DVD Recorder Suggestions?

[downindm]

We are just getting started with a video setup at our church, right now, using some older equipment we had laying around not being used.

Right now, it is just a 2 camera setup (older analog cameras), a computer, and a Videonics MX-1 video mixer, and a soundboard. After just getting the video mixer hooked up and running to our CCTV system (via composite inputs) - the next step is to be able to record DVD's of the services and special programs.

I did some looking around and found:

JVC SR-HD1250U / Cost: $995

It seems like it will meet all our needs, and allow for expansion when and if we decide to move to HD equipment. Things I liked about the unit were:

- It is completely standalone and doesn't require a computer.
- It seems as if it could be rack mounted so as not to take up additional counter space (which is limited)
- It records Blu-Ray or standard DVD discs (we would probably start with standard DVD-R discs)
- It has HD video inputs/outputs as well as analog (which is what we would start with)

Does this unit seem reasonable or has anyone used it before? Are there other models that we may want to consider? As far as price, I can't seem to see us spending more than this unit costs (the SR-HD1500 is over twice that and the additional features are ones we probably wouldn't use anyway).

[Arlin]

FWIW:
We just use a Magnavox DVD recorder from Walmart ($99). Only real drawback on it is the menu it creates is not that great, IMO. But otherwise, it works well.
No hard-drive either, but it has not been a problem for us.

That JVC SR-HD1250U unit looks fine. Plus has a hard drive, and probably better mastering & menu creation.

Another option is the Tascam BD-R2000. $2,195 on B&H.

[downindm]

The Tascam is probably more than they are willing to go for. (I'm just part of the A/V team and was asked for recommendations). I wasn't given a budget or ballpark figure so I thought I'd give them options. If they don't want to go for the JVC Pro unit, I also thought these looked good:

Magnavox MDR515H 500GB HDD and DVD-R with Digital Tuner - $359

Magnavox MDR513H/F7 HDD and DVD Recorder with Digital Tuner - $239

Toshiba DR430KU DVD Recorder - $100

The ones with the HD seem nice as you can also dub DVDs as well.

[Arlin]

I tried the Toshiba DR430KU once, but did not like it as it had more frame delay on its output (we use the DVD recorder output as a monitor screen & to display on-screen menus for the dvd recorder operation.)

The Magnavox we use is a ZC320MW8B. No tuner or HDD, but we don't need that.
Nothing fancy, but it works for us.

Yes, HDD would be nice for recording, mastering, & duplicating. We use a CD/DVD duplicator tower.

IMO, if just starting out with DVD & SD video, I would go with the cheaper $99 recorders. If you want to upgrade later, prices will likely fall dramatically...

On the other hand, I totally understand trying to buy for future needs and buy once...

[Arlin]

Also found this Magnavox MDR-513H/F7 320GB DVR and DVD Recorder - $198.00

Not sure how well these 'consumer' HDD DVD recorders work. They are more-so intended to record & playback TV, I think. But I have no experience with them.

[downindm]

Thanks for the info on the Toshiba... As I had planned on doing the same basically (feed the DVD recorder from the mixer and feed the CCTV from the DVD recorder) - although distribution amps aren't that expensive, it's just another step to complicate things so I was trying to keep it simple. Especially since I'll be setting it all up and then have to explain and possibly diagram it for the less technical savy.

[Arlin]

Yeah, you could use a distro amp, but then you still need a display from the recorder output to be able to navigate the menus, mostly to finalize the disc, I think.

[mjl5007]

Just thought I'd chime in to say that we use a tabletop Sony DVDirect unit (VRD-MC5, I believe, but there are newer versions available) to record the pastor's sermon live-to-DVD direct from our camera, via composite video. We use a single static shot so we don't have a mixer in the recording chain. We also aren't distributing these DVDs to the public; they're used for playback of the sermon at other campuses when the pastor can't preach live.

So, somewhat of a different situation, but for the actual recording of DVDs, the Sony unit has been working great for us. The huge benefit over the HDD-based recorders is that when the sermon is over, we finalize the disc and 2 minutes later we have a master ready to duplicate (we also use a DVD duplicating tower), rather than having to edit and master to disc from the HDD afterwards.

One question for you; I assume your CCTV system is used for remote live viewing of the program material? If so, give some more thought to using a distribution amp to split the program output of the mixer to the recorder and the CCTV system separately. Depending on which DVD recorder you end up going with, you may run into issues if the DVD recorder has an on-screen display overlay on top of the incoming signal while you're recording, which you don't want to display on the CCTVs.

[downindm]

I was actually thinking of going the distro amp route the more I thought of it - as the OSD of the DVD unit might not be what we want going to our CCTV system. That Sony DVDirect unit looks like a winner... Nice and simple and compact. One question, do you need a monitor hooked up to be able to finalize the disc? As I said, space is kinda limited.

For our mixer output, so I can see what I'm doing, I'm using a 3.5" LCD ($25 at Amazon) primarily intended for a "back up" camera on a car. I had to wire in a 12V DC adapter to it (as it only had bare wires for power) - but it has a nice crisp display and takes up next to no space. I could possibly go that route for a DVD recorder if need be or even use the same display as it has 2 composite inputs, so if once I was done, I could shut down the mixer and it would switch to the other input (DVD recorder).

[mjl5007]

Originally Posted by downindm

That Sony DVDirect unit looks like a winner... Nice and simple and compact. One question, do you need a monitor hooked up to be able to finalize the disc? As I said, space is kinda limited.

Nope, no monitor required; there's a small screen built into the unit that displays the menus for controlling the recorder (choosing input source, recording method, quality level, finalizing disc, etc). It also shows the incoming signal when recording.

[downindm]

Thanks for the recommendations... I checked with staff and other tech team members, and they mentioned the Sony DVDirect looked good... So I ordered it and a CE Labs video distribution amp to donate to the church! I found a video review that was helpful... If you search YouTube for "Sony VRD-MC6 DVD recorder" it's the top result. (I apparently am unable to post links at I guess I'm still considered new and don't have enough posts).

I really liked that you could put your own image as the background on the DVD menu. Now, to find 2 cheap video cameras (of the same make & model) that aren't hugely expensive and have RCA out and don't shut off unless you shut them off. Any suggestions in that area... I've been scanning Amazon, as I'd like to get 2 of the same camera so the picture isn't too different when switching. Trying to find 2 of the same on Craigslist or E-Bay isn't an easy task, which was why I was looking at Amazon.

[PTXer]

The one thing I can add to this is that with a HDD system you can do some limited post production editing. We have two services on Sundays. We video feed both services to a remote location but typically record and burn only one service. However, when we have something special like baptisms where obviously different groups are being baptized at the different services, we'll record both of those sections and piece them together in the final version. The software on the recorder allows a file to be split and merged with another. Its quick and its easy. Post production editing is not something we typically do and we usually just burn the DVD right after recording to the hard drive. But, if you're a member who got baptized in the first service and wanted a copy of the event, and we recorded the second, then this is a blessing to them.