With Hard Disk or Not? Which dvd rec?

[karib]

I am thinking of buying a dvd recorder for use with my tv.
I have experience in computers for decades.

I have a dilemma: buy a dvd recorder with hard disk or not?

From the first sight someone could easily tell: of course with hd is better!

But from my experience from the computers and their hard disks, after some years of use the hard disk is damaged.
This is not always happen with other computer parts.
Hard disk is a sensitive part.
Also, hard disks have mtbf, which means mean time before failure.

On the other hand, the dvd recorder I want to purchase, is going to replace my old vhs. I have this vhs over a decade.

So I do not want to buy a recorder only for a few years use, as far as I can take care of buying a good machine.


QUESTION No1:
Is it safer for me to buy a dvd recorder without hard disk in order to have it many years?

QUESTION No2:
I am thinking about these: Lite-On 5005 (without hard disk) and Jvc DRMH20 (with hard disk).
What is your opinion?

[rich_jtg]

Can't really give you a direct answer to your questions, but I've got a Panasonic E85 hard disk/DVD recorder, and I have to say that the HD is really handy.

The main use it has is for editing stuff before you burn a disc. Its so much easier than burning it, sticking it on the PC and then burning again.

The HD also takes alot of thinking out of general recording.. just set the timer or press record and it is recorded. Watch it, delete it and so on.

It does say in the instruction 'manual' that you shouldn't use the HD as permanent storage, and anything you want to keep should be burnt to DVD as soon as possible. I presume they say this to cover themselves. I've known PC harddrives to work fine for several years... I've also know them to play up almost from the off.

So basically, if you have the extra money, get a hard drive. Yo udon' have to use it, but at least you can if need!

[Capmaster]

I agree with rich_jtg. If the extra price isn't a bother, it'll no doubt come in handy. I have a Panny E50 which doesn't have a HD because I rarely edit before I burn, so I couldn't justify the added price.

I guess it comes down to how much editing you plan to do and if that makes the HD worth the bump in price

[karib]

I will help you about what I want to do, in order to help me!

I will not do any edit at all.
Maybe some basic edit as write a part from a dvdrw.

The money is always a factor. But if hard disk is durable through years I 'll find the money to buy such dvd rec.

I do not know if the opinion that says that I could have a hard disk and if I want I just can avoid use it when it will have problem
When hard disk fail, I do not think the dvd recorder will play at all.
So, I had to not use at all my machine.

It is something like the things in life that say that they can do everything. But...how well?

I want stability, just to have my head in peace of mind.
Functionality without much risk.

[SoundFX]

I would not worry about HDD failure too much. Most drives' MTBF is rated at over 100,000 hours, or about 11 years IF it's on continuosly.

I have both a Panny E80 and E85, they work as two units in one box (DVD and HDD) and can record/play directly to DVD without even accessing the HDD. However having the HDD adds tremendous versatility, even if your editing only involves trimming the beginning/end of a show or removing commercial breaks. The edits aren't always very smooth. If you are looking for polished TV style editing I'd still go the computer edit route, but I'm very much in favor of having the HDD built in.

[lordsmurf]

A hard drive has three uses:
1. editing.
2. using it like a tivo
3. delayed dvd writing

Beyond that, not really. I have no need for a HDD. Most people won't, just use it like a VCR.

[karib]

Your opinions are importan to me.
I am a bit confused.
I really don't know what my decision should be.

[aguillon]

One factor about buying a DVD recorder with hard disk would be how much you need to record prior to burning.

If for instance you wish to record a few shows every day while you are not home, so that you can watch them over the week end, and you do not have time or cannot be bothered to burn to DVD, then a hard disk recorder makes sense.

Basically, if all you want to do is record the occasional show and keep it on DVD, or transfer some VHS/DV tapes to DVD, then get a simple recorder without HD. If you are looking for something that truly replaces a VCR + tivo (i.e. has a tuner, can store lots of shows, allows editing and burn to DVD) then go for the recorder with Hard disk. Remember one thing: the hard disk gives you the added advantage of just watching a show and deleting it off straight away, just like you would with a VHS tape, with the added advantage that you can save huge quantities of shows (depending on what quality you record at) without having to offload.

