Recording from digital TV

Jake'sGran

I have just bought a Panasonic TV and was going to buy another piece of equipment that would allow me to record and play DVDs and which also had a hard drive. It came to me that I was going over the top as all I want is to be able to record some programmes to play back another day. We already had a VCR but today my clever SIL found that the it is not suitable for my new digital TV. He said I should just buy a hard drive recorder. Is he right?

cajef

In what way is your VCR not suitable, providing your area has not switched over to Digital you should still be able to record analogue transmissions and play them back, however it may be worth upgrading to a digital hard drive recorder if your VCR has not got a digital tuner to get the full benefit of modern technology.

Panasonic do a good range that are obviously compatible with one of their televisions.

jem16

Jake'sGran wrote: »

IHe said I should just buy a hard drive recorder. Is he right?

You need to decide exactly what you want to be able to do. If you simply want to record TV programmes and play them back on the same machine then you would be far better off with a digital PVR. They are extremely simple to use, allow two programmes to be recorded at once and also playback a third at the same time. You will also find the quality of recordings much better than any VCR.

Something like this would be ideal.

http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5321698/Trail/searchtext%3EHUMAX.htm

if you want to play DVDs you would also need a separate DVD player.

As to a VCR if you have not yet switched over to digital in your area then your VCR will still work perfectly. However it will become obsolete within 2/3 years with the digital switchover.

ukcarper

jem16 wrote: »

.

As to a VCR if you have not yet switched over to digital in your area then your VCR will still work perfectly. However it will become obsolete within 2/3 years with the digital switchover.

Couldnt you buy a set top box and connect that to the VCR I've done that at my mums and it works ok

jem16

ukcarper wrote: »

Couldnt you buy a set top box and connect that to the VCR I've done that at my mums and it works ok

Yes you could. However it will only record what is on the box and not allow you to watch something different from what you are recording.

ukcarper

jem16 wrote: »

Yes you could. However it will only record what is on the box and not allow you to watch something different from what you are recording.

My mums tv has a freeview tuner so she can and as he has just bought his tv I assummed it would have a digital tuner.

jem16

ukcarper wrote: »

My mums tv has a freeview tuner so she can and as he has just bought his tv I assummed it would have a digital tuner.

Probably does.

I'd rather go with a digital PVR - much better quality than the VCR and the ability to record two thinsg at once.

However as you say the VCR will still work along with a set top box.

ukcarper

I'd agree but he's already got VCR mind you if it was me I'd buy PVR

jb66

Its too much hassle recording digital tv on vhs, your SIL is correct, a PVR is really simple to use and is well suited for your needs, I purchased the hitachi one from argos for my mum and she loves it

Jake'sGran

cajef wrote: »

In what way is your VCR not suitable, providing your area has not switched over to Digital you should still be able to record analogue transmissions and play them back, however it may be worth upgrading to a digital hard drive recorder if your VCR has not got a digital tuner to get the full benefit of modern technology.

Panasonic do a good range that are obviously compatible with one of their televisions.

In this area digital reception is good. The VCR allowed SIL to play cassette recordings but only in black and white but although it appeared to record things my SIL could not find a channel to play them back.

Jake'sGran

ukcarper wrote: »

I'd agree but he's already got VCR mind you if it was me I'd buy PVR

That was his conclusion after he'd been to sort it out. I'll have a look at PVRs.