VCR died - what to replace with?

Miró

Help...our VCR has had a major hissy fit and died so we need to replace it but after having a quick look around we haven't a clue whether to go for a DVD recorder or one of those hard drive recorder thingies, (sorry for numptiness!). The only thing we seem to have decided upon is that we need something with a Freeview tuner in order to be able to record digital progs from our digital TV, (is this right??). Ease of operation is a must!! Any advice re the pros and cons would be very, very much appreciated.

TIA

ManAtHome

Replaced my VCR and slightly wonky/old freeview box with a Digihome 160gb disk thingy - £100 from Argos http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/5320871.htm

Pretty basic box, but does the freeview/vcr stuff very well.

john_kent

I swapped a knackered sony dvd recorder after loads of arguing for a Panasonic DMRE75 machine. It has a built in Hard Drive and you can burn stuff to DVD as well. I got a very good deal due to shoddy customer support , but these machines at £250ish are well built , easy to operate (I find them easy anyhow) and get good reviews.

Brian

superscaper

Miró wrote: »

The only thing we seem to have decided upon is that we need something with a Freeview tuner in order to be able to record digital progs from our digital TV, (is this right??).

TIA

No that isn't right. Yes you'll need "freeview" tuner but not for the reason you think. Start with how your VCR worked. It had it's own analogue tuner so it could recieve its own signal and record that signal and hence give the ability to record a different channel to the one you're watching. It can easily record without a tuner but it could only record from your tv's tuner, ie the channel it is set to and you were currently watching. Same with a DVD or HDD/PVR, if you want to record a different (freeview) channel to the one your watching then it will need it's own digital tuner. So it isn't actually recording anything from your tv and neither was your VCR, it was recording from its own internal tuner. That's what a tuner is, just something that receives a tv signal through the aerial. A VCR or DVD recorder with their own tuners (and they all have them anyway) can record without there even being a tv. That's why you still need a TV licence even if you don't have a tv but have a VCR (or any other recorder with tuner).

I think your probably safest bet is to have both DVD recorder and hard drive recorder in one. But it may depend on your habits. If you want to keep a recording for a longish time or want to watch it somewhere other than your main tv then you'll definitely need the DVD recorder bit but if neither of those is a concern then really there's no advantage to having a DVD recorder (if you have a dvd player when you want to watch dvd films).

Miró

Oooh superscaper...I had to read the first para a few times but I understand what you mean now...thanks for taking the time to explain it.

superscaper

Miró wrote: »

Oooh superscaper...I had to read the first para a few times but I understand what you mean now...thanks for taking the time to explain it.

Glad you understood it, I could have probably explained it better. Always better to make well informed decisions.

Donnie

What about your old VCR tapes? Would you like to transfer them to DVD? In that case, you could buy an inexpensive VCR or buy an all-in-one machine.

The final decision comes down to your likely usage.

For ease of use, Panasonic have a DVD recorder with built in Freeview and DVD RAM capability(acts like a hard drive).

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Panasonic-DMREZ25-DVD-Recorder-Freeview/dp/B000GYHYCC

If on a tight budget: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B000GYHYCC/ref=dp_olp_2/202-3321433-2540643

Very easy to program your recordings.


Their latest version is here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Panasonic-DMR-EZ27-Recorder-Up-Conversion-Freeview/dp/B000QDIRV0

Miró

Thanks for all the help so far...very useful!

Don't have any old VCR tapes that I'm bothered about fortunately. Its mostly for recording TV progs/films I guess. Already have a DVD player. Just found this from Argos...any thoughts?? Never heard of the make...any good?

THIS

HoofeHearted

Check out http://www.videohelp.com/dvdrecorders for spec and reviews of dvd recorders.

Donnie

At that price, stick with the Panasonic. It you intend to share DVDs, use DVD-R and DVD+R. If you wish to use in the same way as a videotape, use DVD-RW & DVD+RW. If you wish to use in the same way as a videotape, but wish to have the added capability of rewinding and viewing the same programme that you are recording, use DVD-RAM.

Plus Panasonic machines have a one second start for recordings. Makes a difference.

I wouldn't buy a cheapo Wharfedale.

djohn2002uk

Donnie wrote: »

If you wish to use in the same way as a videotape, but wish to have the added capability of rewinding and viewing the same programme that you are recording, use DVD-RAM.

I wouldn't buy a cheapo Wharfedale.

No need for DVDRam. Get one with a 160Gig hard drive and the facility to record to DVD and you have everything covered.
You can record and watch the same program before it's finished recording, with enough room on the drive for about 80hrs of recording so no need for constantly deleting stuff AND you have the ability to record to DVD or transfer from hard drive to DVD.
With a Freeview tuner recording is simpler than you could ever believe, you just bring up the program guide and choose your program, press select then record and it does it. Dont even have to keep it switched on. Just leave on standby.
Like Donnie says, don't buy a cheapy You're now moving into digital and if you haven't yet got a digital TV you will want one when yours packs up and you need your new player to be compatible and give you all the options for the best digital picture on your new TV, and not have to change again.
I bought a Sony Bravia TV last November then in December bought a Sony RDR-HXD860 DVD player with 160Gig hard drive which will upscale the signal to the TV giving you as near as pos High Definition pictures. Worth every penny and set for years ahead.
Spend a bit more now and save in the long run.