Best way to use a DVDR

tcatdbs · 08-14-08, 10:48 AM

I've read some of the stickies here and can't find a good answer. I have a Panny E80H, a VIP722, a 50" Plasma (TV1) and a 20" 4:3 (TV2). I currently have the E80H prior to TV2 (have an OPPO980 at TV1). I normally have the 722 in Dual mode.

My questions is: is it best to leave the E80H where it is (TV2), or should I move it to TV1 where I can use component cables to it? I'm have a real hard time understanding aspect ratios going to TV2, they change completely whether in Single or Dual mode. Dual seems to be the best since you can set Letterbox and get the full image on the 4:3 TV... but this doesn't seem to be the best to record, since when played back on the plasma you have to zoom the image (although it does look good).

I recorded I am Legend last night, both in Single and Dual mode. In single mode it is full screen on TV2, but with sides cut off (so burned DVD has to be stretched on TV1

); in dual mode it is letterboxed (so it has to be zoomed

). I'm just looking for suggestions... Leave E80H on TV2? Move it to TV1? Buy a new DVDR (which I wouldn't mind since the E80H can only dub at 2X = long time to make a DVD). Buy a 16:9 TV2?

IDRick · 08-14-08, 11:32 AM

I prefer to save all programming to the dvr first and then create a dvd while playing the videoback. I save video in two ways: s-video from dvr to dvd recorder or s-video from dvr to video capture card in my computer. I really prefer the second method because I can edit out commercials with software (video redo) and can set the format to 16:9 or 4:3 then burn to DVD. I haven't used the first option for over a year as it is too time consuming to first burn to DVD, load on computer, remove commercials, and finally burn the desired commercial free DVD. Video quality is also better because I can save at a higher bitrate after removing commercials. BTW, one of our dvr's is located in our computer room, within two feet of a HDTV and the desktop.

HTH.

tcatdbs · 08-14-08, 04:32 PM

That's nice about my E80H, it's easy to edit on its HD. I can see your method(s) being best off TV1. It's really VOD I'm interested in, you can't save that to DVR, but you can record it directly to DVDR at TV2 (and maybe S-Video at TV1, haven't tried that). If I'm going to pay to rent something, I want the best way of recording it. It's just the PQ at TV2 isn't as good as at TV1 (could be my TV), so I should probably move my DVDR to TV1 and run it off S-Video or component. Does VOD come out of all outputs of the VIP722 when playing through HDMI to TV1? (does 480i come out of S-video at the same time)?

ChuckA · 08-14-08, 04:53 PM

Yes, all ports on the receiver are hot at the same time. Naturally Component output will be digital and S-Video will be analog so I would go Component.

fredinva · 08-14-08, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChuckA

Yes, all ports on the receiver are hot at the same time. Naturally Component output will be digital and S-Video will be analog so I would go Component.

A don't think so!
Does the panny have component in (bet not)

fred

Jim5506 · 08-14-08, 09:36 PM

HDMI is digital, component is analog, S-video is analog.

tcatdbs · 08-15-08, 10:01 AM

Yeah, not. I was thinking of the component "output", but that does no good. I'll see what the S-video does, or I may just leave it at TV2 coax connected, since my Legend recording actually looks pretty good even zoomed (better than VHS).

Quote:

Originally Posted by fredinva

A don't think so!
Does the panny have component in (bet not)

fred