OT - DVR~~~ Need advice please

Windjammer · Post by **Windjammer** » Sun Mar 02, 2008 1:39 pm

I'm wanting to buy a dvd recorder. Can anyone recomend a good one, or which to stay away from? I've never owned one and don't know anything about them.

I've seen refurbushed ones, grade "A" for about 30% off new price. Is this a good deal, or should I go ahead and buy new?

Another thing, I have a fairly new flat screen LCD HD TV, with alot of outlets. Can I leave my VCR hooked up and use the DVR also?

I look forward to any help.

To the list owner...... I think the notice of a reply to my email is great. I don't know of another list that does this.

sgtgrinche · Post by **sgtgrinche** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 12:05 am

SONY MAKES A GOOD ONE

Post by **Ysabel Kid** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 12:12 am

Go with a big name. I tried a cheapo that I found on sale, and could never get it to work right. Didn't learn my lesson, bought another cheapo, and it worked for about a month. Looks like I'll end up buying a Sony here shortly...

Idahoser · Post by **Idahoser** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 1:45 pm

Just in case it wasn't a typo, "DVR" and "DVD recorder" aren't the same thing.

DVR records to hard disk.

alnitak · Post by **alnitak** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 4:11 pm

My DVD recorder has both a hard disk and a DVD player/recorder. So I can store stuff on the hard drive (TV shows, VHS tapes, pictures, etc) and then burn copies or convert to DVD. This is the way to go.

I could go on and on about the specs for these, but here are some highlights:

Get the largest hard drive that makes sense for the money; 80 GB minimum.

Check the connection type of your LCD. Some have HDMA, or component, or S-video, etc. Make sure your DVDR is compatible.

Since you have a HD TV, look for the models that up-convert DVDs to give you a better picture. If you're really flush, might as well go for a Blu-Ray one now that they've settled on a format for HD DVD.

I have my VCR hooked into both my DVDR and my audiovisual receiver. No problem using both or copying from one to another.

Prices have dropped to a point where it doesn't seem to make sense to buy a used one, though YMMV.

Look for a double-density DVDR; you get twice as much (2 hours) on a DD DVD as a normal one, which allows a movie to fit on one DVD as opposed to two. Make sure it operates with both dash ("-") and plus ("+") DVDs (and HD if you go in that direction). Most nowadays do.

Choose a major brand -- Sony, Pioneer, Panasonic, LG, Hitachi, Mitsubishi. Stay avay from Samsung, RCA, no-name brands and the like (just MHO).

Plenty more to say, but most of the other differences are around specific features (e.g., like extended recording, ability to edit, add titles, etc., 1080p vs. 1080i, etc.). Based on your note, probably differences you won't notice.

Good luck. Happy to answer any other questions you might have.
Bruce

Windjammer · Post by **Windjammer** » Tue Mar 04, 2008 7:29 pm

Thanks to everyone. You've been most helpful.