Record to HDD... Timer Rec & Pre-Titling... STB/DVR Rec... STB Tips... Copy from Ext. Device... Copy HDD>HDD
"The difference in recorded PQ from a digital vs. analog channel is like the difference between life and death!" -
wajo 9/13/09
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Notes
Notes on Recording Advice from People with Other DVDRs
The Philips CODEC (Coder-Decoder) for RECORDING
HDD Recording Basics
Manually Recording a TV Channel
TIMER RECORDING ... SET or SKIP ... Change Program or Pre-Title (515/53x/557 or 2160A/513 w/SuperFW 727V Update)
Timer Priority and Overlapping Programs
Timer Recording BACK-TO-BACK (BTB) Programs
Recording One Channel While Watching Another
Recording from Cable or Satellite STB/DVR ... Tips for STB Users ... Tips on Moto DCT/DCH/RNG Boxes
Copying from DVR/VCR/DVD/Camera ... CP Strip & WS Preservation... Direct-To-Disc (DTD)
Notes on Copying Commercial VHS Tapes
Removing Index Marks on VHS Tapes
Copying from DV Camera Using Firewire (IEEE 1394)
The STOP Button
Copying Titles from HDD to HDD
Notes
- DON'T let your HDD get beyond ~90% full or operational problems can occur due to file fragmentation and/or lack of space for file management info. See this post for a little more info.
- Remember Rule #1 for Hi-Quality Recording: It all depends on the source!
- Be careful with the REC MODE button cuz your first press will prob. change the rec mode to the next lower-quality one. Better to use the INFO/DISPLAY button as described here.
- A blue LED light will shine while recording on the 3575/3576 front panel (no light on 2080/2160/513/515/53x/557) as long as the HDD drive is selected on the remote. If no light, press the HDD button to be sure you're seeing the HDD drive activity.
- The Video > TV Aspect menu controls the format you view and record on digital channels, as described here.
- Be careful with the STOP button on the 3575/3576... pressing STOP once with nothing playing will stop a timer rec. The 2160/513/515/53x/557 STOP button is safer since you have to HOLD it for 2 sec to stop a timer rec. More info on STOP here.
- DO NOT PULL THE POWER CORD WHILE RECORDING. You can stop a recording immediately by pressing the STOP button on the front of the unit or the 3575/3576 remote. On 2160/513/515/53x/557 hold STOP button on remote for 2 sec. On 2160A/513/515/53x/557, hold STOP button on remote to get Yes/No dialog.
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Notes on Recording Advice from People with Other DVDRs
Be aware that, when people with OTHER DVDRs offer their opinion of recorded PQ and start making comparisons to this DVDR, they might not have digital tuners in their units, so their advice and comparisons are useless and misleading. More importantly, other DVDRs don't have the outstanding Philips encoder-decoder (CODEC) as your unit, which is THE most important part of an MPEG-2 home-recording system.
One "popular" PQ mis-comparison is between ANY U.S./Canadian Pioneer with this DVDR at the same rec modes. First, since the Pio can ONLY record analog channels, the comparisons
must be between analog channels, BUT the beauty of this DVDR is it can record from
digital channels, to which there is NO POSSIBLE comparison to
any analog DVDR... this DVDR is BETTER, IN SPADES!
Second, I have a Pio 640 and, IMO after many tests, my recorded PQ is slightly softer on my Pio 640 compared to my Philips/Mag DVDRs on analog channels... and my Pio is connected to my 47" 1080p LCD.
I've recorded many dramas in 6-hr-SLP with my Philips/Mag DVDRs from digital HD channels in my basic (analog) cable feed and my recorded PQ, even at that extreme rec mode, BLOWS ANY ANALOG RECORDING AWAY!
Even other recorders with digital are at a disadvantage since they don't have the Philips CODEC, described below.
So, don't fret even an instant over comparisons to other DVDRs, esp. claims about "best PQ because of full D1 resolution at 4-hr rec mode," which is a crockashitzu fallacy of the first order,
as explained here !
Just set your DVDR for 1-hr-HQ and blow them all away with a 12-hour HQ recording of your digital channels!
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The Philips CODEC (Coder-Decoder) for RECORDING
When you watch live TV thru this DVDR, the incoming signal goes "directly" from front-end (FE) to back-end (BE) components, i.e., from tuner to output.
When the machine receives a REC command, either manual or timer-activated, the video and audio (User Data) is directed to the MPEG-2 encoder for recording to disc. When it receives a PLAY command, the recorded MPEG-2 User Data is read by the decoder and sent to an output for display on your TV.
In Nov 2007, I posted about the great PQ I was seeing even at longer rec modes from my downrezzed digital HD channels and wondered if Philips had developed a "different algorithm" for MPEG-2 encoding or something. Shortly thereafter, my question was answered when I read a magazine article about the "big four" codec producers [Zoran, ESS, LSI and Philips] and who's doing what with their DVD chips, part of which reads:
"Philips is adding to its
new MPEG-2 CODEC optimized hardware blocks for running new picture improvement algorithms such as
adaptive picture sharpness detection and
deblocking* artifacts removal."
Philips' continuing development might also explain why this DVDR doesn't show "macroblocking" or "stuttering" on fast moving objects or jagged lines on the field, AT ANY REC MODE, like some other DVDRs do. I haven't seen any of that in my 3575's after MANY tests on fast-moving sports programs,
as described here .
Neither has Mickboy, who says his 2160 shows no blocking and blows away the older, supposedly better Pio and Panny units at the longer rec time bitrates,
as described here.
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HDD Recording Basics
See Notes 6 & 7 above for info on rec. WS programs and using the STOP button while rec.
You can record direct to the HDD or to a DVD, but not both at once.
See this help file for recording or copying to a DVD.
The HDD can hold:
Titles = 600 (999 in 53x Series).
Chapters per Title = 99.
Chapters per HDD = Unlimited (?).
Hours = See table below for approx. HDD capacities in hours.
The max. number of recorded
hours the HDD can hold depends on the rec mode(s) used. The following table shows the approx. hours each OEM or upgraded HDD can hold... OEM = 80GB in 2080, 160GB in 357x/2160, 320GB in 513, 500GB in 515. 320GB in 533, 500GB in 535, 1TB in 537:
Rec Mode | 80G | 160G | 250G | 320G' | 500G² | 1TB |
1-hr-HQ | 15 | 33 | 51 | 61 | 103 | 206 |
2-hr-SP | 30 | 66 | 103 | 126 | 206 | 412 |
2.5-hr-SPP | 38 | 82 | 129 | 158 | 258 | 516 |
3-hr-LP | 45 | 99 | 155 | 190 | 310 | 620 |
4-hr-EP | 60 | 132 | 206 | 253 | 413 | 826 |
6-hr-SLP | 90 | 199 | 310 | 384 | 620 | 1240 |
'Some
replacement 300 and 320GB drives may be seen by FW as "non-std" and MAY format to ~250GB capacity,
as reported by TimeLine62 and dfw515 here (3 posts).
²Largest usable capacity allowed by our FW in all models except 533/35/537, which allow 1TB max.
For recording, this DVDR uses only the most useful rec modes (1, 2, 2½, 3, 4 and 6 hours)...no 13-hour mode like on my Pio 640, which is totally useless...and very ugly!
This DVDR uses some "different" time lengths for it's longer rec. modes compared to some other DVDRs, so make sure your "conversations" with users of other brands are talking the same language. Many other DVDRs use the same
names for LP/EP/SLP, but they are 4/6/8-hr modes compared to this DVDR's 3/4/6-hr modes. Because of this, I always include the full name with hours just to be clear for people with the same rec. mode names but different lengths.
