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Sanyo DRW 500 recorder
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AlwaysOn
Suspended due to non-functional email address
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6. July 2005 @ 10:24 |
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I bought 100 Memorex blank DVD+r's when I bought the Sanyo DRW500. I got about 60 good ones out of that batch. I called the 800 number and they told me I needed to use 1X-4X discs. The sent me their CD-ROM UPGRADE and said that might help.
Well, I loaded the upgrade and I bought 100 1X4X blanks, and I still have a huge "disc error" rate.
On several occaisions I have attempted to record late nite shows while I slept. I'd finalize the disc when I woke, and then I would get "disc error" when I tried to play them. I am totally frustrated not knowing if I will be able to record or not, and these "disc errors" are becoming quite costly.
Does anyone have any solutions? I am not rich and can not afford to buy another unit. Thanks for your input on this!
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kingsmead
Junior Member
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6. July 2005 @ 11:09 |
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Yes, there is a way but it's really convoluted - how I WISH the industry would get its act together!!!!
Go to: http://www.xvcd.com/sources.htm
This is a page with tons of free VDV2AVI converters. The one that I have used is the SVCD converter. YOu simply browse for your .VOB file for the input side and then choose a new name for the output in .AVI format. Once it's back to .AVI, you can put it in Pinnacle Studio or Windows Movie Maker. You can edit to your heart's content and then you'll have to remux the finished product back to a DVD.
See what I mean about the bass-acwards system????
As an aside, I'm really disappointed with this unit. I went ahead and bought a Lite-on as a second unit. That one is MUCH friendlier, complete with quick start screens and NO recording failures. I found that my Sanyo is a great coaster maker if you don't follow the recording instructions EXACTLY as they are listed. I would love to see someone start a class-action suit against Sanyo for this piece of *&*&#(.
Everyone has a photographic memory - some are just missing the film!
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Member
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8. July 2005 @ 19:16 |
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I already took the crap back got my money back and just so you know the unit is discontinued
Also you dont want it too be on anything hot or something they will become hot like a mini fridge. I was stupid and I think thats how the thing messed up too hot plus I hated the menu where you put the name of the disk or program.
One other thing I used 8x and never had a problem memorex is a good dvd too use.
I would like too know if there are any good ones with the hard drive because thats the next one I m getting and stay away from ilo if you dont have av hook ups on your tv its pointless too get it because you need a converter and that about retarded because there are cable hookups in the back of it and btw the one ilo I bought first was rh04 then I bought drw500 that was goo except for over heating and I bought the rh05 and had same problem as the rh04 could just hook the tv into the cable jacks.
I would really like too know whay they do this are they all morons.
It is too live life too the fullest then never lived at all.
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kingsmead
Junior Member
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8. July 2005 @ 22:25 |
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Here's the recommendations from Consumer Reports (these were all rated as Best Buys for each category: for further information, go to:
http://www.consumerreports.org (the yearly subscription for the website is inexpensive)
DVD ONLY (no HD)
Panasonic DMR-E65S
RECOMMENDATIONS & NOTES
Excellent; a CR Best Buy. Simultaneous record/playback when using DVD-RAM discs. Depending on the recording media used, editing capability ranges from limited to full. Reads JPEG image files from DVD-RAM (but not CD-R/RW) discs and memory cards and can copy JPEG files between the two. Plays DVD-Audio in stereo only. Interactive electronic programming guide does not work with satellite-TV systems.
Pioneer DVR-320-S
RECOMMENDATIONS & NOTES
Very good. Progressive-scan video is smoother than that of most other units tested when playing back video-based, pre-recorded DVDs. Simultaneous record/playback when using DVD-RW discs in VR mode. Time-shift recording can be controlled by timer-controlled cable or satellite box. Depending on the recording media used, editing capability ranges from very limited to full.
DVD Recorder w/HD
Panasonic DMR-E95HS
RECOMMENDATIONS & NOTES
Excellent. Simultaneous record/playback when using hard drive or DVD-RAM discs, and can record to one type of media while playing back another. Reads JPEG image files from DVD-RAM (but not CD-R/RW) discs and memory cards and can copy JPEG files between the two. Depending on the recording media used, editing capability ranges from limited to full. Plays DVD-Audio in stereo only. Interactive electronic programming guide does not work with satellite-TV systems.
