DVD recorders availability

Xbigman

Just looked on Amazon and Argos websites for a new DVD recorder and there's a grand total of ONE. Both Websites list the same Panasonic model.

Is DVD the new VHS?

More seriously, what are people recording TV programs to keep on these days?



Darren

AndyPix

Xbigman wrote: »

Just looked on Amazon and Argos websites for a new DVD recorder and there's a grand total of ONE. Both Websites list the same Panasonic model.

Is DVD the new VHS?

More seriously, what are people recording TV programs to keep on these days?



Darren

I would say the DVD recorder has had its day, and also physical media i would say is on its last legs too..


People are recording off the devices they use to view in many cases , such as sky+ box, or a humax box for example to record freeview (to hard drive rather than dvd)


Many more people are streaming their tv these days too so that kind of negates the need to have a physical copy, as you can just stream it again when you need it

Johnmcl7

I'd assume people are using their hard drive PVR's and streaming from demand sites rather than permanently recording programs plus DVD is now an older format that doesn't support HD.

John

[Deleted User]

I have a combined DVD/PVR (Panasonic) in which the DVD has packed up, so when the PVR packs up as well I'm going to lose about 240 recordings that I can't copy to anything. I get the impression that newer TVs have dual tuners and a USB port to plug in a HDD, but I don't really want to chuck out a good TV because the PVR might fail.

AndyPix

^^ This , however DVD does actually "support" HD, its just that you can only fit around 50 minutes worth on a standard DVD .. Not sure about Dual layer though

AndyPix

jack_pott wrote: »

I have a combined DVD/PVR (Panasonic) in which the DVD has packed up, so when the PVR packs up as well I'm going to lose about 240 recordings that I can't copy to anything. I get the impression that newer TVs have dual tuners and a USB port to plug in a HDD, but I don't really want to chuck out a good TV because the PVR might fail.

This from the panasonic website ..


External HDD Back-up and Transfer

Don't ever worry about running out of recording space, Panasonic recorder models support a USB-compatible external HDD*, so collections of recorded content can be moved over to the external HDD in order to back it up or just to free up space on the internal hard drive. Contents can be moved freely back and forth between devices and up to eight external HDD devices can be registered. *External HDD must be USB compatible. Only 1 external HDD connection at a time is possible. The maximum capacity of a compatible external HDD is 2TB.




So can you not just plug in an external HDD and back up your stuff ??

[Deleted User]

AndyPix wrote: »

So can you not just plug in an external HDD and back up your stuff ??

It's got a USB plocket, but according to the handbook it's only for loading music files from a memory stick and updating the Gracenote database.

AndyPix

Then the only way would be to take out the hdd, attach it to a caddy and connect it to a pc and drag the files off.
This may not be as simple as it sounds though as the format of the hdd is likely to be an obscure format that windows cant read - You would have more luck with linux if you can be bothered faffing about.


If you are REALLY adamant about this, then you can follow instructions here ..
http://www.avsforum.com/forum/106-dvd-recorders-standard-def/1010518-panasonic-dmr-hard-drive-data-recovery-can-done.html


Not for the faint hearted though

bsod

jack_pott wrote: »

I have a combined DVD/PVR (Panasonic) in which the DVD has packed up, so when the PVR packs up as well I'm going to lose about 240 recordings that I can't copy to anything. I get the impression that newer TVs have dual tuners and a USB port to plug in a HDD, but I don't really want to chuck out a good TV because the PVR might fail.

does the tray eject? Try it with the cover off, (avoiding high voltage areas)

you may be able to swap in a drive (of a similar type) from a pc

a pvr is a far better solution than a smart tv with recording ability (still a relatively rare feature)

Xbigman

I do have an old Optiplex that is linked to my old VGA capable TV that just has stuff from YouTube on it, but I far prefer a physical copy. Looks like my next machine will be one capable of transferring recordings straight to the PC.

I did notice that there are a lot of second hand machines on Amazon. Possibly replacing my Sony HX510 with a used one might be the answer in the shorter term.


Darren

bsod

tidier than an optiplex, and a pile of dvd's



HD copy protection will limit your future options.