DVD recorders to replace VHS

brown · 2005-09-20, 10:53 AM

We curently have a basic dvd player and a vhs. We are looking to moving to a dvd recorder.

My wife records 1.5 hrs of soaps a day and watchs them at night. Every weekday, 261 days a year. I would be more interested in a dvd recorder with a hard drive. BUT, I have no idea how these things work. I don't want to be burning dvd's everyday. Do the ones with integrated HD's record the show to the HD and allow the viewing of it later?

Technically, I probably need a PVR, but we just gave our dvd player to my wife's cousin. So we can't afford both a new dvd player and a pvr.

Any products that are recommended? Not?

Or should we keep the vhs and get a HD DVD player (we have an hdtv) for now?

Thanks for any help you could provide.

QuickSilver · 2005-09-20, 10:59 AM

What type of cable or Sat are you with? I have both a PVR and a DVD recorder. Just got the PVR last week. I am with Bell Expressvu so life is easy with the PVR since i just set the recordings for the week basically and away I go. If I want to archive something to DVD then I just set the recorded show to play and hit record on the DVD recorder before i got to bed. My DVD recorder does not have a hard drive. There are advantages to those since you don't have to change discs etc to view shows and lower cost from not having to buy discs. If it were me I woudl look into a PVR over a DVD recorder. That certainly depends on how you get your tv signal. To me it was a no brainer with bell 299 for the pvr and integrates with the box itself through the guide.

Q · 2005-09-20, 11:00 AM

IMO if you are on the cheap,

If you have cable..........get a DVD recorder with a HD. Yes the shows record on the hard drive for later viewing.

If you have satellite I would get a PVR and a regular DVD player.

Depeding on which models you get and your budget both suggestions can work out to be same cost of equal quality.

Joe

57 · 2005-09-20, 11:01 AM

Since your location is Montreal and since you have an HDTV, I would seriously consider Videotron and an HD DVR like the SA8300HD. There are lots of threads on this unit. I believe the price is about $500. You can buy a DVD player for about $50.

DVD recorders cannot record HD, they record 480i only and are probably as costly as the HD DVR for one with a HDD.

biglyle · 2005-09-20, 11:35 AM

I agree with 57.

Get a DVR and a wall mart el cheapo DVD player for time being.
The DVR is so simple to use and will honestly change the way you watch TV.

brown · 2005-09-20, 12:18 PM

So many responses in such a short time!

We gave away our dvd player because it was a bit too el cheapo, worked great however (her cousin gave birth to twins and they got many einstein dvd's as gifts, but had no player - we felt sad so we gave them ours). The $150 lg unit with upconversion is on my radar for a standalone dvd player (what was the model again

).

I have digital cable, (not HD) with videotron. Videotron's basic pvr is $350. For that combined price ($500) I could get this from FS or this from etronics.

Anyone know if videotron's pvr can be purchased at stores for less? Say at Audiotronics (Dumoulin in QC)?

Thanks.

Q · 2005-09-20, 12:34 PM

the model number is 7832 for the LG.

I don't know anything about Videotron so I'll have to let others comment.

I would say as 57 posted above.

Get the HD PVR and a dvd player.

brown · 2005-09-20, 12:52 PM

7832, thanks. Oh wait, what is this then LDA 531?

Why should I get an HD PVR if I don't have an HD feed?

eljay · 2005-09-20, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brown

We curently have a basic dvd player and a vhs. ... My wife records 1.5 hrs of soaps a day and watchs them at night. ... should we keep the vhs and get a HD DVD player (we have an hdtv) for now?

If all you're recording is 1.5 hrs. of soaps/day, keep the VCR and spend your money on a good DVD player.

57 · 2005-09-20, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brown

Why should I get an HD PVR if I don't have an HD feed?

You have an HDTV, why would you not get HD cable and an HD DVR?

brown · 2005-09-20, 03:10 PM

57, my bad, I have an HDTV ready tv, not an HD feed.

eljay, that's what I'm wondering about. Maybe get a PVR if they go on sale this x-mas?

However, would a dvd player/pvr combo be better then a dvd recorder with hard drive? Would the dvd player itself be better.

57 · 2005-09-20, 03:17 PM

Brown, I'm confused. You say you don't have "HD Feed". What does this mean? You have access to Videotron, just get yourself an HD DVR and have it "activated" by Videotron for the HD stations and any other stations you may want. This may cost a few $ per month. Am I missing something here?

brown · 2005-09-20, 03:54 PM

It means we have SD cable, not HD.

I don't want to pay for HD channels right now as there simply aren't enough of them that interest us.

57 · 2005-09-20, 04:39 PM

OK, fine. If you do consider getting a DVR, you can get the HD DVR for a little more money, that way when you're ready for HD, it'll be there. It also has a larger HDD.

BTW, I think that there is about (if not over) 100 hours per week of "new" HD programming available....

http://digitalhomecanada.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=26993

Lurker · 2005-09-20, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 57

BTW, I think that there is about (if not over) 100 hours per week of "new" HD programming available....

Even those soaps that she is going to record will look far better on the HD channels that they will on the SD versions. Even though this type of content is only upconverted HD instead of natural HD, it will look significantly better than in just SD. Not as good as true HD - but noticeably better imho. Therefore, the larger hard drive of the HD PVR is justified. Further, the cost to get the HD feed from Videotron for the basic US networks is zero, (other than the box). You only have to pay for additional for selected specialty type channels

The HD PVR therefore, is going to handle your recording duties with no additional costs for media to burn to, it will record a better picture on the HD channels for your spouse to enjoy, it will allow you to take much better advantage of your TV's capabilities, and finally it will improve your viewing experience on day to day basis and all at no increase to your monthly package rate. Overall, it is the best trade-off of price, content, features/convenience, and better positions you for the future.