1-hr-HQ is best for VIEWING if you have to have the very best PQ. With your 160GB HDD, you can record up to 33 hours at HQ, which would require 33 DVD discs in a single-disc recorder!
HQ will also retain PQ much better for mode-conversion dubbing (going down in rec mode to next level) and for multi-generational dubbing, like offloading titles from the HDD to disc that you intend to put back on the HDD for editing and compiling later...
amazingly well if the original recording is from a digital WS channel,
as described here.
HOWEVER, there are two potential drawbacks to using 1-hr-HQ:
- Some older players might choke on the relatively high SDTV bit rate these PhilMag DVDRs use, so they may "choke" on that bit density.
- It limits your ability to use high-speed dub (HSD) to 1:04:55 run time, so if you decide later that you want a DVD copy of, say a 2-hour movie, you'll have to HSD to 2 discs or do a real-time mode-conversion dub at 2-hr-SP (which can be very good if your source is good, as mentioned above).
2-hr-SP is the best all-around rec. mode cuz it produces great quality, esp. from digital channels, and you can HSD most of today's shows and movies up to 2:10:00 if you want them on DVD later.
2½-hr-SPP, 3-hr-LP, 4-hr-EP and 6-hr-SLP modes are also good if your source is a digital/HD channel showing a drama, but they're not so great for most typical analog/SD channels. A field-sport like football is a PITA,
as explained here .
Things you rec to the HDD are auto-added to a Title list, accessible with the TITLE button. They appear in rec-date order (oldest to newest) with date/time/channel/mode/length and a full-motion video/audio index pic. The 515/53x/557 and 2160A/513 with SuperFW 727V Update replaces the 1st line of a title with a custom title you enter in the timer rec menu.
You select the default rec. mode for MANUAL (no timer) recording to the HDD with the REC MODE button on the remote. (See Note 3 above.) That mode will be used for all your MANUAL recordings unless you change it. Once you change it with that button, all future MANUAL recordings will use that new mode...make sure you change it back after a special recording with a different mode.
TIMER AND DUBBING REC modes are set separately in their respective menus and only for that specific timer program or dub... they don't change the default rec mode.
Note: The default rec mode can be automatically changed by a real-time dub (RTD) from HDD>DVD at a different rec mode, so always check your default rec mode before starting a manual recording! A high-speed dub (HSD) doesn't change the default rec mode.
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Manually Recording a TV Channel
See Notes 6 & 7 above for info on rec. WS programs and using the STOP button while rec.
Manual Recording - Select HDD drive and set this DVDR's tuner on the channel you want to record, set the rec. mode (if other than your default), and press the REC button on the remote or front of the unit ("RECORD"). If you let it record from there, it will continue recording until you manually stop it or the 12-hour single-title rec limit is reached.
Manual Timed Recording - If you press REC, like above,
and at any time during the manual recording, you press the REC button again, a
rec time of 30-min. will appear. If you keep pressing REC, the rec time will increase in 30-min. increments, up to 6 hours total. This way, you can leave and the DVDR will
stop recording after the set time has run out.
When you press REC for an
untimed manual recording, the front-panel (FP) display will show
accumulated rec time, from 0:00:00 to whatever time you manually stop the recording. Once you press the REC button again to do a
timed manual recording, the FP display changes to a countdown clock indicating rec
time remaining from your set time.
You can Pause a manual recording to edit out commercials, if desired. This does NOT set a chapter mark. If recording direct to DVD, there may be a time limit to the Pause before an E10 Error occurs, so don't pause too long.
Unique Feature: This DVDR is unique in that, during a manual recording, you can press PAUSE and CHANGE THE CHANNEL, then press PAUSE again and continue recording a different channel. This has been very useful in my many tests where I'm trying to determine PQ for diff. program content.
CAUTION: When you start a manual recording, don't Stop that recording until the HDD Rec icon disappears from screen, about 6 sec. If you Stop a manual rec with the icon on screen, that title can "freeze" so it can't be deleted with the normal Title Delete menu. If that happens, offload to DVD the titles you want to keep and use the SETUP > HDD Menu > Delete All Titles menu.
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Auto-Recording with a Timer Program
See Notes 6 & 7 above for info on rec. WS programs and using the STOP button while rec.
Unattended recording is user-set in a 1-page Timer Recording menu, as described in next subject below.
You can set 36 timer programs for recording to either the HDD or a DVD and from
either a tuner channel or a line input (L1/L2)... not both since channels and line inputs are mutually exclusive.
Timers can be either (1) a one time program on a specific date up to 1-month in the future, or (2) as many future programs as the HDD will hold, up to 12 hours each (11:59:59 to be exact), if they're on a regular basis (M-F, Every Sun, weekly, etc.)... the latter are not time limited like a one-time program. (A "12-hour" program will be like 8:00am-7:59pm.)
Note: The 1-month "limit" is only for a specific dated timer program, like Jun 3... can't be more than 1-month from now.
This DVDR can be on or off, or you can be watching/playing something else, and a timer rec program will start on schedule based on the Start time you entered in the Timer menu.
A timer program that's recording will be in red at the top of the Timer Programming list. If necessary, you can change a timer rec END time while it's recording, as described here.
At the end of a timer program, several actions can occur depending on whether you're there at the time and watching something or not:
- If you're not there and no other timer program is sched. to start within 4 minutes, this DVDR shuts itself off within 1 minute after a timer rec program ends. This allows you to go on extended trips and not have to worry about the DVDR remaining on for days on end.
- If you're there and just watching live TV thru the DVDR's tuner, it will show a Yes/No dialog asking if you want to "Switch power off?" The default selection is "No" and if you don't click OK on that "No," the machine will shut off within 1 minute (thinking you're not there to answer). No other remote buttons will work while the dialog is showing except the OK button and arrow up/down to change the answer to "Yes"... which would only make sense if you can't wait until the 1-min. expires and it shuts off automatically!?
- If you're PLAYING something on the HDD or DVD or you're in a menu when a timer program ends, there will be no dialog and the DVDR will NOT turn itself off.
NOTES:
- The "2-Minute-Warning": - 2-minutes before the start of a timer rec program with this DVDR off, it will go thru the Loading procedure, spin up the HDD, and change to the channel set in the timer program... all while still being visibly "off." This DVDR will only turn "on" 2-sec before timer start time, when "Loading" will show briefly while it checks for a recordable DVD, then recording will start immediately after. This is the reason you can't change channels while watching something from this DVDR from 2-minutes before a timer rec program start time.
- Power Sags Can Stop/Restart Timer Programs: If you have a timer set for a certain length of time, you might end up with two or more separate titles IF YOUR POWER GOES OUT OR SAGS JUST ENOUGH TO STOP THE TIMER REC. You can then end up with two (or more) titles wherever the power sagged if the power returns fully and the timer has time remaining. Each power outage/sag will start another title covering the remainder of an active timer's rec time.
- Lost Timer Programs: Ken.F has found that you can lose one or more timer programs if you're set up for Antenna channels, then do an Auto Channel Preset > Cable (but not the other way around, for some reason).
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SET or SKIP a Timer Rec Program
To SET a timer program, press the TIMER button on the remote, then press OK on the highlighted "New Program." "Timer Programming" is also in the General Settings menu.
This brings up one of the timer rec menus shown below, depending on model.
Below each menu is a chart showing how to set recurring events with the down arrow in the first date box.
357x, 2080, 2160/A, 513 | | 515/53x/557 (Extra "SKIP" Box, Top Left) | | |
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| | |
Enter approp. info. in the 6 simple boxes every model has: Date, Start, End, CH, REC To, and Mode. Arrow right/left to move between boxes. Arrow up/dn to change info in any box... can also enter clock times and channel directly with the number buttons (except on 3575/3576, arrow only for subchannels in DTV/digital channel box).
