Help! My video has broken...should I buy a DVD recorder to replace it?!?

Question

My VCR has finally given up the ghost, and now I'm toying with whether to buy another VCR or get a DVD recorder.

All I really want it for is to record the TV (I've just had Virgin cable installed - but understand I can only record the channel I'm watching off cable?) so that's all I'm concerned about really, the ease of recording mainly the 5 terrestrial UK tv channels.

Any advice on what I should do? If I go for a DVD recorder, what features should I look for, or any good models you recommend?

Only really want to spend around £100/£120 max.

Answer 1

Really, you should be able to get a VCR/DVD player if you cannot afford a VCR/DVD recorder unit.

H a p p y
H o m e
T h e a t e r i n g !

Xe♫

Answer 2

Video is nearly extinct.Some of the top retailers no longer sell them.The price of DVD recorders has come down a lot and there are many models at quite reasonable prices.(if in UK see the Argos catalogue for an idea).As regards recording you can record whatever is the selected channel on your Virgin Media box, perhaps of a late night programme after you have gone to bed.If you still have an aerial for the basic terrestrial channels you can record these while watching a different digital channel on the TV.The main thing to look out for is the format of the DVD recorder. This will determine the type of discs to use and whether the recordings can be replayed on other DVDs than the one that was used for recording.I think I may have made a mistake when I bought mine.Not only did it cost over £400 but the format I chose,DVD RAM means I can only playback on this machine and I have to buy special discs.Although it works fine and the picture quality is very good I sometimes wonder if my choice was the best.This doesn't alter the fact though that you should be able to get a recorder at a price that suits you and will do all that you require.I was going to say you can copy your tapes onto DVD but if the video is kaput you won.t be able to unless you borrow one.

Answer 3

A DVD recorder would be one solution but, at Which?, we're big fans of personal video recorders (PVRs) that record to an internal hard-disk drive (no more tapes or discs to worry about). Programming them is simplicity itself (just click on the programme you want using the on-screen channel listings) and the picture and sound quality are just as good as the live programme (way better than a VCR recording). The downside of course is that although they'll typically store around 80 hours of recordings they're not really suitable for long-term archiving of programmes you want to keep forever -though you download them to a VCR or DVD recorder to do this.

You can get a really good one for around £180 (more than you want to spend admittedly). There's a new article in next month's Which? magazine (May) which gives you all the gen and details the best ones.

Answer 4

Get a DVD-recorder that's capable of using RW discs (thus you can re-record over it, I've been re-recording over the same disc for over a year since I don't archive anything). Most of them can record directly from cable since most of them have a built-in tuner and if your Virgin cable box is digital then you can feed it from the box's AV outs to the DVD-recorder's AV ins for the higher channels.

I would recommend to get one where the onscreen menu is intuitive if the store has one setup for you to play with or download the various manufacturer's instruction manual or quick setup guide to see how easy it may be to operate (if you can't understand the manual then avoid the product). If you can try to actually demo the store model if possible if not buy only from a store with an easy return policy (in the USA we have Walmart which is really easy). If you also have this integrated into your hometheater make certain that it's digital out matches your AVR/processors digital input as well.

I went cheap with a Magnavox one ($89.00 on sale, I picked another a week later and between them are able to get all my shows for the week recorded) which has a horrible remote but seems to be durable. I never eject the disc in it simply re-recording over it after viewing and it's quality surpassed all but my SVHS VCR (paid $499.99 6 years ago for it) and the convenience of how quick it zips thru commercials makes it worth the purchase. I think what kills the cheap ones are the constant changing of the discs (few friend's of mine killed theirs this way, some on far more expensive machines). Hope this helps.

Answer 5

personally I wouldn't buy a DVD recorder unless having a hard (disk) copy of programs is a priority for you. They are not as easy to use as some make out ... and you have to keep feeding them disks!

A better choice -- in my view -- is some form of personal Video Recorder (aka hard disk recorder, DVR - Digital Video Recorder). There are both cable and satellite based models available, and both standard definition and High definition.

In essence they are a direct replacement for a VCR ... but far superior in terms of ease of use, features and picture and sound quality.

Some even allow more than one channel to be recorded while watching a third (recorded) program. They also allow live programming to be paused (say to answer the phone) and pick up where you left off. They also allow fast forward through commercials and instant replay. Capacity is typically 25-60 hours of recording (depends on model and whether HD or SD programming).

The programming is easy ... bring up the program guide, navigate to the program you want and press record. That simple. They even turn on and off automatically.

I don't know what is available in your area but in Canada they can be rented or bought.

Anyway, another option to consider.

Answer 6

You might want to consider a DVR (digital video recorder) instead. Many DVR's allow you to record two programs while watching a third. A DVR records to a hard drive like a computer instead of a DVD disc and the quality is quite good.

Answer 7

a reasonable dvd recorder will cost around £100-so yes. although for this outlay you won't get a lot in the way of features. you will get all the usual facilities (one touch recording/timer recording etc) and you might get editing. its always worth going that bit extra and getting a panasonic (they are world leaders in recording media-their machines are the mutts nuts a good machine from them can be had for £150-ish) but sony/hitachi/philips are all worth a look. with the cheaper makes (medion/bush etc) you get what you pay for-so the choice is yours

Answer 8

We bought a dvd recorder and wish we had just gone for another vcr ,it isn't as easy to use and unlike the vcr you can't ff and rewind to the exact spot you require.and you can't use the discs as often as tapes.

Answer 9

I would avoid a DVD recorder, they are not easy to use like a VHS recorder, save up a bit more money and buy a Hard Drive recorder these are more convenient if you record a lot of TV to watch at more convenient times

Answer 10

go for a dvd recorder i bought mine from tesco it cost £80 and it was the best £80 i ever spent i record off of normal tv and sky tv trust me you will not regret it ,the make was a bush dvr3006 brill hope this has helped you