DVD player advice needed

[Ratty]

I don't know anything about consumer electronics but I know a lot of other people really keep up with that sort of thing. I finally want to take the plunge and get a nice DVD player/recorder. I was just going to get a player but when I saw they make recorders now too I decided I wanted that. I spent a day surfing the web and there's just so much and it's really hard to find information that's current. The Consumer Reports website has a really juicy and current article on it but it requires a subscription. The latest Consumer Reports on the newstand doesn't have anything on it. I just don't know where to look!

I was looking into Philips, just because, specifically the DVDR75 and DVDR80, but I hate just pulling things out of a hat. I looked for those because that was the only brand I could find to search on. But then I read that Philips had problems with reliability. Also they both have a maximum recording resolution of 450 lines. Are there recorders with greater resolution out there?

Anyway, can anybody suggest one I should look into. Are there good, free websites or forums where this kind of thing is discussed and is up-to-date? I guess my next stop is the public library to look at consumer reports back issues, but I'm lazy and would prefer of course just to look online.

[judy]

1. DVD Player/Recorders are still in the developing stage,

and ideally I would recommend waiting to get one and just going with the player right now, with maybe a cheap recorder on the side. For example, some recorders will record on DVD-R and DVD-RW, and some will record on DVD+R and DVD+RW format, which I think is the new format with more space on the disk.

If you can't wait, try checkin http://www.eopinions.com for reviews.
Also, http://www.pricegrabber.com is a good one too...

[Deja Q]

2. I own JVC and Sony... and as to DVD recorders...

They work, but I dislike them both for different reasons.

The JVC model is 7 months old and it's started making a whine noise when a DVD is rotating within.

Sony's is okay, but some discs (okay, 2) will momentarily freeze even though the same disc can be played in the JVC or on my computer without freezing.

DVD recorders are nice, but when everything switches to HDTV, the FCC (Fascist Communications Consortium) has mandated the use of a broadcast flag to prevent recording. They want us to buy the DVDs. Judging by many DVDs I've read about or have seen personally, this is a big swindle on their part because, while the episodes may or may not have been restored to look their best, the compression method used during the transfer to DVD is bad and the resulting image is less than crisp, filled with jaggies or fuzziness. It's quite disconcerting, and if I can see these imperfections on a standard NTSC set, it's gonna be MUCH WORSE on HDTV.

They can't even adhere to their own regulations and ideals. x(

[Kellanved]

3. I wouldn't buy a recorder yet

While Philips has IMHO the best recorders, those are not yet really interesting. The recorders still work with single-layered media, thus the quality isn't that much better than VHS, at least not if you want several hours on a single disc.
As for the resolution: DVD is not HDTV, a DVD compilant recorder will only record the standard NTSC resolution. The only recorders with a better res are the PAL ones - won't help you much in the US.

A HD recorder offers better value for you money. If it has to be DVD, then wait for one that can record on double-layered media.

[muchacho]

4. Panasonic DMR-E80H

Just got this DVD Recorder with enternal hard-drive.

It's sweet once you get over the slight learning curve.

[Ratty]

8. Wow. This looks like a good recommendation

Thanks. I went out on the web and people seem very satisfied with this model. The price is about right too. Question about the DVD-RAM. Currently it can only be played back on that particular player. If I wanted to copy something onto DVD-RAM for whatever reason, could I then use the machine to copy it to plain DVD-R later? Say, by copying it to the harddrive first?

On the other hand there are these amazon.com reviews. But I'm betting you can find these kinds of things for just about ANY DVD product. It *does* tell me I should save the receipt and box it shipped in though.

[muchacho]

12. dunno

>>It *does* tell me I should save the receipt and box it shipped in though.

Always a good ideas for anyting over $50., at least for a few months.

I'm not sure about the DVD-RAM to DVD-R tranfer via the hard drive. I've yet to record anything to DVD-R yet. Once I get into transferring my home movies I'm sure it'll come up.

