DVD recorders with HDD are disappearing?

[mgy999a]

Is it my imagination or are the DVD recorders with built-in HDD (hard disk drives) disappearing from the marketplace?

The Panasonic DMR-EH55S is virtually impossible to find. And Panasonic didn't include a model this year with a HDD.

The Pioneer DVR-640H is also impossible to find and is not even available from Pioneer's own website (PioneerDirect).

Very few websites like Amazon are carrying recorders with HDD. The Toshiba RD-XS35 still seems to be available but in limited locations. No one else seems to be introducing new models with built-in HDD.

I am not currently in the market for such a recorder. I am simply wondering what is going on (if anything)?

[jman98]

I'm just guessing. Perhaps sales of recorders with HDD are poor. Nobody I know who has a DVD recorder has one with a HDD. There may just be a lack of interest by the general public in the editing capabilities such recorders have. Most people don't want to fool with editing and "just want it to work".

[oldandinthe way]

DVDrecorders are an unsucessful market segment. This applies with or without a HDD. The business press has written on this subject.

Merchants don't stock what folks won't buy and manufacturers are scaling back.

The cable companies PVR are dominant in the US market.

[handyguy]

People are getting dvrs from their cable comp.

There are plenty of hd recorders. Not sure where you are shopping.

[mgy999a]

Oh! I was afraid that it might have been some sort of legal problem with Hollywood. I didn't know that dvd recorders weren't doing so well in the marketplace. I like mine but then I've always been a geek. They ARE harder to operate than a VCR.

Handyguy, I haven't done an exhaustive search but I did look for DVD/HDD units at Walmart (1 RCA model), CircuitCity (1 Panasonic combo model), Amazon.com (1 Colby model), BestBuy (none), Sears (none), Costco (none), SamsClub (1 Mustek model), JR Electronics (1 obsolete Pioneer model), TigerDirect (none), and B&H Photo (1 Toshiba & 2 very expensive Pioneer models). I think that this is a lot less than was available 6 to 12 months ago.

I hope that they continue to be available in the future. I think that they are the easiest way to put video on a dvd, for me at least.

Thanks

[handyguy]

Well, you dont need a dvd recorder with a HD to put info on a dvd...It just has to write dvds.

[DVWannaB]

I think both schools of thought are correct. There is a dearth of HDD DVD recorders out there and that DVD recorders in general is not that profitable for manufacturers and they are not producing anything new for the N.American market.

What we see now see is a re-trenching by manufacturers. They will be back with a new generation recorder that can challenge cable/sat DVR boxes. The next gen will have OTA HD tuner and in some cases provide DVR-like functions when not in DVD recording mode.

Brave prediction.

[Cole]

Well, you dont need a dvd recorder with a HD to put info on a dvd...It just has to write dvds.

In the UK a DVD Recorder without a HD is a bit of a waste of money; without are the really cheap ones. The best ones have HDs and the bigger the better. The standard 80gb drives are being replaced with 160gb drives and at last are having digital recievers as standard.

It helps that the main rival, Sky Plus (Sky TVs PVR), has such a horrendous reputation of failure rates and that this and normal PVRs don't allow easy capture to keep; it seems that the HD DVD Recorder is doing very well here.

Everyone I know who has a DVD Recorder has one with a hard drive in it as it is seen as a PVR with the option to transfer to DVD and keep.

[trhouse]

In the United States, the FCC has ruled that starting on July 1, 2007, consumers will be able to purchase a set-top box from a third-party company, rather than being forced to purchase or rent the set-top box from their cable company.

http://hardware.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=07/01/12/0043249

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/fcc-rejects-comcasts-appeal-cable/story.aspx?gui...01F93BB46D2%7D

[MOVIEGEEK]

In the United States, the FCC has ruled that starting on July 1, 2007, consumers will be able to purchase a set-top box from a third-party company, rather than being forced to purchase or rent the set-top box from their cable company.

http://hardware.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=07/01/12/0043249

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/

That is good and bad news(first I heard of it):
The good news is you don't have to rent the box.
The bad news is if you own it you repair it,whereas if you rent the box you can return it for a new one...and at $5 a month I think I will keep renting.Another benefit of renting is Comcast will come to my house if there's a problem free of charge,if you own the box they can blame it for all your problems.
Another misconception in the MarketWatch article states that prices will be lower...I seriously doubt that,only competition will make them lower prices.

Back on topic:
I agree that PVR's are in big demand and DVD recorders(w or wo HDD) are losing sales.

