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Message |
    
Trent_Daddy
Citizen
Username: Tcedwards
Post Number: 144
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, December 22, 2005 - 9:38 pm: |     |
Hi,
I have not spent any time researching DVD players/recorders. I was wondering if you folks could jump start me. I'd like to purchase one for X-mas (I am still using a VHS player/recorder).
What is a middle of the road DVD player/recorder that has sufficent features/functionality? A short list would be helpful.
Should I get one with both DVD and VHR configuration? I do have VHS tapes but nothing really worth keeping it attached other than my kid may wish to use the VHS.
I plan on hooking this DVD play up to may TV and Stereo.
I just started looking at the DVD players/recorders at Costco. For example there is one called Lite-On DVD Recorder With 160GB HDD (~$300.00)
Thanks |
monster
Supporter
Username: Monster
Post Number: 1760
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Friday, December 23, 2005 - 12:50 am: | |
I just bought a Lite-On 5006 at Radio Shack yesterday, the main reasons are because it only costs $99 after a $50 rebate, I used a 10% off coupon when I purchased it, and to top it off, I can apply a hack to it so that it will be region free and ignore Macrovision.
I've talked with a few people who have reported that they are happy with this Lite-On
Radio Shack has 2 Lite-On dvd recorders, both with $50 rebate and NOT available online but only in-store.
Lite-On 5006 $99.99 after $50 rebate
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2110968
Records to DVD+R/RW, DVD-R/RW and CD-R/RW
VCR Plus+ makes recording TV programs a breeze
Component and S-Video outputs
Records video up to 6 hours in SLP mode at 1.7Mbps in MPEG format.
Has DV link (IEEE 1394), for easy recording from a DV camcorder.
Can be hacked to be region free, and ignore Macrovision.
Lite-On 5104 $129.97 after $50 rebate
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2104733
This DVD recorder offers All Write™ technology, making it possible to record to almost any disc format. It has easy 1-touch recording. Plus, the DV link (IEEE 1394) makes it easy to record all your great digital DV camcorder footage. Get great pictures and sound--from Lite-On®.
DVD recorder with All Write™ technology--records to DVD+R, DVD-R/RW and CD-R/RW
Supports multiple formats--MPEG 1 and 2, PhotoVCD, JPEG, MP3 and PCM
Easily begin recording at the touch of a button.
Can only be hacked to be region free.
10% off coupon, http://www.radioshack.com/graphics/email/RSK_12_16_05_1.html
5006 hack info, http://www.videohelp.com/dvdhacks.php?select=Lite-On+LVW-5006
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sbenois
Supporter
Username: Sbenois
Post Number: 14354
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Friday, December 23, 2005 - 1:03 am: | |
Lite-on makes some pretty good DVD products -they're a huge supplier of DVDs for PCs
The 160g drive at Costco is pretty good although it's gotten some flak for slow transfer speeds to the DVD.
But it all comes down to what you're looking for. The hard drive machines are great for recording from TV but some of them have great difficulty with comcast digital and changing channels (you typically need an IR blaster). The lite-on will also not capture HDTV signals if that's important to you.
But the drive is great for storing at your fingertips transferred camcorder movies. 160 hours of your kids on video available at the touch of a button.
And you can't go wrong with costco's warranty - if you're ever unhappy, even 10 years from now, clean the hard drive and get a full refund if you have the receipt.
The next genration of HDD/DVD machines will offer far more than what's out there today, including HD signal recording and network capabilities so you can bridge the device into your home PC network.
For now, decide what you're going to use it for in the next year or two and then by the machine that will give you the best quality recordings at the lowest price.
One really nice feature on the lite-on is its ability to read and write virtually every DVD format. Something that you should seriously read up on before investing in any DVD technology. |
Trent_Daddy
Citizen
Username: Tcedwards
Post Number: 145
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Friday, December 23, 2005 - 1:40 pm: | |
While I would surely like to have the option to capture HDTV signals given the new FCC date for full implementation is 2009. That is, I would like to be able to use the DVD recorder after 2009 too. Perhaps as a second DVD recorder in the house.
Are there any more suggestions out there?
Thanks. |
monster
Supporter
Username: Monster
Post Number: 1763
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Friday, December 23, 2005 - 3:14 pm: | |
How can you go wrong with the Lite-On at less than $99?
