Help me pick out a DVD recorder

[Ziggy]

edit: Originally I was looking for a PC video capture device but I decided that a DVD recorder would be a much better choice (since I want the videos on DVDs, this would just save me time and work).

I never had or used a DVD recorder before. Can any one recommend one to me? I was looking at this one...

http://www.buy.com/prod/toshiba-dr420-d ... adid=17653

It also got good reviews on Amazon.com.

The only thing I'm worried about... how can I find out if this DVD recorder will maintain a 16:9 aspect ratio? The input video will be widescreen, and I want the burned DVD to be widescreen (and NOT letterbox!). Will there be an option to select bettween 4:3 and 16:9?


-------Original Post "Help me pick out a video capture device" -------


I'm in need of a video capture device. External would be easier for me to use, but I'd go with an internal card if need be.

Basically, I'm looking to record some things off my DVR to my computer so that I can put them on DVDs. These recordings are in HD, but I'm not sure if they were broadcasted in full 1080 or not.

I don't need to record them in full HD since they're gonna go on DVDs, but I assume the video capture hardware has to be able to handle the HD signal.

Component would be my easiest link from the DVR to the capture device, but I could use HDMI or S-Video if need be. The PC interface could be USB or Firewire, either way.

I was looking at this one, which seemed perfect, but then some of the reviews kinda scared me. A lot of people said the device constantly disconnects from the PC.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductRe ... 6815255020

I'd rather not drop $150 on something that will give me a headache. On that note, I don't have a big budget for this. The lower the cost the better (although I wouldn't want to sacrifice quality to save a few bucks). I saw a bunch of composite/s-vid to USB adapters for dirt cheap, but I assume those wont work out well. Or would they? I'm not super obsessed with the quality of the picture. I just want to maintain the 16:9 aspect, make sure the audio is synced up properly, and not look horribly bad.

So does any one have any suggestions for me?

Also, any software suggestions? Adobe Premier?

[GSZX1337]

I'm in need of a video capture device. External would be easier for me to use, but I'd go with an internal card if need be.

I'm not a Capture Card Guru, but I've heard that USB Capture cards aren't very good.

[Ziggy]

USB oppose to FireWire, or oppose to an internal PCI(e) card?

[GSZX1337]

USB oppose to FireWire, or oppose to an internal PCI(e) card?

Opposed to PCI(E), I haven't heard anything about FireWire Capture Cards.
Have you looked at ATi's All in Wonder Cards?

[Ziggy]

Aren't they primarily video cards with a TV tuner and video capture as additions?

[jeffro11]

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.a ... 6815116030

This will do everything you could ever want and more... $200 is kind of expensive, but this will do all types of video formats.

Plus it encodes your videos as h264 and AC3 audio automatically, cant beat that.

[Ziggy]

Yeah, I came across that one. NewEgg.com > Video Cards & Devices > Video Tuners & Devices > Capture & Editing then sort by Best Rating and it's right at the top of the list!

$200 is pretty steep. I don't mind paying for quality, but that's definitely not in my budget right now.

I'm just kinda in between a rock and a hard place with this. My DVR is over 50% full and my options are A) a video capture device so I can make DVDs, B) get an external hard drive for my DVR (which I don't really care to do) or C) start deleting my videos.

But further looking at the Hauppauge, it has that "loop through" feature which seems absolutely perfect! This way I can just hook it up in line between my DVR and TV and then forget about it! Much better than having to fish out the wires each time I wanna use it.

Some of the reviews scare me though. Bunch of people saying it breaks down and has to be sent in for repairs.

[Ivo]

Is this sort of thing good enough for completely hobby captures?

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.5707

I realize it has been mentioned that USB ones aren't very good.

Ivo.

[Ziggy]

That's what I was wondering as well. For the price, I'm considering getting one and seeing how it performs. If it totally sucks, at least I'm not out that much money.

[Ziggy]

I edited the first post.

I want to get a DVD recorder now. Any one ever use one before? Suggestions?

edit: So I was just reading a review about this Toshiba...

But, in any case, you will not be able to record a high quality video picture. You will only be able to record in standard definition and not in widescreen.

For copyright protection (so people can't copy high defintion signals), no commercial DVD recorder comes with component or HDMI inputs. They only have composite inputs and in some cases, like with this player, S-video inputs. But, composit and S video are lower qualify.

I prefer a DVD recorder with digital ASTM and QAM tuners. With these, you can take direct digital signals from either over the air, or directly from a cable and record higher definition DVDs in widescreen.

So I guess that answers my question, it can NOT record in widescreen. Bummer.


Sooo, can any one recommend me a DVD recorder that CAN record in widescreen?