BleepingComputer.com: DVR recording

How does one go about recording from a digital cable box (DVR) to a laptop? I have S video output on the laptop. Can it be used also for an input? (Dell Inspiron 8600, XP Home...)

BSAC

i believe you would need a specific input device
such as a ATI allinwonder Video Card.

but being a laptop you would have to look into what the SVideo is specifically for.

Im with Cain on this one. If the hardware is designed to only send out information to a monitor, then it is very likely that it can not be used to send information in.

The best way to tell is to plug the DVR in the laptop, and see if it says something about "new hardware found". If it says "new monitor found", then it will not work.

There are some external video cards specifically designed for laptops, and most can be used as a video capture card. Dazzle comes to mind. That would be the only way it can be done.

Thanks for the replies guys! I was talking with a friend of mine and did a little consumer research on the net and found that things would be a whole lot cheaper and give less headache potential to simply purchase a DVD recorder / VCR combo. One of these things can record from just about any device and take care of my VHS-C problem!

Thanks again and Merry Christmas and Happy New Year ? Feliz Navidad y Prospero Año y felicidad!

Kevin

Wish I had a dvd r vcr combo or even a dvrw on my laptop...

While it is true that there will be less headache using the DVD R/VCR method, there is something to consider.

DVD recorders (stand-alone ones) have not become a standard yet. They usually only burn - or +. Normally that is not a problem, but some players will have a hard time reading one, but not the other.

Confused yet? If you have a few make/models numbers, I would be more then happy to do a advantage/disadvantage comparison on them.

Panasonic DVD Recorder/VCR (DMR-E75VS) or anything that does not cost an arm and a leg.

Thanks, Jason

Cows, I just recently got a Dell laptop (Inspiron 8600) with a DVD+RW/CD+RW combo drive. I like it very much. Thanks to my wife for the Christmas gift early. Lots of fun tinkering...

Kevin

This is what I found out about that Panasonic model DMR-E75VS:

Technical data

-Color: Silver
-Disc capacity: 1
-Region playback: Compatible only with discs coded for Region 1 and for All Regions
-Progressive scan: Yes
-Switchable 480p/480i: Yes
-3:2 pulldown detection: No
-Memory card slot: No
-Hard drive: No
-Playback formats: DVD-Video (NTSC), DVD-Audio (2-channel), DVD-RAM, DVD-R, VHS videocassette, red book CD, CD-R, CD-RW, MP3 CD
-Recording formats: DVD-RAM, DVD-R, VHS tape
-Recording features: Simultaneous record and play, one-touch 2-way dubbing
-One-touch dubbing: VHS to DVD or DVD to VHS (as long as source is not copy protected)
-Time Slip: Chasing playback, simultaneous record and play, Time Slip button
-Rapid random access: Recording and playback
-Relief recording: No
-Recording modes: XP/SP/LP/EP/FR
-Blingual recording: DVD-RAM only
-Picture enhancements: Input TBC, 3D Y/C Separation, 3D Noise Reduction, Block Noise Reduction, Mosquito Noise Reduction
-Firmware upgradeable: No
-Display: Yes
-Aspect ratio control: Yes
-Dialog enhancer: No
-Integrated receiver: No
-Front-panel operation: No (remote required for use)
-Quick play: No
-Multi-angle viewing: Yes (with applicable discs)
-Black-level adjustment: Yes
-Horizontal resolution: More than 500 lines
-Video DAC: 54 MHz/10-bit
-Audio DAC: 96 kHz, 24-bit
-Video ADC: Information not available
-Audio ADC: Information not available
-HDCD decoding: No
-Direct Navigator: Yes (revised)
-Chapter preview: Yes (including from recordable discs)
-Custom bookmarks: No
-Frame advance: Yes
-Still/freeze frame: Yes
-Forward/reverse play: Yes
-Karaoke: No
-Multilingual support: Yes (English, Spanish, French)
-Remote control: Universal (with TV and DVD control)
-Parental controls: Yes
-Picture zoom: No
-Random play: Yes
-Advance recording: Up to 16 programs, up to 1 month in advance
-Programming guide: No
-Reverse-frame step: Yes
-QuickView: Yes
-Slow motion: Yes
-Instant replay: No
-Text display: No
-VCR capability: Yes
-Audio outputs: 1 stereo analog (left/right), 1 digital (optical)
-Audio inputs: 2 stereo analog (left/right) RCA
-Headphone jack: No
-Video outputs: 2 composite-, 1 component-, and 1 S-video
-Video inputs: 2 composite-video, 2 S-video, 1 RF
-Surround-sound output: Dolby Digital and DTS 5.1-channel passthrough
-Simulated surround sound: Advanced Surround (V.S.S.) simulated surround through 2 speakers
-THX-certified: No
-Front-panel inputs: Yes
-Power input: AC 120V, 60 Hz
-Power consumption: 31 watts (4 watts in standby)
-Item width: 16.94 inches
-Item height: 3.5 inches
-Item depth: 13.81 inches
-Item weight: 12.79 pounds
-Warranty: 1 year parts and labor
-In the box: DVD player/recorder, a remote control, remote batteries, an RF audio/video interconnect, a stereo analog audio/composite-video interconnect, an AC power cord, a user's manual, and a registration card

The average price that I found for this item was $299.99.

Personally, I do not think that it is worth it. I may be able to find you a better one. Can you post back 3 stores that you have locally? If they are close, you would not have to worry about the shipping time and costs.

Jason, thanks for the info. I don't think I will be in the market for the DVD-R stand-alone this year (or early next year). I have a vacation coming up that is going to wipe me out.

I think that in about a year these things will be coming down in price, maybe sooner.

If you are bored: Circuit City, Best Buy, Comp USA

Thanks again,
Kevin

I am sorry that I did not get back with you earlier.

Best Buy-Philips Progressive-Scan DVD+R/+RW Recorder Model: DVDR615 $249.99

Best Buy-Magnavox Progressive-Scan DVD+R/+RW RecorderModel: MRV640 $199.99


Circuit City ones were a little high.


CompUSA-I have heard some great reviews from the Lite-On brand. I was not aware until now that they make DVD recorders. This is the only model that I have found that reads both +/-RW, even though it records in +R.

Lite-On TechnologyMfg Part #: LVW5001CUSA $229.99



I know that you are looking for the combo units, that include the VCR. From the prices that I see, you would actually save money in purchasing them seperately. It was difficult to find one under $300, but if the price of the best VCR is around $60, then you would spend about the same anyway. You are right that the technology is still a little new, and the prices reflect that. I would anticipate that DVD recorders will hit the $150 around summer 05.

Hope it helps.

It helps a lot. I do already have a VCR and a DVD player. Perhaps you are correct that it would be better to simply get a recorder without the extra bells and whistles! Thanks, Kevin