Page 1 of Worth getting an HDD/DVD Recorder? Advice please....?

Due to work, I`m missing an awful lot of TV. Rather than buying a video, I`d obviously rather get a HDD/DVD recorder. So, some questions...

Is it best to get one that records to both?

If I record to my HDD, can I transfer it to DVD and vice versa?

Can I record Sky & Cable channels on it? I`ve got Homechoice right now, but thinking about moving on to Sky, and want to obviously be able to record digital channels.

Any good recorders you can recommend while I am at it, and ones to avoid?

Ta!

:D

This item was edited on Friday, 28th October 2005, 17:08

Ben,
I`ve just bought the Panasonic EH60D and it is fantastic. Not cheap though (about £399 now)
DEFINITELY get a HDD!!!!!!!!!!!! They are fantastic and so easy tto use. Because it`s so easy and you don`t have to get off your arse to stick a disc in, you actually just set it to record stuff on the off chance you might watch it..
Mine has a 200GB disc and built-in freeview which maked programming it direct from the built-in TV guide very easy. Picture is indistinguishable from its freeview source :-)
They do a non-freeview version with an 80GB disc for about £270 - the EH50.
It plays and recordes to +r and -r and -RW and RAM.
Editing on the HDD before putting to disc is very easy.

Ste

Cheers Ste, you`re on the verge of persuading me.

On the Sky front though, is that the same, or do you have to buy a Sky+ to be able to record from that?

As I said, I have Homechoice digital package, and that`s one of the main reasons for me wanting to buy an HDD as I`m missing everything it seems. : :(

Where did you get it from by the way?

Also, would you say that getting an 80GB HD is enough?

This item was edited on Friday, 28th October 2005, 17:11

I own the DMR EH50 and having a HDD makes a huge difference and loads of advantages:

Editing out adverts and boring bits of a programme or film before sticking it on a DVD (there are too many to mention) i agree with Sj, it is an exellent recorder although i own the non freeview one. i also like it because you have more format options so you can record something for a friend without worrying they don`t have a compatible player, Philips ones only record the +R/RW format which can be a problem If the friend owns a -R/RW dvd player (the EH50/60 is free from that problem). you can`t go far wrong with a Panasonic DVD/HDD recorder as the LP mode is almost as good as SP mode (An 80 GB hard disc will be just fine).

Happy shopping

A question for Sj, does a built in freeview tuner give better recording quality than an external box.

This item was edited on Friday, 28th October 2005, 17:17

Thanks Keldus, thats great.

Will have a good look around to see what I can find. Saw a nice Sony one, but there`s aren`t multi-region (as always).

hi,

i`m also looking at getting a dvd recorder but haven`t worked something out, yet. can you use the same dvd to record multiple, differently timed programmes - as with a vhs tape?

for example, say i want to record 15 minutes of something today, can i record another 10 minutes tomorrow, and so on until the dvd is full (and then finalise)?- or do you need a hdd recorder to accumulate 2hrs of stuff to record and finalise?

thanks a lot for the help

mgns

Buy a dvd recorder only if you want to archive something to keep.
If you do,only get a HDD model if you need to edit.Chances are if you are archiving you will need to edit at some point.
But if you only want to watch and wipe then a PVR is your best option.
If you require pay tv then Sky+ is your best option,as it not only allows you to watch one digital channel while recording another(no dvd or DVD/HDD recorder does that)Sky+ will even record 2 things at once,and still allow you to watchan earlier recording.Downside is that Sky+ adds £10 per month to your sub unless you subscribe to a movie or sport package.
If the Freeview channels offer enough then a PVR from Fusion or Thomson will give most of the Sky+ features,even dual record,albeit with only the Freeview channels

Can you hook up a DVD recorder to Sky + and record from the hard drive?

Quote:
Can you hook up a DVD recorder to Sky + and record from the hard drive?

Yup :)

Choagy FFCUK The SPL :)

Cheers Choagy.

Don`t think anyone has answered my other question though. Can you record Sky onto a HDD recorder without using Sky+? Or do you need to have Sky + to record Sky?