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Seven tips on buying a DVD recorder

By Reuben Lee on 26 November 2007

Tags: dvd | hdmi | panasonic | philips | recorder | sony | tips | recording

update With so many different models available and tons of unfamiliar specifications to consider, finding the right DVD recorder can be quite overwhelming, even for the more savvy shopper.

But the effort can be worthwhile for three main reasons:

  • better image and surround sound capture
  • the ability to record live shows while playing back video content recorded earlier
  • massive recording space for units with onboard hard drives

To simplify your shopping process, we've compiled a checklist to give you the big picture.

1. Know thy formats
There are seven dominant DVD standards today: DVD+R, DVD+R DL, DVD+RW, DVD-R, DVD-R DL, DVD-RW and DVD-RAM. Most recorders now support DVD-R/RW and DVD+R/RW while selected models support the DVD-RAM or Dual-Layer (DL) formats. ("R" refers to write-once discs, "RW" represents rewritable media.)

In case you're wondering, there is no significant difference between the "-" and "+" DVD formats. Industry trends, however, point to the DVD+R/RW media being the more popular choice, and the DVD-R/RW discs being cheaper and more backward-compatible with older DVD players. DL formats support twice the capacity of the older media with 8.5GB of storage space.

The oddball of the lot is the DVD-RAM standard, which has discs reusable up to 100,000 times. The unique feature of this format is that it allows for simultaneous playback and recording of video content. The media also comes double-sided and can store twice the 4.7GB available on standard DVD discs. Unfortunately, DVD-RAM media cannot be read on many DVD players and costs the most among the five formats.

2. Built-in hard drives
DVD recorders can be split into two broad categories: Those that record on DVDs and those that record on DVD and a built-in hard drive. Most recorders on the market now fall into the latter category, and their main advantage is the huge recording capacity. They represent better value for money as a result because you don't need to burn a new DVD for every program. Some new models sport 400GB drives that can capture a whopping 650 hours of video footage. Most DVD recorders with onboard hard drives also offer simultaneous playback and recording. Expect to pay a little more for HDD recorders.

 

3. Time shift recording
The ability to play back and pause a live TV program while its still recording is known as time shift. Most DVD-R and HDD recorders come with this function and it is extremely popular with couch potatoes and sports fans who want the freedom to pause and continue a live game or movie broadcast without having to miss anything.

4. Ease of use
Unlike VCRs which are primarily used for recording and playback of TV programs, DVD recorders feature a whole lot more functions, including time shift, downloading of video footage from camcorders and advanced recording capabilities. This, unfortunately, adds to the complexity of the machine, which makes it even more important to find one that's easy to use. Do pay particular attention to the intuitiveness of the remote control, onscreen display and setup menu when trying out the recorder at the showroom. Also, make sure your new recorder supports the new EPG before leaving the shop, as it makes scheduling recordings a whole lot easier. An EPG lets you view the next week's programs and click the ones you want to record -- simple!

5. Number of recording hours
Most manufacturers claim their recorders can chalk up to a certain number of hours, but these figures are often misleading as the recordings tend to be at the lowest quality (sometimes even lower than the extended mode on VCRs). A better estimation of the true recording time is to look at the two best-quality recording modes which are often only a fraction of the maximum figure. That will help you decide how big a hard drive you need for your recording needs.

6. Connectivity options
Besides keeping an eye out for the different video connectivity options such as composite-video, component and S-video, an interesting feature to watch out for is FireWire. This is particularly useful for camcorder users who want to archive captured footage onto DVDs. Increasingly, new recorder models also feature onboard memory card readers for downloading digicam images and short video into the DVD or onboard hard drive. Most models now also sport HDMI video output for a neat one-cable digital interface optimised for flat-panel TVs -- some also offer upscaling of your DVD collection.

7. Price
The most expensive DVD recorder isn't always the best one for your needs. Many of the latest models vary from AU$200 to as much as AU$1,800, with those on the higher end usually sporting larger hard drive capacities, faster DVD writing speeds and advanced recording and playback options. Depending on your recording needs, you should probably be spending at least AU$400 to AU$600 for a decent system, preferably one with a hard drive and a fair number of recording modes.

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Peter Gaskin
17/02/2005 09:26 PM

A large problem with deciding which dvd recorder to buy is trying to work out what your dvd player will actually play! If you have a cheap dvd (like Celestial brand) - it is almost impossible to find out what dvds the player will actually play!

