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DVD Recorders with subtitling - suggestions please....!

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49 replies

by gadgetgirl

Closed to new repliesThis discussion is closed. It stays readable, but it takes no new replies.

Someone in the UK, in their *infinite* wisdom, just decided to cut the switch on the analogue stream containing the subtitling which Ma and Pa use on their video recorder.

They've been on to the manufacturer of the recorder, and this is the second area which they've cut off without telling anyone! Sheesh!

It has, however, made Pa decide to invest in a DVD recorder and player. Up to now, the way he's watched DVD's is on my little portable one - which, incidentally, now thinks it lives with HIM!

So - I've got the job of finding something to "do the job".

- it needs to be a recorder and a player
- it will probably have to run through a UK Freeview box, as the signal in their area is worse than terrible
- the subtitles will be used to run through to the television as they are on constantly.

[if needed - Pa has industrial deafness, and Ma has tinnitus and age deafness. The induction loop they have works for Ma OR Pa, but not both of them at the same time. They're MY parents, what do you really expect?!]

I know there are a number of makes and models out there, having already googled this intermittently for the past few years, but I really would like input from either someone who is/has used one, or installed one or had any dealings with them whatsoever.

I've hit the usual deaf/hard of hearing sites to look at their evaluations, but they are sadly out of date!

Any help/feedback gratefully recieved - and I promise I won't be stingy with giving out thumbs!

(Ma says I can give extras out from them, too!! :p )

GG

49 replies

by jdclyde

http://dvd-subtitles.com/
as a source to get dvd's with subtitles.

Here is a lower end model
http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&productId=8198552921665414138&langId=-1

While these may not be the solution, if nothing else, consider this a [b]BUMP!!![/b]

:x

[i]edited because I want to! BUMP!!!
edited again to and another "!" or two
and again.......

by tig2

But have some suggestions and will pair with links in a couple of hours. This is actually easy peasy!

Check back- I will leave this link up on my pc.

by gadgetgirl

I won't be able to get out for a while to buy it for 'em anyway.

thanks - lifesaver!

that's how many drinks I owe you now??!!

GG

by jellimonsta

You can burn DVD's on your PC if you have the vosub driver (never used it though) :(

I think you may need the .srt subtitle file though.

I am not sure if this will help?
http://www.videohelp.com/tools/ConvertXtoDVD

by jdclyde

is recording off of the tv broadcasts, more than copying dvd's?

Non-pc applications.

bump
B-)

by jellimonsta

You can get TV tuners for PC and I was pretty sure FreeView could do so too.

Bump, bump. :D

by Member 25348569

I'm not too sure about this but I was under the impression that you can only record subtitles on the programme that you are watching if you use a standard DVD recorder and the Teletext 888 for analogue. There is a "black box" that will add an 888 Teletext subtitle to a recording so there is the option of watching one channel with subtitles and recording another but I'm not sure that works with Freeview.

If you're going Digital, they come in via Digital Video Broadcasting subtitles which you have either on or off for the whole service.

Freeview is either on or off. You can get combined DVD recorder with or without harddisk systems with built-in Freeview and that's the ONLY way to record one Freeview channel and watch another. Freeview is the only one that's really any use as there is only legislation for the Freeview channels to provide subtitles and signing although some is in the pipeline to force more subtitling out of Sky and Cable.

Have you thought of cable or Sky with Sky Plus? I've got cable - Virgin Plus - and I've just switched on subtitling and I've recorded a bit of both Panorama and Corrie while watching top Gear on Dave. No subtitles on Dave but both Corrie and Panorama recorded with subtitles. It has a hard disk with around 100 hours capacity and the option to plug a DVD recorder into it but you don't really need one with the internal HDD, just a player.

A basic channel set on cable would have all of the Freeview stuff and is fairly cheap. There is a one-off charge for the Plus box of whatever flavour.

I see what you mean about the "Deaf" sites, 2004, 2006 for the RNID. You think they'd be up to date.

Ring the digital Switchover people and ask them for advice. Hell, Ring Ofcom! I promise not to warn them what you're like...

