TV & Home Theater

[pjturtle]

We are looking to purchase a DVD recorder.  We got a Sony from another store which we've returned becauce although it worked fine when viewing on its own system the DVDs didn't play back on either of our Apple computers or our PC. 

What is a good DVD recorder that the playback DVDs will work on both our Apple and PC computers as well (similar to any commercially purchased DVD)?

Thank you.

-PJ 

[Nokia]

Do other DVDs play in your computer? Normally a computer will need third party DVD playback software, as WMP won't do it. I don't think QT free does, either.

[pjturtle]

All commercially recorded DVDs work in all of our home computers (both Apple and PC).  We've also had no issues with DVDs recorded off the iMac -- we but both the PC and the Apples were unable to play the DVD recorded on the home system purchased through another vendor.

Thank you. 

[SlimJim77]

Did you finalize the DVDs before playing them in your PC?

[drewg350]

I've got several Gateway computers running Windows XP that are about 4 years old. They all have dual CD/DVD burners, players, etc.. BUT none of them will recognize or play any movie dvd's. I can open rewritable and the normal CR disks with no problems. I saw in your post that you said all computers should play standard DVD's. Is there anything I can download or a setting I might need to change in order to get these computers to read a standard movie DVD? I have a 2 and 5 year old that I bring with me to work many times a week and the only way they can watch a movie is on my laptop. Thanks for any advice you might be able to offer.

[pjturtle]

I've never had any problems playing factory burned DVDs on any computer and have never had to install anything special -- windows media player always did it without a problem.

Sorry.

--PJ 

[LEM617]

SInce BB-Gum has not asnwered this I will give it a shot.

My first take is, are you aware of what is involved to record stuff on DVD?. 

1.  You are limited by the size of the DVD. DVDs ca[acity is affected by the quality of the picture you want to see on your TV from 30 minutes for HD quality to 1 or 2 hours max with poor resolution, this makes the watching experience less than joyful.

2.  That is if you ever figure out which DVD disks are compatible with your computyer's hardware. Look closely at the types of DVD formats.  It is confusing, -R, +R, RW, whatever.  There is a small chance that one of your DVD players is not compatible with one of those formats. Most equipment has become more compatible over the years but, incompatible media still part of the equation.

3.  Lastly, you have to take the time to put in the DVD, schedule the recording, then change the DVD, then buy more DVDs.  Throwing away a lot of DVDs that did not record, that were not complete, etc.

I recommend you get a DVR. 

A rented DVR is more practical. It is more reliable over time and if it brakes, you just get another one.  You can buy a DVR as well and lastly you can use a Tivo.  

If the idea of having a library of your TV shows excites you, buy them on DVD. 

Understand that the industry wants you to pay for what you pay for your video library.

Understnad that in order to circumvent the industry and their wishes, you have to be ready to invest a lot more money and time to get it done. 

That's my take.