How many hours of TV can you record on a DVD using a DVD recorder?

Happy_Chappy · 25-04-2008, 18:11

How many hours of TV can you record on a DVD using a DVD recorder?

Sorry for the very basic question

Nigel Goodwin · 25-04-2008, 21:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happy_Chappy

How many hours of TV can you record on a DVD using a DVD recorder?

Sorry for the very basic question

Depends on the recording speed, and how good a quality you want - standard play is about 2 hours.

dennisspooner · 25-04-2008, 23:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happy_Chappy

How many hours of TV can you record on a DVD using a DVD recorder?

Sorry for the very basic question

To maintain broadcast quality its about 2h20 minutes.

Once you go over that you'll notice the drop in quality.

However there are recorders out there now that will support dual layer blanks(up to 3.5 hours in SP) - but they arent cost effective and should only be used for special items.

Pioneer and Panasonic recorders are the best to get as they offer a flexible recording mode allowing for non standard hour and half hour recording lengths.

They also support dual layer and record to every format.

If you are concerend about quality at all dont even think about buying a DVD+ cheapie from the supermarket

JBlink · 26-04-2008, 12:35

Quote:

Originally Posted by dennisspooner

Pioneer and Panasonic recorders are the best to get as they offer a flexible recording mode allowing for non standard hour and half hour recording lengths.

Just to clarify, FR mode will fill (to 99%) a DVD with any length of programme over 1 HR. (a single layer DVD has a capacity of 1 HR at the highest, XP, quality). Could be 1hr 5 minutes or 8 hours. The quality you get will be inversely proportional to the length. Over about 4 hours, there is a very noticeable drop in quality even for material dubbed from VHS

bobcar · 26-04-2008, 13:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happy_Chappy

How many hours of TV can you record on a DVD using a DVD recorder?

Sorry for the very basic question

The usual reason for someone asking this question is because they are going away on holiday and want to see how much they can record whilst away.

If this is true in your case then you really should be looking at buying a PVR rather than a DVD recorder. It will be much more convenient in general use and will easily record everything you want whilst on holiday or wherever.

HughW · 26-04-2008, 14:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happy_Chappy

How many hours of TV can you record on a DVD using a DVD recorder?

Sorry for the very basic question

4.7GB single layer disc:

1 hour - looks like original
2 hours - good quality
4 hours - perfectly watchable
6-8 hours - will remind you of youtube

fmradiotuner1 · 26-04-2008, 15:23

I recorded a movie from TV last night.
But it did not fit on the DVD - R and run out before the end.
I could not delete this or use the disk again and it was in SP mode as the picture is to bad in LP.
I had to throw the disk away.

Happy_Chappy · 26-04-2008, 16:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobcar

The usual reason for someone asking this question is because they are going away on holiday and want to see how much they can record whilst away.

If this is true in your case then you really should be looking at buying a PVR rather than a DVD recorder. It will be much more convenient in general use and will easily record everything you want whilst on holiday or wherever.

Actually, I have sky+ and I am looking to record programmes on to dvd to keep permanently.

Here's my problem. I'm a architecture/structural engineering student and I like to record lots of relevant programmes on National Geography and The Discovery Channel. In the past I have transferred these to VHS to keep for future reference. I have over 40 hours worth (8 hours per tape) and was wondering whether transferring the programmes to dvd would be a good idea (for space saving and easier playback), but it won't be space saving or cost effective if I can only get 2 hours per dvd. I would also like to transfer future programmes directly from my sky+ to dvd. I would want to record/transfer some films to disc but if the limit is 2 hours then this wouldn't always be possible.

I haven't bought a dvd recorder yet and so I wanted to see if it was worth it.

bobcar · 26-04-2008, 16:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by fmradiotuner1

I recorded a movie from TV last night.
But it did not fit on the DVD - R and run out before the end.
I could not delete this or use the disk again and it was in SP mode as the picture is to bad in LP.
I had to throw the disk away.

That's one of the reasons why a DVDR with a HDD is preferable. However one without but used in conjunction with a PVR is better than a DVDR with a HDD by itself.