Date box has today's date so, for a one-time program for TODAY, move on... arrow right to set times, etc.
To set a program for a
single date up to 30 days in the future,
ARROW UP to go to a specific date.
To get a repeating program (daily/weekly) in the box, ARROW DOWN to select one of the options. Emphasized for people who don't RTFM but are lucky enough to come here for help.
Start box has current time. Set hour with arrow up/dn or enter numbers with keypad. Arrow right and set minutes same way. Arrow right and set AM/PM with arrow up/dn.
End box has dashes (- - :- -). Set same way as Start time.
CH box has 2 sections (channel or line input currently tuned will appear in this box):
- In 1st section, select Source by arrowing up/down to change between --- (analog tuner), DTV (digital tuner), or E1/L1 or E2/L2 external inputs.
- Arrow right to 2nd section. If you selected an external input, the E1/L1 or E2/L2 will auto-move to the center all by itself. If you selected a tuner source (--- or DTV), you can change the channel number with the arrow up/down keys or direct entry, except arrow only with 3575/3576 in DTV (digital) subchannel box.
- Channels entered in a timer menu don't have to be in CH+/- memory. You can use numbers w/o the dot for faster digital ch. entry, like 063 for 6.3 or 745 for 74.5.
REC To box ALWAYS has HDD as default, so you can leave it (unless you really do want to record directly to a DVD... but WHY!?)
Mode box has whatever you last set as default via the REC MODE button on the remote while viewing TV, so you can leave it or change it with the arrow keys for that timer program. Changing the rec. mode here is just for that timer program and doesn't affect your default setting.
You don't have to arrow thru every box... you can press OK at any time to exit and save this menu with all old and new entries intact.
Skip (515/53x/557 only or 2160A/513 with SuperFW 727V) box is greyed out and defaulted to OFF. Once a program is set up and in the timer list, you can skip it one time if you click that program, select Program Change, then arrow up or down on "OFF" to change it to ON. That puts a checkmark in the 1st column of the timer list for that program. It reverts to a normal active program (Skip OFF or no checkmark) after that program is skipped once. You can set the checkmark again if you want to skip that program again.
WARNING: Some people experience a loss of one or more timer programs associated with this SKIP function... program(s) just disappear. Others see the SKIP checkmark NOT disappear after one-time skip.
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Change Program or Pre-Title (515/53x/557 and 2160A/513 w/SuperFW 727V Update)
To CHANGE a timer program or PRE-TITLE it,, highlight that timer in the timer list and press OK. Thiat brings up a menu with 2 or 3 options, depending on DVDR model.
All models have
Program Change and
Delete options, but the 515/53x/557 or 2160A/513 w/SuperFW 727V has a 3rd option,
Edit Title Name.
If you select the
Program Change option, you can change all info in a timer if the program is not recording at that time. You can only change the End time in a program already recording.
You don't have to arrow thru every box... you can press OK at any time to exit and save this menu with all old and new entries intact.
If you select the
Delete option, you can delete that timer.
The 3rd option,
Edit Title Name, is only available with the 515/53x/557 or 2160A/513 w/SuperFW 727V and allows you to pre-title the shows that timer will record, i.e., change the generic auto-title that will be applied to that timer recording. After you set up a timer rec program, highlight that program in the timer list, press OK, then select the
Edit Title Name option.
The 515/53x/557 or 2160A/513 w/SuperFW 727V Edit Title Name menu is shown below. The title cursor will be over the 1st letter in the generic auto-title, so press-and-hold CLEAR to delete the entire generic title and start your custom title. For instructions on titling,
start with Step 3 here.
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Timer Priority and Overlapping Programs
A timer recording will start on time even if a manual (press REC) or manual-timed recording (press REC more than once) is in progress. If manual rec in progress, channel will change 2-min. before timer start, and if manual-timed rec, the normal "channel will change" message will appear at the 2-min.-before-start point.
The timer programming menu is like a
mini Relational Database. It lists timer programs in the order of soonest to be recorded first,
based not only on date and time of the programs, but also on date and time when you view the list. BOTH are factored into the "priority" the machine assigns to the programs
at that moment in time.
Programs shown in Red text are currenty recording, White are OK (no problem), and Blue are overlapped (schedule conflict). If you make a time or date change to a Blue overlapped program, it can change to White and cause another program to change to Blue.
If you mix repeating programs with single-dated or day-of-week programs, the ordered listing can sometimes look "odd." It's a complex thing involving related times and dates, but you can be assured that whatever program is at the top in WHITE will START recording first and have no problem completing its scheduled timer recording.
Here are some "scenarios" I've tested that might help explain some "odd" looking arrangements you might run across:
- When one program overlaps any time of another program scheduled for the current day/date, the ealier-starting program will have priority, will appear FIRST in the timer list in WHITE, and will start recording first. If the first program ALSO ENDS earlier, the machine will record the earlier-starting one first, then continue recording whatever time is left on the longer, but later-ending program.
- A totally overlapped program won't rec at all and *might* show an E40 to the left of that program in the timer list to indicate you're an idiot... you'll get nada! However, it will appear only in original viewing of the list and will disappear on next viewing (may be time-limited and gone quicker, but next viewing for sure?).
- Recurring DAILY, MON-SAT and MON-FRI programs mixed with other programs will usually appear 1st in the list unless one of those other programs starts earlier TODAY, when you're viewing the timer list, or the start time of the recurring program has already passed.
- Other operating oddity still undiscovered?
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Timer Recording BACK-TO-BACK (BTB) Programs
See Notes 6 & 7 above for info on rec. WS programs and using the STOP button while rec.
One Reason NOT To Record Back-to-Back: If you're recording a series/marathon, for example, you might want to record one LONG Title (max. single-title is 11:59:59). Thay way, you can create a main Title Name in edit (or PRE-TITLE it in the 515/53x/557 or 2160A/513 with SuperFW 727V Update), like "The Inner Sanctum," ONE TIME for the multi-hour rec, then Divide that into episodes. Each episode would now have the same main title name, to which you could add an episode name, number, date or other distinguishing text. This would be opposed to back-to-back shows, each with a nondescript time/date Title Name to change. Remember, only 30 characters/spaces max., so plan ahead (i.e., don't use all 30 spaces for the main title name?).
Even more "planning ahead": set your Auto Chaptering for 30- or 60-minute interval, as approp., so you can quickly get to each episode during the Edit > Divide process!
You can set timer programs back-to-back (BTB) on the same channel OR on multiple different channels when recording to the HDD. You'll "lose" a few sec at the transition point of subsequent recordings.
I did a test to show the typical transition times between analog and digital channels, using 1-min. back-to-back recordings from diff. channels. I used 1-min. cuz I was just testing the transition points... length of recording won't matter. My results are shown in the table below:
1-min. BTB Timer Rec Test
Different Tuners and Channels, Showing
Loss (sec.) for Ea. Subsequent Title
Title# | TunerUsed | RecTime | SecLoss |
1 | Analog | 1:01 | -- |
2 | Analog | 0:57 | 3 |
3 | Analog | 0:57 | 3 |
4 | Digital | 0:55 | 5 |
5 | Digital | 0:54 | 6 |
6 | Digital | 0:54 | 6 |
7 | Analog | 0:56 | 4 |
8 | Analog | 0:57 | 3 |
9 | Analog | 0:57 | 3 |
For successive programs, the HDD has a read-write buffer that it has to write to disk (indicated by the chasing lines in the display) while this DVDR is switching to the other channel. (This buffer is what allows us to Chase Play a recording in progress.) Analog-to-analog transitions are quickest, but when a digital channel is involved, the transition times are a little longer since digitals take longer to tune.
