I have just done my first DVD to HDD dubbing and have a question about transfer quality.

I know going from HDD to DVD the transfer can be fast and has no effect on picture quality (unless you are re-encoding to adjust file size) but I'm not sure how the DVD to HDD works.

I transferred 19 minutes of video from the HDD to DVD, it took about 4 minutes.

Then I transferred it back to the HDD and it took a full 19 minutes so my question is.....

Does the transfer back to HDD simply transfer the file data or does it play the video and rerecord it?

My 510 does exactly the same ie 2hr DVD takes the whole 2hours to copy to the HDD.....

Then when copying from the HDD up to the DVD it will give you options fast/lsp/lp etc. and takes just minutes to copy the whole 2 hours if you left it at the fast setting.

But, and this is my reason for posting......I have had compatability problems with other dvd players when trying to play the fast copied dvd in them. (After finalising of course).

Also on editted programs copied up FAST to a dvd you may see small bits of the previous scenes appear on the copied to dvd. These bits are not visible when you play the program from the HDD, just from the copied to dvd.

I find compatability problems and these scene jumps are completely cured by changing the dubbing TO DVD settings, from the default FAST setting to the SP setting. this does however extend the copying time back to real time ie 2hr program takes 2 hours to copy.

I normally start dubbing then turn the unit to standby and go to bed.

PC

I noticed the "small bits of the previous scenes" problem after doing a fast transfer to DVD, it's good to know they can be avoided.

It would be nice if someone could confirm the DVD to HDD transfer doesn't degrade quality, I don't think it does but I'd like to know for sure.