Recording on DVD ?

[Zandy595]

We got a new DVD recorder for Christmas and I'm kind of disappointed with it. The whole reason I wanted it was so I could record my shows and watch them on my DVD player in the bedroom (DH wants to keep the recorder in the livingroom). So anyway, the manual says to play a disc on a different player you have to "finalize" it after you record and that once it's been finalized you can't record on that disc again. huh?! That's stupid. I only want to watch the recorded shows once, then record over them.

Also DH doesn't know how to hook it up so we can watch something else while we're recording a different show. And if that wasn't enough, we have to have the stereo and DVD recorder on just to watch TV. I'm starting to think getting this thing was a bad idea.

Does anyone else have this problem?

 

[Towncrier]

It sounds like you are trying to use the DVD recorder as a sort of TiVo or VCR device. It has always been my impression that a DVD recorder is for making permanent copies and not for time shifting of programs. My opinion is that you have the wrong device for what you are trying to accomplish.

That being said, does your DVD recorder allow you to use DVD-RW or DVD+RW media? If so, you might be able to erase those DVDs after finalizing them. But since I am unfamiliar with standalone DVD recorders, I do not know if they can use rewritable media and if they have the ability to erase rewritable media.

You may have to check with the place where you bought the DVD recorder or pour through the operator's manual to see if you can do this.

 

[Laura]

Are you using DVD-R discs? It may depend on your DVD player if it can view a non-finalized disc. If not, I'm thinking you could possibly re-format a DVD-RW and start over to record again.

What recorder did you get? I have a VCR+DVD recorder I got for Christmas. I'm not going to use it like you are (not yet); I'm copying VHS tapes mostly.

 

[Patch'sD]

You should be able to Record and Edit on a RW type DVD after Finalization. I find that the -R are cheap enought 50 for 19.99 at BJs to become coasters after you watch them.

 

[almacdonald]

We just bought a DVD recorder too and i'm not sure if i like it yet.

Pro's
-can use +/-RW to record over and over, no quality decrease like with VHS
-Can skip commercials
-Can easily index a DVD and see how much space is remaining

Con's
-We have 4 remotes now (TV, amplifier, cable box, DVD recorder)
-Can't watch +/-RW in our bedroom DVD player or computer
-Good quality recording takes up a lot of space on the DVD
-Takes a long time to process

It took a while but we managed to set it up so that we can record something and watch another thing at the same time. We switched the inputs around.

 

[ToyStory Fan]

You can use DVD-RAM discs for the "tivo-like" experience (pausing live tv, time shifting etc), or as someone said DVD-RW. As for hooking it up so you can watch something and record something at the same time - that all depends on your cable/satellite service and the type of actual "decoding" the cable box does. If you are on a digital 2 way box then it can only be done with 2 boxes and a splitter unless the program you want to watch/record is on a "local" channel that comes thru without a cable box. (1 feeds the DVD-R, the other feeds a different input on the TV)...problem is the DVD-R will most likely contain an encryption key that prevents it from recording most programs - especially those on pay-tv channels like HBO for example. Not exactly something that can be explained easily without knowing your whole hookup situation and the knowledge or in this case lack of (not a dig here so please don't be offended).

 

[crazelion]

I do know that you have DVD RW either + or - . Now about the other stuff. I don't know wheter I can post this site or go afterdawn.com for help. They can help with this problem.