DVD Record Modes – Recording Times For DVDs

Executive Summary about DVD Record by Robert Silva

How Much Time You Can Record on a DVD

A very common question I receive from owners of DVD recorders and persons considering a DVD recorder purchase is: “How much time can I record on a DVD?” This answer to this question for each DVD recorder is explained in both the published specifications (which are available online) and the user manual for that DVD recorder.

However, for those that are still in the purchasing consideration stage, here is an overview of the recording times available on a standard 4.7 GB blank DVD and how these recording times are labeled. These times are for single layer, single sided discs. For double-layer, or double sided discs, multiply each time by two:

XP – 1 Hour , SP – 2 Hours , LP – 4 Hours , EP – 6 Hours , SLP – 8 Hours , SEP – 10 Hours

In addition, some DVD recorders also feature HSP (1.5 hours), LSP (2.5 hours), and ESP (3 hours).

Also, keep in mind, just as with VCR recordings, the less recording time you use to fill the disc the better the quality and compatibility with playback on other DVD players.

XP, HSP, SP are the most compatible and provide what is considered standard DVD quality (depending on the quality of the source material)

Can DVD record from TV/VCR/etc?

Yes, if you have a DVD recorder. When DVD was originally introduced in 1997, only players were available. Most DVD units sold today are still play only, but recorders are available and affordable. DVD recorders are being added to satellite and cable receivers, hard-disk video recorders, and other advanced consumer electronic devices.

A DVD recorder works like a VCR – it has a turner and A/V inputs, and it can be programmed to record shows. Many DVD recorders include an electronic program guide (EPG) that gives you on screen TV listings from which you can pick shows to record (no need to enter day, time, channel, and so on by hand).

Although DVD recorders use digital recording, most input are analog video that is digitized inside the recorder. As of 2006 there are no DVD recorders with digital tuners, so they are unable to directly record digital broadcast such as U.S DTV or European DVB.

Note that DVD video recorders can’t copy most DVD movie discs, which are protected. Unfortunately there is more than one recordable DVD format, and they don’t all play together nicely.

Don’t be further confused by DVD recordable drives (DVD burners) for computers. These recorders can store data, but to create full- featured DVD-Videos requires additional software to do video encoding (MPEG), audio encoding (Dolby Digital, MPEG, or PCM), navigation and control data generation, and so on.