Please explain DVD recorder

I old and am not up on all this hi tech stuff.
I have a DVD player and an old computer that has a CD player. Thats
about it. I have never recorded a CD or DVD. But I have recorded lots
of VCR tapes.

Yesterday I was in Walmart and saw a DVD machine that said Play and
Record DVDs. (Not for the computer but a separate machine that looks
like my DVD player). I'm confused. I thought a computer was needed
to record a DVD ???? Or do those recorders get connected to both the
TV and the computer?

Can they be used to record something off the tv antenna or from cable
if a person has cable? Can it record directly from another DVD player
or a VCR? Once again I thoughy a computer was needed to copy stuff?

Then, if I was to buy one of these things, what do I use for media?
Do they sell special blank DVDs ot are they the same ones used on
computers? Are they expensive?

Sorry for all the questions. I didnt even know there was a DVD
recorder except the ones that go inside a computer case.

One last question, if I bought one of these, and it does not require a
computer, can it still be hooked to a computer to backup photos and
stuff? That would be about the main reason I'd want one, so I can
backup my photos on my harddrive, rather than using floppies or buying
those 256 meg sticks that go in the USB connector.

senior.dennis@nospam.com

You can find this newsgroup but can't find info on what you ask about?

Trolling idiot


<> wrote in message
news:...
> I old and am not up on all this hi tech stuff.
> I have a DVD player and an old computer that has a CD player. Thats
> about it. I have never recorded a CD or DVD. But I have recorded lots
> of VCR tapes.
>
> Yesterday I was in Walmart and saw a DVD machine that said Play and
> Record DVDs. (Not for the computer but a separate machine that looks
> like my DVD player). I'm confused. I thought a computer was needed
> to record a DVD ???? Or do those recorders get connected to both the
> TV and the computer?
>
> Can they be used to record something off the tv antenna or from cable
> if a person has cable? Can it record directly from another DVD player
> or a VCR? Once again I thoughy a computer was needed to copy stuff?
>
> Then, if I was to buy one of these things, what do I use for media?
> Do they sell special blank DVDs ot are they the same ones used on
> computers? Are they expensive?
>
> Sorry for all the questions. I didnt even know there was a DVD
> recorder except the ones that go inside a computer case.
>
> One last question, if I bought one of these, and it does not require a
> computer, can it still be hooked to a computer to backup photos and
> stuff? That would be about the main reason I'd want one, so I can
> backup my photos on my harddrive, rather than using floppies or buying
> those 256 meg sticks that go in the USB connector.
>
>

Mon, 28 Nov 2005 01:50:00 -0600 from <>:
> Yesterday I was in Walmart and saw a DVD machine that said Play and
> Record DVDs. (Not for the computer but a separate machine that looks
> like my DVD player). I'm confused. I thought a computer was needed
> to record a DVD ????

What goes in a computer is called a "DVD burner". The unit you saw is
a "standalone DVD recorder". Both have their market niche, but you
can't substitute one for the other.

The standalone unit works similar to a VCR. It will not take
direction from your computer.

Blank DVD media are also sold in Wal-mart (and most other stores).
There are several different types, and you need to buy exactly the
right type for the recorder you're buying. The recorder will play
whatever DVDs it creates and it will play regular commercial DVDs.
But DVDs you make on a recorder may or may not play on regular DVD
players and on a different brand of recorder.

Since you don't really know where to begin, why not go to Wal-mart at
a time when they're not busy and ask the young guy who works in
electronics to explain things to you. I'm not being facetious: a
general overview will probably be easier to understand in person than
by reading on the Net.

However, the DVD FAQ (URL below) is also a good starting point.

--
Stan Brown, Oak Road Systems, Tompkins County, New York, USA
http://OakRoadSystems.com/
DVD FAQ: http://dvddemystified.com/dvdfaq.html
other FAQs: http://oakroadsystems.com/genl/faqget.htm

Stan Brown wrote on [Mon, 28 Nov 2005 10:50:14 -0500]:
> Since you don't really know where to begin, why not go to Wal-mart at
> a time when they're not busy

So, sometime next year.

> and ask the young guy who works in
> electronics to explain things to you.

And hope he knows what he is talking about.

On Mon, 28 Nov 2005 09:18:14 -0500, "Tony soprano"
<> wrote:

>You can find this newsgroup but can't find info on what you ask about?
>
>Trolling idiot
>
>
* PLONK *

On Mon, 28 Nov 2005 10:50:14 -0500, Stan Brown
<> wrote:

>Mon, 28 Nov 2005 01:50:00 -0600 from <>:
>> Yesterday I was in Walmart and saw a DVD machine that said Play and
>> Record DVDs. (Not for the computer but a separate machine that looks
>> like my DVD player). I'm confused. I thought a computer was needed
>> to record a DVD ????
>
>What goes in a computer is called a "DVD burner". The unit you saw is
>a "standalone DVD recorder". Both have their market niche, but you
>can't substitute one for the other.
>
>The standalone unit works similar to a VCR. It will not take
>direction from your computer.
>
>Blank DVD media are also sold in Wal-mart (and most other stores).
>There are several different types, and you need to buy exactly the
>right type for the recorder you're buying. The recorder will play
>whatever DVDs it creates and it will play regular commercial DVDs.
>But DVDs you make on a recorder may or may not play on regular DVD
>players and on a different brand of recorder.
>
>Since you don't really know where to begin, why not go to Wal-mart at
>a time when they're not busy and ask the young guy who works in
>electronics to explain things to you. I'm not being facetious: a
>general overview will probably be easier to understand in person than
>by reading on the Net.
>
>However, the DVD FAQ (URL below) is also a good starting point.