Just get another recorder later. |
Trent_Daddy
Citizen
Username: Tcedwards
Post Number: 146
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Friday, December 23, 2005 - 5:41 pm: | |
ok
Can you monster and Sbenois explain the below statement?
"Can be hacked to be region free, and ignore Macrovision.".
How would I hack it to be region free and what is the region free limitation?
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monster
Supporter
Username: Monster
Post Number: 1764
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Friday, December 23, 2005 - 6:55 pm: | |
Did you follow the link in my original post?
5006 hack info, http://www.videohelp.com/dvdhacks.php?select=Lite-On+LVW-5006
Basically what you are doing is changing the firmware of the recorder so that it will allow you to play DVD's that are marked for other regions, like some that you may buy from Europe, Asia, etc.
Ignoring Macrovision for instance, will allow you to record Macrovision protected VHS tapes of say, movies on VHS that you "legally" own.
A more thorough explanation,
Region Codes: http://www.dvddemystified.com/dvdfaq.html#1.10
Macrovision: http://www.dvddemystified.com/dvdfaq.html#1.11
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Rastro
Citizen
Username: Rastro
Post Number: 2053
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, December 24, 2005 - 9:47 am: | |
Just remember, the rquirement is not for HD by 2009, but all digial by then. Comcast currently is all digital (unless you have a very old box), as are both Dish Network and DirecTV.
I believe the only people that are affected by the change in the rules are those that still get their signals over the air. |
Trent_Daddy
Citizen
Username: Tcedwards
Post Number: 147
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Saturday, December 24, 2005 - 5:36 pm: | |
Yes of course; digital 2009. It would not be HDTV. I have not been following the FCC rulings so I am no expert. |
Rastro
Citizen
Username: Rastro
Post Number: 2055
Registered: 5-2004
| | Posted on Saturday, December 24, 2005 - 11:18 pm: | |
i wish it was HD... That way I could convince my wife we NEED that 52" plasma screen.
"Honey, without it, we can't even watch Desparate Housewives!" |
monster
Supporter
Username: Monster
Post Number: 1766
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Sunday, December 25, 2005 - 2:59 am: | |
I haven't been able to convince my wife either.... |
Trent_Daddy
Citizen
Username: Tcedwards
Post Number: 148
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Sunday, December 25, 2005 - 3:30 pm: | |
I went to radio shack and got the Lite-On high end DVD (the AllWrite version) on Dec. 24th. It doesn't work out of the box. The Video Out appears to be broken. I'll take it back for a replacement. Hope that is not a sign of things to come. |
Trent_Daddy
Citizen
Username: Tcedwards
Post Number: 149
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Monday, December 26, 2005 - 5:35 pm: | |
Just found out that my TV which is cable, video & sound ready (built in 1992 by GE) is not compatible or is difficult to setup with the Lite-On DVD recorder. I may need to take it back for a refund. I am thinking about using it as a secondary thru my VCR until some time when I am ready to upgrade my TV.
I can not get the setup image to redirect to the TV like the VCR does. |
monster
Supporter
Username: Monster
Post Number: 1770
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Monday, December 26, 2005 - 11:02 pm: | |
you can't get it set to channel 3?
I haven't tried to set mine up yet, guess I better take a look and see what's up.... |
Trent_Daddy
Citizen
Username: Tcedwards
Post Number: 150
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Tuesday, December 27, 2005 - 4:09 pm: | |
Hi,
Again, I believe I will be returning the DVD recorder. As was stated previously I can not get the setup image to redirect to the TV. My VCR works just fine. The VCR build date from approximately the same period. I was told the DVD recorder uses different signal/channel configurations which makes a difference requiring the auxilary channel? There doesn't appear to be one such mode although GE tech support states there is. I have spoken with Lite-On tech support too. I will try one more time with Lite-On tech support and then back to the store it goes.
If I don't post a follow up then in a day or two you can assume the DVD recorder went back. |
Trent_Daddy
Citizen
Username: Tcedwards
Post Number: 151
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Wednesday, December 28, 2005 - 5:29 pm: | |
Some good news.
I have success with a new configuration.
It is true my GE TV (circ 1992) will not receive the redirect image from the DVD recorder. To get around this problem I purchased an RF Modulator on the recommendation of the Radio personnel. The modulator allows for all the convertions necessary before the signal is transmitted to the TV via coaxial cable.