[TwistedLincoln]

The bad news is if you own it you repair it,whereas if you rent the box you can return it for a new one...and at $5 a month I think I will keep renting.

Hmm... on odd conclusion. If you pay $5 a month, you never get to own it, so you end up paying much more in the end. That's exactly why I'd never have a TIVO or other subscription-based DVR -- if they fold, or decide to raise the subscription fee, I'm left with a worthless piece of hardware.

That's precisely why I bought my DVD-Recorder with HDD -- I never use it to make DVDs, I just use it as a DVR.

[Marvingj]

All video recording devices are similar in that they make it possible to delay watching television until a later date. But, they all have subtle differences from one another. Ideally, every person would find room next to their television for each device as they each have their own advantages. Of course, they also have their disadvantages, which is the purpose of this list.

DVD-RECORDER

Pros:

* Programming can be recorded onto a lifelong, virtually indestructible disc
* Discs are relatively inexpensive
* Can use disc over and over when recording to a Re-Writable disc
* Easy to connect to VCR for VHS to DVD conversion or to DVR for permanent storage
* DVD quality is hard to beat

Cons:

* Misuse of discs can lead to damage that can't be repaired
* Labeling discs is imperative for storage
* Discs have limited space
* Recording on non re-writable discs can get expensive
* Compatibility between DVD types (+R/-R) is not 100-percent right now

VCR - VIDEO CASSETTE RECORDER

Pros:

* Over 20 years of people using on a frequent basis makes it difficult for the technology to completely disappear
* Over 20 years of video tape collections compiled, which make it expensive to replace with DVDs
* Easy to use
* Blank or Recorded tapes are inexpensive
* VHS tapes can be reused with little difficulty

Cons:

* Tracking issues between different players
* Picture quality can degrade on tapes being used over and over
* Outdated technology - recording in digital not possible with older VCRs

DVR - DIGITAL VIDEO RECORDER

A PVR or Personal Video Recorder is another term for DVR.

Pros:

* All recording is self-contained inside the unit - no external media required
* When sudden situations arise (like water boiling over the pot or turning off the sprinklers) a person can pause live television and watch it moments after handling the situation
* Money saved in buying VHS cassettes and DVDs is endless
* Possibility to record in HD
* Dual tuner models make it possible to record on one channel while watching another when connected to a digital cable/satellite service provider

Cons:

* Limited hard drive space
* Hard drive is not meant for permanent storage
* Hard drive could crash causing all info on drive to be lost
* Many DVRs require monthly subscriptions for advance recording of shows

[bbanderic]

I have the Pioneer 533 with 80 gb HDD and absolutely love it. I prefer a DVD recorder with a HDD over one without or a DVR anyday. It absolutely sucks that most manufacturers aren't including HDD in their new models in the U.S.. But yet, they still make DVD/VCR combo units . I don't get it.

[LCSHG]

Trhouse

Interesting Sites and Info
Cable companies are trying to lock in only a Box supplied by them.
I think satellite providers have already done so and reguardless of the courts, I'm sure that these providers will place many road blocks in using other than their equip.
I notice many posts complaining that they can no longer record one program while watching another on their cable and ask Why
The reply seems [Rent another Box and than record it on our DVR, if its allowed]

A lot of recording units used firmware to comply with CP restrictions. I felt there was a trend to use integrated methods right in the units chipsets, to not only comply with CP but to insure the use of only "approved" equipment.

Do you see the “integrated safety features” to also thwart the use of existing non-complaint recorders? If so how do you feel it could or would be done

[RabidDog]

COle .. I think you are wrong (uk market) .. I have commented before on the dearth of hd/dvd recorders .. There are less now than there were 12 months ago.. at least from the main consumer brands. EG Pioneer has gone from the market. Many other company's never got into the market.. I think PVR's are replacing them in the market (no archiving to DVD). I am still looking for a Dual tuner Freeview HD/DVD recorder that also plays divx/xvid ultra.. so far its called a PC, or is too damn expensive. Maybe the advent of Hi-def is also a factor, it increases all the reqs a lot e.g. vast hard drive plus either a bluray or Hd-dvd burner to archive,, how much for that sucka? 1500+ spoons to you guv!

[The1]

Here down under we have the panasonic DMR-EX75/85 plus quite a few others.My brother has one and can capture cable tv and makes good quality dvds.

The problem with dvd hdd recorders is they only have one tuner, meaning you can't watch another channel while recording.Of course you can watch another dvd while recording but this is not always convenient.

Panasonic has released the DMR-XW10/30 and 50 that have twin high definition tuners with up to 500GB of HDD plus a dvd recorder. To be available in the UK. Hasn't been spotted in Australia yet, or the USA.

