Wife wants to choke me ( DVD recorder problem ) - Canadian TV, Computing and Home Theatre Forums

Canonman · 2009-01-31, 01:24 PM

So the old VCR finally died about 3 weeks ago. In my wisdom I suggest lets get a DVD recorder, no sense getting one of those antique VCR's. She records a soap, Oprah and Dr. Phil every Monday to Friday. I'm sure you see where this is going. To date she has not been able to record one complete broadcast without the machine quiting. My investigation shows that it stops 99.9% of the time during commercials. She has already swore to never purchase the products that cause the stoppage. Help my days are numbered.
Now for the technical stuff. Recorder is a Sony RDR-GX380 hooked to a Motorola 1200 STB. I have tried various different media. If I install a fresh new disc I can get one complete 3 hour recording with no problems. Once I erase the disc and try for another 3 hour recording it will stop. The past week I have been using a new disk for every recording ( keeps peace in the house ). I have researched this problem and it appears some people are having luck with a digital video stabilizer installed. Does anyone have any recommendations?

57 · 2009-01-31, 01:34 PM

The CGMS-a issue (and workaround) is discussed in the following thread:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=44045

I seem to recall that someone else on the forum had the same issue with recordings stopping at a commercial break (probably when the CGMS-a signal returns).

It's very strange that it works with new disks.

Also, see the following thread for the proper connections so that direct recording may be possible - you don't state your location or service provider which is relevant.

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=76077

As you have time, check out the following post with search tips and FAQs, useful for those new to this forum:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=57741

dennism3 · 2009-02-01, 03:25 AM

shop carefully and dvd's are about .20-.30. $6-9 month to keep peace and while that is happening test on some other programs during different hours.

Toolatecrew · 2009-02-01, 08:08 AM

Return DVD recorder. Pony up the extra money for a DVD/HD recorder. a couple of hundred dollars more for peace in the house is a small price to pay

Pinza · 2009-02-01, 09:21 AM

I like this idea best so far......lol

Wyl · 2009-02-01, 09:51 AM

I had the same problem just before christmas... the VCR died!!! w00t!

To keep the peace i purchased a TiVo.... $99 to buy the unit, and $130 a year for the service...

The TiVo has been the best piece of equipment i have bought for the house is REAL long time.

rabbit · 2009-02-03, 01:46 AM

Try it without the set-top box (ie. connect the analogue coax cable directly to the recorder).

I agree with the other poster regarding getting a recorder with a hard drive.

rickcp · 2009-02-04, 07:52 PM

I guess this answers a question I was going to ask re: the ease of use between a dvd recorder over a dvr.I have a pvr and love it but I was thinking of getting my elderly mother a dvd recorder.It sounds like for ease of use I should avoid these.

rabbit · 2009-02-09, 06:37 AM

If you're just looking to record analogue cable and watch, without archiving shows, a recorder with a hard drive isn't difficult to use (although not as easy/convenient as a PVR).

It's only recording to DVD that is a bit trickier, and flakier, as well.

das75 · 2009-02-18, 12:25 AM

go PVR! (got issues with my Samsung DVDR, VHS was more reliable)

2009-01-31, 01:24 PM	#1
Canonman Rookie Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 1	Wife wants to choke me ( DVD recorder problem ) So the old VCR finally died about 3 weeks ago. In my wisdom I suggest lets get a DVD recorder, no sense getting one of those antique VCR's. She records a soap, Oprah and Dr. Phil every Monday to Friday. I'm sure you see where this is going. To date she has not been able to record one complete broadcast without the machine quiting. My investigation shows that it stops 99.9% of the time during commercials. She has already swore to never purchase the products that cause the stoppage. Help my days are numbered. Now for the technical stuff. Recorder is a Sony RDR-GX380 hooked to a Motorola 1200 STB. I have tried various different media. If I install a fresh new disc I can get one complete 3 hour recording with no problems. Once I erase the disc and try for another 3 hour recording it will stop. The past week I have been using a new disk for every recording ( keeps peace in the house ). I have researched this problem and it appears some people are having luck with a digital video stabilizer installed. Does anyone have any recommendations?

2009-01-31, 01:34 PM	#2
57 Moderator Join Date: May 2002 Location: Toronto, Rogers, 8300HD, eHDD, Panasonic TCP65S1, Denon AVR4310Ci; 8300HD, eHDD & Sony KDL40W3000 Posts: 50,299	The CGMS-a issue (and workaround) is discussed in the following thread: http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=44045 I seem to recall that someone else on the forum had the same issue with recordings stopping at a commercial break (probably when the CGMS-a signal returns). It's very strange that it works with new disks. Also, see the following thread for the proper connections so that direct recording may be possible - you don't state your location or service provider which is relevant. http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=76077 As you have time, check out the following post with search tips and FAQs, useful for those new to this forum: http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=57741 __________________ 57's Home Theatre (Latest equipment & photos) 57's Optimization Services (Home Theatre Optimization)

2009-02-01, 08:08 AM	#4
Toolatecrew Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Dartmouth NS Posts: 520	Return DVD recorder. Pony up the extra money for a DVD/HD recorder. a couple of hundred dollars more for peace in the house is a small price to pay __________________ Denon 3808, Paradigm Monitor 7 C370 Mini v3 Funky Waves Fw 15.1 SonyPS3, HD-A3,HD PVR, Slingbox, Epson HC 720 92" screen

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2009-02-01, 03:25 AM	#3
dennism3 Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 531	shop carefully and dvd's are about .20-.30. $6-9 month to keep peace and while that is happening test on some other programs during different hours.

2009-02-01, 09:21 AM	#5
Pinza Veteran Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: GTA Posts: 8,576	I like this idea best so far......lol

2009-02-01, 09:51 AM	#6
Wyl Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 61	I had the same problem just before christmas... the VCR died!!! w00t! To keep the peace i purchased a TiVo.... $99 to buy the unit, and $130 a year for the service... The TiVo has been the best piece of equipment i have bought for the house is REAL long time.

2009-02-03, 01:46 AM	#7
rabbit Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: vancouver.bc.ca Posts: 137	Try it without the set-top box (ie. connect the analogue coax cable directly to the recorder). I agree with the other poster regarding getting a recorder with a hard drive.

2009-02-04, 07:52 PM	#8
rickcp Rookie Join Date: Jan 2009 Posts: 5	I guess this answers a question I was going to ask re: the ease of use between a dvd recorder over a dvr.I have a pvr and love it but I was thinking of getting my elderly mother a dvd recorder.It sounds like for ease of use I should avoid these.

2009-02-09, 06:37 AM	#9
rabbit Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: vancouver.bc.ca Posts: 137	If you're just looking to record analogue cable and watch, without archiving shows, a recorder with a hard drive isn't difficult to use (although not as easy/convenient as a PVR). It's only recording to DVD that is a bit trickier, and flakier, as well.

2009-02-18, 12:25 AM	#10
das75 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Edmonton Posts: 459	go PVR! (got issues with my Samsung DVDR, VHS was more reliable)