So - much added functionality with a hard disk built in. Does it justify the huge price difference? That s up to you to decide...

[seb]

My recorder (Philips DVDR70) doesn't have a HD and I still use our VCR for most of the day-to-day recording. Mainly use the DVD recorder when I know there is something coming on TV that I particularly want to keep, record it manually to RW and then edit/burn to DVD-R on the PC. I don't like the quality at anything less than 2 hour mode so that limits it's use somewhat. Probably wouldn't buy the Philips now, but choice was a lot more limited when I got it.

If I had a recorder with HDD I doubt that I'd do any editing with it, but I'm sure it would get used more for the routine time-shifting. The point about being able to record for longer periods (e.g. if on holiday for a week) is a really good one and a definite advantage. Plus if you decide you want to record something on the spur of the moment, there's no scrabbling around for a DVD that can be recorded over...which in our house can never be easily located when you need one!

[karib]

I forgot to say that my primary use will be dvdrw. Not dvd-r. I just want to watch tv programs at a time I will choose. So I do not want to keep them forever to burn on dvd-r.

The only thing I did not have thought is that the last user said: for long period the 2-hour mode is limited. So then a hard disk is better choise. I do not know if the other recording modes give acceptable quality of image to watch it.

Seems that everyone here believes that Hd is important. Me too!
The only caution I have is about the life of hd and then the whole dvd-rec.
From pc's I have used- and I say this because a hard disk is always a hard disk no matter if it is in pc or desktop dvd writer- I have seen that always the hd fails before the cd-dvd drives fail.

I have to change my pc every 3 years. I do not to have to do the same with dvd rec.

Of course nobody knows if the hd will fail too soon.
I just want to keep myself safe.

Of course I understand the need and ease of use of hd.

[karib]

Does anyone know if the hard disk fail in a dvd writer that has one hd, the dvd recorder will still play or should be sent immediatelly to service?

[rich_jtg]

As SoundFX said, the Panasonic E80/85 work as two seperate units, you have a DVD side and a HD side which you select separately to use their individual functions. The only time the two sides merge is if you dub between the two.

[Sam Ontario]

When recording to DVD+RW, there is a bigger time delay (start, spin, locate the recording point, chapter marking etc) than VCR with timer recording. You miss some 10 ~ 20 seconds with DVD+RW. Correct me if I am wrong, I expect DVD Recorder with HDD will greatly reduce time delay.

[Tearren]

-Karib,

The hard drive is the way to go, even if you are not editing. It is so nice to be able to set a timer and record several shows that are over 2 hours in length and not have to swap or look for a blank dvd-+r/w.

My suggestion if you are concerned about the long-term longevity of your DVD Recorder is to buy from somewhere you can get an Extended Service Plan. I would get this for other reasons than a concern of hard drive failure too.

I bought my DMR-HS2 from Circuit City with an extended 3 year plan. After about 2 years of use it is just now starting to give me trouble. After heavy use, the hard drive still works fine. But instead something is wrong with the timer. Now all I have to do is take it to CC to be fixed. I am so thankful I have the ESP, as I shelled out $1000 for mine when they first came out.

Being concerned about long-term use of an expensive electronic device is natural, one of the ways you can alleviate that concern is by getting an extended service plan. In the end, only you can decide what is best for you.

Good Luck,
Tearren

[bartonarmy]

I have an E50. One point is when you want to record more than 2 hours, the hard drive is needed. Unless you want to go to 4 hr recording. For example, you are going away for the weekend and want to record 5 hrs worth. A hard drive is helpful. Sometimes, I have 3 hour of recording. Then, I have to switch DVD disks which is a pain. It has not happen to me but DVD disk could be bad and dies in middle of the show.

[BobK]

> I have seen that always the hd fails before the cd-dvd drives fail.

I've seen the opposite. I've never had a hard drive fail. I've had 2 CD-DVD drives fail.

