Hi All,

I have been unsuccessfully looking around for a DVD Recorder that will save the timestamp from my DV camcorder when recording through the firewire/iLink port. Actually, the only one I have found to date was the Philips HDRW720 which got horrible reviews and is no longer in production.

The ideal is if the recorder will save the timestamp info as subtitles on the disk so I can turn them on/off.

Thanks for any ideas,
Eric

That's just the way it is. To preserve the time stamp you must transfer via the analog (S-video) input. Some people here have say they prefer the look of video transferred that way so it isn't a big hit on picture quality. You do lose the automatic markers at scene breaks if your recorder does that with the Firewire link, and the ability to control the camera from the recorder's menu.

but with the S-Video link, is it a SUBTITLE or you actually turn it on/off on-screen?

With the S-video way the time stamp is permanently burned into the video and can't be turned on/off when you view the DVD. The Phillips model you found was probably the only DVD model that did what everybody wants it to do. There might have been one or two other Phillips models that also did that but I don't think any current models can do it. There must be a reason the manufacturers avoid putting that feature in their recorders? But I don't know what it is. Probably somebody has a patient on it and has decided not to share it at a reasonable price. All current models seem to be competing for the lowest price so features that cost extra money that only a few people want, will bite the dust. I don't think you will find it in future models so your only choice is to buy one of those old Phillips machines if you can find it offered on eBay.

Dave

There must be a reason the manufacturers avoid putting that feature in their recorders? But I don't know what it is.

Dave

I have a Phillips DVDR 985 that has the time stamp via DV input. Great feature for me but the problem is when I share my family home videos. Depending on the other family DVD players the time/date stamp would appear on the TV screen because some DVD players have the subtitle turned on automatically. Also if the camcorder has the wrong time or date then the time stamp is wrong for the video.

Can anyone else reference any other model besides these 2 Philips? Even something really old I might find on ebay? I don't care about the HD or other, as this unit will be used primarily just to convert 100's of hours of home movies...

When you finalize the DVDs you burn you'll create a menu in which you can give a name for each title - if you include the date in the title this might eliminate the need for an embedded timestamp.

HELP. I AM CONFUSED! I am just about to start converting old VHS-C tapes and newer mini DV tapes to DVD on my new Panny ES15. Whats all this about the date stamp not being recorded? In the past when I made copies (on my VHS C or Mini DV) (Copies to VHS that is), if I hit the button to display the date it on the camera, it would record it. I'd usually hit the button for a few seconds now and then. It sounds like it will work fine on my VHS C tapes but not the mini dv tapes if I use the mni dv port on the Panny? Is this true? What is the difference in picture qaulity between using the dv jack and just going through the RCA jacks.

THANKS!!!!

1. I still ask if anyone knows of any other machines that will capture the timestamp through the DV link as a subtitle on the DVD recording?

2. I do not want to manually set timestamps in DVD titles, as on tape might span 3-4 months.

3. Correct Andre, you will not see the timestamp if you use the DV link. Use the S-Video or other cables to push the display manually.

but do I suffer a pic quality loss with the rca cables...or is that a gimmic?

but do I suffer a pic quality loss with the rca cables...or is that a gimmic?There may be little or no noticable difference - try recording a sample both ways and see if you prefer one or the other.

...bumping this to the top to see if anyone else has an opinion or know of any new recorders with the feature?

I have a Phillips DVDR-77 that has the date/time as subtitle feature. I love the feature, and I am also looking for another DVD recorder with this feature. The DVDR-77 is very unreliable.

There is a computer software solution that you might consider. I use a free program that I downloaded that will extract the DV date and time and save them to a normal text file. You will need a separate program to add the subtitles back to the video. I use TMPGenc Authoring Works 4 (TAW4). And yes, they can be turned on and off like a normal DVD. You will also need a computer with a firewire (DV) card.

Before I found the subtitle extractor, my method was to create two copies of my DV tape. The first was made using the high quality 1hr mode via the DV input. The second was recorded in the 6hr mode via the s-video cable and had the date/time burned in.

I used the TAW4 program to create the final disc with a nice menu and chapter stops exactly where I want them.

If you are interested, I will dig out the name of the free DV subtitle extractor and the download link.

-Bill