Pioneer DVR-520H
RECOMMENDATIONS & NOTES
Very good. Progressive-scan video is smoother than that of most other units tested when playing back video-based, pre-recorded DVDs. Simultaneous record/playback when using hard drive or DVD-RW discs in VR mode, and can record to one type of media while playing back another. Time-shift recording can be controlled by timer-controlled cable or satellite box. Depending on the recording media used, editing capability ranges from very limited to full.
Recorder w/built-in VCR
Panasonic DMR-E75VS
RECOMMENDATIONS & NOTES
Excellent. Simultaneous record/playback when using DVD-RAM discs, and can record to one type of media while playing back another. Depending on the recording media used, editing capability ranges from limited to full. Plays DVD-Audio in stereo only.
JVC DR-MV1S
RECOMMENDATIONS & NOTES
Very good overall, but progressive-scan playback of most movies on pre-recorded DVDs is no smoother than that of standard players. Has two TV tuners; allows DVD recorder and VCR to independently record two different TV channels at once. Time-shift recording (onto DVD only) can be controlled by timer-controlled cable or satellite box. Simultaneous record/playback when using DVD-RAM discs, and can record to one type of media while playing back another. Depending on the recording media used, editing capability ranges from very limited to full. Can provide progressive-scan video output when playing VHS tapes; improvement over standard VHS, while not equivalent to DVD, is noticeable when viewing certain motion scenes. Can output DVD video and audio to antenna/cable input of older TVs.
Everyone has a photographic memory - some are just missing the film!
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 8. July 2005 @ 22:26
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Riverrat2
Newbie
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9. July 2005 @ 03:44 |
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If you read your manual or talk to the tech people in Arkansas you will find out that Memorex is the only disc that they tell you NOT to use in the DRW500. And it is very important not to use the faster discs, too. We have used Opto Disc+RW 1-4X and have had very little trouble. We use Maxell+R 4X and have very good luck with them, too. The 330 movies that we made are proof that it DOES work!
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UBChillin
Suspended due to non-functional email address
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10. July 2005 @ 14:25 |
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Has anyone ever figured out how to make the Sanyo 500 region free through either remote codes or a firmware upgrade? I have some movies from different countries and have to use another player to watch them. Been searching for a while getting nowhere trying to find a solution. Thanks.
Just to share my experience, if you want to make a copy of a disk created on the Sanyo 500 then use a DVD-RW disk and bring it to your computer. Run Nero Burning ROM and choose Copy DVD. Be patient, to make the temp file may take a half hour or more. Lots of "LBA errors" but it doesn't matter, it works. Then you can rename the tempfile.nrg to anything.nrg and keep it on a hard drive if you wish for additional copies in the future.
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kingsmead
Junior Member
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10. July 2005 @ 14:55 |
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I know this is a little "off topic", but does anyone know of a good freeware converter to change .VOB files to .AVI? I've been using a program called "flaskavi" which is OK, but it's really slow in the conversion. The reason I want this is so that if I record something on the Sanyo, I'm limited to Title naming and there are no menu links. When I convert the files to .AVI, I can then import them to Pinnacle Studio and work my magic.
If anyone else has a good freeware app, I would appreciate a link so that I can look at it.
Thanks.
Everyone has a photographic memory - some are just missing the film!
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Singerboy
Junior Member
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12. July 2005 @ 22:18 |
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kingsmead there's a program called Im Too DVD Ripper, you can convert to AVI and MPEG... however the speed is sorta slow still.
Has anyone here experienced their unit cutting off? It was doing this after 20mins of recording with me, it would freeze and then cut off with the record button on the unit still on!
When I put it back on it doesn't even recognize the disc, therefore what I had recorded is useless :-(...this is frustrating, one problem after the next with this thing....why me (sigh)
I even tried it with the RW that came with the unit and its the same thing. I tried unplugging it and doing it over, well that worked for a while but after 70mins it did the same thing AGAIN! Can anyone suggest something?
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ddintv
Newbie
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14. July 2005 @ 22:31 |
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I don't know if anyone can help me with this, but my DRW-500 (only a month old) will not play or acknoledge ANY CD's. When I load a CD, it just says "no disc" after scanning it. I even tried to install the firmware upgrade from a CD-R, and I got "no disc". Has anyone else had this problem, and if so, what did you do to correct it?
