DVD/VHS combo deck
 

I just got a gig doing some legal videography where I'll be recording depositions. Many of the clients want to walk away with a dvd of the deposition. Then you have legal secretaries and court reporters who need VHS. So what I need is a dual DVD-/+ - VHS combo recorder that can record to both the VHS and DVD simultaneously. So I'm going from my XL-2 into the combo deck and at the end of the time, I can get a DVD and VHS cassette.

Thanks in advance for suggestions.

Jamie

There's at least two JVC combo decks, the SR-MV40 and SR-MV50, that offer DVD-R/RW/RAM as well as Super VHS recording. I'm pretty sure there's a Panasonic combo deck as well.

Jamie,

After many years of just delivering VHS tapes for depositions, I just recently started doing almost exactly what you are talking about. I use two separate units for doing it, however. I feel better knowing that if one unit craps out completely, I've still got the other one working. In a recent depo, my DVD recorder did quit. I think it overheated, the room got quite warm and we were trying to keep the air conditioner off to avoid noise. That's what I believe is the most important thing, aside from good sound and decent picture, about doing depositions - having a backup in case of technical problems.

That would be my only caution about getting a combo unit, however. I just recently got a combo unit for the studio, which makes making dubs between DVDs and tapes real easy. It's a JVC model (MMV5 or something similar??) that has worked well so far. My stand-alone DVD recorder is a Panasonic ES20. The Panasonics have a great reputation.

I love the quality I can now provide by giving the client a DVD recorded from my XL2. I only wish there were a "fade to black" function - or better yet an iris that does not go in steps - to do fade ups and fade downs.

Have fun!

Rob