Page 1 of Advice on buying a DVD recorder

Hi - I`m sure many have asked before and it seems to stir up heated debate, with the different systems having pros and cons. I wonder if anyone could give me advice on a recorder that would be suitable for my situation. Basically, I just want to stop using VCR (ie record TV programmes and re-write), but these are my requirements:

Must be region free (or hackable) because I have lots of R1 disks
It will be hooked up to a Sony Wega 32" CRT TV and a DD/Pro-logic amp so quality is quite important (The quality of the Wega will show up any weaknesses!)
I already have a PC with DVD burner for `backing-up` DVDs and I want it to be able to play those disks (although I think it`s multi-format, I`ve been using DVD-R disks)
Would like the resulting disks to be useable on my bedroom DVD player (an old multi-region Samsung).
I`m less fussed about things like time-slip, but who knows, I might get to appreciate such gizmos. Hopefully, they`re all easy to use.

My budget is around £180 - £250. Don`t want to go too crazy in case a format comes out that can record 5.1 sound in the near future.

Any recommendations would be appreciated. - Many Thanks!

I begin to wonder if some of these are windups,,, however. Why buy anything other tham the Panasonic E55. If you have to watch in the bedroom put onto a DVD-R or use a video sender. Timeslip is fantastic. It is there at times you can`t control. ie watching a movie on TV someone phones, knocks on the door burns the toast & so on, you just start the recorder & when you`ve answered the phone etc resume the film. If your watching Footie, Racing or whatever sport, & something happens you can rewind & look back at it instantly without stoping the recording. If you`ve recorded Eastenders last night & you want to record something else this evening but don`t have time (or whatever) to watch it you can watch the Eastenders & still record the new programme. There are many other times, you will find out.

I`m less fussed about things like time-slip, but who knows, I might get to appreciate such gizmos

Now I can`t believe you don`t want that !!!

It sounds good indeed, but will it meet all my other requirements? principally, the ability to play R1 disks? Does it use the -R format?

Sorry if it sounds like a wind-up; I`m generally ok with technology, but am relatively new to DVD Recording (but I`m a quick learner). Reading between the lines, I shouldn`t be going with RAM. Does it boil down to the relative pros and cons of -R vs +R. I`m assuming either format will allow me to use RW disks.

R1. You can get them region free, mine is. Richer sounds do them region free. It uses the -R format.

Reading between the lines, I shouldn`t be going with RAM.

In fact the exact oposite. RAM is the most reliable of the re recording systems. It can be re used 100,000 times against a R/W at 10,000 times (if you can get a R/W to last beyond 10 times that is.) There is absolutly no reason to dismiss RAM.

Must admit - I was looking at the Panasonic - currently at £180. Do you know the hack cos it`s listed as a R2 player?

Cheers

Where are you looking? I`m not sure of the R1 price but I believe it`s under £200.00 Have you done a search on the net?

an old multi-region Samsung

these players are notoriously picky when it comes to dvd-r & dvd+r, i find -r marginally better in my old sammy 709, but tbh i`d seriously consider spending an extra £30 on a supermarket cheapie to replace the sammy.

Why bother with Panasonic?As you specifically need compatibility,a Pioneer is the answer.Like the Panny you cannot hack it,you need to buy it chipped.It also records to -R for your collecting.However,unless you want to waste a -R disc everytime you want to record something and watch it on the Samsung,you can use -RW on the Pioneer.In VR mode -RW will do all the tricks that RAM can,including Timeslip,but if its just for watch and wipe in the Samsung,-RW in VIDEO mode will do the trick.RAM offers no video mode.You should be able to get a Pioneer dvd recorder well within your budget.
Cheaper options are available from supermarket DVD+ cheapies if you have no editing needs.
Having said that, a £30 supermarket player could well be more reliable than the old Samsung which is known for problems on all DVDR formats

Yes - my old Samsung 807 can be a bit tempramental - but nothing too severe. I had got a £35 Compacks from Safeway (which I hacked) and although it plays virtually everything you can throw at it, I have a problem with constant vertical lines across the entire pic - although you can only really see them in dark scenes. So I`m gonna give that away and keep my Samsung.

Richer Sounds are selling the Pioneer DVR220 and the Panasonic DMRE55 - both at £180. It looks like both are R2 from the box. Are you saying that neither are hackable? If so, they`re both a no-go. Their two models in that price range that are multi-region are the Yamada DVR8000 and the Goodmans GDVD300 (£150 and £180 respectively). They were pushing me towards the Tangent DVR500 - which is multi-region. Think I read about non UK PAL problems with it though and it requiring a firmware upgrade.

Waddya reckon to that lot.

ps Thanks again guys - much appreciated!

This item was edited on Friday, 29th October 2004, 09:26

Go for the Panasonic :) or Pioneer avoid the others at all costs. Of the Panasonic :) or Pioneer I`d only get the Panasonic :) . It is possible to buy a very neat slimline Panasonic :) player that plays everything including the superior DVD-RAM system for £50.00. This means if you (as I always do) edit adverts out of a movie or TV series you can then watch the movie/TV series on the Panasonic player ADVERT FREE. If you do this on the Pioneer you can`t watch the disc on anything but the Pioneer >:(

Oh, mine plays region 1 discs, I know Richer sounds have E55s that are multi region.

This item was edited on Friday, 29th October 2004, 11:08