Know what to look for in a DVD recorder.
DVD recorders are now affordable and far more practical than the 30-year-old technology of the bulky VCR. DVD recorders are available in three basic models. The basic DVD recorder enables copying DVDs and television signals. A high-definition DVD recorder is needed to capture the newer hi-def television signals or material recorded on Blu-Ray discs. Another style of DVD recorder comes with a hard drive similar to what is found in a personal computer. The hard drive allows you to store television programs for later viewing, when you can decide whether to record them with the DVD recorder. A third style of DVD recorder comes with a built-in VCR. This is a good choice for individuals who have a lot of home movies on videotape that they wish to transfer to the more convenient storage medium of the DVD.
Instructions
1. Choose a brand. Popular and well-rated brands include Onkyo, Phillips, Sony, Samsung and Sanyo.
2. Choose the DVD recorder that's right for you by deciding which of the three types will best serve your needs.
To make copies of DVDs or record television programs as they are being broadcast, a basic model will probably be sufficient.
To record live television and burn programs to a disc, choose a DVD recorder with a built-in hard drive. Several models offer a pause feature, which will allow you to skip commercials and create chapter breaks around them on the recorded DVD. The hard drive can also save money on blank DVDs because you can watch the program and decide if you want to keep it before burning the material to a recordable DVD.
Choose a DVD Recorder/VCR combo to quickly copy your old movie collection on VHS onto the longer-lasting DVD medium. Unlike DVDs, VHS cassettes have moving parts that can wear out.
3. Select special features to get maximum benefit from your DVD recorder. Look for compatibility with other formats. A DVD recorder that supports CDs, Photo-File discs, MP3 recordings and other audio/video files can reduce the number of components needed for a home theater system. You can watch movies, listen to music and view digital slideshows all on one piece of equipment. All but the most basic DVD recorders feature progressive scan. Upconverter DVD recorders are more expensive, but reproduce true high-definition image quality available in digital television signals and Blu-Ray discs.
4. Consider buying a dual-layer DVD recorder. These cost more, but the burner enables you to store longer movies or more photos on one disc by using the two recordable surfaces embedded on the DVD. Picture and sound quality of longer programs will also be superior on a dual-layer disc.
5. Choose between progressive scan and upconversion. Standard DVDs are recorded in the 480i format, which is less than half the resolution of high-definition television or Blu-Ray discs that produce a 1080i image. A DVD recorder with progressive scan or an upconversion feature can boost image quality into the high-definition range.
6. Consider your future needs. If you don't have a high-definition TV yet, a DVD recorder provides future benefits. All DVD recorders sold in the United States are required to come with a digital tuner. You can use a DVD recorder to receive the high-definition TV signal. This could represent a savings of $50 or more by not having to purchase a separate digital tuner.
7. Look for sales. Prices for electronic equipment are all over the map. Chances are, the model you want is on sale somewhere. Large electronics retailers like Best Buy post sale ads every Sunday on their websites. Auction sites like eBay are another good place to shop for bargains.
Tips Warnings
Note that standard DVD recorders cannot burn high-definition television programs, only replay existing programs.
Be aware that high-definition DVD recorders are on the market, but the components are still quite expensive and may be prone to bugs that are typically ironed out with second- and third-generation equipment.