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Robert Morice
18/02/2005 02:13 PM

What about DVD-Audio???

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Rick Harwood
16/03/2005 11:45 PM

I am currently in the market for a DVD Recorder with HDD which includes a Digital Tuner. All the current models the Sony,Panasonic, Hitachi, JVC, NEC, Samsung all come equipted with an Analogue Tuner. With the termination of the Analogue TV Transmission in 2008 these DVD's will be absolute. They can of course be connected via the Set Top Box using "S" video and sound. It may just be that all the above manufacture's are quitting their Analogue Tuner Units before introducing the Digital types. I have e-mailed most of the above and they all advise they do not currently have a Digital Tuner in any currently available DVD Recorder and nor will they in the near future. I would be interested in hearing comments re above.

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Tony Plank
11/07/2005 10:44 AM

I am in the same boat. I researched the market and found the LEGEND PVR 80, a digital recorder with an 80gig hard drive and twin digital tuners. Cost about $650. When I went to the major stores they told me they were troublesome, and most did not stock them. What a shame, it was absolutely ideal for what I needed. Have not been able to find another make to match it since.

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Daniel Lim
01/01/2006 04:26 PM

how about HDMI connectivity? how about 12bit DAC vs 10bit DAC?

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richienv
17/02/2006 03:41 AM

I had a toshiba dvd recorder and the hard drive was very noisy. Anyone else had this problem?

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Paddy
06/04/2006 03:03 PM

To anyone thinking about buying a DVD recorder just realise that all manufacturers are currently only selling recorders with analogue tuners in Australia and these units will be obsolete when we go fully digital. Yes you can attach to a digital set top box but this won't change channels automaticly for timer set programs on different channels. The thing is, DVD recorders with digital tuners are available overseas but it would seem the manufacturers want to sell you their old stock with analogue tuners first then, in a year or so, try to sell you a model with digital tuners. Why our government allows this is hard to understand. It certainly is not in the interest of Australian consumers.

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Chris
07/04/2006 08:02 AM

Paddy, this is nothing new. Australia, because we are a very small market, get the runouts. On a different note, in Japan their slowest internet connection is much faster that our "lightening" speed available here.

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tomitomi
16/04/2006 12:04 AM

i would like to know if DVDs borrowed from DVD rentals are downloadable for later viewing and can any DVD recorder be used to do so.

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Paul Widdowson
16/09/2006 10:19 PM

I have been looking for a HDD recorder as well. It appears that all the combo DVD/HDD recorders have analogue tuners and analogue video inputs, but not digital. And all the PVR's (hard disk only, with digitial tuners) don't have an analogue video input. So... to record Foxtel (for example) - either get their IQ unit, or use a DVD/HDD recorder with an analogue input. To record digital TV on such a unit would require using the analogue output of your digital TV or set top box... a loss of quality. The digital only units, such as Topfield dual tuner models, cannot record foxtel; they can only record from their internal tuners. It seems the perfect unit (twin digital tuners, and able to record from multiple analogue and digital sources - including component video and SPDIF audio) is a long way off. Maybe the only way is to fit out a media centre PC with twin digital tuners and a good capture card. But then how do you remote control it? Ahh well. I'll wait for the "perfect" PVR; someone will do it eventually... just like DVD burners can now do DVD+R as well as DVD-R.

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Oscar
23/10/2006 08:18 PM

It is fundamental to know whether the recorder has integrated digital tuner or not. If it doesn't you have to know where the high quality video and audio signals come from, how they fed into the recorder and how to to coordinate time recording with the device that provides the signal

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Johno
17/01/2007 04:30 PM

Like others I have a Digital PVR which does not have an Anologue Input Facility. Does anybody know of a Analogue to Digital converter which would enable an analogue source, eg FOXTEL, to appear as an (unused) Digital TV channel?

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gaz
24/02/2007 11:10 AM

I have a tv with hd tuner and an hdmi socket. Does this mean that if I buy a dvd recorder with hdmi I will be able to record from the tv's tuner ?? None of the retailers seem to know the answer, although most guess it will (in order to make sale). Help please !

