Seven tips on buying a DVD recorder

By Reuben Lee on 26 November 2007

With so many different models and tons of unfamiliar specifications to consider, finding the right DVD recorder can be quite overwhelming.

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Comments (71)

  • davidc commented on 27/11/2007 15:15

    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

  • jalic commented on 24/11/2007 16:07

    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?

  • gomag commented on 09/11/2007 02:11

    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!!!!

  • Matt commented on 06/11/2007 23:09

    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?

  • rclement commented on 06/11/2007 05:27

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

  • opethguy commented on 20/10/2007 03:38

    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

  • cgwannabe commented on 25/09/2007 20:44

    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.

  • Hampo commented on 22/09/2007 23:51

    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 ).

  • cgwannabe commented on 19/09/2007 10:57

    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.

  • Hampo commented on 19/09/2007 00:01

    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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