In any case, you'll end up with separate titles. This ALSO means you don't have to record two or more shows appearing on the SAME channel as one continuous program. This way you can have each show as an independent title and you WON'T HAVE TO DIVIDE the shows later for dubbing to DVD. If, however, you're a timeshifter and only record/watch/delete, no problem either way.
So far, the king of BTB recording is FullOnShred with 34 HOURS of continuous BTB recording of 16 separate 2-hr and 2 separate 1-hr timer recordings.
His project info is here ...
and a brief description of results is here. His only "problem" was the shows were played w/o commercial breaks at beginning and end so the normal 3-6 sec lost while changing channels and/or timer programs was actual show time... not a problem with "normal" commercial TV.
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Recording One Channel While Watching Another
If you've connected as recommended, with this DVDR 1st on the coax or on a splitter if you've got PPV, this is prob. the greatest benefit of coax passthru: any components on the coax chain can tune the raw TV signal independently as long as they have the right kind of tuner (analog and/or digital).
Basically, you can watch one channel on the TV while simultaneously recording a diff. channel with this DVDR or playing something from this DVDR's HDD or a DVD.
If you have an STB and it also has coax passthru like this DVDR, you could even watch TWO other channels if your TV has PIP, one with the TV tuner and one with the STB tuner!
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Recording from Cable or Satellite STB/DVR
See Notes 6 & 7 above for info on rec. WS programs and using the STOP button while rec.
Copy Protection & Widescreen Preservation - For shows with CP, you'll have to record from the STB (or copy from a DVR) with a filter/converter between the source and this DVDR.
See this post for two filter/converters that will strip CP and preserve 16:9 aspect ratio from the STB/DVR if it doesn't output 16:9 from its Composite YWR or S-Video outputs (all Motorolas and some others.)
Here's another list that adds some others. A list of STBs that will and won't preserve 16:9 aspect thru their Composite/S-Video outputs is above the filter/converters.
With satellite, the signal is encrypted so this DVDR's tuner can't tune those channels directly. However, you can attach an indoor or outdoor antenna or sub. to cable and get additional channels you CAN record directly.
With cable, you CAN usually tune some channels, perhaps many, so you should connect this DVDR 1st on the incoming coax and do an
Auto Channel Preset > Cable (Analog/Digital). You should get some analog and/or digital channels "in-the-clear' (not scrambled, since that's the law). You can record those channels directly with this DVDR. For any scrambled channels only the box can tune, you need a line connection between the STB/DVR and this DVDR. With the DVDR 1st on the coax, you can also watch one channel thru the STB while recording one of the unscrambled channels the DVDR can tune independently. If you order PPV/VOD thru the STB, you need to run the incoming cable coax to a
bidirectional splitter with one coax output to the 515/53x/557 and one to the STB.
You can record
directly from a cable/sat set-top box (STB) or from a DVR while its tuned to or recording a channel if you connect composite YWR RCA or S-Video + W/R audio cables between the STB/DVR outputs and this DVDR's Inputs (E1/L1 or E2/L2).
To record a scrambled/encrypted cable/sat program that only the STB can tune, you have 3 options:
- Attended: Press REC when the show starts. Keep pressing REC to add 30-min increments to cover the expected run time of the show.
- Unattended, Direct: Select a program to record in the STB and set a coordinated timer rec program in this DVDR as described above ... even if your STB does NOT have a DVR, as explained in "TIPS" next.
- Unattended, Indirect: Record to DVR first with the STB's guide, then copy to this DVDR's HDD/DVD later. Instructions for copying are in the DVR/VCR/DVD copying section below.
See Sketch 3 or 4 here for connections, depending on whether you have cable or sat service.
PPV/VOD shows that you order separately might be copyable from the STB/DVR to a DVD or from your DVDR HDD to a DVD. However, one Lite-on user reports he regularly records live, extra-cost PPV shows directly to a DVD
while the STB/DVR is also recording the show, i.e., a "direct-to-disc (DTD)-while-DVR-recording" trick.
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TIPS FOR STB USERS
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STB With or Without DVR
Motorola DCT/DCH and Pace RNG
Scientific Atlanta & Samsung
Dish
DirecTV
AT&T Uverse
Verizon FIOS
Widescreen Preservation
IR Blaster Fakeout
480i Output May Be Reqd
HDCP Error
Some Critical Connection Tips
STB With or Without DVR
If you have a STB with DVR, you can set the DVR to record, using its program guide, and simultaneously record from the DVR output to this DVDR.
If you DON'T have a DVR to RECORD, i.e., you have a bare cable/sat STB (one w/o a DVR), you STILL might be able to "Record" with that STB. Many people have STB/receivers but NO DVR so virtually all STBs are made to operate independently from the DVR.
Many or most cable/sat STBs have a TIMER, REMINDER, RECORD or RECORD SHOW menu item where you can select one or more programs to record
even w/o a DVR, then set a coordinated timer rec program in this DVDR for the same time period(s) and the line input your STB is connected to.
If your STB remote has a REC button, it prob. can be set to record shows from its Guide or from a timer menu.
Also, check your manual and menus for a "RECORD" function like those described in the Tips below and see if you, like many others, can use that to set up "phantom" recordings for unattended copying to the DVDR via a coordinated timer rec program. The STB does the scheduling of viewing or recording so it's possible that virtually *EVERY* STB has a view/record scheduling feature.
If no "Record" features on your STB, you'll have to leave it on the channel you want to record, and you can only do one program this way since there's no way to change channels unattended? If you're there, you can just tune the STB to the desired channel manually, select the source (E1/L1 or E2/L2) with the SOURCE button or by pressing 001 or 002, set the rec mode (if diff. from your default), and press REC on this DVDR at the program start time.
Pressing REC repeatedly increases REC time in 30-min. increments (up to 6 hours) if you want to set a specific rec time so you don't have to be there at the end of the program to stop recording. Recording from the STB will tie up both tuners so you'll only be able to watch the recording or something else from this DVDR's HDD or a DVD... remember, it's a multi-tasking wonder!
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Motorola DCT/DCH and Pace RNG Boxes With or Without Their DVR
General notes on Moto boxes:
Reminders may not work for changing channels.
They turn themselves on when you've set a Record (R) action, even if you don't have the cableco's DVR.
Click "View Recording Settings for this program" (a wrench icon) to set frequency, times, etc. If your box displays a "Changing Channels" message X-min.
before a scheduled recording, change "start on time" to X-min. to allow that message to clear before "recording" starts. Can't do this if setting back-to-back programs.
You can set multiple Rec actions but limit might be 7 (still untested beyond 7).
Most Moto boxes won't send 16:9 WS via their Composite Yellow RCA or S-Video output. You'll need a WS converter/preserver,
some of which are listed here.
DCH3200 and RNG110 - dswenson uses both and does this to set them to auto-tune for recording by his 3576 with coordinated timer rec programs: "With the Comcast cable box, while in Guide mode, and with the program highlighted I want to record, press 'Info' and choose 'Set or cancel a VCR recording.' The program guide on screen will show a red dot in the guide description for the program."
His first post is here , but he had to amend that later cuz he found he had to leave the box ON or he wouldn't get any audio.
His follow-up post here gives more info on his boxes, etc.
His final post here gives his experience with no audio and how he gets around it.
DCH3200 - Artwire uses the Guide in his STB-only DCH3200, where he selects the "R" icon ("Set or Cancel a VCR recording") for multiple recordings, except he pads the start and end times to make sure they don't end up with the STB's "about-to-record" message on screen at the start,
as described here, with detailed instructions a few posts below that.
He posted screen shots here.
DCH3200 - Scott_111 uses the Record icon in the Quick Menu of his Moto DCH3200 to change channels for a specific program,
as described at bottom here. Ignore Comcast's "VCR instructions" since he uses the Composite out from the box.
