How many minutes fit onto a DVD disc?

Alrightmate · 15-12-2007, 11:19

Just a quick question as I've tried the forum search function but can't find a thread.

I intend to buy a DVD recorder today for the very first time, so I need to know how many blank DVDs I may need over Christmas.

Can anybody help please?

russellelly · 15-12-2007, 11:20

You can have lots, but the more you have the lower the picture quality. Most recorders will have modes for 1hr, 2hr, 4hr and 8hr. Some have a 3hr mode which is quite convenient. I find it best to stick to 2hr wherever possible.

Alrightmate · 15-12-2007, 11:27

Okay, thanks for your prompt reply.

2hr? Do you find that to be good enough quality? Or do you just use the 2hr mode if you intend to re-record over something in the future?

When commercial DVDs are released with a series over several DVD discs, what quality mode would you say that they have been recorded with?

ColinGodfree · 15-12-2007, 11:39

If you want to use it as a VCR you should get one with a hard disc,
you can record hours at HQ quality - and then copy to disc if you want to keep anything.

Chris Simon · 15-12-2007, 11:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alrightmate

2hr? Do you find that to be good enough quality? Or do you just use the 2hr mode if you intend to re-record over something in the future?

2 hours is usually the "standard" mode and gives a practically perfect copy, far better than VHS.

You would be best advised getting a DVD recorder with a hard disk then you don't need to worry about changing disks all the time! You can record onto hard disk in high quality if you want and only reduce the quality for archiving to DVD. If you're using the recorder for timeshifting pruposes, i.e. recording soemthing to watch later, then a standalone DVD recorder is no better really than a VCR in terms of convenience. A hard disk recorder is the way to go.

bobcar · 15-12-2007, 11:58

If you want to use it as a VCR (for timeshifting rather than archiving) then you would be better off buying a PVR than a DVD recorder.

F2kSel · 15-12-2007, 12:03

Can I add a question here?
I have just had my first DVD recorder and have seen some dual layer discs advertised 8.5 gig. Would these be better for a three hour film or would you squeeze it on a standard disc or use two discs?

Sid Law · 28-12-2007, 17:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by F2kSel

Can I add a question here?
I have just had my first DVD recorder and have seen some dual layer discs advertised 8.5 gig. Would these be better for a three hour film or would you squeeze it on a standard disc or use two discs?

It really depends on what you're using to watch it on - a 3 hour film will look fine on one standard disc if you are using a CRT but won't look so pretty on a big Plasma or LCD.
Not all DVD recorders will support dual layer discs - check the manual.

JBlink · 28-12-2007, 20:12

I suggest you opt for a DVD recorder (better a DVD/HDD recorder) with a flexible mode like the Panasonics. That way you can optimally fit any length recording onto one DVD, including DVD-DL with the later ones. So whilst I agree that 2 hours on one DVD layer is perfectly acceptable quality, if you have programme that is 2 hours and 15 minutes, for example, you don't need to drop to 4 hour or even 3 hour quality. The recorder adjusts the bitrate to fit 2:15 onto one DVD and I at least, cannot see the difference.

stud u like · 28-12-2007, 20:19

LP is my favourite. I managed to record Doctor Who,To The Manor Born and Catherine Tate onto it.

meltcity · 28-12-2007, 20:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by F2kSel

Can I add a question here?
I have just had my first DVD recorder and have seen some dual layer discs advertised 8.5 gig. Would these be better for a three hour film or would you squeeze it on a standard disc or use two discs?

The more disc space you have the better the quality will be, especially for longer films. But dual layer discs can only be recorded on once, and even at the highest quality setting the recording quality will be inferior that of a dedicated Freeview PVR (where the digital data is recorded directly without re-encoding).

F2kSel · 28-12-2007, 21:06

Thanks for the replies, I do have a Panasonic DVD recorder and have also now tried some dual layer DVD's.

However if try and use them at more than 90% full they just lock up.

The other thing is if I want to record onto a disc say 30mins worth if finalizes the disc so I carn't record any more to it. I don't seem to have any choice over this.

15-12-2007, 11:19	#1
Alrightmate Inactive Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 65,796	How many minutes fit onto a DVD disc? Just a quick question as I've tried the forum search function but can't find a thread. I intend to buy a DVD recorder today for the very first time, so I need to know how many blank DVDs I may need over Christmas. Can anybody help please?

