I'm new to all this, and I am desperate for help! The Philips helpline just ain't cutting it. Here's the problem: I have a stand-alone Philips DVD+R burner (DVDR985), and I'm trying to convert my collection from VHS to disc. The problem is, and this is real common when recording black and white, is that the recording will record and play back "bleached out". It's like the white portions of a black and white movie are SO white, that you can't see the detail. This is driving me bananas. I'm ending up with a lot of expensive drinking coasters, i can tell you that. Anyone have a solution for fixing this? I've updated with the firmware, and everything else i can think of. Sometimes it doesn't do this. I don't know, it's strange. If you turn the record off, and go back to the source tape while it's playing, it will usually look fine. Any ideas? THANKS SO MUCH!
I have a Phillips DVDR 985, too. How are you hooking up to your VCR? Are you using the video/audio inputs on the front of the Phillips? By the way, how do you go about getting the firmware updated? Mine is just like it came out of the box, and I didn't see anywhere on the Phillips Web site where there is a download link or instructions on how to do a firware update (maybe I'm just blind).
Updating firmware is usually a hack, so to speak! There are website available to do this. Do a search for your make and model with 'firmware' in the heading. Also, the white problem on your DVD, do you have the adility to correct 'White Balance' with that particluar model. This is not the same as contrast or colour.
Hey Robguy- Yes, I am indeed hooking the vcr thru the front of the unit to record. By the way, you can get the latest firmware disc (believe me you'll need it!) from Philips by calling the number on the front of the instruction book and asking for it----it's free; the least they can do as far as i'm concerned, this unit has a lot of problems still if you ask me! There is apparently no "white balance", the problem seems to reside with the burner itself, not the source, BUT according to Philips, perhaps the firmware can fix the problem, as one of the things slated on the "H" version is "picture quality"-------we'll see, i can't record anything until i update.
Wheezer, Thanks for the info; will call Phillips soonest, since I want to stay on top of firmware updates. Too bad you can't download the disc from their Web site. I have copied color VHS tapes without incident, but haven't tried B/W yet. I have some Our Gang episodes in B/W and will try to copy them onto a +RW Sunday night to see what happens, then let you know how it went. Here's what I do with color. I run the audio and video out from their respective RCA plugs into the matching plugs on the front of the DVDR 985. Push play on VCR and push record on Phillips. If you've done the same, and I believe you probably have, there's no other way to get video to the Phillips from the VCR. Other possibilities are that the wrong kind of connecting cords are causing problems -- or defective cords are the culprit. Your problem, on the surface, could also be related to a video impedence mismatch of some sort. Audio cords, for example, can't be used for video transmission, and unshielded cables are trouble waiting to happen. Also, where you connect from the VCR is important: only use "video out" and "audio out," rather than any other connector on the back of the VCR. And lastly, another possibility might be that, if you're using professionally produced tapes, there might be a kind of copy protection at work that neuters your video output. Some of the newer VCR machines sense if a tape is protected. In these cases, it's better to use an older VHS machine that doesn't sense protection. Again, all of the above are only suggestions. I think we can work together to help solve your problem in the end. If any other DVDR 985 users are out there, let's hear from you, too (please folks, if you don't own this machine, don't theorize based on your brand of DVDR unless you know for sure it will pertain to the DVDR 985. Thanks in advance).
Thanks, Robguy, for all your kind and helpful advice! Indeed you've mentioned several things that I need to look into to make sure isn't the problem. The really weird coincidence is the "Our Gang" shorts are EXACTLY what I was working on dubbing over at the time! That's probably a different discussion, but the coincidence threw me! I have nearly ever silent shot by Hal Roach for that series. The one thing you mentioned that i might ought to look at is the TYPE of cord i'm using. I'm plugging and recording, exactly as you posted, but I may be using patch cords that are inferior (or too good! Is that possible? I have a real expensive set of RCA type cords on there SOMEPLACE--i've wondered if perhaps the transmission of information is too high def. or something for the inferior video, but this seems unlikely). Anyway, i'll look over my set up and get back with you on this, and once again, THANKS for your help!! You are a nice guy.
Wheezer, I made a successful backup of an episode of Our Gang this evening. Playback went well, displaying none of the problems you noted earlier. I've decided, in my case, to make each episode of Our Gang separate from the others. That means, of course, I need to stop after each episode so I can make separate titles. That way, I can view individual episodes later, instead of having to watch one long video and guess which episode is where, or having to use the Favorite Scenes Selector (FSS) to input video bookmarks. It also gives me a chance to have an index picture for each episode. I proceeded as outlined below, backing up the episode "Kid from Borneo" (Yum, yum eat 'em up). I went from the back of the VHS recorder to the front of the Phillips. I used a DVD+RW to prevent making a coaster (I have plenty for my drinks, thank you). I plugged the yellow-colored RCA connector (video) from the VHS recorder's output into the CAM2 video input (also yellow)on the front of the Phillips. I plugged the red audio plug, and white audio plug, from the VHS recorder's output into the CAM2's corresponding red and white audio-in jacks. I used the Phillips remote's "Monitor" button to select CAM2 so I could see the output from the VHS recorder. I then set the record speed on the Phillips to LP (I think EP quality stinks, but that's your call). I pushed "play" on the VHS recorder, waited for the picture to settle down, and then pushed the Phillps record button twice to set the "One Time Recording" to 1 hour. (You could probably set it to 30 mins., since episodes like "Kid from Borneo" are less than 20 mins.) When I saw "The end" at the end of "Kid from Borneo," I waited until I saw a black frame and put the VHS recorder on "Pause," then hit "stop" on the Phillips recorder. The reason I hit "pause" on the VHS recorder first was that the Phillips has a tendency to creep a little bit more after you hit "stop." As you're well aware, the episodes of Our Gang are shown nearly back-to-back, so hitting "pause" during the black frame after the episode "The end" gives you a chance to actually stop the Phillips between episodes BEFORE the next episode starts. Playback looked identical to the VHS recorder's output. Now that I've proved recording from the tape is successful, I have two choices. I can use a +R and record start to finish, or I can take the DVD+RW I used Sunday night into the computer room (once I've finished filling up the DVD) and put it onto a +R by using a copy program. Since there is no encryption, there's no need to use a ripper and, since it's on a 4.7GB disc, there's no need to use a "DVD shrink" program to make it fit a 4.7GB DVD disk. If I do decide to take the +RW to the computer room and put the episodes on a +R, I can then erase the +RW, and take it back to the living room and use it for the next batch of episodes. The one thing that's nice about the +RW is that if you do make a mistake, you can always record over it again until you get things the way you want. Hopes this helps, and hope you have success in your dubbing efforts.
Wheezer, and all DVDR985 users Found a link on the Phillips site to download the new firmware for the DVDR985: http://www.consumer.philips.com/glo...R&catId=DVD_CA&subCatId=&productId=&strokeId= Click on "Product Downloads," then when a new window opens up to search for updates, type in "985," and you'll see the firmware update listed at the bottom of the list. Installation instructions are included in Adobe Acrobat format.
Wheezer, and all DVDR985 users Found a link on the Phillips site to download the new firmware for the DVDR985: http://www.consumer.philips.com/glo...R&catId=DVD_CA&subCatId=&productId=&strokeId= Click on "Product Downloads," then when a new window opens up to search for updates, type in "985," and you'll see the firmware update listed at the bottom of the list. Installation instructions are included in Adobe Acrobat format.
