Hi,

I want to buy a DVD recorder to back up loads of kids TV programmes, but have a few questions first.

As each TV programme is only 5 to 20 minutes long I am likely to want to burn a disk with 20-30 programmes. As I understand it I can just select the programmes to play in the Humax and then hit record on the DVD Recorder. But will this mean that the resulting DVD will have no menu or chapters? If so will that mean that backup disks will only beable to be played from start to end (like an old video tape would have played)?

Any advice is appreciated

Alex

It all depends on what sort of DVD recorder you get or rather what the facilities are available on that recorder.

Generally, each recorded disc will have a menu and each item on that will be each recording. If you are able to record with the auto-chapter facility with configurable time period (e.g. every 1 minute) then you will be able to skip through each recordings (every 1 minute)...

If you get the Hummy to play out all the selected programmes in one go and get the DVD recorder to record, then generally, you will get just the one menu item (but with the auto-chapters if it is available on the recorder). You will also record the OSD graphics when each selected item finish playing and the next starting - which you do not necessarily want... There is also the complications of adverts and a inaccurate editing facilities...

The best way to make compilation DVDs of recorded programmes is to transfer them via USB to a PC and use DVD editing and authoring programs. You will then have full control of what you get, however this is not only time and effort consuming but also PC CPU intensive (which will also take time).

Each episode will only be seperated and be in chapters if you press stop on the DVD recorder after each episode has finished on the Hummy then record again for the next one and so on.

It will be confusing if the programmes are seven minutes and the only auto chapter-marking option is five minutes.

If you don't want to go the USB-PC-DVD route (as son_t points out is the best) then the purchase of a DVD recorder with HDD would be recommended, you can then bulk (or just as easily individually) copy from the Humax to HDD and prepare the DVD on that before writing.

But then as the Humax to HDD/DVD will be in analogue video anyway, why not get a HDD/DVD with built-in Freeview tuner, then the whole job can be done on the one machine and avoid unnecessary quality loss and onscreen message intrusion.

Thanks for the advice guys

I have used the USB-PC-DVD route before but to be honest I just found it slow and cumbersome. It worked well but just meant that I spent several evenings doing it.


Yes, this was exactly what I thought I might need. When you say 'copy' would I still need to select programmes on the Humax to playback, and then record them on the DVD (in realtime) or can programmes be copied from the Humax HDD to the HDD/DVD?


You mean record the kids stuff directly on the HDD/DVD (if I buy one with a digital tuner) rather than using the Humax?

That did cross my mind. It will also mean all the kids progs won't fill up my Humax. But it does seem silly to have to record to two different devices depending on whether I want to backup to DVD or not.

I guess I could just used the Humax for day-to-day viewing, puase/rewind TV and recording soaps etc. for catching up on later and then use the HDD/DVD to record films and kids programmes that I am likely to want to backup later.

Does anyone else have a Humax as well as a Freeview HDD/DVD? Any recommendations?

Cheers, Alex

Yes the only non-intrusive way to transfer recordings from the Humax to a DVDR is by playing back in realtime.
You can select which recordings to play with the GREEN button and they will play in the order chosen, or you can move to the "selected files" list and change the order.
Using that and recording to a HDD-equiped recorder, you can transfer say three hours at a time, then edit on the HDD down to two hours for writing.

Hi,

I just thought I'd let you know that I bought a DVD Recorder yesterday from Tescos - the Phillips DVDR3480 for £79.99 (you probably get it cheaper on the net but it was an impulse buy)

I must recommend this excellent DVD Recorder to all Humax users. It works flawlessly, and you can edit recordings (split them into several recordings, delete adverts etc.) AFTER they have been copied to DVD (before finalisation).

This means that last night I lined up ten 20 minute programmes to play from the Humax playlist, hit record on the DVD Recorder, and then left it overnight. Then this morning I edited the DVD to split the recording back into the ten episodes. You can then rename each episode before finalising the DVD. Excellent!

For me this was far less hassle than downloading each episode to PC using the eLinker and then converting the files before burning. Personal preference I guess.

Anyway, I thought this would help others so thought I'd post my experience

Alex

Ps. The DVD Recorder is an excellent all rounder. Very nice when playing DVDs too, very fast remote and player response (far better than my old Toshiba DVD Player). Great picture quality. It also plays DIVX (from DVD or USB memory stick), JPEGs (from CD/DVD, from a USB memory stick or direct from digital camera via USB port), has DV in (to record directly from camcorder), can play music direct from MP3 Player through USB port). I love it already!

I had wanted to post a follow up and suggest that the DVD recorder could also do this as well if it was capable... that would be a good solution...

Well done! I'm glad you've found a solution that works well for you. I like people who like to help themselves rather than constantly moan about the lack of good facilities (or how they work) on the Hummy and do nothing to help others or even themselves!

Yeah I agree. Thanks again for all the help!