DCH700 - Dartman had a DCH700 before his DCH3200 and says they both record with the Guide and the "R - Set or Cancel a VCR recording" option as described above by Artwire. He is able to watch an HD channel but record in SD,
as described here .
DCT2000/2500 Series - DCT2000 boxes had the Record feature removed in updates, but the 2500 does include that feature,
as described by Super Eye here , and
by Westly-C here (with screen shots).
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Scientific Atlanta (SA) & Samsung
SA8300HD - First,
per JimLely, adjust the aspect ratio on the 8300HD and downscale the video by setting it to fixed resolution 480i (rather than its usual "pass" setting). Next, press your SA8300's RECORD button on the show in the program guide you want to record to your DVDR...
even if you don't have a DVR. This brings up three options: Record This Show, Record This Series, or Create a Manual Recording. Select Record This Show, then set a timer on the DVDR for the same time period.
Another SA8300 user schedules
multiple shows, sets the number of days before deletion and confirms, all on one screen.
See these instructions for setting a SA8300HD with SARA SW for outputting 16:9 WS via S-Video to this DVDR.
SA4250HDC -
MKoven gives some info and tips on recording to a DVR/DVDR with the 4250's "VCR Commander" feature. You can set up a max. of 7 recordings to this DVDR with coordinated timer programs, even if you don't have a DVR attached.
Brighthouse SA & Samsung -
MrMazda says Samsung and Scientific Atlanta Brighthouse cable boxes cut off other outputs when they're connected to TV via HDMI.
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Dish With or Without Their DVR
All Dish STBs?: Check your Dish STB for a menu option to send a 480i signal thru its composite/S-Video outputs called Enable Recording to External Device (ERD). Without that setting, you'll get a blank screen on this DVDR. Depending on your STB model, successfully recording to this DVDR depends on whether you're using TVa or TV2 output and running it in single or dual mode. Dual- vs Single-Mode effect can be as follows:
Dual-Mode: TV1 is WS, TV2 has bars.
Single-Mode: TV1 and TV2 are WS.
Hopper: One Mag user got a new Dish
Hopper system and is ecstatic about it,
as described here . Native 16:9 WS out via composite (no converter needed), and a "great" pic.
VIP722K: For 16:9 WS to this DVDR w/o a converter,
mdavej says (and Mike99 confirms) that his VIP722K will send WS via TV1 and TV2 in Single-Mode only. The 722's outputs are all active at the same time. Most users run their audio to their TV via HDMI so their L/R audio outputs can be run to their DVDR w/o having to
split audio with two RCA Y-adapters (splitter cables), one for L and one for R audio.
VIP211K:
Greaser posts here how his VIP211K, which has NO DVR, has an Enable VCR menu item with a Timer section where he sets multiple programs to record and coordinated timer rec programs in his DVDR, and he speculates that DirecTV users have the same system. Check your Dish STB for a similar "Enable VCR" or even a "Record Show" feature in the Guide, even if you don't have Dish's DVR!
With Satellite, the Mag's
full capabilities can be gained only by adding an indoor or outdoor antenna or a cable feed.
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DirecTV (D*TV) With or Without Their DVR
Some D*TV satellite receivers/STBs,
even without a DVR, have a menu option similar to Dish's "ERD" or a Timer section mentioned above. Might also require a specific line output, like "Out to VCR," that must be set/used.
sSgidurange reports that his H20 and newer STBs have an "Autotune" feature that will change channels at set times for coordnated timer recording on these DVDRs w/o an IR blaster.
Greaser speculates here that DirecTV users have the same system as his Dish VIP211K, which has NO DVR but does have an Enable VCR menu item with a Timer section where he sets multiple programs to record and coordinated timer rec programs in his DVDR.
One D*TV user ran into a problem with copying from a Hughes TiVo-2 directly to a DVD in this DVDR, but found it worked OK when he copied to the HDD first, then dubbed a copy to DVD,
as described in his post here .
Another D*TV user copied PPV titles from his DVR to his 3576 and his 2160 in the same HDD-1st manner,
as described here and following posts .
If you get an E-25 error with D*TV: "This program is not allowed to be recorded" (copy protection) and the station is not HBO or similar channels that normally employ copy protection, then turn all off and unplug both this DVDR and the D*TV receiver. Leave both unplugged about five minutes, then plug all back in and try again. Using the reset button will not correct the problem... you must unplug the receiver.
With Satellite, the Mag's full capabilities can be gained only by adding an indoor or outdoor antenna or a cable feed.
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AT&T Uverse
Based on a few reports herein, Uverse encrypts their signal so the Uverse STB is needed to decrypt it. This makes Uverse virtually identical to a satellite feed as far as user experience is concerned. Your DVDR would only act as a slave to the Uverse box, able to record a single channel that the box is tuned to and copy shows from the Uverse DVR.
Here's a series of posts , starting with Mike Hardy laying out some recording scenarios, which is followed by suggestions, including the addition of a Component-to-Composite/S-Video converter/filter for copying protected shows from the Uverse DVR.
As with satellite, the Mag's full capabilities could be gained only by adding an indoor or outdoor antenna.
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Verizon FIOS STB With or Without DVR
Ken.F describes his
special DVDR scanning procedure here , where he advises not scanning in (or deleting) ch. 1-10 since FIOS uses those ch. for encrypted premium content that can cause tuning interference in these DVDRs.
(See these posts for a recent confirmation.) For recording, he says he can select a program to record in the FIOS guide but it sets a "Reminder." Must be a diff. FIOS box than the other two FIOS users below, who can set channels to "RECORD" whether they have a DVR or not.
Denal46 found that his FIOS STB can set a timer to record a channel EVEN THO HE DOESN'T HAVE A DVR! He presses the red record button on the STB remote, which brings up the menus for selecting a program and setting it to record, even tho there's no DVR with his STBs. He then just needs to set a timer program in his DVDR for a coordinated, unattended timer recording session,
as described here.
JanisHP uses the same RECORD SHOW feature of a FIOS STB as Denal46 to set coordinated timer programs,
as described here. .
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Widescreen Preservation (and CP Stripping)
See this list of STB/DVRs that will and won't preserve 16:9 WS aspect thru their Composite/S-Video outputs; if your's doesn't, see the next list of converters below that. For shows with copy protection (CP), you'll have to record/copy from the STB/DVR with a filter/converter between the source and this DVDR.
See this post for two filter/converters I've tested that will strip CP AND preserve 16:9 aspect ratio from the STB/DVR.
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IR Blaster Fakeout for Anyone Who Has Older Recorder with IR Blaster
Some people use an older recorder that has an IR blaster to set one or more "fake"
1-min. programs whose only purpose is to change the channel on their box 1-min or so BEFORE they want their DVDR to record with its timer rec program(s). For example, they set a program in the fakeout unit for 10:58-10:59 for a timer program to start at 11:00 in this DVDR. The fakeout unit is not actually going to record anything, it provides ONLY the channel-changing function, so it's only "connected" to the box via the IR blaster. It can be that POS you stored in the closet just for this purpose.
- DrevH uses a old Sony DVDR that has an IR blaster to change channels on his box for recording with a Mag 515, as described here.
- CopRock uses his "POS" LG RC797t combo recorder to change the channel on his cable box with its IR blaster. He sets up 1-min. timer recs on the LG's VHS side before the times he wants to record to his 513, which sets the box on the desired channel, as described here.
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480i Output May Be Reqd
This DVDR requires 480i input from either a composite or S-Video output of an external cable or satellite STB/DVR. Some DVRs require you to specify 480i output with a "copy-to-external device" setting, and some have a composite and/or S-Video output that auto-converts the output to 480i, sometimes identified as "Out to VCR" or similar. Using one of the filter/converters mentioned in "Widescreen Preservation..." above or "Copying from DVR..." below does the conversion to 480i for you.