15-12-2007, 11:20	#2
russellelly Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Scotland Posts: 10,720	You can have lots, but the more you have the lower the picture quality. Most recorders will have modes for 1hr, 2hr, 4hr and 8hr. Some have a 3hr mode which is quite convenient. I find it best to stick to 2hr wherever possible.

15-12-2007, 11:27	#3
Alrightmate Inactive Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 65,796	Okay, thanks for your prompt reply. 2hr? Do you find that to be good enough quality? Or do you just use the 2hr mode if you intend to re-record over something in the future? When commercial DVDs are released with a series over several DVD discs, what quality mode would you say that they have been recorded with?

15-12-2007, 11:39	#4
ColinGodfree Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Grays Essex Posts: 135	If you want to use it as a VCR you should get one with a hard disc, you can record hours at HQ quality - and then copy to disc if you want to keep anything.

15-12-2007, 11:46	#5
Chris Simon Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: Snowdonia Posts: 2,725	Quote: Originally Posted by Alrightmate 2hr? Do you find that to be good enough quality? Or do you just use the 2hr mode if you intend to re-record over something in the future? 2 hours is usually the "standard" mode and gives a practically perfect copy, far better than VHS. You would be best advised getting a DVD recorder with a hard disk then you don't need to worry about changing disks all the time! You can record onto hard disk in high quality if you want and only reduce the quality for archiving to DVD. If you're using the recorder for timeshifting pruposes, i.e. recording soemthing to watch later, then a standalone DVD recorder is no better really than a VCR in terms of convenience. A hard disk recorder is the way to go.

15-12-2007, 11:58	#6
bobcar Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 14,718	If you want to use it as a VCR (for timeshifting rather than archiving) then you would be better off buying a PVR than a DVD recorder.

15-12-2007, 12:03	#7
F2kSel Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Stoke Posts: 1,240	Can I add a question here? I have just had my first DVD recorder and have seen some dual layer discs advertised 8.5 gig. Would these be better for a three hour film or would you squeeze it on a standard disc or use two discs?

28-12-2007, 17:50	#8
Sid Law Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: East Perthshire Posts: 1,599	Quote: Originally Posted by F2kSel Can I add a question here? I have just had my first DVD recorder and have seen some dual layer discs advertised 8.5 gig. Would these be better for a three hour film or would you squeeze it on a standard disc or use two discs? It really depends on what you're using to watch it on - a 3 hour film will look fine on one standard disc if you are using a CRT but won't look so pretty on a big Plasma or LCD. Not all DVD recorders will support dual layer discs - check the manual.

28-12-2007, 20:12	#9
JBlink Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hampshire Posts: 2,926	I suggest you opt for a DVD recorder (better a DVD/HDD recorder) with a flexible mode like the Panasonics. That way you can optimally fit any length recording onto one DVD, including DVD-DL with the later ones. So whilst I agree that 2 hours on one DVD layer is perfectly acceptable quality, if you have programme that is 2 hours and 15 minutes, for example, you don't need to drop to 4 hour or even 3 hour quality. The recorder adjusts the bitrate to fit 2:15 onto one DVD and I at least, cannot see the difference.

28-12-2007, 20:19	#10
stud u like Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: The Sunny Side Of The Street Posts: 40,105	LP is my favourite. I managed to record Doctor Who,To The Manor Born and Catherine Tate onto it.

28-12-2007, 20:26	#11
meltcity Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 1,770	Quote: Originally Posted by F2kSel Can I add a question here? I have just had my first DVD recorder and have seen some dual layer discs advertised 8.5 gig. Would these be better for a three hour film or would you squeeze it on a standard disc or use two discs? The more disc space you have the better the quality will be, especially for longer films. But dual layer discs can only be recorded on once, and even at the highest quality setting the recording quality will be inferior that of a dedicated Freeview PVR (where the digital data is recorded directly without re-encoding).

28-12-2007, 21:06	#12
F2kSel Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Stoke Posts: 1,240	Thanks for the replies, I do have a Panasonic DVD recorder and have also now tried some dual layer DVD's. However if try and use them at more than 90% full they just lock up. The other thing is if I want to record onto a disc say 30mins worth if finalizes the disc so I carn't record any more to it. I don't seem to have any choice over this.

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How many minutes fit onto a DVD disc?