2. home-theater
  3. 1144179022

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
rwwear
2,873 posts
 
A computer with the correct video card will accept over the air antenna signals and let you record them. And they will also record over the air hi-def signals. They will also download the program guide free. The only downside is you need high speed internet and it's still a computer.
ghostrider45
449 posts
 
You can also get a combination DVD/ hard disk recorder with a built in tuner that will record off-the-air. You can record your weekly shows to disk and set them to overwrite each each week. If there's something you want to keep, just dump it to DVDR from the hard disk or set up to record the program straight to dvdr. You can use VCR+ to program if you like.

I use a Panasonic model but there are many on the market.
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.
More to discover