DVD recorder recommendations please?

Marty999

I would definitely go the route of a combined hard disk/DVD recorder. I have LiteOn 5025, and very pleased with it I am too. It's so convenient, not having to bother with a set of VHS tapes or mess around with loading DVDs. The best feature is the ability to start recording a programme, then you can start to play/watch it while it is recording ahead of you. This means you can flash through the ads, or not have to wait for the end of a programme before you start watching. And of course you can copy to/from the in-built DVD player as well if you want.

No problems with it at all, except it can be a bit more sensitive than my old DVD player when it comes to playing my sons' DVDs which are slightly marked, and refuse to play them. It would be handy to be able to record two programmes at once, and it would be nice to be able to record a programme and watch a different recording at the same time, but you can't. You can get these features on pricier machines but overall, I am delighted with my LiteOn and I think I got a bargain at £150, and it was down to £130 when I last looked in Currys.

this_time_next_yr_Rodders

joemardo1 wrote:

panasonic is the one to buy. I bought one a year ago for £120 no hard !!!!!! but that don't matter. You can record up to 8 hours I think on re-writable disks and also use the faboulous dvd-ram format, re-recordable as well. With dvd-ram you can start recording a program, go and do something, then come back and watch the program being recorded from start, whilest it is still recording the rest of the program for you. How cool is that for a £120 dvd recorder.

Joe

That is brilliant!

Aiadi

this_time_next_yr_Rodders wrote:

Thanks for this, do you recommend any models? or size of hard disk please?

All Panasonics come with the basic DVD recording facility and the extras (that will decide the price and exact model) will depend on your needs.

1) some have more compatibility with other re-recordable discs (like DVD-RW or DVD+RW). you'd only need this if you are planning on viewing the recordings on other machines that do not support RAM (most panasonic DVD players do, even the old ones.) and then re-recording on the same discs. All Panasonic recorders however (that I've seen) support DVD-R which would play on other machines but is not re-recordable (so excellent for archiving stuff).

2) some have built in freeview tuners (i.e you can watch digital free to view channels without the need for a freeview box). It could also help if you want to watch one channel on your own box and record another channel from the DVD's own digital tuner.

3) Most would have a firewire link to record directly from digital camcorders without any loss of picture quality.

4) Hard disc sizes vary and you should choose depending on the length of recordings you'd want to make (you'll be able to find exact durations with the specifications of the machines from panasonic's website). Remember that you'll be able to move recordings that you want to keep onto DVDs for longer-term archiving (and therefore emptying you hard drive for more recordings).

Aiadi

Here is an example of a good all-round machine.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Panasonic-DMR-EX75EB-S-160GB-Freeview-Upscaling/dp/B000IH9QRI/sr=8-1/qid=1172586725/ref=pd_ka_1/202-0940166-6882269?ie=UTF8&s=electronics

But as I said you'd need to find one that is suitable for your needs.

this_time_next_yr_Rodders

Aiadi wrote:

Here is an example of a good all-round machine.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Panasonic-DMR-EX75EB-S-160GB-Freeview-Upscaling/dp/B000IH9QRI/sr=8-1/qid=1172586725/ref=pd_ka_1/202-0940166-6882269?ie=UTF8&s=electronics

But as I said you'd need to find one that is suitable for your needs.

Thanks for the recommendation. I was looking to spend a little less though. But it is a really good machine and seems to cover everything.

PAUL7331

Anybody know the cheapest DVD RECORDER WITH HARD DRIVE AND DIVX?

Aiadi

PAUL7331 wrote:

Anybody know the cheapest DVD RECORDER WITH HARD DRIVE AND DIVX?

Cheapest is not always cheap... if you know what I mean especially when it comes to these things. You can probably find out from kelkoo or pricerunner though.

gazza007

With the Panasonic, can you record from SKY box to HDD & will it allow you to pause & catch-up?

ayeshasi

i am also looking for a dvd and vcr recorder that plays divx, can anyone recommend anything not too expensive?

this_time_next_yr_Rodders

Aiadi wrote:

Here is an example of a good all-round machine.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Panasonic-DMR-EX75EB-S-160GB-Freeview-Upscaling/dp/B000IH9QRI/sr=8-1/qid=1172586725/ref=pd_ka_1/202-0940166-6882269?ie=UTF8&s=electronics

But as I said you'd need to find one that is suitable for your needs.

http://www.laskys.com/dvd_products/dvd_hard_drive_recorders/panasonic_dmrex75ebs.html?cm_mmc=Pricerunner-_-Dvd_Products-_-Dvd_Hard_Drive_Recorders-_-336165_PANASONIC_DMREX75EBS&engine=pricerunner&keyword=PANASONIC+DMREX75EBS

£270 inc free P&P!!