Dvd player/recorder

hethmar

Seems like the 8 year old VCR has packed up - we are getting "no signal" message and after a lot of faffing around last night I think we will probably have to buy a new DVD Player/Recorder.

Can anyone please recommend one that is easy and reliable to use for recording and playing please?

I have had a google but dont follow the variety of different ones available. Some seem to have huge HD or no hard drive at all? Do they all use re writable dvds?

Grateful for advice please.

alisont

I dont have much knowledge in the area but I have this Panasonic dvd recorder:

http://www.hyperfi.co.uk/default.aspx?CategoryID=302&ItemID=Panasonic_dmrx75_A_Grade

Had it 2 years now and found it easy to use - only has a 7 day elctronic programme guide but suits me. It did break down recently but got it repaired.

I know if Id not of got it repaired Id of gone for a freeview recorder or sky + box with a cheaper dvd player as you do hear of problems with the more expensive dvd recorders. But my friend has the same recorder as mine and never had any problems.

Ive copied things onto disc but only tend to use it to watch films and record off the tv.

Ive heard good reviews of the Humax pvr freeview recorders.

Ive also found info and advice on the av forum - not sure if Im allowed to post link but you can google it!

Hope you find one that suits you soon - it is worth spending time reasearching to make sure you get a good one as the quality/features can be different and the prices!

hethmar

Thanks Alison - its all so confusing.

I think we want to be able to record freeview programs whilst watching another program - I also think we still need a VCR player. And do we need a hard drive? I dont know

The little electrical shop in our town said the Panasonic DMR-EZ48 would suit us - they have it at £279.99 including delivery and set up but you can get it nearly £100 cheaper online.

TomsMom

Another Panasonic but with 250gb hard drive.

Brilliant and easy - even I can use it and that's saying something :rotfl: .

alisont

Think thats one they brought out after mine - despite mine having a problem I still really like it and the fault was some minor part that needed repairing in the Panasonic shop - now works fine.

Id say the harddrive is good as miles easier than recording onto disc and saves buying blank discs. I record things and watch most quickly and if there is a good concert/film on Il record those to keep. I cant get mine to record off Sky but there is not much Im after on Sky!

With mine you can record one programme and watch another at the same time which is good. Im not the best with technology but find this easy to use.

I got rid of my video recorder when I brought this and any tapes went to the charity shop - I guess you can still buy a video recorder these days but I didnt need one. My Dads still got his as he has tons to watch but has said when it goes he wont replace it as he has Sky +

Out of interest do you have Sky as if not there are some good deals for new customers for Sky + which you can use as a recorder but then you do have to sign up to Sky.

I set mine up myself - have to say it tunes itself in and the instructions were fine - I read the quick set up leaflet - instruction books are always complicated - but these recorders do seem to be plug and play! I like supposting smaller local business but did buy mine online as miles cheaper at the time.

Its worth checking places like John Lewis as they sometimes have free 2 year guarentee. Im not normally one for these extended guarentees (often you have to pay an excess and Its rare for faults to develop) but when mine broke the other week had to pay £65 to get it fixed but think faults with Panasonic might be rare? Typically I had no cover on mine.

Hope you find one you like -do check prices online/in store and maybe check the past editions of Which - most libraries have these - and do a search for online rewiews too.

hethmar

We dont have sky - it seems very expensive to me. We belong to a dvd club - Lovefilms which gives us all the films we want.

Thanks for your help. John Lewis electrical goods always seem a lot more than other places. I think they offer 2 years guarantee on dvds but if they cost £100 more then you may aswell add on 4 years for £40 which some of the sites offer.

Most grateful for everyones input

hethmar

Toms Mum, that one you suggest - can you also play videos on it? Is it better to have a HD to record stuff rather than discs? What if you wanted to record on a disc to send to someone or something? Oh and is it able to cover all regions and dvds? Why I ask is my son did a recording of our holiday recently, sent me a dvd but my dvd player says "No play" when I put it on. I can watch it on my puter, but thats not the same as sitting in a comfy chair and watching it on tv, is it.

Thank you.

TomsMom

hethmar wrote: »

Toms Mum, that one you suggest - can you also play videos on it?

No Hethmar, you can't play videos on it, purely DVDs. Here's a better description of it.

Is it better to have a HD to record stuff rather than discs?

If you are only going to watch the programme once then delete it then yes a HD is much easier/better. If you want to keep something to play again and again later on (favourite film, TV series etc) then transfer it onto a disc rather than take up HD space permanently.

What if you wanted to record on a disc to send to someone or something?

You record onto the HD then transfer it to a disc. As long as the other person's DVD player recognises the disc format, i.e. + or -, then it "should" play OK, although I've heard some makes of DVD player can be a bit temperamental with other discs. We transfer onto the - format and have had no trouble, they've played on my mom's player.

Oh and is it able to cover all regions and dvds?

It states it is Region 2 (although some sellers have changed them to multi-region before selling, beware as this can invalidate the guarantee). I've a Region 4 disc from Australia and it wont play it.

Why I ask is my son did a recording of our holiday recently, sent me a dvd but my dvd player says "No play" when I put it on. I can watch it on my puter, but thats not the same as sitting in a comfy chair and watching it on tv, is it.

Maybe that is down to the + and - format thing. If yours only plays one type and he's recorded on the other format.

The model I have is a few years old now and has been superceded. I think the latest one has a 400gb HD.

Hope that helps.