DVD recorder
A DVD recorder is used to record digital or analog image and film material (such as TV programs or camcorder recordings) and to play DVD-Video films and other image data. In principle, all manufacturers have adapted to these formats. Although there are already top-of-the-range devices from other manufacturers, Panasonic in particular sets standards.
Recording formats
DVD recorders can save (“burn”) films on DVD ± R and DVD ± RW . More expensive devices can also be saved on DVD-RAM or a built-in hard drive . Almost all devices with a hard drive enable simultaneous recording and playback ( time-shifted television ), high-quality devices can do this with the DVD storage medium, but only when using DVD-RW (in VR mode) and DVD-RAM. Devices with a hard drive usually have the option of transferring non -copy-protected recordings from the hard drive to a DVD, often also from a DVD to the hard drive.
The film material can be digital and transferred via a DV input ( Firewire ) or analog via a cinch , SCART or S-video socket. TV programs can also be recorded like a VHS recorder. In most cases, however, there is only one tuner installed in the device for analog antenna and cable reception.
Recording technology
In contrast to VHS recorders, which store the film material on magnetic tape in the VHS cassette, DVD recorders, like CD or DVD burners, use a laser to make holes in a layer upstream of the reflective layer with an organic dye. to burn the blank DVDs. Light can now reflect through these holes - in contrast to the areas covered by dye, which continue to reflect no or less light. A weaker laser beam is used when reading the DVD. The DVD recorder can convert this information into a television picture and sound.
DVD recorder versus VHS recorder
| DVD recorder | VHS recorder | |
|---|---|---|
| Signal type | digital | analogous |
| Recording type | on DVD: bit-by-bit change in the optical properties (reflection, phase position) using a laser | on magnetic tape: magnetization in the helical scan method (video and hi-fi sound) |
| Time-shifted television | Depending on the model, with hard disk and DVD-RAM and rarely also with DVD-RW possible | No |
| Duration of the transfer of film material | without hard disk: recording time = playback time
with hard drive: transferring from hard drive to DVD and vice versa is often possible in a fraction of the playback time |
as long as the film lasts (single playback time) |
| Recording time | On DVD: Single Layer: 1 hour for the highest quality, approx. 2 hours for S-VHS quality (ShortPlay), approx. 4 hours for VHS quality (LongPlay) Dual Layer : approx. Twice as much On hard disk: |
Max. 5 hours for corresponding tapes of the highest quality (ShortPlay), for lower qualities up to 10 or 15 hours (LongPlay and SuperLongPlay). |
| resolution | theoretical max. 720 lines, practically limited by the signal path | VHS: 240 lines; S-VHS: 400 lines |
| Erasability and changeability of the material; Playability on other devices | DVD ± R: several recordings possible until the capacity limit is reached. Individual titles can be hidden but not deleted. After finalizing, the content of the DVD can no longer be changed.
DVD ± RW (video mode): Only the last recorded titles can be deleted (and the free space used for further recordings), individual titles at the beginning and in the middle, however, not (fading out as possible with DVD ± R). Overall, however, multiple deletion and rewriting of individual titles or the entire DVD is possible (approx. 1000 times). Finalizing can usually only be undone by deleting the entire content. Mostly playable on all DVD players after finalization. DVD-RW (VR mode): content can be changed as required, DVDs created in this way can only be played on VR-compatible players (even without finalization). DVD-RAM: content can be changed as required (approx. 100,000 times). Playability on other DVD devices is often not available. |
Can be changed at will, severe loss of quality of the tape after repeated re-recording, frame-accurate cut not easily possible. Playback of recordings is usually possible on all devices. |
Recording media
There are DVD-R, DVD + R, DVD-RW, DVD + RW and DVD-RAM formats. Some DVD recorders can handle all formats, others specialize in a certain one. The DVD-RW was the most popular. Additional functions such as "fast copying" or "unfinalizing" are only available with certain formats from a few manufacturers.
Processing options
The editing options actually available vary depending on the manufacturer / model of the recorder. The table shows the possible processing options for the individual media formats. Functions that are only offered in a few individual devices are not taken into account.
| DVD-RW (VR mode) 1 |
DVR-RW (video mode) 1 |
DVR + RW | DVD-R | DVR + R | DVD-RAM | Hard disk (HDD) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Delete title | Yes | yes 2 | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Link titles | No | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Share title | No | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Hide title | No | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Lock title | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Overwrite title | No | No | Yes | No | No | No | No |
| Create chapter | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Delete chapter | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| Connect chapters | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Hide chapter | No | No | Yes | No | Yes | No | No |
| Create playlist | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | Yes |
Notes:
1 : DVR-RW media can be formatted in two different modes. The VR (Video Recording) mode offers more convenient editing functions, but can only be played back on VR-compatible DVD players. In video mode, the DVD can be played on almost all DVD players after finalizing.
2 : the available recording time on the DVD is only extended if the last title is deleted.
future
In the coming years, DVD recorders will likely be replaced by Blu-ray recorders, which can take full advantage of HDTV technology and can also record HD channels without compression. Previous brands of DVD devices can sometimes record HD programs, but only save them compressed on DVD. This means that the "HD effect" is lost. In 2009, Panasonic presented the first Blu-ray recorder for the European market at IFA , which is now also being sold. It contains, as will certainly also future devices from other companies, two DVB-S2 tuners, which guarantee the reception of modern HD material in high quality.