In this day and age I would never try and record TV "live" onto DVD. If I couldn't afford both I would take a PVR over a DVDR every day of the week.

I'm not saying it applies in your case but the number of people with DVDRs when they would be better off with a PVR is astonishing.

HughW · 26-04-2008, 16:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happy_Chappy

Actually, I have sky+ and I am looking to record programmes on to dvd to keep permanently.

I think a DVD recorder may still be a worthwhile option in your case. I think you would find putting 4 hours of material on each disc will give you very acceptable quality and given the stability/cost/versatility of recordable discs vs your VHS tapes it's no contest there. Panasonic recorders of a year or two ago can be picked up quite cheaply now and do particularly well in 4 hour mode.

JBlink · 26-04-2008, 16:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happy_Chappy

Actually, I have sky+ and I am looking to record programmes on to dvd to keep permanently.

Here's my problem. I'm a architecture/structural engineering student and I like to record lots of relevant programmes on National Geography and The Discovery Channel. In the past I have transferred these to VHS to keep for future reference. I have over 40 hours worth (8 hours per tape) and was wondering whether transferring the programmes to dvd would be a good idea (for space saving and easier playback), but it won't be space saving or cost effective if I can only get 2 hours per dvd. I would also like to transfer future programmes directly from my sky+ to dvd. I would want to record/transfer some films to disc but if the limit is 2 hours then this wouldn't always be possible.

I haven't bought a dvd recorder yet and so I wanted to see if it was worth it.

If you need the programmes for their content, as a reference, rather than for entertainment where picture quality may be more inportant, I think you would find 4 hours per disc to be adequate. A recorder, even without HDD, will benefit from haveing FR mode.

fmradiotuner1 · 26-04-2008, 16:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by bobcar

That's one of the reasons why a DVDR with a HDD is preferable. However one without but used in conjunction with a PVR is better than a DVDR with a HDD by itself.

In this day and age I would never try and record TV "live" onto DVD. If I couldn't afford both I would take a PVR over a DVDR every day of the week.

I'm not saying it applies in your case but the number of people with DVDRs when they would be better off with a PVR is astonishing.

I will use DVD Rws from now on.
At least you can edit them.

Neil C · 26-04-2008, 17:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Happy_Chappy

Actually, I have sky+ and I am looking to record programmes on to dvd to keep permanently.

Here's my problem. I'm a architecture/structural engineering student and I like to record lots of relevant programmes on National Geography and The Discovery Channel. In the past I have transferred these to VHS to keep for future reference. I have over 40 hours worth (8 hours per tape) and was wondering whether transferring the programmes to dvd would be a good idea (for space saving and easier playback), but it won't be space saving or cost effective if I can only get 2 hours per dvd. I would also like to transfer future programmes directly from my sky+ to dvd. I would want to record/transfer some films to disc but if the limit is 2 hours then this wouldn't always be possible.

I haven't bought a dvd recorder yet and so I wanted to see if it was worth it.

If that is what you want then maybe your best bet would be to copy from vcr to maybe a pc via firewire or similar and then use a package like Nero.

dennisspooner · 26-04-2008, 21:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by fmradiotuner1

I will use DVD Rws from now on.
At least you can edit them.

No you cant .

You can re-record on them by wiping the original recording but the only RW format that can be edited is -RW(VR)- this is available on some recorders - mainly Pioneer.

It sounds as if you might have a dvd + cheapie where the recording times are restricted to 1h,2h etc.

The ones I mentioned earlier will allow you to record any length in 5minute increments.

Recording direct to dvd is primitive and wasteful.

If you must do it then use RW discs - but if you want to regularly archive material that needs editing then buy a recorder with a hard drive so that your recordings arent an amateurish mess

Once again - dont buy a DVD+ cheapie - even one with a HDD

malcom · 27-04-2008, 13:55

Get a Panny HDD/RAM/DVD recorder combi.....You can transfer to and edit the HDD you can also edit RAM discs then transfer to DVD-R. These machines also have the FR function.......What ever you do do not even think of a standard DVD recorder for the purpose you require....

