DVD - stand-alone recorder or PC drive

Caruso wrote on 11/15/2003, 5:49 AM

Upgraded to V4 sans DVD. Maybe I made a mistake, but, DVD didn't sound that robust at the time, and, I really had (still have) little interest in DVD. Now, a client wishes to expand his order to include a DVD, so, I need to change my thinking.

Have shopped for DVD burners (internal and a few external), and realize that, probably most come with some sort of software (for better or worse).

Have also looked at stand alone DVD recorders - similar to VHS machines, only using DVD format/media as the storage device.

Any opinions out there on which direction would be the best move on my part to get into DVD recording?

My impression: PC DVD burners require less initial cash outlay - but will require me to invest in DVD burning software (if I am unsatisvied with the program bundled with the unit).

PC DVD's probably (although I have not validated this) allow more flexibility to make menus, sub menus, etc.

PC DVD quality is dependent upon the software used to render the MPEG file (I have Vegas, so this should not be a problem).

Stand alone DVD recorders: More expensive to buy. Simpler to operate - I just render from V4 to DV as I do now, then, PTT as I do now, passing the signal through my DV cam to the stand alone just like I do now with my SVHS machine.

Most stand alones include SVideo, composite video, and some include Firewire inputs.

Menu capabilities, while less extensive, do exist for this group of machines.

Quality (if hype is to be believed) should be lossless.

Question: Which direction should I follow?

Thanks in advance.

Caruso

Comments

jester700 wrote on 11/15/2003, 10:24 AM

You seem to have a good understanding of the differences. So the choice should be based on what you expect to do most of the time. For producing new DVDs, PC burner & software is much more flexible. Menu creation on set top DVD burners is rudimentary at best, and I would never call the result "professional". ANY bundled DVD authoring program will surpass this.

For quick transfers of other video sources, set tops are the fastest & most convenient method.

The thing is, you CAN do transfers on a PC burner; you CAN'T make high quality menus on a set top (double check this, though - my info might be getting old). So if you can only get one, I'd do the PC route.

Rednroll wrote on 11/15/2003, 11:25 AM

I second all of Jesters information. The only thing nice about Stand alone recorders, is that copying and recording is usually easier for the typical user. Also, if you need to record something you don't have to do a 2 step process, of first recording it to a PC, then creating the DVD. By far the PC DVD method is the most flexible, and gives the most options. Usually, when technology changes, alls that you need to update is your software and keep your existing DVD burner. PC burners are also easier to update, so that's a key advantage of PC burners. Your stand alone recorder may become a door stop due to some new technology feature everyone has to have. Where on a PC burner, the manufacturer will release firmware updates, and also software vendors will make updates, so you still have the latest and greatest with the same original purchase. On top of that, the PC version will burn at higher speeds, which in the long run will save you a lot of time if you use the recorder on a regular basis.

And oh yeah....the PC burner is cheaper!!!

Caruso wrote on 11/15/2003, 8:02 PM

Thanks for the replies.
Caruso

LarryP wrote on 11/16/2003, 3:29 PM

One other thing to think about is that you can burn data DVD with PC drives. I burn more data DVD's as backups or for moving data between sites than video DVD's. Read-write media is especially nice for that.

Larry

farss wrote on 11/17/2003, 7:44 AM

STB DVD recorders are just that, recorders. But they aren't even necessarily as flexibkle as VHS. Unless you spend more bucks on the media once you start recording your disk is toast if you make a boo boo. And trying to split a movie over two DVDs....

And the encoding quality. At the price of these things you don't exaclty get broadcast quality RT encoders.

And then there's adding text for the chapter points. You enter each letter by scrolling through the alphabet, well at least on the Philips ones.

Look these things are great for what they are but you really need to know their limitations. For the same money you'd just about buy DVDA, a burner and a high end encoder to do more than 2 pass VBR.

Whoever told you the process is lossless, well I'd be shopping elsewhere. Any encoding process is lossy, the very best mpeg encoders loose very little, but they don't come cheap and they certainly aren't in STBs.