[stevie-c]

I posted this on the DVD recorder forum, but also thought it was appropriate to post here too.

Any experience using DV input on recorders?

[redsox_mark]

You should be able to get good quality DVDs using either PC + software or a set top recorder. Obviously the quality of both varies -i.e. some encoding software on the PC is better than others; some DVD recorders are better than others.

I use both but it's not a direct comparison as I shoot HDV. So on the PC I'm editing the high def files then I encode to SD mpeg for DVD from there. When I use the DVD recorder I have the camcorder do the conversion to DV, then feed this to the DVD recorder. I find the PC version slightly better, but not much in it - especially for high bitrates.

I use the PC route for any major projects; the DVD recorder route when I need something quick and easy.

[senu]

My experience is similar to Marks
However, in addition, I similarly record HDV downconverted as DV ( in-camera) to Settop DVD recorder via a DV input if the material doentneed much ( or any editing.
However, I do sometimes Reimport the DVD made from the settop to PC for the purposes of authoring a DVD with Better Menu and maybe additional material like a slideshow or PC intro.
So I can get a DVD from

1)Direct recording to Settop
2)Capture to PC from Camcorder
3)PC based from Settop DVD

Because the DVD authoring Software tends not to re eencode DVD ready mpegs
The real world difference in all of the above the Outputtted DVDs is very slim even though with more attention to detail ( re: encoding bitrates) the Direct PC output has marginally better IQ