SG Broadband Community

So my VCR bit the dust last week, every tape I put in it ends up eating the tape for lunch. I'd rather not invest any money in fixing it or getting a new VCR, i've been wanting to go to using DVDs to record on for a long time anyway, so here is my excuse.

I already have a DVD player, but it is just a player, I want the ability to record.

What I'd like is some input on what features I should be looking for and what the best brands are?

I don't have anything fancy, analog cable, 4:3 TV. But someday in the future I may move to 16:9 HDTV and digital cable or something, but that isn't going to happen anytime soon, what I have now works well for me, my current TV allows S-Video input (no HDMI). It would be great though if I could get a recorder that allowed for future expansion just incase. It would also be nice if it could read and record onto dual layer DVDs.

Suggestions?

You are the video guru. How come u don't just have your computer allow DVR/DVD burning capabilities? DVD burner at newegg =39.00 free shipping.

I brought a DVR to record to DVD+R disks. I liked it at first but barely use it know, because of forgetting to put disks into it to record. If I were you I would get one with a hard disk and some sort of software (TIVO or something else...) and be able to use the interface to just record programs to the hard disk. Then you can play them back at your leisure. Its not the way I would go but many cable companies offer a DVR but sometimes they make you upgrade to digital cable to get it. Good luck. Post what you get I'm in the market myself.

Tivo + TivoToGo + DVD burner on PC FTW.

thepieman wrote:You are the video guru. How come u don't just have your computer allow DVR/DVD burning capabilities? DVD burner at newegg =39.00 free shipping.

My computer can burn DVDs but I don't have my TV going through it, they are two separate entities, I need a burner for my TV.

Blisster wrote:Tivo + TivoToGo + DVD burner on PC FTW.

Not an option, as I mentioned I have analog cable, no digital or TIVO stuff.

Tivo works fine with analog cable. THat's what I have.

Lefty wrote:I brought a DVR to record to DVD+R disks. I liked it at first but barely use it know, because of forgetting to put disks into it to record. If I were you I would get one with a hard disk and some sort of software (TIVO or something else...) and be able to use the interface to just record programs to the hard disk. Then you can play them back at your leisure. Its not the way I would go but many cable companies offer a DVR but sometimes they make you upgrade to digital cable to get it. Good luck. Post what you get I'm in the market myself.

I was really hoping to be able to record them to hard media that I could for example take to other peoples houses, just like you can do with VCR tapes.

It would be nice if the DVD recorder allowed Re-Writable dual layer DVDs, then I wouldn't have to worry about changing the DVD discs.

Basically I want it to work just like a VCR but with DVDs instead of tapes.

Blisster wrote:Tivo works fine with analog cable. THat's what I have.

TIVO is not what I want I have stated this multiple times in this thread. Read the post above again to see what I want.

I'd like suggestions on features and brands of DVD recorders for my TV.

all I'm saying is that for less money, Tivo would offer you the end result that you seek. You record the program with tivo, transfer it to your PC and burn to DVD. Said DVD will play in any set top box.

Take it or leave it, no need to be a jackass, I'm just offering an alternative solution.

and actually you never stated that you did NOT want a tivo.

What's really the difference between -R and +R DVDs ?

What do you think of this recorder?

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp ... 4703132138

It seems to allow recording in RW and DL DVDs, but does it allow DL RW DVDs? i can't tell

Panasonic good?

Brent wrote:What's really the difference between -R and +R DVDs ?

just a type of format. some drv do both. mine just does +

I'll check when I get home, what type I have. It takes the dvd+r, dvd+rw so it will work for you and it only cost me around $75.

Lefty wrote:just a type of format. some drv do both. mine just does +

I'll check when I get home, what type I have. It takes the dvd+r, dvd+rw so it will work for you and it only cost me around $75.

That's cool, thanks, I was hoping I could find out that allowed Double Layer Re-Write capability, don't know how expensive that would be though.

I don't wanna go over $200 on this, that's my budget.

Check my post above, see what you think of that one

Brent wrote:That's cool, thanks, I was hoping I could find out that allowed Double Layer Re-Write capability, don't know how expensive that would be though.

I don't wanna go over $200 on this, that's my budget.

Check my post above, see what you think of that one

Sounds good for what you need. If there is any way you can try it out before you buy it that would be good. The interface on mine sucks, and is difficult if next to impossible to record on the fly. (havent been able to just pop a disk in change the dvr's channel, hit record, then watch other channels.) Mine doesn't have a button like tv/vcr which allows you to record one channel while watching others. Or at least I haven't found it. That makes it so I have to program everything I want to record, if I want to watch other channels.

go 4 it........


http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp ... 8844246884

knightmare wrote:go 4 it........


http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp ... 8844246884

300 ouch, to rich for my blood

Lefty wrote:Sounds good for what you need. If there is any way you can try it out before you buy it that would be good. The interface on mine sucks, and is difficult if next to impossible to record on the fly. (havent been able to just pop a disk in change the dvr's channel, hit record, then watch other channels.) Mine doesn't have a button like tv/vcr which allows you to record one channel while watching others. Or at least I haven't found it. That makes it so I have to program everything I want to record, if I want to watch other channels.

Thanks, I didn't think about that, the interface could make it or break it for sure.

Looking at buy.com and newegg I didnt see any that support dual layer DVDs, they just say + or - Rs. Isnt + suppose to be better for DVD movies?

Brent wrote:What's really the difference between -R and +R DVDs ?

-r is more compatible with home DVD players like if you want to take it over to your friends house and use it..most players have a better time with -R then +R


Pie

Why don't you just get a video capture card and you can easily capture Video to your computer and burn to DVD with your DVD burner on the computer.

my computer and TV are in different rooms, i'd have to split the coax cable and run it to this room and it just wouldn't look good, i don't need to input video through my computer, i just want the capability to record DVDs just like I did with tapes in my VCR, right there at my TV

i wish people would stop suggesting I do otherwise, my question was reall simple, what features should i be looking for and what are good brands when it comes to standalone DVD recorders for your TV

my questions on features are pretty much answered now but no one has recommended any brand names

this one seems good:

http://cgi.ebay.com/RCA-DRC8005N-DVD-RE ... dZViewItem

Brent wrote:my computer and TV are in different rooms, i'd have to split the coax cable and run it to this room and it just wouldn't look good, i don't need to input video through my computer, i just want the capability to record DVDs just like I did with tapes in my VCR, right there at my TV

i wish people would stop suggesting I do otherwise, my question was reall simple, what features should i be looking for and what are good brands when it comes to standalone DVD recorders for your TV

my questions on features are pretty much answered now but no one has recommended any brand names

ahhh ok I see

How about Go-Video they usually have cheap burners.I bought one that does VHS-DVD copy as well. This is the one I just got.

http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=VR3845-R

get this one if you can afford it:

http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dl ... r+DVR-531H

thepieman wrote:How about Go-Video they usually have cheap burners.I bought one that does VHS-DVD copy as well. This is the one I just got.

http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=VR3845-R

Nice!!!

with all the old comp goodies you have just build a set top box.... install knopmyth and your good to go, mine runs it on a p3.

Dual Layer


http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Philips- ... tDetail.do

MadDoctor wrote:Nice!!!

I figure I'll use it to copy VHS to DVD for customers and make a little something while Im at home after work. Figures now that I have the damn thing no one comes in asking if I do that kind of thing anymore