In the market (Just another noob)

[krawz]

I just started research today on DVD+RW and DVD-RW and I think I have a pretty good understanding of the most current situation and each drive's strengths and weaknesses. I would like some of your reccomendations on which drives you find the best for the following uses:

1) Authoring DvD Video for use in your standard Home DVD player.
2) Storage and Playback of MP3's from the DVD recorder (And playback in home DVD players).
3) Creating video mixes.

I currently use my XBox and PS2 for playing DvD's which is going to be a nightmare when trying to play home-recorded DvD's. I'm not sure if I can justify buying a DvD recorder AND a DvD player though. It seems silly to have 3 DvD players in my entertainment center.

I guess my dream equipment would be an all-in-one solution for creating video DVD's and displaying them to my TV. I haven't really found anything along these lines yet. It would be nice to have the burner/player in my entertainment center with a (well-hidden) hook-up to my PC in the other room. (AKA not a 5.25" bay drive for the PC but an entertainment center worthy device)


On a side note, I'm trying to clarify for myself which of my uses above are legal...as far as copyrights and whatnot. This is a new arena for me, and if my intended uses are illegal I would like to know before I make any regrettable mistakes.

Thank you all for your time!

[CDRecorder]

Welcome to CDRLabs, Krawz!

I don't know much about DVD recorder reliability, but I am sure other members here can help you out with that.

I would like to compliment you on making sure that you are not doing anything illegal. I wish more people had this concern. Anyway, authoring your own video should be fine. I think that MP3 storage and playback will be fine too, as long as you legally own the CD from which you made the MP3 files. I am not sure exactly what you mean by creating video mixes, but I believe that copying any copy-protected DVD is currently illegal.

I hope this helped!

[krawz]

Thanks for the welcome and the info Hope to see some more helpful input.

Thanks again!

[CDRecorder]

You're welcome.

By the way, the legal info I provided (or tried to provide) is for the US, but that's OK since you mentioned that you're from IL.

[Dartman]

If whatever you want to do is just for you and your not going to flood the area with your stuff you should be OK. They are still trying to take away all of our fair use and backup copy rights so it's kinda up to you what you want to do. If your just doing home movie type stuff your fine. If your doing DVD movies you own and not taking out any features or the copy protection it's a grey area right now, your sposed to be able to make ONE copy for backup purposes. If your renting movies and doing that kinda stuff it's illegal.
Movies have gotten so cheap to buy after a bit it's almost not worth the effort anymore, now if the RIAA would figure that out.....

[krawz]

Thanks for the info Dartman. I have a good feel on the legalities. Any suggestions on a model that would meet my needs? I've heard a lot of love from the Sony owners. I really really want to get one that can go in my entertainment center and double as burner/player, with a line back to my laptop to receive the data when burning.

Thanks again, all info is appreciated a lot!!

[Dartman]

The Sony 510 would do any format you want except dvd-ram and do it at 4x on good media.
there are many multi format computer burners coming out or all ready released so it's kinda up to price, speed, and what media types you want to use.
I like my Sony, most others like them. The upcoming Liteon is based on a Sony. The new Sanyo has the same buffer size and can do that double size cdr thing.
Has far as a unit that can sit in your entertaiment center Panasonic makes one that does I believe dvd-ram and dvd-r/rw but I don't think it can do some of the data type stuff and movie things.
I'll stick with a computer burner till the price or capabiliteis on the standalone units gets better.
head over to www.dvdrhelp.com that kind of thing is all they do and they have good forums too.

[krawz]

Thanks Dartman, I'll check it out!