[tridim]

5. I own three DVD players

Bought for different reasons (MP3, SVCD, different regions, etc.) and at vastly different prices ($79, $200 and $450) and all three are currently broken. IMO, DVD players are disposable and unless you spend $1000 it will break after a short while. My suggestion is to go cheap.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

13. We bought one right after it came out...and it still works...

Are you especially trying to them? Did you use them constantly? How did they break? The one I have at school, we bought last spring (We have two) and we've thrown it around a bit, and it's held up nicely. What did you do to your DVD Players? :wow:
Duckie

[Ratty]

14. I still have the VCR I bought in 1986

I've gone through so many VCRs. The pieces of crap just keep breaking. VCRs make me mad. The only one that still works like a charm is the first one I bought way back in 1986. Not only does it work perfectly but the remote control is small and easy to use (not like the enormous unabridged dictionary-sized monstrosities with the ridiculous "fly-wheel" contraption you seem to have to buy nowdays). No onscreen programming but the physical interface on the front is so nice it's easier than doing it onscreen anyway (though I *do* have to get off the couch *shudder*). I still use it all the time as my second VCR for copying and tapes and as my primary one for when the latest one breaks. Man I wish I'd gotten two of those babies.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

15. I have never had those experiences...

Do you guys just not take care of your stuff?
Duckie

[Ratty]

16. Well what are we supposed to do?

Feed our VCRs grapes and stand back and fan them with a palm leaf? Put their feet up a couple of times a week and massage their toes? Avoid watching violent or sexually explicit videos so we don't offend them? How do you take care of a VCR? I never put pizza or bagels into their slots. I don't sneak up behind them and yell "Boo!" I never dribble them like basketballs and try to shoot hoops. I never smash as many buttons together at the same time as I can to see if I can mess with their heads.

Two simply started to eat every tape I put into them and refuse to eject anything. One simply stopped responding sometime around the end of December 1999. No button or remote control would wake it from its Y2K slumber. Trying to repair them is absurd as it costs almost as much to buy a brand new one. So out on the curb they go. I really don't know what else one is supposed to do for these things.

[YellowRubberDuckie]

17. Sorry...It just amazed me that you've been through so many...

And most of the people I know have had great luck. I guess it's all a crapshoot.
Duckie

[emulatorloo]

6. Toshiba or Panasonic

Both get good reviews from consumer reports, have nice user interfaces, I have one of both and have been happy w each.

Spend around 100.00 and don't waste a lot of time doing research on the net. This is a low end item and you probably have better things to do with your time. On the otherhand if you want a high end player, Denon is very good.

[Ratty]

7. Okay guys. On waiting ...

How long do I wait? I've kept up enough to know there are currently two formats competing for adoption. I understand the new formats will result in much greater capacity and HDTV compatibility. But how long do you expect the wait to be? I can wait three months, but are we talking a year here? It seems I'm always waiting for this stuff. I've waited years for HDTV to become more prevalent and the prices to come down. Still not there yet. I've waited getting a plain DVD player as well. I'm tired of waiting. Yes, I know what you all say is absolutely true, but how much longer?

I know I could get a REALLY cheap DVD player now but see, I have these camcorder tapes I'd like to transfer. It's not a huge priority or anything but it would be nice. Give it to me straight. Would I be a fool for getting a recorder now? I have a bit of extra money right now but not so much I want to throw it away.

[Kellanved]

9. I'd say one year is the minimum

The double layered DVD_Rs are not yet available. The consumer recorders are likely to be introduced in the second half of this year, give them another year to work out the quirks, get reasonably priced and the discs in acceptable quality. HDTV won't be possible with these either (DVD doesn't allow it).
AFAIK the only recorders with HDTV are the blu-ray recorders. However those discs aren't compatible with DVDs and the reocrders won't appear on the market until late 2004.

[Kamika]

10. You should really buy a DVD recorder

Sorry but I have no clue about brands etc, but if you buy anything make sure you can record on it

[_]

11. Compatibility

There can be compatibility problems with certain players with different media.

http://www.dvdrhelp.com/

http://www.dvdrhelp.com/dvdplayers

Personally, I perform all my DVD/VCD burning on a PC installed recorder:
a Plextor 708A. For playback I have an Apex 1200 that plays anything I throw at it... and it only cost me $50.00. I also have an older Sony carousel player that was fairly expensive at the time I bought it: it refuses to play anything I burned to disc.