It's only me · 27-04-2008, 14:11

Have you thought about converting the programs to divx/xvid?, some dvd recorders can play back divx/xvid files and you can get easly upto 12-hours plus in HQ onto a 4.7gb disk

Scorpio · 27-04-2008, 14:41

a couple of people have mentioned FR (flexible record) mode but the OP may not have come across this before - in essence, the DVDR will provide a best fit onto the DVD, giving you the maximum quality.

For example, a movie of 2 hrs and 10 mins has to be recorded in 4 hr mode on a 'normal' DVDR which means you are losing quality for the sake of those 10 mins.

With FR mode, you tell the DVDR to record 2 hrs and 10 mins and it records in '2 hrs 10 mins' mode not 4 hr mode therefore giving you quality almost identical to 2 hr mode.

Rgds,
Scorp

fmradiotuner1 · 27-04-2008, 17:03

My DVD recorder is an LG DR 175.
It can play DIVX and some times I find its much better PQ than a DVD in LP mode.

dennisspooner · 27-04-2008, 21:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by fmradiotuner1

My DVD recorder is an LG DR 175.
It can play DIVX and some times I find its much better PQ than a DVD in LP mode.

Thats because dvd in LP is shit quality.

If you want quality get another make like those already mentioned - the cheapies like LG and other DVD+ models dont use flexible recording.

I would go for Pioneer over Panasonic as they have a handful of features that Panny doesnt.

The RAM format is a pointless addition on a machine that has a HDD.

25-04-2008, 18:11	#1
Happy_Chappy Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 1,687	How many hours of TV can you record on a DVD using a DVD recorder? How many hours of TV can you record on a DVD using a DVD recorder? Sorry for the very basic question

25-04-2008, 21:09	#2
Nigel Goodwin Forum Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: North Derbyshire Posts: 41,789	Quote: Originally Posted by Happy_Chappy How many hours of TV can you record on a DVD using a DVD recorder? Sorry for the very basic question Depends on the recording speed, and how good a quality you want - standard play is about 2 hours.

25-04-2008, 23:01	#3
dennisspooner Banned User Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 2,153	Quote: Originally Posted by Happy_Chappy How many hours of TV can you record on a DVD using a DVD recorder? Sorry for the very basic question To maintain broadcast quality its about 2h20 minutes. Once you go over that you'll notice the drop in quality. However there are recorders out there now that will support dual layer blanks(up to 3.5 hours in SP) - but they arent cost effective and should only be used for special items. Pioneer and Panasonic recorders are the best to get as they offer a flexible recording mode allowing for non standard hour and half hour recording lengths. They also support dual layer and record to every format. If you are concerend about quality at all dont even think about buying a DVD+ cheapie from the supermarket

26-04-2008, 12:35	#4
JBlink Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hampshire Posts: 2,926	Quote: Originally Posted by dennisspooner Pioneer and Panasonic recorders are the best to get as they offer a flexible recording mode allowing for non standard hour and half hour recording lengths. Just to clarify, FR mode will fill (to 99%) a DVD with any length of programme over 1 HR. (a single layer DVD has a capacity of 1 HR at the highest, XP, quality). Could be 1hr 5 minutes or 8 hours. The quality you get will be inversely proportional to the length. Over about 4 hours, there is a very noticeable drop in quality even for material dubbed from VHS

26-04-2008, 13:32	#5
bobcar Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 14,718	Quote: Originally Posted by Happy_Chappy How many hours of TV can you record on a DVD using a DVD recorder? Sorry for the very basic question The usual reason for someone asking this question is because they are going away on holiday and want to see how much they can record whilst away. If this is true in your case then you really should be looking at buying a PVR rather than a DVD recorder. It will be much more convenient in general use and will easily record everything you want whilst on holiday or wherever.