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Ewan
29/03/2007 12:04 PM

I have recently purchased a DVD-HDD recorder from LG which came with a built in HD digital tuner. The problem with this is that you can not record HD signals. I was told by the sales person that anything recoeded would revert back to SD but this was not so, i just recoeded 2 hours of black! i would also like to see a unit that can be preset to record a show(s) and that will allow me to watch another chanel without interrupting the preset recording. I don't like having to turn off the unit to record anything on a timer. My input, make sure you know what you really want and then be certin that the device you purchase can do these things and do your own research.

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chris
09/04/2007 09:56 PM

I have used a topfield PVR now for about 3 years: their first model with dual tuner. for mine, this is a must. dula tuners enable you to record 2 different shows simultaneously, or recor one & watch (or play) another. Now considering switching to a pc with dual tuners & looking for massive storage ( terra byte ) & singel remote for recording, playing & music (incl downloanding). Any recommendations?

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IAMCANADIAN
17/04/2007 11:30 AM

I'm from Canada and we have the same problem with digital tuners. I can't seem to find any DVD recorders with DTV tuners even though the U.S. broadcasted channels (where we get more than half of our TV channels) will switch to digital in 2009. I think we're just getting all the old stuff that they can't sell anymore.

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AmericanDude
11/06/2007 10:11 AM

I'm in the United States and I have the same problem as the rest of you folks. It's June 2007 and I want to find a dual-tuner DVR that can tune digital signals as well as analog. Apparently, they don't exist except in some mad scientist's basement. I might consider building a computer with DVR and digital dual-tuners.

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Sherwins
11/06/2007 11:02 PM

Can anyone tell me if I would need a DVD recoreder with a tuner if I already have Foxtel digital? Do I need the tuner to record shows in a series on one disc, or to watch one channel and record another? Anyone can help me?

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Thanks Mate
07/07/2007 09:45 AM

Is it possible to shirt recorded TV from the built in hard-drive on the machine to say a computer or an external/portable hardrive?

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inOz
01/08/2007 10:58 PM

I recently bought an LG 1888H HDD DVD recorder, with analogue tuner, and have it hooked up to my LG Plasma TV with the HDMI connection. Is it correct that because of the analogue tuner, if I choose to view through the DVD recorder using the HDMI input setting the picture is "stretched out" unless the setting on the TV is set to 4:3 format, even though the DVD recorder is set for 16:9 widescreen. This means that when watching TV or recorded programs through the DVD recorder I am losing the advantage of my widescreen TV, something I am not willing to do! Surely the signal, whether 4:3 or 16:9 should be picked up automatically and displayed correctly as it does with the TV. I am thinking that I must have something set incorrectly as this doesn't seem right. I am getting a little frustrated, I'd like to be watching TV through the DVD recorder input all the time so as to be able to instantly start recording if necessary - otherwise for timeshift function, or unexpected necessity to record, I have to first set the TV to HDMI setting.....time consuming! Any answers.....please....or is this just the way it is and just another glitch with analogue tuners.

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Aus Chris
18/08/2007 06:31 PM

What a headache shopping amongst the PVR/DVD Burner market is at present. Store to store stock quality is different as is prices for similar or same models. I like the features im seeing in PVRs but i am bound by the device and cannot transport the media from the inbuilt HD's mind you digital signals, HD features, twin tuners make them ideal if you are only wanting your shows on one tv , some offer wirless connectivity i assume for laptop/pc connections network to then go hd to hd and burn from there which seems cumbersome. Other side of the coin i like the Dvd recorders and you need to be careful notr to get sold analog units and there are soem digital tuners built in on offer. The one im leaning toward is the panasonic but then in one store found the rex85 and rex87 both almost identical and store owners couldnt determine differences apart from newer v older and cost. I suspect one has upscaling but need to google about to confirm this. This option seems the neatest (clutter wise) replacing the vcr style analog poorer quality and length of media albeit i would like to transfer video to disc and cannot find a single stereo unit to even use as a slave. I have to buy a combo or setlle for mono. So then you go combo shopping to get vcr and then you decide do i go cheap and go player only or double up and go burner? So if you go burner which i figure i can get a good top end panasonic for $400 best price do i then get that and a PVR? I am seriously confused and bang for buck you cant get all you want in one unit with half decent quality either if you find some close options. Any recommendations? I like the DVD HD Panasonics The REX85 and 87 i have seen. These seem to be dual format compat, integrated dig tuners, 250 gb hds, but only offer one digital tuner. I am torn because i am thinking to replace my smoked Panasonic which has served me well (VCR) i go Pana VCR/DVD burner and then get either a Pana DVD Burner with HD ... OR... A PVR with Dig tuners and Massive HD? Limitations wise i dont know what options would be more flexible in terms of setup as it looks like i got to get two or three units to cover the bases. Ideas or a solution would be greatly appreciated, consdering i need a vcr option whether be a slave (dedicated with 6 heads) or a combo.