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HDCP Error
Ken.F reports that he sometimes sees "HDCP Error" when recording/copying from his STB/DVR connected to his TV via HDMI thru a receiver and to this DVDR via S-Video and he switches inputs too fast.
He reports the following: "I corrected the HDCP issue by removing the HDMI cable between the FiOS STB and the AV Receiver. I now have the FiOS STB directly connected to the TV with R/G/B component cables. The only connection between the FiOS STB and AV Receiver is the TOSLINK optical audio. The FiOS STB is still feeding the 515 L1 input with R/W and S-Video cable.
The HDCP error wasn't caused by any cabling between the FiOS STB and the 515. I believe it was caused by interrupting an attempt to re-establish the HDMI handshake between the AV Receiver, TV, and FiOS STB after switching inputs. I think the FiOS STB was broadcasting the HDCP error over all the video outputs so it showed up on the 515 recording."
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Some Critical Connection Tips
Be aware of typical difference between "TV1" and "TV2" outputs on STBs: TV1 is for the unmodulated (raw) signal that a TV or DVDR can tune with its own tuner, and TV2 is a modulated signal that a TV/DVDR can receive and diplay/record only when set on ch. 3 or 4.
MrNews found that he needed his HDTV ON when recording shows from a cable STB with HDMI-related copy protection,
as described here (3 posts).
ss_sea_ya says he has to have his Sony LCD ON if copying shows from his cable STB when using the TV's HDMi/DVI input, but it can be ON or OFF if using the TV's HDMI-only input,
as described here.
Ghpr13 found two things that might be important to others recording VOD or other "copy-protected" stuff from his Dish sat STB:
- He found that, with a switcher, he could copy VOD and other premium shows from his DVR if he didn't switch to the DVDR's HDMI connection/input on his HDTV to view what he was copying. As soon as he did, the DVDR would start recording black screen, as described here.
- He also found that if he didn't have his TV ON while copying from his Dish receiver, the program would stop playing altogether, as described here. (Same finding as MrNews above.)
Geodon005 queried Moxi on how to copy shows from a Moxi DVR to his DVDR. They advised him to have only the DVDR connected to the TV while copying,
as described here.
MrMazda says Samsung and Scientific Atlanta Brighthouse cable boxes cut off other outputs when they're connected to TV via HDMI.
These all show that, if you have problems seeing or recording from another device incl. black screen, you should experiment with only one specific unit connected to TV or both and with what cable type, whether TV should be on/off, etc.
Equipment mfgrs and "Hollywood" work together to allow you to VIEW anything but prevent RECORDING if at all possible, and setting output restrictions to accomplish that is just one of their dastardly tools!
Never forget, "fair use" was a 20th Century concept, so you may not be prepared yet for the new world order!? An
HDMI Converter/CP Stripper may be of interest?
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Copying from DVR/VCR/DVD/Camera ... CP Strip & WS Preservation... Direct-To-Disc (DTD)
• See Notes 6 & 7 above for info on rec WS programs and using the STOP button while recording.
• Check Timer Programs First - Before starting a copy to HDD or DVD, make sure you have enough time to complete before a timer rec is due to start. If not, the timer rec takes precedence and copying will stop. If copying to HDD, you'll have an incomplete title; if to DVD, your disc will be ruined. In either case, you'll have to start over.
• Don't Activate Menus on Player -While copying, don't activate any menus in the playing machine. Whatever you can see on the final output is being recorded!
• Copy Protection (CP) Strip & Widescreen (WS) Preservation - This DVDR can copy 50% or more of your comm. VHS tapes but less (if any) of your comm. DVDs. For backup copies of the "uncopyables," you'll need a filter/video stabilizer between the external source and this DVDR. See this post for several devices I've tested. Two of those devices ALSO preserve WS aspect from the Component RBG or HMDI outputs of a STB/DVR to the Composite YWR or S-Video input on this DVDR.
• Copying Direct-to-Disc (DTD) - In my tape-to-DVD project for comm. movie backups, I've been doing real-time record (RTR) direct-to-disc rather than to HDD then HSD to disc cuz it gives me several key advantages FOR TITLES THAT DON'T NEED SUBSEQUENT EDITING:
- Copying direct to HDD or to DVD is the same real-time copy process.
- The copy on DVD will be a 1st-gen copy, same as a HDD>HSD.
- If you use Taiyo Yuden or Verbatim DataLife PLUS (AZO) discs, odds are virtually equal in getting a good copy as rec to HDD.
- With Mag DVDRs only, DTD eliminates the need for Overwriting to delete the Empty Title/Space, which involves more steps. (N/A to Philips DVDRs.) I just let the DVDR keep recording after the source video ends. It reverts to copying black screen all the way to the end of the disc cuz comm. movies have a defined video ending. When the disc gets full, recording stops and there's NO EMPTY TITLE/SPACE to contend with.
- With my Mag DVDRs, letting the process run to DVD end allows me to walk away so the only manual steps are coordinating the start of tape and recorder, and changing the title and index pic on disc at the end... plus Finalizing, of course, which is reqd no matter what method is used.
Notes on DTD with Mag DVDRs (N/A to Philips):
1. DTD is an OK procedure if the show you're copying isn't too short. This could take more time than if you stopped the recording and overwrote the Empty Title. This DTD method is a winner if you're NOT anxious for the disc to fill up, i.e., you've got something more productive to do.
2. If you like the run time in your labels, remember to use the actual show run time, not the time shown in the DVD title since that is the ENTIRE run time to end of disc.
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You can copy stuff using virtually any external device that has std "analog" outputs (YWR RCA or S-Video). The device can be a VCR, DVR, DVD player, still/video camera, CD player, etc. Anything you can play to your TV
All copying will be in real-time... there is no high-speed copying from external components by common earthlings.
The procedure for copying from an external device is as follow:
- Connect Composite Y/W/R RCA or S-Video outputs from the DVR, VCR, camera, etc. to this DVDR's AV IN or S-Video inputs (E1/L1 on back or E2/L2 on front). The W/R audio inputs supply audio for both Composite and S-Video video inputs. Some people say S-Video provides a better pic, but I can't see any diff. in my system... test each if you're a PQ-freaknut. Most HD camcorders (and other devices) have a HDMI output cable that converts to YWR RCA or S-Video for use with this DVDR.
- Connect video stabilizer between the source and this DVDR if needed for stripping CP or maintaining 16:9 WS aspect from the source (for your backup copies only).
- Set or select the following:
- TV input. Lets you see what you're doing.
- DVDR drive. Select HDD or DVD drive. Copying direct to DVD has several advantages and one disadvantage, as described above.
- DVDR Source. Use SOURCE button to select E1/L1 or E2/L2 (or press 001 or 002), whichever you connected to in Step 1.
- DVDR Video Input. Use Video > Video In menu. "Video In" is for Composite YWR and "S-Video In" is for S-Video.
- DVDR Rec mode. Your eventual goal is to get title/tape on a single DVD, so match title/tape length to DVD rec mode. That is, 2-hours or less of title/tape run time recorded at any tape speed will fit on a single DVD if copied at 2-hr-SP rec mode. 6 hours of title/tape run time recorded at any tape speed will only fit on a single DVD if copied at 6-hr-SLP. See DVD limitations and lots of other info here.
- DVDR TV Aspect. Set DVDR Recording > TV Aspect to 16:9 Wide. It doesn't affect aspect of old 4:3 analog stuff, like all VHS tapes; aspect of 4:3 material is controlled solely by TV. On a 4:3 TV, it will display naturally; on a 16:9 HDTV, use TV control to show either "Normal" 4:3 or "Wide," depending on your pers. prefs for how it looks. However, this setting guarantees widescreen recording of 16:9 source. I have many 4:3 analog channels and don't like a 4:3 pic in the middle of my big 16:9 screen, so I don't switch my TV to show 4:3 in "Normal" aspect... keep the TV set for "Wide" and just accept the slight PQ degradation of 4:3 stuff stretched to fit the screen. If you're a PQ freak-nut, you prob. won't like this, so bite the bullet and keep switching! More info here if needed.
