1. Types of DVD Recorders
2. Time Shift Recording
3. Recording Hours
4. Connectivity Options
5. Price
6. Tips on DVD Media Selection
7. Other Features
1. Types of DVD Recorders
There are a few combinations available for you when you are buying a DVD
recorder. There are basic DVD recorders that record directly onto a DVD
or choose a combined DVD recorder and VCR for anyone who still wants to
be able to view VHS cassettes or transfer from cassettes to DVD. Finally,
you can also purchase a combo that features DVD recorder with a large
internal hard drive for incredibly flexible recordings. These models have
a variety of inputs and a built-in tuner so you can record your programming
directly from any standard analog or digital source straight to DVD. DVDs
are a better storage device than VHS because VHS tapes wear out after
a certain amount of playing; DVDs stand up much better to extended use.
• Basic DVD Recorders:
The most basic DVD recorder will give you progressive scanning for enhanced
picture quality. The higher the model type, the more features it will
have. Some let you view, pause, skip ahead and resume playback on a program
while it’s recording.
• DVD/VHS Recorders:
These combination units have a DVD recorder and a VHS recorder built into
one unit. This is a great tool for anyone who wants to transfer any old
movies or recorded shows from their VHS tapes to a more permanent medium.
You can also transfer your recorded DVD to tape if you know you need to
bring your recorded content somewhere and won’t have access to a
DVD player
• DVD/HDD Recorders:
DVD/HDD Recorders are the latest in recording technology. You can record
a program while watching another, freeze a show you are watching, and
then replay the scene you missed or skip ahead to catch up to the live
feed. Most hard drive recorders are capable of recording high definition
television so you can capture movies and programs in HD if you subscribe
to such a service. A big advantage of hard drive-based recorders is the
huge recording capacity. With hard drive recorders, you can choose if
you want to instantly erase a program, or burn it to DVD format for permanent
record. Both DVD and hard drive recorders let you navigate through your
recorded programming and instantly choose what you want to watch without
waiting for anything to rewind or fast forward.
2.
Time Shift Recording
The ability to playback and pause a live TV program while it is being
recorded is known as time shift. Most DVD-RAM and HDD recorders come default
with this function, which is extremely popular with couch potatoes and
sports fans who want the freedom to pause and continue a live game or
movie broadcast without having to skip any parts of the program.
3.
Recording Hours
Most manufacturers claim their recorders can work up to a certain number
of hours, but these figures are often misleading as the recordings tend
to be at the lowest quality (sometimes even lower than the extended mode
on VCRs). A better estimation of the true recording time is to look at
the two best-quality recording modes that are often only a fraction of
the maximum figure. That will help you decide how big a hard drive you
need for your recording needs.
4.
Connectivity Options
Besides keeping an eye out for the different video connectivity options
such as composite, component and S-video, an interesting feature to watch
out for is FireWire. This is particularly useful for camcorder users who
want to captured footage onto DVDs. Increasingly, new recorder models
also feature onboard memory readers for downloading digicam images and
short video onto the DVD or onboard hard drive.
5.
Price
The most expensive DVD recorder isn’t always the best one for your
needs. Many of the latest models vary from $600 to as much as $3,300,
with those on the higher end usually sporting larger hard drive capacities,
faster DVD writing speeds and advanced recording and playback options.
Depending on your recording needs, you should probably be spending at
least $700 to $900 for a decent system, preferably one with a hard drive
and a fair number of recording modes.
6.
Tips on DVD Media Selection
Not all DVD recorders will record and playback all media. Generally, you
will find that most will work with one-time recordable DVD+/-R and rewritable
DVD+/-RW, and many also work with DVD-RAM, DVD-Audio, VCD, audio CDs,
CD-R/-RW, MP3 or WMA CDs, and JPEG image CDs for photo presentations on
your TV. If you have other devices that also play DVDs, have a look at
the formats they can handle to make sure you’re not burning DVDs
you can’t play elsewhere. Rewritable DVD-RAM discs in particular
are not often playable on other devices, as they generally come housed
in a cartridge. DVD-RAM is best for flexible, HDD-style recording and
re-recording on your home unit.
7.
Other Features
There are other features that can be found in any style of DVD recorder
that may sway your decision. An intelligent timer function remembers the
last several time recordings you made, so you can easily select one if
you want to record another program at the same time and on the same channel
on another day. This is convenient if you record a program every day or
every week and use the same basic settings.
Some models
give you better control over your image and sound quality, letting you
adjust image color, brightness and contrast, and even automatically enhance
dialogue, if you’re having trouble hearing the conversation in a
quiet part of a program or movie. Others go further with sophisticated
features to remove visual or audio noise or to provide higher analogue
to digital conversion bit rates. Most models will give you virtual surround
sound for a theatre-like experience.
For extra convenience,
some models come equipped with an IR (infrared)
“blaster” to make it easier to link your DVD recorder with
other similarly outfitted equipment for viewing, recording, dubbing or
playback.
There is a
lot to think about when buying a DVD recorder. Whether you decide to go
with a basic recorder or a fully-equipped model with a massive hard drive
and VHS slot, it always comes down to taking the time to plan how you
will be using it, and how it fits into the rest of your equipment. Keeping
these basic points in mind will help you find the right device, at any
price range.
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