I'll keep looking.

:x

by jdclyde

it is about the only way to understand those dang Brits sometimes.... :0

;\

by w2ktechman

It looks like I joined too late! I'll read over responses and post back later

by Member 25348569

http://www.cwdigital.co.uk/showproduct.asp?ProdRef=10032

It has the option to record subtitles and then hide them during playback - or not.

Or this one, record two channels and watch a third, http://www.cwdigital.co.uk/showproduct.asp?ProdRef=10038 AT ?125

by gadgetgirl

have another thumb.

This looks like exactly what they want.

They're offline at the moment, but I've sent the link for when they get back on.

Incidentally, it's Pa who doesn't want cable.... he thinks it'll encourage him to watch films all afternoon - like he doesn't already!!!

Next pint (well, about 6 actually, I think! is on me - oh, and your fuschia cutting is arranged! :D )

GG

by sleepin'dawg

What's available here may not be available in Europe and vice-versa. If the broadcasts have a text channel there should be no problem downloading to a HDD and copying to a DVD, sub-titles included.

If you have an older box with a decent capacity drive, just plug in a receiver card and you'll be off to the races.

FTA satellite systems are available worldwide and are reasonably inexpensive. Just remember North America broadcasts in NTSC while Europe uses PAL/Secam so try to use a European satellite.

As regards recorders Hitachi, JVC and Sharp have multi-mode monitors and recorders available. Those I know about for sure but wouldn't be surprised if the other mfgs had similar equipment available. Multi-mode monitors are fairly expensive but the recorders while not cheap aren't too bad. The trick is to download the program and convert it to the appropriate mode during transfer. This is a task to be run overnight. Trust me on this, you don't want to even think about high-speed transfers or duping.

If I'm not mistaken Brits still have some silly assed licensing laws as regard TV so what ever you do keep that in mind.

BTW European broadcast standards are superior to North American Definition either regular or hi-def is higher in Europe.

[b]Dawg[/b] ]:)

by Member 25348569

Gadget's only issue is whether her folks want to record one channel and watch a different one. With UK cable or satellite, that's not a problem but we also have Freeview which is digital channels using existing aerials which requires that the recording device needs its own decoder if you want to record a different channel to the one that you're watching. Gadget's best non-cable option is a Freeview HDD device.

I've seen the Sony RDRHXD560S 80GB HDD DVD Recorder with Freeview for about ?100.

Neil :)

by jdclyde

remember, mum and da will be the ones using it.... :p

bumpidy bump bump. :D

by jellimonsta

You are right. I had misread (must have been GG's accent) :p... I thought Ma and Pa had taken her DVD recorder and she was looking for another (hence the PC option I presented). :D

by jdclyde

pa DID take hers and she wants it back! :D

by oh smeg

Sorry GG but I don't have a clue on this stuff as I don't need to use it at all. I can tell you about the Inductive Loops and why they don't work anywhere near as well when more than one person or receiver is attached/used.

But the DVD Drives are not something that I use here. We use Set Top Boxes to convert Digital to Analog and these have the ability to display Sub Titles but I'm not sure what is available in your neck of the woods.

So I'll keep an eye on this question while I'm here and apply a bump if it starts to drop down the list today.

Col

by gadgetgirl

and if you want to pm me sometime about that, I'd be interested.

Silly, isn't it - have one induction for two people who can only use it one at a time.....

wha'??

thanks, Col - you're a sweetheart!

:x

GG

by oh smeg

At least 25 years ago but it left a Lasting Impression that is impossible to forget. :D

The bit that I really liked was the need to have the Mic at the bock of the room to get a clear sound, when it was stuck on the speaker grill of the TV it distorted horribly but when by accident I placed it at the back of the room the sound came through so clearly I just had to wonder how good the hardware was it certainly didn't work the way that the Destruction Manual said it would.

