dvd recorder

[dingaling]

Could anyone tell me what I should be looking for in a dvd recorder please. I need easy to use (very) I would like to be able to lend the occasional recording to a friend. Is a hard drive necessary, they seem to be a lot more expensive?I guess I am looking to pay around �200. There are so many different things written on the boxes I can't make head nor tail of them and end up leaving non the wiser. Any makes stand out, in anyone's opinion? Thanks in advance.

[anotheoldgit]

I have had a Lite-On DVD recorder with 80GB hard drive for 2 years and find it superb.

The instruction manual is very easy to understand. Like most recorders it is a lttle fussy what discs it likes. I have found that Maxell DVD+R ones are the best to use with mine.

Try going for one that plays all formats ie DVD+ R, DVD-R, one can only record on these once and when finished recording on they need to be finalised, so they can be played on other players. DVD+RW and DVD-RW, can be recorded on over and over again.

Although a little more expensive(try Argos) recorders with a hard drive are more useful,and if you don't get one first time you will wish you had later. My Lite-On has Video Plus which means you can set it up to record a programme simply by typing in the special number found by the side of programmes in the listings. It will then record that programme onto either a blank disc or onto the hard drive.

The advantage of a hard drive is the fact that once an item is recorded onto the hard drive, it can be editored ie commercials taken out or even joined up with another item. Then later you can copy the item onto a blank disc if you so wish.

Hope this is of some use.

[dingaling]

Thank you for your very helpful reply.I have a much better idea what to look out for now. I confess I haven't heard of Lite-On, but I will find out more about it. Shirl.

[stoofur]

I think that Lite-On no longer exist. I have had one for a while and it is really good. Although the DVD burner has not proven to be reliable. I have had to change the drive once as the warranty has expired. And looking at this Lite-On forum others have had problems too:-
http://ccgi.mgillespie.plus.com/liteon/smf/ind ex.php
But I still really like the recorder and the hard drive recording is really easy to use. I have found myself watching TV differently as I can record something on a commercial channel and the I can play the program while it is still recording. So I tend to watch something 10 mins after it starts then I can fast forward through the adverts. You have to remember to start recording when or before the program starts though.

Another thing I like is I can just record the whole day on the one channel if there are a few things worth recording and then edit out the stuff I don't want.

I really recommend getting a recorder with a hard drive.