dvd/video recorder choice

[haway]

I want to buy a replacement recorder for dvd and vcr, my existing machine has died. It wasn't able to record freeview channels, I want something that does. What is the best buy? I am not clued up on these things, but can I also get a video plus type machine with all the previous options that I described?

[Ethel]

If you only want to watch your recordings on that particular television, a Humax pvr will suit you very well. Two freeview tuners and a hard drive.

This means you can record one programme and watch another, or record two whilst watching a previously recorded programme; and pause live tv.

If you wanted to keep your recordings on a dvd disk, you can buy any cheap dvd recorder that has twin freeview tuners.

You could buy both and hook them up - so use the pvr for general recording, and then download the recordings you want to keep to disc.

[deetyork]

For everyday use, a hard disk recorder (or PVR as some call them) is the way to go. So easy to use, fantastic picture quality, no messing around looking for blank discs etc
No problems programming just choose what to record from the on-screen program guide even easier than video plus! no numbers to remember & type in.
I bought a DVD recorder when they first came out but after getting a HDD recorder,(sky+)I hardly ever used it.
Keeping track of what you've taped on what disc is a right pain!
HDD recorders have an on-screen list of all your recordings automatically named e.g. "Eastenders Wed Oct 7th" (with moving picture previews in some cases)
Buy one with the biggest hard drive you can afford, you'll soon fill it!
If you need to pass recodings on to friends/relatives or copy them from a camcorder buy one with a combined DVD recorder
or if you want to watch your old tapes get a combined VHS HDD recorder!
I'd go for a Sony. Expensive but Good

[haway]

Thanks both , Ethel and deetyork; will look into pvr's!

[beejaybee]

We have a pvr & would not be without it. The only thing I would say is be careful if you record off the tv guide on it. As we know programmes often run late & you will end up missing the endings. I prefer to manualy programe the recordings & I always add a few minutes before the start & end. It`s really easy to do.

[Ethel]

beejaybee- most pvrs have settings where you tell it to automatically add extra minutes to the end of recordings.

[haway]

Actually folks, we've been looking at DVD/VCR recorder combi with HDD; this would fit the bill as we have lots of VCRs and DVDs, this machine plays these and is, presumably, a PVR as well? I'm looking at a Toshiba RD-XV48DT, it has a 160GB HDD. Opinions please?

[BenDToy]

I don't know that particular machine, but most DVD recorders do not have freeview tuners, so you don't get the full benefit of a PVR. If it does (and some do) it will probably fit the bill. I personally would stick to a simple freeview PVR and forget the VCR and DVD but if you want that functionality then this would probably be fine.
For the record you can pick up a serviceable twin tuner Freeview PVR for less than �100. And then a DVD player for about �30. And a VCR for next to nothing (or mine for nothing). Remember you probably have no need to record DVDs.

[deetyork]

Looks a nice machine, Yes it certainly does have freeview built in & the ability to record 284 hrs of it! Play.com are seling them for less than �200 I'm sure it would suit your needs perfectly.

[haway]

People, at the risk of being pedantic and seeming a bit dumb, (which I may be)- what is the affect of one's tv having freeview already built in, and then connecting this device with another freeview attached?
And, thank you all for your contributions so far! Much appreciated, I do try hard to keep up with today's technology, tough going at times!

[Ethel]

It works perfectly well having a freeview recorder attached to a television with built in freeview - after all, your own video recorder had its own built in tuner, which is why you could record one programme and watch another.

The recording device will record independently of the tv tuners, and don't interfere with each other