DVD recorder suggestions?

[katiemack Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close katiemack]

We are thinking of buying a DVD recorder...any advice or suggestions on brand, model or what NOT to buy would be welcome. Thanks.

[PigsDad Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close PigsDad]

At this point, DVD recorders are so mainstream that I don't think the brand really matters that much. They are basically throw-away now if they break, so just go with the least expensive model that will work for you, IMO.

Kurt

[philsfan Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close philsfan]

Are you talking about recording TV shows on to a hard drive or DVD disk directly (a DVR)? If so, we have a Philips that uses TVGuide online to make it easy to schedule the shows you want to record. The problem with that is that our last two cable companies haven't had TVGuide online so we had to manually key in stuff just like it we did on the old VCR's instead of just pulling up the schedule and picking the show.

If you're talking about a burner for your PC, I agree with Kurt.

[funtime2 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close funtime2]

Have you thought about checking the Buyer's Guide Magazine for suggestions?

[katiemack Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close katiemack]

Are you talking about recording TV shows on to a hard drive or DVD disk directly (a DVR)? If so, we have a Philips that uses TVGuide online to make it easy to schedule the shows you want to record. The problem with that is that our last two cable companies haven't had TVGuide online so we had to manually key in stuff just like it we did on the old VCR's instead of just pulling up the schedule and picking the show.

If you're talking about a burner for your PC, I agree with Kurt.

We are talking a TV hookup, not PC. Thanks for the recommendation of Phillips, is there a model number?

Have you thought about checking the Buyer's Guide Magazine for suggestions?

Is there a link to Buyers Guide? We usually get so many great recommendations from members on the board that it never occurred to me to check another source...but I will check it out.

[missiletoe Member Find all posts View Profile Close missiletoe]

I just did some research on this and decided on the Philips DVDR3576H-37. I just ordered it from Sams Club online so I don't have it yet to give it a more thorough review. It was less than $300 at Sams, and about the same price at Amazon. The DVDR3575H-37 is the same recorder with a different color case and a different user interface menu. There is a great write up on this recorder in the AVSForums at Philips DVDR3575H/37 and DVDR3576H/37 Features, Setup and Operation - AVS Forum.

[katiemack Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close katiemack]

missiletoe, Thanks for the link and info....let me know how you enjoy the new recorder!

[philsfan Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close philsfan]

We are talking a TV hookup, not PC. Thanks for the recommendation of Phillips, is there a model number?

What I meant was make sure whatever you buy has the ease of use you are looking for. If your tv provider doesn't carry what the DVR uses to make programming it a point and click type experience you may get tired of it. We did. We now rent a DVR from Cox cable for our main living area so that we can just bring up the show we want to record on the guide and click on record with the remote.

Our Phillips is an HDRW720. We haven't had any problems with it. We still use it when Mary has three shows that are on at the same time that she just HAS to see. The Cox DVR can only do two at a time.

If there were three shows a year I wanted to record, I would be happy.

[Marti Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Marti]

Samsung DVD-R130

We have a Samsung DVD-R130
Stereo Sound - Remote Control

We mainly use it to play photo
CDs & DVDs that I have made

[katiemack Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close katiemack]

Our Phillips is an HDRW720. We haven't had any problems with it. We still use it when Mary has three shows that are on at the same time that she just HAS to see. The Cox DVR can only do two at a time.

If there were three shows a year I wanted to record, I would be happy.

ROTFLMAO! This is just so true....but the occasional old time flick on during the wee hours, and Craig Ferguson's Late Late show have us wanting the recorder. But don't we know, there is a dearth of anything interesting on the Tube!

[katiemack Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close katiemack]

We have a Samsung DVD-R130
Stereo Sound - Remote Control

We mainly use it to play photo
CDs & DVDs that I have made

This sounds like a player not a recorder...does it record?

[mas Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mas]

Check out PC PVRs and Titan TV

You may want to check into PC PVRs such as Hauppauge You can get one that records HDTV onto your hard disk. With 500 GB drives selling for $80, less than $200 investment gets you a fairly nice setup. Look at the WinTV HVR-1600 model.

As to programming it for delayed watching, TitanTV works great for one touch programming. TitanTV also works great as a tv guide when traveling. Just type in your current zip code and the local programming is there for you to check.

[katiemack Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close katiemack]

You may want to check into PC PVRs such as Hauppauge You can get one that records HDTV onto your hard disk. With 500 GB drives selling for $80, less than $200 investment gets you a fairly nice setup. Look at the WinTV HVR-1600 model.

As to programming it for delayed watching, TitanTV works great for one touch programming. TitanTV also works great as a tv guide when traveling. Just type in your current zip code and the local programming is there for you to check.

We are a bit technically challenged, but could you tell me, if you have this unit, do you have to keep your PC running during recording...I am guessing YES.

[mas Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mas]

Yes you do need to keep your pc running as the PVR unit is a PCI board that plugs into your computer. I have the model 1600 in my computer and it works great, kind of like a poor man's TIVO. The one thing I will say is if you want to use this for HDTV, you will need a dual core processor and a good video card as HDTV requires a fair amount of processing power.