Note: Diff. STB/DVRs may or may not send a 16:9 WS program to this DVDR over their composite or S-Video outputs. See this help file for info on some that do and some that don't, and info on converters that can maintain the STB/DVR's 16:9 WS aspect from its Component or HDMI output to Composite YWR or S-Video for the DVDR.
- If source is a tape, run FF and REW to remove moisture and reseat the tape on the hubs, while ALSO noting the tape's run time, which you'll need to do an unattended copy (unless you use the DTD method described above and let the process run to DVD end).
- Start the VCR/DVR/camcorder/other device playing.
- When you see first pic on TV or just before first audio (if CD player), press the DVDR's REC button.
- If you know the original's run time, and you're NOT using the DTD procedure (letting copy run to DVD end) , press the DVDR REC button multiple times in 30-min. increments, at start of rec or anytime during tape run, until you see the number of minutes/hours needed to cover the original's run time (or remaining time if you press REC late in the process). You can add up to 6 hours, then more REC presses recycle back to the 30 minutes, etc. The display then turns into a countdown clock showing remaining rec time. If you don't set a manual REC time when copying to the HDD, this DVDR will record until you shut it off with the STOP button, or 12 hours (11:59:59) max continuous in one title. On a DVD, copying stops when the DVD runs out of room if using my DTD procedure and you let the copy run to DVD end.
- When copying is complete, click on the index pic on disc, select Edit, then change Title Name and the Index Picture in the same Edit menu, as described here. (Mag 557 does not have Index Picture editing feature.)
- If the disc has an Empty Title that you don't want, Overwrite it as described here. (Applies to Mag DVDRs only.)
- Finalize the disc using the Disc Edit menu under General Settings.
You could also set a timer rec program for the length of the original and press PLAY on the source once the timer program starts on this DVDR.
See this help file on Editing if you want to create a custom title (recommended) and/or cut scenes from your copied tapes on the HDD before offloading to DVDs.
See this help file on Dubbing when you're ready to copy your tapes/titles from the HDD to DVDs.
See next section for some notes on copying commercial VHS movies to the HDD.
For a tape that shows too dark or too light thru this DVDR, one user with very bright tapes used a clever workaround to change brightness as he recorded to this DVDR's HDD: he set a Panny DMR-ES10, which has multiple darkness-control settings, in the path from his VCR to this DVDR's line input.
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Notes on Copying Commercial VHS Tapes (for Backup Copies Only)
Don't Activate Menus on Player -While copying, don't activate any menus in the playing machine. Whatever you can see on the final output is being recorded!
Copy Protection (CP) - For backup copies of commercial VHS tapes and DVDs, you'll need a video stabilizer/converter between an external player and this DVDR.
See this post for devices I've tested. Another device is the
DPX-7000, which has been tested and approved by other AVS members...
see post #37 and #42 here.
A step-by-step procedure and info for copying VHS tapes is in the subject just above this one.
Before buying a video stabilizer for comm. movies, try copying direct from VCR to this DVDR, no filter/stabilizer. I successfully copied 9 of 14 commercial movies
from VHS tape to my 3575 and 2160 HDD and dubbed them in High-speed to DVDs, all without doing anything to defeat their copy protection. I used the front and rear RCA connections (E1/L1 and E2/L2), and the copies turned out great all the way thru to DVDs... no video disruption or audio/video loss or blackout.
TIP: In doing this, I ran into a situation that could easily affect others who might try to copy old movies or anything from a VCR or DVD player: I didn't select the drive before pressing the REC button.
If you don't switch manually to the drive you're using, pressing the REC button after starting the tape or DVD playing on the other machine will yield no response at all, and you might think this DVDR won't let you record that movie.
OR, if you do happen to have a DVD in this DVDR's drive and loaded, you'll most likely get a "can't copy" message since some CP will allow copying to a HDD but NOT to a DVD... has to do with the "portability" and "copyability" of the media.
So, make sure you've selected the correct drive (HDD/DVD) BEFORE starting a copy from an external source!
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Removing Index Marks on VHS Tapes
This procedure was provided by CDToaster. If you have questions,
you can contact him via PM here.
If you’re having trouble transferring VHS to DVD on recorders such as the Panasonic EZ-48, which automatically creates a new title at every index mark found on the tape, you’ll have to erase the index marks before transferring the tape to DVD.
First, acquire an Index-Mark-Erasing VCR such as the Mitsubishi HS-U69. The following procedure is for erasing index marks with this machine, therefore, your particular application may be different. You must use a tape with its Accidental Erasure Tab intact, or taped over.
When erasing a sequence of Index Marks, it’s best to start the tape from the beginning, reset the counter to zero, then progress through the tape in a FORWARD motion using Index Search. Going forward instead of in reverse allows you to work with only increasingly positive numbers.
Set the VCR’s Display mode to view the tape’s Time Counter on the VCR’s built-in Display panel because the “Erase Index Mark” screen, which you will use later, prevents a simultaneous display of it and the Time Counter on your TV monitor. You will do the edit while reading the numbers on the VCR’s Time Count display, NOT by viewing the tape’s playback image on the screen. You may find yourself having to toggle your viewing between the TV monitor and the VCR’s display to see the tape Time Counter which will always be either on the VCR’s display or on your TV monitor.
Each erasure uses 3 numbers, A, B, and C. Write them down.
A. Unless you know exactly where the Index Mark you want to erase begins, use Index Search (from either the Stop or Play mode) to find the first Index Mark. Press STOP immediately after Auto Playback begins, noting time “A.”
B. Subtract 5 sec from time “A” and write this down as time “B.” This is the time at which you will press the REC button on the Remote Control which begins the Erase Index Mark process.
C. Rewind the tape for approximately 10 sec from position “A,” and press Stop.
IMPORTANT:
D. On the Remote Control, bring up the Erase Index Mark screen using the menu and jog/shuttle rings.
E. With the Erase Index Mark instruction page displayed on your TV monitor, PLAY the tape while watching the time counter on the VCR’s display panel, holding your finger over the REC button.
F. Press REC on the Remote Control at time “B.”
DO NOT PRESS THIS BUTTON UNLESS THE TAPE IS PLAYING IN THE ERASE INDEX MARK MODE OR ELSE YOU WILL ERASE YOUR MASTER TAPE! BE CAREFUL!
A triangular Index Mark symbol lights STEADY on the VCR’s Display panel while it waits to detect the beginning of the upcoming Index Mark. After a few seconds, it will start to flash indicating it has detected the Index Mark and is erasing it. It will stop flashing and disappear when the Index Mark has been erased.
G. Press STOP after the Index Mark has been erased or Search for the next Index Mark and repeat the procedure.
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Copying from DV Camera Using Firewire (IEEE 1394)
Before starting a copy to HDD or DVD, make sure you have enough time to complete before a timer rec is due to start. If not, the copying will stop and your disc will be ruined.
See Notes 6 & 7 above for info on rec. WS programs and using the STOP button while rec.
Connecting a DV camera to the DV input on this DVDR (Source E3 on 357x or L3 on 2160/513/515/53x/557) is the ONLY time you should have both units ON because a DV camera has to establish communications with this DVDR in a "handshake" procedure. That requires the DVDR to instantly "see" the camera thru the DV cable.
Here's the basic procedure for DV copying (DV cable is LAST):
- Select TV input this DVDR is connected to.