> I have to change my pc every 3 years. I do not to have to do the same with dvd rec.

Many people change PC every 2-3 years because technology moves on and they want a better/faster computer. But many people use the same computer for 5-10 years.

If you can afford to buy a DVD recorder then I wouldn't worry too much about the hard drive failing. It will probably last many years- 5-10 or more. But even if it fails in 2-3 years you will be able to buy a new recorder for much, much cheaper than you'll be paying now- just like a new computer.

[karib]

Ok, I am convinced!

I wil buy a recorder with bult-in hard disk.

I am thinking about Jvc DRMH20.

I hope it is a good choice.

Any comments?

[dvd-r newby]

ive just installed my Jvc DRMH20 and im Very impressed given the price
if your in the uk dixons.co.uk and currys.co.uk have them for only £256, £100 cheaper than in there stores

[LCSHG]

karib

I don't think you said if Macrovision or other copy protection is an issue. If it is, look to the LiteON/ILO units. they can be Hacked. I would look at these reguardless

I have an ILO with HDD and I wouldn't be without it.

I've had HDD in my computers for over 6 year's [heavy use] with no problems.

[victoriabears]

A hard disk is useful for recording at good quality if the tv show is over 2 hours, then edit it on the dvd recorder down to two hours.

A question?-Can you connect a dvd recorder to a pc and transfer the foootage direct?

[markhamPete]

I just wanted to add that a hard drive recorder is also very handy if you need multiple copies. In the past, when I had to make copies of home videos for family members. With the non-hard drive recorder, each disk had to be recorded individually in real time. Now with my hard drive recorder, I capture the video once (to the hard drive) and then burn as many copies as I need with high speed dubbing.

[Frobozz]

A question?-Can you connect a dvd recorder to a pc and transfer the foootage direct?

What kind of footage and which direction? If the DVD recorder has a Firewire port then you should be able to capture DV video playing from a computer to the recorder. The Pioneer DVR-520 (and 510) can also play video from the hard drive or DVD as DV video to a computer via Firewire. You cannot copy MPEG files directly between the recorder and computer.

[ZippyP.]

If the DVD recorder has a Firewire port then you should be able to capture DV video playing from a computer to the recorder.

"Should" is the operative word. Some recorders expect a camcorder to be attached and won't allow recording from a computer or other DV device, like a DV camera. Toshiba was one brand that I found would not work.

As for outputting from the recorder via firewire, it might be even rarer to find a recorder that does that.

The point is that not all brands operate the same with regards to the firewire port, you need to do some testing to be sure it meets your requirements.

[handyguy]

You can also get a DVR from the cable company for about $10 per month. Thats about what the price of a recorder drops per month.

[BobK]

You can also get a DVR from the cable company for about $10 per month. Thats about what the price of a recorder drops per month.

But that doesn't record to disks. If you want to do anything other than record, watch and erase when the DVR HD is full then you have to record, then play from the DVR to something that records to disk (or tape, or something usable).

[sync]

You can also get a DVR from the cable company for about $10 per month. Thats about what the price of a recorder drops per month.

But that doesn't record to disks. If you want to do anything other than record, watch and erase when the DVR HD is full then you have to record, then play from the DVR to something that records to disk (or tape, or something usable).

If you want DVR capability, then a DVR plus a DVD recorder is way better than a DVD recorder with a hard drive and it's probably less expensive.

I have a Pioneer 420 with hard drive and its DVR functions don't come even close to matching the functionality of my Tivo.

[BobK]

If you want DVR capability, then a DVR plus a DVD recorder is way better than a DVD recorder with a hard drive and it's probably less expensive.

I have a Pioneer 420 with hard drive and its DVR functions don't come even close to matching the functionality of my Tivo.

I have 2 Pioneer 420's. They do everything I want. I don't have much experience with Tivo or cable companies DVRs so don't know what else they could do that I would want.

[handyguy]

"But that doesn't record to disks. "

Some can be hacked to send the info to your PC where you can write it on a dvd-r.