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Member
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14. July 2005 @ 22:34 |
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Well I had mine 3 months and did the same thing at the end but I think mine was poblably do too being on a small fridge that was at the end of its life and heating the bottom of the recorder so I got my money back and one thing they discontinued this model so I would get another one as soon as you can because you dont want too try the warrenty walmart will hassle you.
It is too live life too the fullest then never lived at all.
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AlwaysOn
Suspended due to non-functional email address
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15. July 2005 @ 03:38 |
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hey ddintv... first try unplugging the unit for 30 seconds and let it reset itself.
Are these store bought cd's? Anything made at home has to be finalized first before it will play. Also, I usually hand wash my discs with a little dish soap and dry them with a fluffy towel. I do this with cd's and dvd's that have fingerprints or dust/dirt on them.
This seems to help them play better with less freeze-ups or skipping.
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ddintv
Newbie
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15. July 2005 @ 10:05 |
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Thanks for the suggestion. I tried uplugging the machine as you suggested, but no luck. It's still not seeing CD's.
As for the CD's themselves, they're all store-bought and play in other CD players just fine, so I'm stumped! I'll call Sanyo and see if they have any ideas.
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ddintv
Newbie
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15. July 2005 @ 10:13 |
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Just got off the phone with Sanyo, and they told me to return the machine to the retailer (in this case, Wal-Mart). Since I bought it less than 3 months ago, they'll exchange it.
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Singerboy
Junior Member
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13. October 2005 @ 17:54 |
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Quote:
I am having a weird problem with the DRW 500 recorder. I found another person who made a post at c-net.com with the same problem. When recording from cable tv and I play back the disc on the TV is shows good. However when I try to play it on my computer, it gives some weird lines on the both sides and at the bottom of the screen. It's somewhat visible even on my mom's portable DVD player.
However when I record a tape from my VCR it doesn't give these lines. I even tried using the RCA connections from the output of my tv to the input on the recorder and I am still getting those lines. Anyone else experienced this and even has been able to fix the problem?
I mean it plays good on the TV but what happens when I want to watch something I recorded on my computer?
Do you guys think a signal amplifier would help this problem? I found a nippon america amplifier but I'm not sure if to buy it or something more expensive, to come home and try it and it doesn't work.
I tested out the recorder on a new local channel and go to such problem. I also recorded from another DVD player and it worked almost perfect. So I know it's the cable or at least the non local channels. I don't get the lines from my VCR but I get spaces where the lines would be.
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ddintv
Newbie
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13. October 2005 @ 19:14 |
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In my experience, the DRW-500 just isn't a good unit. I returned two to Wal-Mart for the exact same problem (neither would play audio CD's), and finally shelled out the extra $100 for an RCA machine, which hasn't given me a problem yet (other than my son shoving the occasional foreign object into the VCR tray, but that's just toddler curiosity).
There was a reason the DRW-500's were stacked in the middle of the aisle with a big sign which essentially said "I'm cheap - buy me!". Spend the extra....you'll thank yourself!
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Singerboy
Junior Member
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14. October 2005 @ 05:31 |
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Well I can't really return it, cause the three months has already passed not to mention, the unit is no longer in the US.
Anyone think the amplifier will work??
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FrankZap
Account closed as per user's own request
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16. October 2005 @ 01:32 |
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I have the Sanyo DRW 500 too. I had that same problem with allegedly copy protected tapes. I have no idea how I figured out the solution, but here it is:
The problem was with the RCA cables. I switched to RF dubbing using a coaxial cable. Voila! Copying success.
The DRW 500 can detect a videotape with an unstable signal and conclude that it's a copy protected tape. So any videotape that is a multi generation dub could be seen as copy protected.
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Riverrat2
Newbie
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16. October 2005 @ 06:47 |
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Hi FrankZap, Thanks for the tip. We didn't think of using coaxial cable. We will try that. We usually don't have trouble but there are times---
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Singerboy
Junior Member
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16. October 2005 @ 11:49 |
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Anyone think the amplifier will work???