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frog
08/09/2007 03:52 PM

whats the difference between dual and multi dvd recorders

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Hampo
19/09/2007 12:01 AM

When my new digital TV antenna was installed I was forced to immediately install a digital SRB because the picture was so bad.. I then got a great picture on the TV but all the recordings of other channels are crook because they are recorded through the analogue tuner on the VCR. I am told that I will need to bypass the VCR and record through a DVD recorder with a digital tuner such as the Pana X 77 or X 87. I would rather use a Twin Tuner DVD and HDD recorder but ther doesn't seem to be any available. MY analogue VCD would then become a player only rather than a recorder. My main problem now is the time delayed recordings through the VCR are very ghosty and poor quality. Is this the best approach ? Do I really need a Twin Tuner , DVD recorder ? Any idears

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cgwannabe
19/09/2007 10:57 AM

Hampo, If you plug the output of your Digital STB into the input of your VCR (and then output from VCR to input of TV) then you should be able to record all digital stations. ie, keep the VCR channel set to the DSTB use the DSTB to change TV channels.

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Hampo
22/09/2007 11:51 PM

Thanks cgwannabe! Does this mean that if I watch one program while I am recording another both will be good digital quality ? At present, If I record through the STB while I am watching anpther program at the same time The recording will be digital quality while the program I am watching will be ghosty. That is why I thought that I would need two digital tuners with the second tuner coming perhaps from a DVD Recorder with HDD and one digital tuner. ( such as a Pana X77 or X 87 ).

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cgwannabe
25/09/2007 08:44 PM

Ah I see. If you only have one digital tuner, then yes, you can either watch or record digital, but not both at the same time.

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opethguy
20/10/2007 03:38 AM

why cant dvd's I have recorded with my panasonic dvd recorder be viewed on other dvd machines or even on my pc? thanks,,John

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rclement
06/11/2007 05:27 AM

I have Cox digital TV. I understand I must have a DVD recorder with a digital tuner. Which ones are the best?

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Matt
06/11/2007 11:09 PM

I recently bought a samsung LCD LA40R81BD and have been looking around to replace the old VCR with a DVDR or a HDD DVR and can I say, what a bloody nightmare. I feel recorders have not kept up with tele's, the fact that DVDR's only offer analog tuners is pathetic an quality across all brands is questionable for AUS products. I think we're better off waiting at present and checking out this new sharp bluray recorded with 1TB memory. Maybe others will follow. I've noticed that the retailers aren't up to speed on how DVDR'd and DVR'S work and connect either. 4 people will give you 4 different answers to get a sale or simply cause they dont know. Has anyone tried the samsung recorded with 250GB hard drive and twin digital tuners? Are the Tuners HD or SD and will it record in wide screen to both HDD and DVD?

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gomag
09/11/2007 02:11 AM

I have just bought an LG RH1888H DVD recorder. I have an analogTV and an indoor aerial. Have had a great picture with a DSTB, but seem to be unable to connect the STB and the recorder. Any suggestions!!!!

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jalic
24/11/2007 04:07 PM

I have a new HD Video camera that uses the SDHC card. The video camera has a HDMI output and I would like to purchase a DVD/HDD recorder with a HDMI input so that I can transfer video to the HDD and then burn it onto a DVD. My old video camera let me do this using the firewire connection. I have only been able to find DVD/HDD recorders with a HDMI output and no HDMI input. Does any such machine exist with a HDMI input?

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davidc
27/11/2007 03:15 PM

Paddy. Sorry mate but there are many models of DVD recorders available in Australia with Digital tuners. Sony, Pioneer, LG & Panasonic (to name a few) all have models available in Austrlaia with SD tuners

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canberra_photographer
canberra_photographer
30/11/2007 06:20 PM

WRONG WRONG WRONG!!! In you article, you say that the "+" format has industry trends behind it. Then why do only two brands officially support burning to + format discs. The minus format is the predominant format, the one both manufacturers and consumers support and use over whelmingly.

