Most of the newer units have cable input and allow for timed recordings much like the VCRs. Some have the VCR+ and commercial skip functions too.
Like VCRs the quality/time options are there as well but with better playback quality even at lower settings. Usually there are the 1-2-4-6 hour modes 1 being the best quality and 6 hour meaning the longer time but at reduced picture quality. Some units even support up to 12 hours recording.
As with everything electronic it’s a good idea to conduct your own research and see which one has everything you need. I don’t think it’s wise to go to Future Shop or Best Buy and rely on their salesperson to help you decide what the best unit might be for you. Most of the time they convince you to buy what they want to sell.
There are a few things that might seem confusing but really aren’t.
First there are the different formats:
1) ‘Write Once’ DVD-R / DVD+R: these formats are similar to the compact disc(CD) so once you write something to them it cant be altered or erased. Most DVD players will be able to play these even the ones that are a few years old. There really isn’t much difference between these two, once data is written they’re basically the same. If you want to play these discs on other DVD players the data must be first ‘finalized’ or closed so it becomes compatible just like any commercial DVD sold in stores.
2) ‘Re-writable’ DVD-RW / DVD+RW: both of these formats can be written to the same way as the –R/+R but can be erased recorded and rerecorded many times over just like VHS tapes but with one advantage: the disc itself doesn’t deteriorate qualitywise as with all tape media. The disc will be as good the first time it’s written to or the 1000th write. Most newer DVD players do support these discs.
3) DVD-RAM is another re-writable format usually on Panasonic models. It gives you more choice than other formats. It allows you to playback what has already been written to the disc while it’s still recording. But only a limited number of DVD players support this format. So recording in this format limits the number of people who can watch stuff recorded in this format. But the DVD recorders that record in DVD RAM can also record in other formats, usually DVD-R/DVD-RW.
Deciding whether to buy a unit that is both a VHS and DVD recorder or just a DVD recorder is usually not a big deal. But having the two separate is better because it gives you the flexibility so the 2 things aren’t tied up when one is being used. Normally the standalone units have more features and the ‘combo’ units with DVD/VHS are easier to use with simpler features.
Some of the more expensive units have built in hard drives from 80 to now over 300+Giggs of storage capacity. The hard drive acts like the hard drives in computers where the stored information can be erased if not needed. This allows the user to store much much more programming than a DVD disc and pick what they want to burn to discs for permanent keeping. What’s not needed can be erased and more can be added many times over.
There really isn’t a huge difference between the different companies that make these. All the components are almost the exact same under the case usually with a different software interface. But each company offers something that’s a little different from the competition.
Some of the not so well known brands are actually pretty good at what they offer. But I wouldn’t buy something from the less credible ‘desi’ companies out there. The thing to look for is reliable tech support offered and what kind of warranty the store/manufacturer give.
It’s a good idea to get a service plan from the retailer at a little extra cost. Getting extra warranty from the store is a good thing if something goes wrong after the manufacturer warranty expires. If this happens they replace your unit with a comparable current model.
Choosing which model to buy comes down to what the unit will be used for. If stuff will be recorded from TV then the unit must have a cableTV tuner for cable input, but if you have a satellite then there wont be any need for a tuner.
If long uninterrupted recording is needed then the unit should have a large enough hard disk to store everything at high quality settings.
For people with a DV camera a unit with a firewire/iLink interface will be a dream come true. The cost of DVD media is nothing compared to miniDV tapes. In a situation where the camera sits still during a raensbayee or a conference the camera can just feed the DVD recorder straight with a firewire cable with the best possible picture quality. The really good thing about this is the unit and the DV camera actually communicate with each other both ways. So when recording from a DV camera a person can control both the camera and the DVD recorder from just the DVD recorder remote.
Finally when you narrow down which model you like go to the manufacturer website and read the manual for that particular model to make sure everything is what you need. Other companies’ models should be looked at too in case they have more features.
Shopping online can save you a lot of money, usually online retailers in the US have free shipping most of the time on big items such as this and don’t charge any tax on items shipped to a state other than the originating one.
For best possible results when playing back DVDs component video and digital audio should be used with a compatible TV that supports these.
Here are some companies that make reputable DVD recorders:
SONY
LiteOn
LG
Panasonic
Pioneer
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