DVD Recorders that record to hard drives--not just to disks

[Norma Jean]

We received a DVD player for Christmas, but we do not rent movies more than a couple times a month. We do record a lot of TV programs onto the DVR we rent from Time Warner Cable. We would like a DVD recorder that would save more than 20 -30 hours onto the hard drive. We would also like to record some of the programs that are saved on hard drive to disks. We would like any DVR recorder to be compatible with our Time Warner digital cable system and would prefer not having to program more than one device. Is there a DVD recorder out there to meet our needs? Very savvy about VCRs but very new to the world of DVDs. Willing to learn. Thanks.

[FulciLives]

We received a DVD player for Christmas, but we do not rent movies more than a couple times a month. We do record a lot of TV programs onto the DVR we rent from Time Warner Cable. We would like a DVD recorder that would save more than 20 -30 hours onto the hard drive. We would also like to record some of the programs that are saved on hard drive to disks. We would like any DVR recorder to be compatible with our Time Warner digital cable system and would prefer not having to program more than one device. Is there a DVD recorder out there to meet our needs? Very savvy about VCRs but very new to the world of DVDs. Willing to learn. Thanks.

Your best bet is the Panasonic DMR-E80 which includes an 80GB HDD. You can record straight to DVD-R or DVD-RAM or you can record straight to the HDD. Once on the HDD you can watch it from there then delete it or you can go from the HDD to either DVD-R or DVD-RAM

Not sure about the cable box thing. You might have to program both your cable box AND the DVD recorder.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[donpedro]

What about somethink with TiVo ? Is it an option ?

[Gil T Pleasure]

If you don't care about editing the commercials out before you save your recorded shows to disc, then get a Pioneer model with TiVo. The Pioneer models with TiVo also have hard drives built-in, but they also have something the Panasonic E80 does not have: IR blaster to control external devices, 3 days of program guide data, and ability to record from guide (EPG).

[donpedro]

That reminded me something.

Check RCA DRC 8000N and it's G Link or IR Sat function.

[Norma Jean]

Thanks for the information. And, donpedro, I already checked out the DVD Recorder list, but do not know how to interpret all the data. But, I learned enough to understand which recorders record to hard drive. I was just looking for the best fit. I was considering the DMRE100HS because it was an item available to exchange for the DVD player I received, but the price is a little more than I want to pay. The DMR-E80HS might be just the answer. I didn't really want to go the TiVo route because of the monthly service charge. I will keep doing some investigating, and may wait for prices to come down a little. Thanks to all who answered my post. Happy New Year

[donpedro]

Norma Jean, you can download manual from RCA recorder to check those "things".

[Gil T Pleasure]

I didn't really want to go the TiVo route because of the monthly service charge.

FYI, the Pioneer models with TiVo do not need monthly service charge. You get TiVo basic service with it, but you do have the option to subscribe to the premium service, which gives you features like 14 day guide data, Season Pass™, WishList™, and Search by Title.

See: http://www.tivo.com/5.3.1.1.asp?article=177

No point telling you this since the Pioneer models with TiVo are more expensive than the Panasonic E100, I believe.

[zanos]

not being able to edit out commercials before transferring to disc is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. How exactly does pioneer keep themselves from going bankrupt?

[donpedro]

not being able to edit out commercials before transferring to disc is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. How exactly does pioneer keep themselves from going bankrupt?

It is only on TiVo model. I guess it is what TiVo request from anybody who wants to make it. On other HD Pioneer models you can edit.

[gcutler]

It is only on TiVo model. I guess it is what TiVo request from anybody who wants to make it. On other HD Pioneer models you can edit.

Don't know if it is a TiVo limitation or just Pioneer didn't bother. It may be TiVo saying NO don't add that feature, or just it may be a problematic for have Hard drive for both TiVo storage and also used for editing and Pioneer just didn't bother.

I guess we will learn if someone other than Pioneer makes a similar product or Pioneer makes 2nd generation.

[donpedro]

Additiona info from Pioneer DVR-310

Automatic recording from a satellite tuner: If you have a satellite tuner or some other kind of set top box connected to the L1 input, you can have the recorder start and stop recording automatically with the timer settings of the connected component. (If the other component doesn’t have a built-in timer, you’ll need to use it with an external timer unit.) After setting up for Auto Start Recording, this recorder starts recording when it detects a signal from the other component. When the signal ceases, the recorder stops recording.

[Gil T Pleasure]

Don't know if it is a TiVo limitation or just Pioneer didn't bother.

I agree with DonPedro. ReplayTV has 30-sec QuickSkip and CommercialAdvance (on older models); the standalone TiVos don't have any of these features. Let's face it, the Pioneer models with TiVo are PVRs with built-in DVD burning capability, not the other way around. When you archive a recorded show, you're using the TiVO interface. Even the DVD you make on this machine has a TiVo-style menu.

[gcutler]

Don't know if it is a TiVo limitation or just Pioneer didn't bother.

I agree with DonPedro. ReplayTV has 30-sec QuickSkip and CommercialAdvance (on older models); the standalone TiVos don't have any of these features.

They do, but you need to turn on the backdoor features.
http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=122090

"S-P-S-3-0-S (1.3, also 2.5, not 2.0 or 2.01) - Toggles 30 second skip mode. This turns the Skip to End button into a 30 second skip button. This was removed in 2.0x, but added back in 2.5. "

[Gil T Pleasure]

Yes, I know that backdoor feature. My point is, TiVo can't keep this feature out in the open (you have to know it exists and you have to know how to enable it).

[donpedro]

Also Sony RDR-GX7 have this function. They call it Synchro Rec and it works when you connect "timer box" (in your case cable box) to LINE 1.

[shutterbug]

Norma Jean
I'm extremely happy with my Panasonic E-80. Ability to Edit commercials is huge. To the best of my knowledge, you cannot use the recorder to substitute your cable box for channels Above 125. The built in TV tuner works excellent, but is an analog tuner, not a digital one. It should receive your cable channels up to 125 w/o a cable box fine. Any pay channels like HBO may not be visible unless you use your local cable companies digital converter box.

[donpedro]

There are products that can do what she is asking for. One even with HD.

Pioneer DVR510-HS (HD) (start recording whe cable box turns on)
Pioneer DVR310-S (start recording whe cable box turns on)
Sony RDR-GX7 (start recording whe cable box turns on)
RCA DRC 8000N (G Link, IR Sat)

and new models from Panasonic are coming with some kind of "TV Guide On Screen (TVGOS) Electronic Programming Guide (EPG)"