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Buy DVDR now or let standards/technology settle?

I need to replace my VCR and have been naturally attracted to DVD recorders. However, as I read reviews, the technology and standards seem to be in flux. We have HDTV coming, and I don't know if there will be shakeout among DVD formats (for reusable media we have -RW, +RW, RAM, doing one better than VHS-Beta duel) or new ones will be added.

SO, here is my question: If I have no pressing need for a *DVD* recorder right now, just *a* recorder to record TV shows I would miss, does it make sense to buy DVD recorder at present? Would it be better to manage with another VCR and check the DVDR scene in 1-2 years?
aktchi
aktchi OP
274 posts
 
Thanks guys. Technical possibilities aside, there is real life and no way can I convince my family to watch their favorite shows on a computer. :) So, a traditional stand-alone recorder is what we are looking for.

Fortunately, we are not into keeping the shows. Just to have about 6 hours of space, convenient and reliable programmed recording.

One friend emailed his opinion that DVD-RAM and HDD are more convenient than +RW or -RW media. However, HDD can crash but RAM is crash-proof, so DVD-RAM is the single best choice, even better than HDD. Would everybody agree with that?
hbarrel's avatar
hbarrel
342 posts
 
Get a satellite dish (Direct TV) and a DVR recorder and be done with it.
rwwear
2,873 posts
 
Of course nobody wants to watch TV on a computer unless it is connected to a large screen TV. Or burn the shows to DVDRW and erase them later. You can play them in a regular DVD player.
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