Newbie ? on dvd recorders

[kshixson]

I have been reading the various forums on dvd recorders and I am truly thankful for the info I have gathered. You people are amazing! My question is this: I simply want to have a dvd recorder that will take the place of my vcr. I have a Time Warner DVR and am not concerned with trying to record movies and then go to dvd. I would use the dvd recorder as a vcr. Meaning, if there is a good show on HBO or whatever, I would record it on dvd (either r or rw depending on whether I want to keep it or not). Now, to the point. The Sharp DVD Recorder does not have a hard drive and appears to work like a vcr. You put in the dvd and set it to record when the show comes on and your done. Does it make since to have a dvd recorder that has a hard drive so I can store shows until I can get to them and if so which one is best? Thanks for the help.

[PhilipL]

Withdrawn

[qpskfec]

I have a tivo and dvd recorder without a hd. The tivo has 30+ hrs of storage. I record tv on the tivo and if I want to keep something, I'll record to dvd. I wouldn't pay extra for the hd if I have a dvr.

The hd will give you some more flexibility in editing and allow faster than real time transfer to dvd, but that's not worth the $$$ to me.

[donpedro]

I have a tivo and dvd recorder without a hd. The tivo has 30+ hrs of storage. I record tv on the tivo and if I want to keep something, I'll record to dvd. I wouldn't pay extra for the hd if I have a dvr.

Well I would. In your scenario you are encoding analog signal twice. First time when you record on Tivo and second time when you recording from Tivo to DVD Recorder. In case of of DVD Recorder with HD you encode only once. So my view on this is that 1x encoding is better than 2x.

[Alfer]

Hi

.....+RW has some serious problems on set-tops and is really best avoided in my opinion.

I for one have had ZERO problems with my Philips DVDR75 +R/+RW recorder. It works flawlessly for all my recording..timed ones for recording TV and copies of VHS to DVD look great even in the 4 hour mode.

[handyguy]

If youre just doing tv recordings you don't need a recorder. Just try: clicktv.com

They give you a full channel line up & there is a program they have on that site (program is not free) called SnapStream that makes your computer into a dvd recorder:
Transform any PC into a home entertainment and media center so dazzling that your friends will be jealous! Don't just record and rewind your favorite TV shows intelligently -- play them back on your TV, PC, Pocket PC or your wireless home network. Record shows in MPEG-2 or Windows Media. You can even remotely control Personal Video Station 3 from an Internet browser, your WAP cell phone or a web-enabled Pocket PC.

All of this with... with no subscription fees and no high hardware costs.

Time Shifting
Stop. Fast forward. Rewind. Pause... yes, you have full control of not only your recorded television programs, but also live TV. And 30-second skip and 7-second instant replay features make it even easier to move around your favorite TV shows.
Free Program Guide
Record every episode of your favorite show with the press of a button. Scroll through your local listing, flip channels, and set up recordings. Best of all: no subscription fees! (Note: SnapStream.Net TV listings only available for the United States)
Full Screen Interface
Record and then replay your favorite TV shows on the big screen. Personal Video Station's full screen interface ensures you can see your screen from across the room.

Etc, rest of it at snapstream.com

[qpskfec]

I have a tivo and dvd recorder without a hd. The tivo has 30+ hrs of storage. I record tv on the tivo and if I want to keep something, I'll record to dvd. I wouldn't pay extra for the hd if I have a dvr.

Well I would. In your scenario you are encoding analog signal twice. First time when you record on Tivo and second time when you recording from Tivo to DVD Recorder. In case of of DVD Recorder with HD you encode only once. So my view on this is that 1x encoding is better than 2x.

I have a directivo, which stores the sat mpeg on the hd. Therefore, tivo hd/mpeg to analog to dvd/mpeg.

With a set top dvdr with hd, you go analog to hd/mpeg to dvd.

If the original posters TW DVR works as a standalone tivo, you are correct in adding another a/d step. If it works like a directivo, there is no extra a/d, so no real quality advantage using a dvdr with hd. Editing and 4X burning is nice, it's a matter if you are willing to pay for those features.

[donpedro]

I have a directivo, which stores the sat mpeg on the hd.

Nice. I didn't know that there is something like that. But that works only for digital broadcast, right ? Could you maybe post some link about that ? Thanks.