DVD-RAM - does it add anything if you have an HDD?

[Maughan]

Hello.

I have just bought a Panasonic EX75 (and I love it).

I am still experimenting with all the features etc and have bought some DVD-RAM discs to play around with.

BUT... If the recorder has an inbuilt HDD, does a DVD-RAM disc add anything to the overall functionality or editing capabilities? Or is it simply that RAM is a better storage medium if you want to keep perfect/mirror copies that will not degrade over several years?

Thanks!

M

[JohnG]

As well as being great for archiving, I use RAM for "compilation" type discs. So I have one for classic comedy moments and another for favourite music videos etc. With RAM I can keep adding to these collections as and when I need to.
I also use them as a backup to the DVD-R copy if the recording is of great value to me.

[Gavtech]

They have the advantage of being able to endlessly bounce recordings losslessly and at high speed between the hard disk and themselves.

You can compile disparate chapters into a single title using the playlists facility and then bounce it back to the hard drive for laying onto a DVD-R.

... and as JohnG says they are useful for saving odds and ends which can be later compiled... all without loss.

[Selfbuilder]

Likewise I've just purchased a Panasonic EX75 and have been experimenting with transferring files to the PC for editing using VideoReDo which I used very sucessfully in the past with my (now defunct) Philips DVDr80. Unfortunately my first attempts have been disappointing using +RW so I thought I'd try DVD-RAM. My questions are:

a) which DVD-RAM disks can you use on the EX75 - there seem to be different types according to Wikipedia (with & without cartridges) but I assume I need to use the bare disk type? Could someone recommend a reliable type & manufacturer please?

b) does the EX75 only read/write single layer DVD-RAM - would useful to be able to transfer 9 GB at a time to the PC

b) does anyone edit EX75 produced disks on a PC succesfully? If so what software do you use?

c) is there a freeware PC video player which allows you to force 16:9 format when watching EX75 produced disks on your PC which are in 16:9 format but have had the WSS flag dropped by the EX75?

Thanks

[Maughan]

Originally Posted by Selfbuilder

a) which DVD-RAM disks can you use on the EX75 - there seem to be different types according to Wikipedia (with & without cartridges) but I assume I need to use the bare disk type? Could someone recommend a reliable type & manufacturer please?

See this thread for a very full analysis of loads of aspects of the EX75, including a recommendation for RAM discs from www.svp.co.uk:

Panasonic EX75 DVD recording - Question for Gavtech?

[ChainsawDude]

Originally Posted by Selfbuilder

My questions are:

a) which DVD-RAM disks can you use on the EX75 - there seem to be different types according to Wikipedia (with & without cartridges) but I assume I need to use the bare disk type? Could someone recommend a reliable type & manufacturer please?

b) does the EX75 only read/write single layer DVD-RAM - would useful to be able to transfer 9 GB at a time to the PC

b) does anyone edit EX75 produced disks on a PC succesfully? If so what software do you use?

c) is there a freeware PC video player which allows you to force 16:9 format when watching EX75 produced disks on your PC which are in 16:9 format but have had the WSS flag dropped by the EX75?

Thanks

a) either, I use "non cartridge" as these fit into my PC drive. Here is a good offer if it is still valid, Panasonic DVD-RAMs for a £1 each Panasonic RAm disk offer

b) yes, but you can get some that are dual sided i.e. you can turn them over but there expensive

b) yes, I use TDA. The DVD-RAM recordings are regular VR mode recordings so anything that can input VR mode video will be OK. I like TDA as it is easy to use and does not re-encode material so that means fast and no quality loss. TDA will easily fix the WSS flag if you are using DVD+-RW.

c) not found one, that is one of the reasons I only use DVD-RAMs with my DMR-EX85. curious this, generally PC stuff is more configurable but WMP and PowerDVD will not override the WSS flag.

[MikeK]

is there a freeware PC video player which allows you to force 16:9 format when watching EX75 produced disks on your PC which are in 16:9 format but have had the WSS flag dropped by the EX75?


VLC Media Player will do it - plus it's free, easy to use and plays lots of media types.

www.videolan.org

[Scorpio100]

Originally Posted by ChainsawDude

a) either, I use "non cartridge" as these fit into my PC drive. Here is a good offer if it is still valid, Panasonic DVD-RAMs for a £1 each Panasonic RAm disk offer

b) yes, but you can get some that are dual sided i.e. you can turn them over but there expensive

b) yes, I use TDA. The DVD-RAM recordings are regular VR mode recordings so anything that can input VR mode video will be OK. I like TDA as it is easy to use and does not re-encode material so that means fast and no quality loss. TDA will easily fix the WSS flag if you are using DVD+-RW.

c) not found one, that is one of the reasons I only use DVD-RAMs with my DMR-EX85. curious this, generally PC stuff is more configurable but WMP and PowerDVD will not override the WSS flag.

Can you tell me what program TDA is??
Thanks

[Scorpio100]

Would this be it??
http://www.videohelp.com/tools?tool=TMPGEnc_DVD_Author

Or direct link if you have one please??

[ChainsawDude]

Originally Posted by Scorpio100

Would this be it??
http://www.videohelp.com/tools?tool=TMPGEnc_DVD_Author

Or direct link if you have one please??

Yes, thats right, TDA is the common name for 'TMPGEnc DVD Author'.

http://tmpgenc.pegasys-inc.com/en/product/tda20.html

Looks like a new version is imminent.

[nwgarratt]

I prefer the old TDA 1.6 to the newer TDA 2.0 version. I have had no problems with the older version and like to stick with what works.

I sometimes used VideoRedo to do frame exact editing otherwise 12 frames are kept everytime a bit is cut out when made with TDA 1.6.

[Dazzle]

I use VideoRedo too, and it's great for cutting, and chopping parts of files, and joining them to other files. I recommend putting the VRO file through the Quick Stream fix. I do, and it always produces a workable MPEG file.

I have got TMGPEnc Xpress 4.0 but that does not author or edit MPEG files, so I have downloaded a trial version of the TMPG MPEG Editor http://tmpgenc.pegasys-inc.com/en/product/tme20.html, and I'm going to see how this works for me, when I need to achieve a little more advanced editing.

Panasonic DVD-RAM discs, non-cartridge are the only one I use.

[nwgarratt]

I found it doesn't matter if you either save to mpeg or use quicksteam fix. They both do the same thing and will correct any problems.