I also have this working with the VCR. To record from the VCR to the DVD recorder; however, I will need an a/b switch (or similar). Unfortunately the switch and the RF modulator do not come as one unit (so I have been told).
Two things here that could in the way:
1) I was attempting to keep my configuration simple. That blinded me on how to do this right
2) Some of us will probably need a similar configuration when it is time to introduce HDTV.
In closing, two additional coaxial cables will be needed to complete the configuration. If you don't get them upfront a return visit to the Radio Shack will be necessary. I happened to have two spares. |
mtierney
Citizen
Username: Mtierney
Post Number: 890
Registered: 3-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, January 5, 2006 - 11:09 am: | |
Reading this thread is deja vu all over again. Last Christmas I bought a JVC DVD/VCR machine which both Consumers and The Times voted top pick.
After numerous visits by Comcast to figure out why we couldn't record anything, multiple trips to Radio Shak for gadgets which didn't work and were returned, we have - a year later - a very expensive machine which plays tapes and DVDs but has never recorded anything!
I have an A/B switch which is useless. I spent numerous hours talking with the JVC tech people to no avail. The JVC instructions list about 30 TV brands which have a code number. My 15-year-old Mitsubishi TV is not on the list! Efforts to work around this just didn't work. JVC finally gave us the go-ahead to send the unit back (no easy task) and they had it for a couple of weeks, claimed they did something, but it still won't record.
We have Comcast digital. Apparently we just cannot get the recorder to read the signal.
We just gave up at that point. We are actually awaiting the demise of the 42" TV, but the thing keeps trucking.
We have another TV/VCR recorder elsewhere with Comcast digital and an A/B switch. This device just allows you to record one program while watching another. Works fine - but it will not allow recording channels above 99.
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monster
Supporter
Username: Monster
Post Number: 1827
Registered: 7-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, January 5, 2006 - 12:03 pm: | |
Well, I've been playing with my Lite-On and at first I was cussin' & swearin' because I couldn't get it to work properly.
I have it set up along with a VCR and a ReplayTV unit (I may add the old DVD player too [this will keep wear & tear down on the DVD recorder], I just don't have room for it except on the floor underneath everything else), at first I set it up in place of the old DVD player, the cable signal being passed in a series through the DVD to the Replay, to the VCR, & then to the TV (or something along those lines). I couldn't get any channels to be picked up with the Lite-On, *@$&^#....
I checked and rechecked everything, cussed & swore up one side & down the other, yanking cables out and switching them around, cussed some more, drank beer, swore some more...
then I replaced the older VCR with a newer one from upstairs in the attic, changed the configuration around a bit, all I could get was channel 5 & 16, but in black & white, oh yeah channel 117 (Comcast weather) came in in color.
What the *@$&^#*@$&^#, tried this and that, had some more beer, tried this and that, slammed this cable down on the floor, replaced it, slammed that one down in disgust, dangit...this should be so simple, ding-dang-dagnabit....
Unplugged every cable, took a break, checked out MOL & a couple of other places then grabbed anotehr brew, sat in the floor and tried again.
I took a look at the manual, thought about how things need to go, how it should logically work, then plugged things back in & checked to see if the channels were seen by the Lite-On, no-go, then I noticed the "Fine Tune" selection, selected it and saw that it was to fine tune" a channel (yeah I figured before it would be for that, just never thought it would be needed in this case when none of the channels were even being seen), turns out I was wrong.
I had to fine tune every *@$&^# channel, but now they are all working, so I turned the unit off & then back on, channels still there, then I unplugged it to simulate power loss waited about 30 seconds, plugged it back in, channels still there.
Guess that return trip to Radio Shack may just have to wait.
Checked out the record function on a CD-RW records just fine, off of the cable signal & off of the ReplayTV, now I need to check to see how the unit records DVD's (hopefully the ones I use for the computer will work fine), & buy some DVD-RW's to use them too.
So far, so good.... |
Trent_Daddy
Citizen
Username: Tcedwards
Post Number: 153
Registered: 6-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, January 5, 2006 - 6:44 pm: | |
mtierney,
You say:
>We have another TV/VCR recorder elsewhere with
>Comcast digital and an A/B switch. This device
>just allows you to record one program while
>watching another. Works fine - but it will not
>allow recording channels above 99.
That is fine with me. I just want to hobble along until the day when I purchase an HDTV ready TV.
I haven't been back to Radio Shack for the A/B switch but I will soon.
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