dvd recorder/vcr combo with harddrive?

[siskiou]

Does one exist and I'm just not finding it?

I'm looking for the easiest way to convert my old videos and then keep using the dvd recorder to record tv shows, and the vcr part to watch movies that haven't been converted to dvd (and maybe never will).

And I'm trying to save space and not have a separate vcr standing around if the combination I'm looking for exists.

On the other hand, is it much harder to connect an older vcr (Sony SLV-795HF) to a dvd recorder (I've been looking at the Pioneers, Lite-on, or possibly the new Sony) and still getting good results?

[lordsmurf]

You would do better with a good VCR plugged into a good DVD recorder. Combo units often sacrofice quality and longevity... all for the so-called "space savings" that really is not there. If anything, combo units are too wide.

[samijubal]

Combos are cheap and hard to work on, the last couple I worked on didn't even have plugs to get the mechanical assembly out, everything had to be unsoldered. Stay away from them. It's simple to connect anything to a DVD recorder. If any of your old tapes are retail with copy protection, the only way around it with a combo is to use a seperate VCR anyway, so you can use a stabilizer or something between to remove the protection. Combos won't copy protected tapes.

[siskiou]

Thanks for the input!

I definitely won't be able to afford a better VCR, though.
Working on a budget, so it will have to be the old Sony VCR plus a reasonably affordable dvd recorder, preferably with a harddrive.

[siskiou]

No protected tapes here, just shows recorded from TV that don't seem to ever come out on dvd.

[Frobozz]

The JVC DR-MX1S. I saw it for sale for $799 at a Good Guys store.
http://www.jvc.com/product.jsp?modelId=MODL027321&pathId=115&page=2

[jimmalenko]

I've never been a fan of combo devices, for the main reason that effectively you halve the lifespan (in terms of wear and tear) of them by using them for two tasks as opposed to having two separate "dedicated" devices. The other thing is that should a part be faulty on the DVD side of things and you need to take it in to get fixed, you lose your VCR as well

[siskiou]

Thanks for finding that JVC!
Now, if it could only play +dvds.

Has anybody purchased one of the new Panasonics yet?

A couple of Models came out April 1rst, and a few more are scheduled for May 1rst (not sure which part of the world that is, though).

[handyguy]

Panasonics write to dvdram disks which are like small HDs, therefore you can edit on them. Don't need the hd model for that either. You can't do a lot of fancy editing but Panasonic keeps the manuals for them at panasonic.com

[siskiou]

I know, but I need the HD to support my general laziness (meaning I'll probably record a bunch of stuff, and later record some select ones and delete others that I only want to watch once.

I don't plan on doing too much fancy editing, just cutting out commercials, adding a title, split a recording and such

[Frobozz]

Thanks for finding that JVC!
Now, if it could only play +dvds.

I'm sure it will play finalized + DVDs. Once finalized they are DVD Rom.