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foz405
23/12/2007 09:56 PM

My experience is that you'd better be armed with afew sample discs to take along to your local shop when considering a purchase. MY Sony RDR GX7 will not play some discs recorded on my computer, or copies (backups) I have made from discs I have purchased. Neither will my son's Sony. They are both extremely temperamental.

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Gr11zzly
08/01/2008 12:36 PM

Just bought a panasonic dmr ex87. Relatively good but has some significant drawbacks. 1-have to manually set input format to NTSC or PAL. 2-Single tuner without DVB HD 3-flimsy DVD drawer that only operates using the eject button--you can't push it in

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pete
25/03/2008 04:24 PM

i have a toshiba tv and a toshiba HD set top box. Just purchased an LG 160gb digital recorder with the intention of recording HD shows. a) will it record HD ? b) do I have to live in SD to record anything ? c) is there a better option ?

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David
07/04/2008 09:36 PM

Have just found this site so query from Opetguy is months old and may already be answered. What sort of disc did you record on to with the Panasonic. If RAM then it won't work on other DVR's. I have a Panasonic E55 and a Pioneer 530HS and the Pioneer leaves Panasonics for dead in terms of user friendliness. I am about to get a new DVR but would opt for a Pioneer even though it is $200 more for the 530H X S(single SD tuner) rather than put up with the Panasonic deficiencies. Unfortunately Pioneer have a limited range and are mor expensive but DVR's are one of those things that you get what you pay for and you soon get sick of the shortcomings. A friend bought a Tevion from ALDI and told me how great it was. Tried to use it and it has the most hopeless procedural steps. Just rubbish and you can't edit out advts and few LPTs. If you're new to this stuff, always pay more for a DVR with a built in tuner rather than muck around with top boxes because it is very messy to do timer recordings with both.

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Ron
08/04/2008 04:56 PM

Also, Opetguy, the process of recording a DVD requires that you FINALIZE the disc if you want to play it in another machine. If you don't FINALIZE at the time of recording, a. you can't later, and b. the disc will only play inthe original machine it was recorded in. A trap for young players.

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wigger
13/04/2008 09:41 PM

Ron, With the Pioneer, you can record several times and finalise at a later date.

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wigger
13/04/2008 09:47 PM

Pete You can not record in Hi def . All DVRs only do SD. You may get a high def signal from your tuner or topbox but it won't reproduce as HD

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David
15/04/2008 11:37 PM

Have just bought a Panasonic E57 which is a cheapie $349 with no digital tuner but that doesn't matter because I have a spare topbox and I wanted the 160Gb HDD for storage. Panasonic lag behind Pioneer with their having no USB port to plug in a keyboard for doing titles and the Navigator display is inferior. Trouble was that any Pioneer was too expensive to get the same size HDD. Can anyone confirm that Rw discs can be finalised to use in another DVR player and then be subsequently unfinalised (to be cleared so that new material can be put on) by reformatting them

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Rich
17/04/2008 09:54 AM

I have a tv that is HD Ready. I am looking at buying a new HD STB as mine is having problems. I wish to try and buy an integarted DVD/HDD Recorder with HD STB. So i can watch/record HD tv and play DVD's does anyone know of a unit that will do this?

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David
19/04/2008 10:45 PM

Rich, What do you mean "integrated DVR with HD stb" . A set top box is a stand alone unit and is not part of a DVR. Even if you buy a HD STB it does not mean that the DVR will record in HD. None of them do, only in SD. If you are primarily interested in recording, then a DVR with an SD tuner will suffice. If however you want HD viewing in real time on the monitor, then you'll need an HD stb Myers have a DGTEC HD stb for $149 but I would spend more and try and find a STRONG. Am going there to buy a SD Strong topbox so will see if they have this brand in HD.

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David
20/04/2008 10:15 PM

Rich, No HD topboxes there. If you want to record in HD then you will have to get a PVR because the manufacturers of DVR's do not chip them to permit recording in HD. My understanding is thet the hard drive will take a HD signal but that the disks won't so that is why DVR's are not geared up for HD.