- Set DV camera for Video mode and for output in appropriate aspect.
- TURN BOTH UNITS ON (this DVDR and the camera).
- Select this DVDR's HDD drive.
- Select this DVDR's DV input (E3/L3) with Source button on remote.
- Rec mode. If going to DVD, match title/tape length to DVD rec mode. That is, 2-hours of title/tape recorded at any speed will fit on a DVD if copied to HDD at 2-hr-SP rec mode. 6 hours of title/tape recorded at any speed will only fit on a DVD if copied to HDD at 6-hr-SLP. See DVD limitations listed here.
- Set Recording > TV Aspect for "16:9 Wide" even if old 4:3 analog tapes. Aspect control of 4:3 material is controlled solely by TV. If 4:3 TV, it shows naturally. If 16:9 HDTV, use TV control to show either natural 4:3 or Wide/Stretched if you have a widescreen TV and your pers. prefs for how it looks. However, this setting guarantees widescreen recording of 16:9 source. More info here if needed.
- Finally, connect a 4-pin DV (firewire) cable from the camera to the front DV connection (E3/L3) on this DVDR.
- Refer to instructions in the manual for the copy operation:
- 357x/2160 - pp 54-55.
- 2160A - pp 55-57.
- 513 - pp 56-58.
- 515 - pp 57-59
- 53x - pp 57-60
.
If you want to control your DV camera and this DVDR's recording function with this DVDR's remote, see the manual pages noted above.
If your DV recording is in widescreen (WS) 16:9 mode, make sure your Video > TV Aspect is set to 16:9 Wide. Actually, you should leave this DVDR set for 16:9 Wide for virtually all your recordings even if you don't have a 16:9 TV now cuz you WILL have one someday and you don't want your WS recordings "forever" squished by letterbox bars... I guarantee you'll be pi**ed off if that happens!
Note: All Panasonic digital Palmcorders have a "Cinema Mode" for shooting, which produces a WS pic. Other cameras prob. have a similar setting for WS. Make sure you've set this DVDR AND your camera for proper aspect when copying. PQ in your copy on this DVDR's HDD can be significantly affected if you have mismatched aspect settings. All this depends on your current TV and, more importantly, your FUTURE TV, which by all odds will be 16:9 widescreen aspect.
One user had a good idea but never reported actual results: he thought he could connect his camera to the firewire input, then feed video THRU THE CAMERA from another device (computer, STB, DVR) that the firewire (E3) connection wouldn't normally accept, and record to the HDD that way. Sounds like a brilliant idea and can't see why it wouldn't work?
One user reported that a widescreen DV camera recording copied to this DVDR in correct 16:9 aspect thru the DV input (E3).
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The STOP Button
The STOP button works differently depending on the DVDR model and the activity at the time.
Also, it only works on the drive selected at the time, so make sure you're on the active playback or recording drive before pressing STOP. This comes into play often if you're timer recording on one drive and playing a title on the other drive.
During PLAYBACK and MANUAL RECORDING
With any model, pressimg the STOP button during Playback and
Manual Recording stops the playback/recording drive when that drive is active or selected. When playing a DVD and simultaneously recording manually on the HDD, you can STOP each activity by selecting that drive and pressing STOP once.
During DUBBING
To STOP a dub on the 3575/3576, the STOP button on the remote does nothing... you have to press the STOP button on the 3575/3576 front panel. On the 2160/513/515, the reverse is true: you can stop a dub by pressing and holding the STOP button on the remote for 2 sec. and answer Yes to dialog, but the STOP button on the front panel only stops playback, not a dub.
During TIMER RECORDING
The STOP button on the 3575/3576 will STOP a timer rec with one press, which is dangerous while simultaneously playing something from the HDD (but not from a DVD since that drive is the active drive). Pressing STOP once stops the HDD playback and
pressing STOP a 2nd time will stop the HDD timer rec. On the 2160/513/515, pressing STOP brings up a dialog you have answer Yes, which stops the timer rec.
When Resuming after a playback STOP, the video "rewinds" ~3 sec, so a short portion will be replayed, assuring that you won't miss even a syllable.
One other "neat" way to stop playback on these DVDRs WITHOUT affecting a simultaneous recording is to use the HDD and DVD drive buttons. Switching between these while playing a title and simul-recording stops ONLY the playback, leaving it in Resume position... recording continues unless you then press STOP. This works the same for both drives and is safer than using the STOP button while recording, esp. on the 3575/3576, since the drive buttons are far removed from the pesky STOP button (less chance of an accident).
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Copying Titles from HDD to HDD
Two methods for copying titles from the HDD of one DVDR to the HDD of another DVDR without machine teardown, HDD removal, PC, etc
1. From One PhilMag DVDR to Other DVDR or PC with Video/Audio Input Card.
Only way I've found to "batch" copy titles from one of our DVDRs to another unit's HDD
w/o teardown is to set up a dub list of 6-hours worth of titles and dub that w/internal drives to a RW disc at SLP rec mode (select SLP in dub menu), while simultaneously copying to the HDD of the other machine via the analog I/O (normal external copying). Repeat for all desired titles in 6-hour increments. No single title can be over 4:59:59 for a SLP dub. This has to be a RTD to get normal output of what's being dubbed, i.e., can't use HSD.
If totally unattended, each title will have the "Writing to disc" stuff a normal dub adds at the end, but this can be
deleted in edit on the other machine. If you babysit the copying, you could come back for the end of each title and press PAUSE on the copying machine and wait for start of the next title to continue REC.
The picture coming from the outputs of the playing machine will not be in SLP quality, it'll be in the quality of the original titles on the playing machine.
Since THIS has suddenly become a point of contention from our resident "argumentarian," you can test this yourself as follows:
1. Record short section of live TV at 2-hr-SP with text as part of pic, like an ESPN talk show. Notice normal "2-hr-quality appearance" while its playing... this is what your 2nd recorder/HDD will see and record.
2. Dub that to a disc in real-time at 6-hr-SLP, while noticing the SAME "2-hr-SP-quality appearance" during the RTD.
3. Play disc copy and notice the obvious quality difference, especially edges of text. Talking heads on ESPN should look GREAT but they'll look exactly like 6-hr-SLP quality, cuz it is on the disc!
This test will show that what you see, and
what gets passed thru to the other HDD, during a RTD is the original quality of the recorded title(s), even tho you may be dubbing it at a much lower quality at the time..
2. From Pioneer, Panasonic or Other DVDR with "Playlist" Feature to PhilMag DVDR.
If the titles you want to get on this DVDR's HDD are on a Panasonic, Pioneer or other recorder with auto-play, program-play, Play-Mode menu (Pioneers) or Playlist menu (Panasonic), you can set it to play titles from its HDD to the HDD of this DVDR. (Also works for DVD titles if the machine can program-play them as well.)
Set a play program in the other DVDR, up to 12-hours worth of titles in the order you want (or any order since you'll be separating the titles on the Mag HDD later). Start the titles playing, press REC on this DVDR, and this DVDR will record continuously for 12 hours (11:59:59 to be exact).
Note: Don't activate any menus on the playing machine since those will most likely get recorded as part of the video (whatever you see on screen you will record).
Before recording, you can pre-set this DVDR's Recording > Auto Chapter menu to 30- or 60-minute interval to make finding title breaks easier. Then, in the Edit menu, use the NEXT button to make big single moves that should get you close to the ends of typical titles. Use SKIP and REPLAY to make smaller single moves, then FF/REW as usual.
Once a batch of titles is on this DVDR's HDD, use the Scene Delete and Divide features
in the Edit menu to clean transitions and separate into titles on this DVDR's HDD.
(This DVDR can't auto-play titles from the HDD, only from DVDs, so you can't reverse this HDD>HDD procedure.)
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