I'll send you a PM with the ways to work a Loop latter today. :x

After I wake up fully and start to make some sense. Well more that I do at the moment at least it's not even 8.00 AM and I'm out of the bed in the cold with a M$ beanie on. :0

I'm sure that it's the Beanie's fault that I'm not making any Sense. M$ is good for you we all need M$. a M$ a day keeps the Doctor busy. :^0

Col

by jdclyde

Who is "Jove", and what does he have?

by Member 25348569

That's what you get when you're chief god. It's another name for Jupiter, the Roman version of Zeus. Probably most famous for shagging anything and everything that crossed his path.

Information provided free of charge by NITS(tm) because we occasionally like to show off.

by gadgetgirl

you didn't attribute it to a Certain "Comedian"'s favourite saying.....

;)

GG

by jdclyde

Women need a reason to have sex. Men just need a place.

Kids in back seats cause accidents, accidents in back seats cause kids

His finest hour lasted a minute and a half...

I'm too shy to express my sexual needs except over the phone to people I don't know.

I grew up in a very large family in a very small house. I never slept alone until after I was married

Sex and golf are the two things you can enjoy even if you're not good at them.

She came, she sucked me, she left....stupid mosquito

If mean people suck... Do nice people blow?

I love every bone in your body, especially mine.

If sex doesn't scare the cat, you're not doing it right.

by gadgetgirl

(!)

I opened this as I was telling Ma of all the input on this, so you got me!

Remember my Ma is STRICT METHODIST and you'll understand why, in amongst the laughter, I had to tell her I couldn't repeat anything of what that naughty JD had just written......!

oh, you got me bigstyle there, jd.....

GG

:p

by Member 25348569

They will still need something for DVD playback but Amazon have DVD players for under ?20. It would cost almost as much as that for a SCART lead!

Or they could keep yours... :D

by gadgetgirl

getting a DVD player which will play back recorded subtitles.

hadn't bleepin' thought of that....

oh crumbs.

Do I have to start again??

(aaarrgghhh!)

[welcome]

:x

GG

by jellimonsta

GG, you think Neil put you on the right scent? I think he has an unfair advantage because he is on the same little island. ;)
Good luck getting your DVD player back from the folks. :D

by Member 25348569

they don't record onto DVD, just the hard disk in the system. If they have shop-bought DVDs then they will be able to switch on the subtitles on the DVD player - at least, you can on every one that I've seen. The only place that my knowledge falls over is if you have a DVD recorder attached to the Freeview box, how you get on with playing back a DVD recorded with subtitles.

To be honest, though, with a 160GB hard disk, they won't NEED a DVD recorder, just a DVD player for rented or bought films. 160GB is a LOT of recording space!

I have a Virgin plus box with a hard drive half the size of that unit and I've got a DVD recorder but I never use it. I'm one season adrift on ER at the moment and I have the whole season on my V+ box, no trouble.

I might transfer it to DVD but I doubt I'll ever need the HDD space.

Neil :D

by gadgetgirl

He borrowed it in January for his stint in hospital. He was quite taken with it - and with a few of the DVD's I put in for him - he's a JW fan as well.

I keep asking him to return it, but all I get is - can I just watch McLintock one more time??

!!

GG

by Member 25348569

the famous tax-evading Liverpudlian?

Not my style of humour at all. Did you follow on to the superb Victoria Wood Corrie spoof?

:D

by gadgetgirl

and when neither of us can find the switch on the player to enable subtitles, you'll be getting that call.....!

He's just realised he can get JW dvds quite cheaply - that was the "problem" .....

(yeesh)

GG

by gadgetgirl

I loved that spoof - espcially when she took the stout off Martha!

Hadn't seen that one before - thanks babz! :x

GG

by jdclyde

It is the little things in life that make it all so worth it! :D

:x

no muttly laugh? :(

by jdclyde

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yomVOPG42U0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jjRN0xLHU8&feature=related

In Michigan, there is a tiny little town called Bay City, and it has one of the highest rated firework shows in the region.

I haven't seen anything posted from this years fireworks, but it will be something to watch out for. I was GOING to record it, but got distracted and forgot my camera. :(

The fireworks are launched from both sides of the Saginaw river. Something to see. This year, they even had a barge in the middle of the river, so they were launching from three sites at once. All computer controlled, of course.

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