I have checked the specs of many latest DVD recorders (Panasonic, Sony, Toshiba, Pioneer..) - feature rich, expensive, multi-formats, with and w/o HD - to check any can be connected to my PC or laptop using USB or firewire. I found technical jargons in plenty none giving a straight answer.
Some models have "line out" connections for firewire/i-link/ IEEE1394/Smartlink - are these compatible to PC/laptop?
If not why not? when some of the silliest, smallest gadgets now in the market can be hooked up to PC (mobile phone, digital camera, MP3 players, even watches..) for data transfer/exchange?
Is DVD burning on the PC DVD ROM and DVD recording (on the above mentioned tabletops) any different? other than formats?
What formats of PC finished recordings can be played on the DVD recorders/players?
Can tabletop DVD recorders be directly connected to PC to be used as a drive? will PC identify it as a separate drive?
I think I've made it quite clear.
Thanks, buddy! I have a Panasonic DMR-85H DVR interconnected to an ATI All-in Wonder 9800 video card on my computer using S-video cables. I can do just about anything between my computer and DVR. I can play full screen videos/pictures on my computer and record them on the DVR with excellent quality. Or I can playback on my DVR and watch/capture on the computer. No gadgets needed.
All the DVRs I know of don't have computer interfaces. But some models do have memory card slots to read digital camera memory cards.
You can get external DVD burners with USB and/or firewire interfaces to connect any computer. With the right software you can make DVDs compatible with most DVD players.
My way to do what you want to do is not the cheapest way to go. But I can make any kind of DVD that can be played on most players. The best thing for you to do is get a DVD burner for your computer. TiVo and DVRs are generally not able to record from the computer. There are exceptions and there are ways around it, but the simplest and best solution is just get the DVD burner and do it on your computer. Unless your computer is old (more than 2 years), this should not be a difficult thing to do. |
