DVD Recorder/ Video

hev_2

I've already posted this in the 'In my home' forum, then noticed that the description of this part of the board included dvd recorders. All help gratefully received.

"Don't know where to start looking, or who to ask, so I thought I would start here. Please forgive me if these questions are really obvious - I'm not that clued up on this sort of thing.

Our video player has just packed up and our DVD player is looking a bit creaky. Both were just about bottom of the range, bought a long time ago. I was considering saving up and buying a DVD recorder/player instead of replacing both as it seems hard to get video players these days. I noticed when I looked in the Argos catalogue that you can get combined DVD recorders and Video players. Does anyone know if you can play a video and record it with the DVD recorder on any of these? We have a load of video tapes that I will be loathe to lose, so it would be wonderful if we could.

I hope to get lucky in the sales if I have managed to save up by then, so any advice would be grateful."

f1charlie

The most expensive model, the Panasonic one, does copy VHS to DVD (and DVD to VHS). I found this out by visiting the Panasonic website and downloading the manual.
I would suggest you visit the manufacturer site for any of the other models you are interested in, so that you can get a definitive answer (assuming they have the manual available for download).

hev_2

It goes to show how dippy I am - I never thought of that!

Thank you for your help.

BexTech

They should copy to DVD fine, however if they are bought videos that have macrovision copy protection, the recorder will notice this and stop the recording and state that it is copy protected, for recordings you made yourself off the TV, not a problem.

I don't have a DVD recorder with a VHS player / recorder, but have a DVD/HDD recorder, with the firmware modified (downloaded off the net) to ignore macrovision protection.

Donnie

Philips DVDR3432V £145.99. Not necessarily a recommendation. Just showing what is available.

For the purpose of information, if one is thinking of transferring their personal video collection to DVD, it might be worth dropping DVD Exploder a line, to find out if there will be any problems with the machine of your choice and MacroVision.

hev_2

Thank you for your help - the videos are stuff I've recorded myself because while it may not be MSE to buy the DVD (even if you get a really good deal through quidco) it usually is better to do that and you get the extras. I don't care about a taped from TV copy of Addams Family as I will go and get the DVD but there is some stuff I have taped you just can't buy!

Thank you to all.