26-04-2008, 14:06	#6
HughW Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 26	Quote: Originally Posted by Happy_Chappy How many hours of TV can you record on a DVD using a DVD recorder? Sorry for the very basic question 4.7GB single layer disc: 1 hour - looks like original 2 hours - good quality 4 hours - perfectly watchable 6-8 hours - will remind you of youtube

26-04-2008, 15:23	#7
fmradiotuner1 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: TheEssexSunshineCoast Clacton Posts: 15,220	I recorded a movie from TV last night. But it did not fit on the DVD - R and run out before the end. I could not delete this or use the disk again and it was in SP mode as the picture is to bad in LP. I had to throw the disk away.

26-04-2008, 16:08	#8
Happy_Chappy Forum Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 1,687	Quote: Originally Posted by bobcar The usual reason for someone asking this question is because they are going away on holiday and want to see how much they can record whilst away. If this is true in your case then you really should be looking at buying a PVR rather than a DVD recorder. It will be much more convenient in general use and will easily record everything you want whilst on holiday or wherever. Actually, I have sky+ and I am looking to record programmes on to dvd to keep permanently. Here's my problem. I'm a architecture/structural engineering student and I like to record lots of relevant programmes on National Geography and The Discovery Channel. In the past I have transferred these to VHS to keep for future reference. I have over 40 hours worth (8 hours per tape) and was wondering whether transferring the programmes to dvd would be a good idea (for space saving and easier playback), but it won't be space saving or cost effective if I can only get 2 hours per dvd. I would also like to transfer future programmes directly from my sky+ to dvd. I would want to record/transfer some films to disc but if the limit is 2 hours then this wouldn't always be possible. I haven't bought a dvd recorder yet and so I wanted to see if it was worth it.

26-04-2008, 16:12	#9
bobcar Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 14,718	Quote: Originally Posted by fmradiotuner1 I recorded a movie from TV last night. But it did not fit on the DVD - R and run out before the end. I could not delete this or use the disk again and it was in SP mode as the picture is to bad in LP. I had to throw the disk away. That's one of the reasons why a DVDR with a HDD is preferable. However one without but used in conjunction with a PVR is better than a DVDR with a HDD by itself. In this day and age I would never try and record TV "live" onto DVD. If I couldn't afford both I would take a PVR over a DVDR every day of the week. I'm not saying it applies in your case but the number of people with DVDRs when they would be better off with a PVR is astonishing.

26-04-2008, 16:28	#10
HughW Forum Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 26	Quote: Originally Posted by Happy_Chappy Actually, I have sky+ and I am looking to record programmes on to dvd to keep permanently. I think a DVD recorder may still be a worthwhile option in your case. I think you would find putting 4 hours of material on each disc will give you very acceptable quality and given the stability/cost/versatility of recordable discs vs your VHS tapes it's no contest there. Panasonic recorders of a year or two ago can be picked up quite cheaply now and do particularly well in 4 hour mode.

26-04-2008, 16:29	#11
JBlink Forum Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Hampshire Posts: 2,926	Quote: Originally Posted by Happy_Chappy Actually, I have sky+ and I am looking to record programmes on to dvd to keep permanently. Here's my problem. I'm a architecture/structural engineering student and I like to record lots of relevant programmes on National Geography and The Discovery Channel. In the past I have transferred these to VHS to keep for future reference. I have over 40 hours worth (8 hours per tape) and was wondering whether transferring the programmes to dvd would be a good idea (for space saving and easier playback), but it won't be space saving or cost effective if I can only get 2 hours per dvd. I would also like to transfer future programmes directly from my sky+ to dvd. I would want to record/transfer some films to disc but if the limit is 2 hours then this wouldn't always be possible. I haven't bought a dvd recorder yet and so I wanted to see if it was worth it. If you need the programmes for their content, as a reference, rather than for entertainment where picture quality may be more inportant, I think you would find 4 hours per disc to be adequate. A recorder, even without HDD, will benefit from haveing FR mode.

