Community Newsletter: Q&A forum: Advice needed for an all-in-one DVR that can burn DVDs

I have a SONY VRD-MC5 Multi-Function DVD Recorder with 2.5" color screen that will connect any camcorder, VCR or digital camera PLUS I have great success at recording TV while watching another program at the same time AND have copied DVDs as well. I have a Radio Shack, 4/connector switch box with separate L/R Audio in and SVideo input. So I can easily switch from my VCR Recorder/Player and my DVD Player at will all while watching TV on any other cable or antenna based signal.

The ONLY PROBLEM I had was "Copy protction blocks" from some DVDs and many TV stations who don't want you to record directly. So I solved that with a Dimax "Grex" Video Stabilizer (xdimax.com) placed in between the SVideo signal from my switch box and the Sony VRD-MC5. Not a single problem ever since!

With 5 different quality levels, it uploads easily and also takes memory sticks including SD cards directly. Once I am done recording a TV program in the highest quality level, I can re-insert the resultant DVD into my DVD player, and edit out commercials and re-record at standard play speeds and combine episodes to my heart's content.

I use DVD-RWs for our older DVD player to read and some DVD+RWs that all other DVDs we have play (as well as the DVD-RW). What else could I ask for? HooHah!

Could be good idea BUT I am also converting existing VHS tapes over to DVD directly from my JVC "SVHS" recorder to the Sony using the SVIDEO cable port with the video stabilizer in between to eliminate all the problems I had with VCRs tapes from TV that had the "Copy Protection" recorded within somehow.

Now I can also copy existing DVDs directly to new DVDs with or without whatever editing I need PLUS can simultaneously record TV to SVHS tapes and later copy those over to new DVDs using the interface to eliminate any error codes that pick up on the tape while recording PLUS can also edit the SVHS tapes and produce a higher quality recording as the SONY does upgrade the image according to which setting I use. HooHah!

you're looking for an LRM by LG (Life's Good). It has a built in dvd burner, up to 90 hrs on the hard drive, 90 minutes pause time, downloads tv guide from microsoft for no subscription.Also you can upgrade drives.
Downside: it's a discontinued product, but I got mine refurbed on ebay 3 years ago and no problem for like $400...probably cheaper now.

Read my other notes on the SONY MC5 -- It has Left/Right audio in, SVIDEO IN, accepts photo cards and direct input from Camcorders. It has a nice 2-1/2" viewing screen so YOU KNOW WHAT YOU ARE RECORDING! I have a switch box for copying VHS tapes through my older SVHS Recorder/Player and DVDs from my older DVD player PLUS I can record TV while watching another station at the same time. HooHah!

As everyone seems to have, I also had "copy protection error" codes until I purchased a Xdimax Corp. "Grex" video stabilizer to put in line with the SVideo lead into the DVD Recorder and THAT COMPLETELY ELIMINATED ANY PROBLEM. I am copying, recording and watching TV to my heart's content (not that I have that much time). There are various quality levels and I have already recorded TV to a DVD at the highest quality level and then re-copied multiple DVDS to a single DVD at a lower quality level that actually came out better than previously recorded VHS tapes.

My library now includes complete TV seasons from a combination of VHS tapes, previously recorded DVDs and currently recorded TV-direct-to-DVD. What could be better than that? My next step is to try some new software so I can directly download network TV video (without commercials) to the DVD Recorder. Once that is done, I can go back to my original hookup and edit and re-record what I wish to save in any order I wish. Hoohah!

WHILE I AM TRYING SEVERAL SOFTWARE PACKAGES, DOES ANYONE OUT THERE HAVE A SIMPLE SOLUTION TO EASILY RECORD NETWORK TV VIDEO FEEDS FROM MY PC TO THE DVDR????

I think the future for recording video will all be through a PC or laptop of some sort of which we have several here, one used for business. There are direct-to-computer cable hookups already available and some accessories that will turn your PC into a fully functioning TV recording device without cable or satellite. I have a box of relatively cheap components that I haven't had a chance to try out but will in the future. As we have two homes, I want to eliminate cable in both of them. I have DSL in both and can now get that without a phone line which is no problem because we mainly rely on cellphones. I'm sure someone like Corel already has something that I just haven't got around to trying out. Once TV or DVD would be downloaded, it could be copied to DVD or off-loaded to a stand-alone USB connected hard drive.