Thanks for the help.

As far as getting help at Walmart, I dont think the clerks are Walmart
are really competent. Particularly with electronics. Half the time
they cant even find where the stuff is in the store. Thats why I am
asking in here. I'd assume that since this is a DVD newsgroup, most
of you have experience.

If there are that many differences in players/recorders, I wont even
consider buying one. If the recorder dies, I'd be screwed and not be
able to use anything I recorded. I'll stick to my vcr for recording
tv stuff. Besides, I am more interested in backing up my computer
photos, but would prefer an external unit, since my computer has no
more room for another drive, and because I'd rather watch them on my
tv, than a small computer monitor. Hopefully in the future they will
standardize all of this, and then I will buy one.

I'll read the FAQ link

Thanks again for your help.

<> wrote in message
news:...
> On Mon, 28 Nov 2005 10:50:14 -0500, Stan Brown
> <> wrote:


>
> If there are that many differences in players/recorders, I wont even
> consider buying one. If the recorder dies, I'd be screwed and not be
> able to use anything I recorded.

No, as long as DVD players are available they will play the DVD's. Just like
a VCR...any VHS VCR will play a tape, no matter what machine recorded it.



I'll stick to my vcr for recording
> tv stuff. Besides, I am more interested in backing up my computer
> photos, but would prefer an external unit, since my computer has no
> more room for another drive, and because I'd rather watch them on my
> tv, than a small computer monitor. Hopefully in the future they will
> standardize all of this, and then I will buy one.

You might want to make room for an internal, I hate external drives. If you
have a CD burner or a DVD Rom...rip them out and throw them away. A DVD
burner will replace both of them.

On Mon, 28 Nov 2005 01:50:00 -0600, wrote:

>Yesterday I was in Walmart and saw a DVD machine that said Play and
>Record DVDs.

That's known as a DVDR - a standalone DVD Recorder/Player.

Get the latest version of the ILO DVDR05-MU1-5.40. It's there - look
for it. Do not get the 5.38 version. Do not get the MU version. Do not
get the ZU version. The MU1-5.40 version is manufactured in September
2005.

>Can they be used to record something off the tv antenna or from cable
>if a person has cable? Can it record directly from another DVD player
>or a VCR? Once again I thoughy a computer was needed to copy stuff?

The ILO (as well as most but not all) DVDRs will do all that. But
it will not defeat copy protection schemes.

>Then, if I was to buy one of these things, what do I use for media?

The ILO uses DVDR +R and DVD +RW. Get Verbatim DVD +RW at Sam's Club -
30 discs for under $30. Use only Verbatim 4x. If you use DVD +R, get
FujiFilm Made in Japan from Best Buy, 100 discs for $35. Do not get
Made in Taiwan.

>Do they sell special blank DVDs ot are they the same ones used on
>computers? Are they expensive?

They are the same DVD discs that are used for computers. The cheapest
way to go is +RW because you can erase them.

>Sorry for all the questions. I didnt even know there was a DVD
>recorder except the ones that go inside a computer case.

Pioneer is the acknowledged king of DVDRs. But they are expensive.

I recommend waiting a year for the hard disk versions known as
DVD-HDD. They need another year to mature and for the price to come
down.

>One last question, if I bought one of these, and it does not require a
>computer, can it still be hooked to a computer to backup photos and
>stuff?

You might be able to get the composite output of the video card from
the computer to work. But why would you want to do that? Buy an NEC
3540 DVD burner for under $40 at Directron.com or Newegg.com.

>That would be about the main reason I'd want one, so I can
>backup my photos on my harddrive, rather than using floppies or buying
>those 256 meg sticks that go in the USB connector.

A DVDR is a poor choice for that task. Get a computer burner like the
NEC 3540. Use DVD +R discs. Burn 8x discs at 8x and 16x discs at 12x.
Get only Taiyo Yuden write-once DVD +R discs at rima.com or
supermediastore.com. Do not use any other because all the rest are
crap nowadays.

Some of them used to be good but market pressures and shoddy entrants
into manufacturing have conspired to turn out crap - even Verbatim
Mitsubishi in discs (write once DVD +R). Verbatim is the best you are
going to find in re-writeable discs (DVD +RW).


--

"One must realize that the world is a network of real and virtual
combat zones where the stakes are high, struggle is the primary
mode of being and only total victory is acceptable.
-- Sun Tzu, "The Art Of War"

Justin <> wrote in
news::

> Stan Brown wrote on [Mon, 28 Nov 2005 10:50:14 -0500]:
>> Since you don't really know where to begin, why not go to Wal-mart at
>> a time when they're not busy
>
> So, sometime next year.
>
>> and ask the young guy who works in
>> electronics to explain things to you.
>
> And hope he knows what he is talking about.
>

ROTFLMAO!!!
Most of them probably think DVD's are underwear!!!
Seriously. One time I called and asked for 'electronics', when someone
answered I asked him if he knew anything about DVD's...he said he'd
transfer my call to the 'men's dept.':-@

Mon, 28 Nov 2005 17:11:04 -0500 from Smaleck
<>:
> One time I called and asked for 'electronics', when someone
> answered I asked him if he knew anything about DVD's...he said he'd
> transfer my call to the 'men's dept.':-@

Perhaps you ought to practice not mumbling.

--
Stan Brown, Oak Road Systems, Tompkins County, New York, USA
http://OakRoadSystems.com/
DVD FAQ: http://dvddemystified.com/dvdfaq.html
other FAQs: http://oakroadsystems.com/genl/faqget.htm