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luke
14/05/2008 12:11 PM

why is it that everyone here says you can not get dvd recordere-hdd recorders with digital tuners yet when i go to jb hi fi home page and press on dvd recorders the first four dvd recorders that pop up boast digital tuners is this false?????http://www.jbhifi.com.au/home-theatre/dvd-recorders/

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Rhys
15/05/2008 06:40 AM

Luke. I was just looking inot getting one from JB HI-FI myself. I don't get what everyone is on about. If these HDD R's dont record in Digital then why would the advertise them as such. Has anyone out there bought one of these machines yet???

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Rex
24/05/2008 11:09 PM

Luke and Rhys, You are missing the point What people are telling you is that you can record a digital signal but it will be in standard definition if using a DVR. You cannot get them to record a Hidef signal. get a PVR if you want to do this.

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Bernie Maloney
30/05/2008 12:39 AM

Beware Panasonic. I recently bought a Panasonic DVD recorder with HDD and digital tuner. A major disappointment with this unit, and all Panasonic units according to Panasonic themselves, is that NTSC format discs are played back in PAL-60 automatically (or NTSC manually) and not standard PAL. If your TV is not PAL-60 (or NTSC) compliant then you cannot watch NTSC discs. Note that some DVDs from the local video store may be NTSC format.

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Mr Oddjpb
30/05/2008 02:44 PM

Hi Guys, I have a grundig 92 CRT TV that only has RGB SCART inputs, & a toshiba HD-S25 STB, I am thinking of putting a SD PVR in between because the HD PVR's dont have RGB output, can anybody tell me if the SD PVR will record off the HD STB ? Thanls Warren

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AKEEM
01/06/2008 12:03 AM

PLEASE I BOUGHT A DVD PRODUCT WRITTEN A CELESTIAL NAME ON IT PLEASE I WANT TO KNOW THE ACTUAL NAME OF THE PRODUCT AND THE COUNTRY WHERE I CAN ALSO GET ANOTHER ONE. PLEASE I WANT URGENT REPLY THANKS

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mick bw
01/06/2008 09:41 PM

Guys i need some info... Is it possible to record austar either on a pvr or dvd hdd recorder without uprgrading to the iq box, and if so what sequence would you connect the 3 boxes into each other... Sorry this may sound like a basic question but i really have no idea!! Also any recommendations on a dvd hdd recorder or pvr medium price range would be greatly appreciated. The slightest bit of useful info would really help! Cheers

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cheese
13/07/2008 03:37 PM

We have purchased a Panasonic DMREZ47VB DVD VCR Recorder combo. We also have foxtel (not IQ) and cannot watch foxtel or record foxtel through the new Panasonic Recorder. We have tried many variations of connection with no success. We have just recently been told that this panasonic unit will not allow foxtel viewing and recording. Is this correct or have we still connected it the wrong way?

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Tony B.
16/07/2008 04:17 PM

Cheese I just purchased a Panasonic EX 77 DVD recorder, (Bing Lee Cambelltown for $440) on the front page of the Instruction Manual it states this unit will only record free to air TV and not Foxtel not true, I have the standard Foxtel box not not IQ like you. Try this connect from the TV scart on the Foxtel box to AV1 on your TV, dial AV4 on your recorder, this works for me I can watch and record Foxtel, I dont have the movie package so I dont know about recording Movies

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gone_mad_back_soon
21/07/2008 06:53 PM

David - 15/042008: Yes, you can finalise a DVD+RW for use on a different DVD player, then clear the data and reformat for further use. I do this when recording shows for my neighbours ;-) My DVD HDD Recorder is an LG but i have no idea what brand their player is.

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gone_mad_back_soon
21/07/2008 07:09 PM

David - 15/042008: Yes, you can finalise a DVD+RW for use on a different DVD player, then clear the data and reformat for further use. I do this when recording shows for my neighbours ;-) My DVD HDD Recorder is an LG but i have no idea what brand their player is.

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Joe
01/08/2008 03:37 AM

I am looking for a DVD recorder with hard-drive recording capacity and can play all zone DVD. can any one recomment me one?

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Tony B.
04/08/2008 11:14 AM

I have a new Panasonic HD TV and DVD recorder, I have connected them so I can record and watch digital Foxtel, I can set the recorder to record from the free to air programs off the tv on screen guide, Question is it possible to set up to record from the Foxtel TV guide

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