Right now I have a large capacity external that has all of my some 2000 CDs collected over the years all copied as well as miscellaneous videos self-made and downloaded from the web. I just don't like the idea of buying a separate unit just for DVR when there seems to be so many other ways on the horizon to be able to do it. Once analog signals are gone next year, there will have to be alternate methods to receive and record with ease.

AND in the future, all DVDS will be obsolete and everything will be stored in a new form of "static" floating memory (at least according to the Japanese who are working on it) in which everything will be instantly available including downloading to a virtual-reality head set that will connect to the cerebellum and offer the viewer new sensory perceptions that are totally realistic and will put you right into the action.

I probably won't live long enough to see that anyway BUT I remember when an Apple rep. came to our computer store and showed us the newest and greatest thing he's ever seen. A stand-alone, completely self-contained hard drive storage unit that cabled right into the Apple IIs we had. It had an absolutely astounding 150 Megs of memory. My gosh, what more could you possibly ask for? We had that, and 8" floppy disks that held 300,000 bytes of info. Between the two, there was nothing more anyone would need. Ha Ha Ha!

You don't have to put the PC next to the TV. We are in the day and age of full wireless technology. I was a radio operator in the Air Force and I could send and receive anywhere in the world albeit mostly by Morse code but it was all wireless. I guess when you're used to it, it makes it easier. You can now set up your entire home for internal wireless communication --just visit the local computer/TV store or try Radio Shack and see if you can find someone who is relatively intelligent. If they can find your car via satellite, you should be able to send wireless signals from your PC to your TV without any effort. Or seach Amazon for component pieces and read the reviews. If it's on the market, Amazon will have it!

Go to Amazon.com;
Seach "Electronics" for "DVD Recorder";
Seach for "SONY" in the products column;
See SONY ITEM #4 -that's the Unit I have --MC5;
Look At SONY ITEM #19 --That's a complete unit --RDR-HX900 DVD Recorder with 160 Gbyte hard drive. That's what you seem to be describing! Buy it and let us know how it works!

Yeah, I went back to Amazon and read the reviews --very mixed opinions --some great --some pretty bad. THE REASON? Everyone has different applications, everyone has different expectations that they wish their electronics to meet, and nothing satisfies everyone.

I have to repeat that's the reason I like the Sony MC5, it upconverts to 1080p, gives me many different speed options, offers direct input from a variety of media, shows me what's on the disk (preview) and what's being recorded, copies to all DVD formats and, with the addition of the "Grex", copies absolutely everything including it's own creations. Yes, I have a separate SVHS unit, separate DVD Player, separate TV, separate laptop and separate external hard disk drive. BUT I've got everything working together to do WHAT I NEED!

If and when I find a better component, I can easily interface it into the "mix" rather than have to completely replace an entire multi-facited unit. Across the room sits a cabinet with older CD player, tape to tape unit, older Stereo Hi-Fi unit with big speakers and a switch-off box for those components. I had run a cable underneath the room over to the TV/DVD/VHS area for direct interfacing but have now separated the units with the addition of the MC5.

I should tell you that almost 40 years ago I helped introduce IBM 286s into a printing/teaching environment at our local vocational school to drive what had formerely been only a paper tape input phototypesetter. Everyone came over to see how the interface worked, which did very well for many years and was periodically replaced by faster and better pieces --but never in one package --always piecemeal to take advantage of the best of the individual technology. (My first phototypesetter had an 8K --yes, I said 8K --central processing unit). It was made up of twin 4K boards each measuring 4 x 6 inches. The first modem board we used sent and received at 300 baud (30 char/sec). When they upgraded us to 1200 and then 2400, we thought we had died and went to heaven. How could anything be any better? Ha Ha Ha.

Always please remember, you're better off to have something that comes close to doing what you want now as you can always find something better and better the older you get BUT if you wait for the absolutely complete all-in-one package, you'll never be satisfied.

Hey, I'll have to look at that one also. In any event, it'll come down in price before long probably. The other thought is to make yourself a list of what you what your "system" to do for you --in order of importance. Then list the devices or combinations of devices that accomplish that and the relative prices. You may find that the little extra convenience isn't worth as much as you might think but that finding something that does most of what you want at a better price is the best deal.

The other thing about buying components to build a system is to simply budget how much to spend each month (or every 90 days for example) and then no one can complain as long as you stay within your boundaries.

Also, it's Spring. Have a couple rummage sales to clear out the old stuff at bargain prices for someone else (your wife should love that)and then use that money for new components. OR, just get a new hobby. I'm also a sailor. If you want something to really be able to waste money on, that's it!

Good Luck.