2005-09-20, 10:53 AM	#1
brown Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Montreal Posts: 309	DVD recorders to replace VHS We curently have a basic dvd player and a vhs. We are looking to moving to a dvd recorder. My wife records 1.5 hrs of soaps a day and watchs them at night. Every weekday, 261 days a year. I would be more interested in a dvd recorder with a hard drive. BUT, I have no idea how these things work. I don't want to be burning dvd's everyday. Do the ones with integrated HD's record the show to the HD and allow the viewing of it later? Technically, I probably need a PVR, but we just gave our dvd player to my wife's cousin. So we can't afford both a new dvd player and a pvr. Any products that are recommended? Not? Or should we keep the vhs and get a HD DVD player (we have an hdtv) for now? Thanks for any help you could provide.

2005-09-20, 11:01 AM	#4
57 Moderator Join Date: May 2002 Location: Toronto, Rogers, 8300HD, eHDD, Panasonic TCP65S1, Denon AVR4310Ci; 8300HD, eHDD & Sony KDL40W3000 Posts: 41,646	Since your location is Montreal and since you have an HDTV, I would seriously consider Videotron and an HD DVR like the SA8300HD. There are lots of threads on this unit. I believe the price is about $500. You can buy a DVD player for about $50. DVD recorders cannot record HD, they record 480i only and are probably as costly as the HD DVR for one with a HDD. __________________ 57's Home Theatre (Latest equipment/photos) 57's Optimization Services

2005-09-20, 03:17 PM	#12
57 Moderator Join Date: May 2002 Location: Toronto, Rogers, 8300HD, eHDD, Panasonic TCP65S1, Denon AVR4310Ci; 8300HD, eHDD & Sony KDL40W3000 Posts: 41,646	Brown, I'm confused. You say you don't have "HD Feed". What does this mean? You have access to Videotron, just get yourself an HD DVR and have it "activated" by Videotron for the HD stations and any other stations you may want. This may cost a few $ per month. Am I missing something here? __________________ 57's Home Theatre (Latest equipment/photos) 57's Optimization Services

2005-09-20, 04:39 PM	#14
57 Moderator Join Date: May 2002 Location: Toronto, Rogers, 8300HD, eHDD, Panasonic TCP65S1, Denon AVR4310Ci; 8300HD, eHDD & Sony KDL40W3000 Posts: 41,646	OK, fine. If you do consider getting a DVR, you can get the HD DVR for a little more money, that way when you're ready for HD, it'll be there. It also has a larger HDD. BTW, I think that there is about (if not over) 100 hours per week of "new" HD programming available.... http://digitalhomecanada.com/forum/s...ad.php?t=26993 __________________ 57's Home Theatre (Latest equipment/photos) 57's Optimization Services

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2005-09-20, 10:59 AM	#2
QuickSilver Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 2,772	What type of cable or Sat are you with? I have both a PVR and a DVD recorder. Just got the PVR last week. I am with Bell Expressvu so life is easy with the PVR since i just set the recordings for the week basically and away I go. If I want to archive something to DVD then I just set the recorded show to play and hit record on the DVD recorder before i got to bed. My DVD recorder does not have a hard drive. There are advantages to those since you don't have to change discs etc to view shows and lower cost from not having to buy discs. If it were me I woudl look into a PVR over a DVD recorder. That certainly depends on how you get your tv signal. To me it was a no brainer with bell 299 for the pvr and integrates with the box itself through the guide.

2005-09-20, 11:00 AM	#3
Q Veteran Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Oakville Posts: 3,978	IMO if you are on the cheap, If you have cable..........get a DVD recorder with a HD. Yes the shows record on the hard drive for later viewing. If you have satellite I would get a PVR and a regular DVD player. Depeding on which models you get and your budget both suggestions can work out to be same cost of equal quality. Joe

2005-09-20, 11:35 AM	#5
biglyle Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: ThunderBay,ON Posts: 998	I agree with 57. Get a DVR and a wall mart el cheapo DVD player for time being. The DVR is so simple to use and will honestly change the way you watch TV.

2005-09-20, 12:18 PM	#6
brown Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Montreal Posts: 309	So many responses in such a short time! We gave away our dvd player because it was a bit too el cheapo, worked great however (her cousin gave birth to twins and they got many einstein dvd's as gifts, but had no player - we felt sad so we gave them ours). The $150 lg unit with upconversion is on my radar for a standalone dvd player (what was the model again ). I have digital cable, (not HD) with videotron. Videotron's basic pvr is $350. For that combined price ($500) I could get this from FS or this from etronics. Anyone know if videotron's pvr can be purchased at stores for less? Say at Audiotronics (Dumoulin in QC)? Thanks.

2005-09-20, 12:34 PM	#7
Q Veteran Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Oakville Posts: 3,978	the model number is 7832 for the LG. I don't know anything about Videotron so I'll have to let others comment. I would say as 57 posted above. Get the HD PVR and a dvd player.

2005-09-20, 12:52 PM	#8
brown Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Montreal Posts: 309	7832, thanks. Oh wait, what is this then LDA 531? Why should I get an HD PVR if I don't have an HD feed?

2005-09-20, 03:10 PM	#11
brown Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Montreal Posts: 309	57, my bad, I have an HDTV ready tv, not an HD feed. eljay, that's what I'm wondering about. Maybe get a PVR if they go on sale this x-mas? However, would a dvd player/pvr combo be better then a dvd recorder with hard drive? Would the dvd player itself be better.

2005-09-20, 03:54 PM	#13
brown Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Montreal Posts: 309	It means we have SD cable, not HD. I don't want to pay for HD channels right now as there simply aren't enough of them that interest us.