English link:
http://www.cinenow.com/uk/news-2125.html

PVR's will take over where dvd/hdd recorders left off.

I've just purchased a Topfield 5000 Masterpiece pvr a couple of months ago.
It has twin tuners 160gb hdd
You can record two different channel and play back hdd recorded file simultaniously.
Pause live tv.
Recorded file can be transfered to pc converted and burnt to dvd.
Probably the only draw back if you can call it that, is it only works with free to air broadcasts, not cable.

[mgy999a]

Interesting idea, using a PVR to record and then transferring to a PC for editing & burning. I could live with that as long as the files could be transferred by firewire or USB. I don't know anything about PVRs since I don't have cable and have never used a PVR. Do they have communication ports? Do they record video in MPEG2/AC3 format?

Thanks.

[lordsmurf]

Lots of idle speculation.

[dphirschler]

I got my Philips at Wal-mart and just love it. I connected it right next to our VCR (under the TV) and since that day, I don't believe I have ever used the VCR again. Well, I did connect the VCR through the DVD/HDD recorder so I could run off a few tapes. But we no longer have stacks of VHS tapes around the TV.

I am looking forward to the next-gen recorders with built-in ATSC digital tuners. I don't think the recorders with HDD are going anywhere. Why would anyone want to deal with stacks and stacks of DVD discs?


Darryl

[Cole]

COle .. I think you are wrong (uk market) .. I have commented before on the dearth of hd/dvd recorders .. There are less now than there were 12 months ago.. at least from the main consumer brands. EG Pioneer has gone from the market. Many other company's never got into the market.. I think PVR's are replacing them in the market (no archiving to DVD). I am still looking for a Dual tuner Freeview HD/DVD recorder that also plays divx/xvid ultra.. so far its called a PC, or is too damn expensive. Maybe the advent of Hi-def is also a factor, it increases all the reqs a lot e.g. vast hard drive plus either a bluray or Hd-dvd burner to archive,, how much for that sucka? 1500+ spoons to you guv!

Hmmm... re-reading my post it seems to be dominated by opinion rather than straight fact. I don't like the idea of having a PVR and not being able to keep a recorded programme.

I am already on my second DVD Recorder and both have had HDs. I only got the second because the first didn't have an internal digital receiver. Interestingly, when I bought my first one the manufacturers were saying that we wouldn't be seeing many with digital receivers as this would be too UK orientated!

DVR - DIGITAL VIDEO RECORDER

A PVR or Personal Video Recorder is another term for DVR.

<sinp>

Cons:

* Limited hard drive space
* Hard drive is not meant for permanent storage
* Hard drive could crash causing all info on drive to be lost
* Many DVRs require monthly subscriptions for advance recording of shows

* If you recorded last night's football and a friend wants to see it, you'd have to lend them your whole recorder!

[The1]

Interesting idea, using a PVR to record and then transferring to a PC for editing & burning. I could live with that as long as the files could be transferred by firewire or USB. I don't know anything about PVRs since I don't have cable and have never used a PVR. Do they have communication ports? Do they record video in MPEG2/AC3 format?

Thanks.

They do have communication ports.
Topfield records a .rec file.
For more detailed answers see the topfield forum. AQA (all questions answered):-

http://www.topfield-australia.com.au/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?t=6107

Topfield also has what they call TAP (topfield application programs) see above for more info.

[RabidDog]

The topfield looks Ok but its a brand that I thought would not last the course .. they are still around now, so maybe there stuff may be worth investigating..

So , what new, mainstream companies have come into the hd/dvd recorder market in the last year, in the Uk? I know yamada produce one but they are not mainstream, nor. frankly are topfield, no disrespect to either company.

I know another factor in the Uk market is the introduction of freeview playback (series link for freeview recorders) later on this year (or maybe next)

[garyjo]

I would simply download the game from the Comcast STB 160 gb HDD and burn a dvd using my $59 jvc dr-m100s refurb.

If you recorded last night's football and a friend wants to see it, you'd have to lend them your whole recorder!

[Cole]

I would simply download the game from the Comcast STB 160 gb HDD and burn a dvd using my $59 jvc dr-m100s refurb.

If you recorded last night's football and a friend wants to see it, you'd have to lend them your whole recorder!

Fair enough but that is provided that one has that particular STB; from what I have read on forums is that if someone has the average PVR then to keep a programme the user had to connect it to a VCR or DVD Recorder and re-record it in real-time from the PVR playback.