. etc. and recorders etc. http://www.videohelp.com/ it even comments on media.
At local market can get 100 dvd for £12

Heinz

Thanks. There are times when you realise how time has passed you by.

I clicked on those links and a blue haze descended over me (they were both so 'busy' that they made no sense whatsoever to my ancient brain).