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aurora97
Newbie
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1. November 2005 @ 07:54 |
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Many thanks to all who have offered advice on the DRW500! There seem to be more posts from people who have issues with the DVR than form those who like it. Most useful to me was the Sima CT-1 or CT-2. All of my other A/V equipment is RCA and it always automatically overrides the macrovision. I have had my DRW500 for 6 weeks and have found that the Memorex 4x DVD+RW discs work great. I have not installed any firmware or upgrades to the DVR and the Memorex discs have yet to disappoint. I have around 1300 VHS movies and have transferred around 30 so far without a problem. I also bought a 200 spindle of Matsumi 4x DVD+R for $69 and have found that 20 or so were garbage and one out of the four I recorded on turned into a coaster. I guess it is true, every DVR has their preference when it comes to discs, and, of course, you get what you pay for. I think i'll stick to the Memorex RW's since they work so well. The only issue I have had with the DRW500 is when taping a show from the satellite receiver in that the sound cuts out for a few seconds around an hour into the copy. I use the RF connector and it usually cuts out for a few seconds, comes back for a few & then cuts out again for a few seconds. It will then be fine for 10 minutes or so and it does it again. I have eliminated this problem by switching to the RCA plugs for taping rather than using the tuner. Has anyone experienced this and, if so, does anyone have any suggestions on how to fix this sound gap problem? Many Thanks, Steve
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culttvguy
Suspended due to non-functional email address
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1. November 2005 @ 08:17 |
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Hi Guys,I havent posted in this thread for a while,mainly becasue i havent used my DRW500 for some time due to the fact that i killed it one day when it pissed me off once too often :)
Anyway,just to let you know that I bought a PLextor ConvertX M402 USB capture device,and it works way better than any DVD recorder i have used. It captures MPEG1/2 , DIVX/MPEG4 in AVI format,all in various different bitrates. And it accepts PAL as well as NTSC.
The results i get from it are very good,I use WinDVD Creator 2 to do my capturing, mostly in DivX AVI format,I capture a whole bunch of episodes or whatever,then use VSO DivXtoDVD to convert to Mpeg2 for authoring to DVD with DVD Shrink.(I let DivXtoDVD run overnight so the files are all done in the morning)
With DVD Shrink you can adjust the compression to as low as 50% and still get very good picture quality.
I really recommend this method to you guys.
Favourite Movie Quotes:
Nuffin' unusual he says.Colin's been carved up,and I've got a bomb in me casino,and you say 'Nuffin unusual' ?
You're gonna need a bigger boat.
I'll be back.
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DUSKKRAZE
Newbie
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9. April 2006 @ 10:43 |
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After one year and three months using DVD+RW discs I decided to make my first recording using DVD+R.The movie recorded with no problems and after being finalized the disc plays fine on other players but now my recorder will not play any dvd(no disc message).It will only read cd's.Does anyone know how to fix this.
Thanks
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faerykiss
Newbie
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9. April 2006 @ 11:34 |
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Well, sorry to tell you but you're three months past the warranty :( Mine did the same thing after a few months never even had a chance to use it. As my mother was having major health problems and I had NO time. I was within the year's warranty so took it back to Walmart, and they sent it back for repair.Now I don't know if they actually repaired it,or gave me a "refurbished" one or not. It's funny I was just to this site yesterday in the first time in months. As I'm trying to get all my VHS tapes onto dvd's and I was re-reading past posts. My mother is taking less of my time and I wanted to get it done before the thing goes tits-up :) Now I find out they are no longer making the 4X dvd's, nice, so I guess I had better get a hundred or so while I still have the chance. Trying to figure out how to wire it so I can record dvd's from VHS and still be able to see the menu on the T.V. to finalize etc. Any quick tips would be appreciated, I have what "I think" is right, now I have to test it LOL
This message has been edited since posting. Last time this message was edited on 9. April 2006 @ 11:35
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Riverrat2
Newbie
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9. April 2006 @ 17:33 |
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Contact Sanyo support and they'll give you an address to send your unit to. It'll probably cost $65 plus your shipping to get it fixed.
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faerykiss
Newbie
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9. April 2006 @ 18:32 |
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Aybody know if the 8X will work? I can't find any 4X +R only the -R Does anybody have a source for 4X DVD+R? I know the -R's don't work. TIA
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