26-04-2008, 16:42	#12
fmradiotuner1 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: TheEssexSunshineCoast Clacton Posts: 15,220	Quote: Originally Posted by bobcar That's one of the reasons why a DVDR with a HDD is preferable. However one without but used in conjunction with a PVR is better than a DVDR with a HDD by itself. In this day and age I would never try and record TV "live" onto DVD. If I couldn't afford both I would take a PVR over a DVDR every day of the week. I'm not saying it applies in your case but the number of people with DVDRs when they would be better off with a PVR is astonishing. I will use DVD Rws from now on. At least you can edit them.

26-04-2008, 17:38	#13
Neil C Forum Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 2,271	Quote: Originally Posted by Happy_Chappy Actually, I have sky+ and I am looking to record programmes on to dvd to keep permanently. Here's my problem. I'm a architecture/structural engineering student and I like to record lots of relevant programmes on National Geography and The Discovery Channel. In the past I have transferred these to VHS to keep for future reference. I have over 40 hours worth (8 hours per tape) and was wondering whether transferring the programmes to dvd would be a good idea (for space saving and easier playback), but it won't be space saving or cost effective if I can only get 2 hours per dvd. I would also like to transfer future programmes directly from my sky+ to dvd. I would want to record/transfer some films to disc but if the limit is 2 hours then this wouldn't always be possible. I haven't bought a dvd recorder yet and so I wanted to see if it was worth it. If that is what you want then maybe your best bet would be to copy from vcr to maybe a pc via firewire or similar and then use a package like Nero.

26-04-2008, 21:30	#14
dennisspooner Banned User Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 2,153	Quote: Originally Posted by fmradiotuner1 I will use DVD Rws from now on. At least you can edit them. No you cant . You can re-record on them by wiping the original recording but the only RW format that can be edited is -RW(VR)- this is available on some recorders - mainly Pioneer. It sounds as if you might have a dvd + cheapie where the recording times are restricted to 1h,2h etc. The ones I mentioned earlier will allow you to record any length in 5minute increments. Recording direct to dvd is primitive and wasteful. If you must do it then use RW discs - but if you want to regularly archive material that needs editing then buy a recorder with a hard drive so that your recordings arent an amateurish mess Once again - dont buy a DVD+ cheapie - even one with a HDD

27-04-2008, 13:55	#15
malcom Forum Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 2,050	Get a Panny HDD/RAM/DVD recorder combi.....You can transfer to and edit the HDD you can also edit RAM discs then transfer to DVD-R. These machines also have the FR function.......What ever you do do not even think of a standard DVD recorder for the purpose you require....

27-04-2008, 14:11	#16
It's only me Forum Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Norfolk Posts: 687	Have you thought about converting the programs to divx/xvid?, some dvd recorders can play back divx/xvid files and you can get easly upto 12-hours plus in HQ onto a 4.7gb disk

27-04-2008, 14:41	#17
Scorpio Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Somerset Posts: 3,048	a couple of people have mentioned FR (flexible record) mode but the OP may not have come across this before - in essence, the DVDR will provide a best fit onto the DVD, giving you the maximum quality. For example, a movie of 2 hrs and 10 mins has to be recorded in 4 hr mode on a 'normal' DVDR which means you are losing quality for the sake of those 10 mins. With FR mode, you tell the DVDR to record 2 hrs and 10 mins and it records in '2 hrs 10 mins' mode not 4 hr mode therefore giving you quality almost identical to 2 hr mode. Rgds, Scorp

27-04-2008, 17:03	#18
fmradiotuner1 Forum Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: TheEssexSunshineCoast Clacton Posts: 15,220	My DVD recorder is an LG DR 175. It can play DIVX and some times I find its much better PQ than a DVD in LP mode.

27-04-2008, 21:31	#19
dennisspooner Banned User Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 2,153	Quote: Originally Posted by fmradiotuner1 My DVD recorder is an LG DR 175. It can play DIVX and some times I find its much better PQ than a DVD in LP mode. Thats because dvd in LP is shit quality. If you want quality get another make like those already mentioned - the cheapies like LG and other DVD+ models dont use flexible recording. I would go for Pioneer over Panasonic as they have a handful of features that Panny doesnt. The RAM format is a pointless addition on a machine that has a HDD.

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How many hours of TV can you record on a DVD using a DVD recorder?