Buying DVD recorders

[Imi]

I know somewhere out in the wide world of the internet, there has got to be a website that tells me what to look for in a DVD recorder, what the different formats are, what I might want to buy, etc.

Can I find it? No.

All I get are the different product listings. Anyone have a good review site?

 

[fgarvb1]

Consumer report? Do they have a web site?

 

[JoseIsWild]

Look for one that records DVD+R but will play both DVD+R and DVD-R. A few models have a built-in HD which is useful if you do a lot of time-shifting (recording shows when you're not at home to watch later), but not needed if you have a Tivo or other DVR. With HD units you MUST record to the hard drive first and then burn that copy to a DVD so you can't record a program to DVD in one step.

 

[I'm Wild Cherry]

A few websites once you are ready to compare models are:

cnet.com
zdnet.com
epinions.com

Unfortunately, I'm not sure where to find the middle ground of information.

 

[I'm Wild Cherry]

Consumer report? Do they have a web site?

They do - a pay site.

 

[Imi]

A few websites once you are ready to compare models are:

cnet.com
zdnet.com
epinions.com

Unfortunately, I'm not sure where to find the middle ground of information.

Something like these is what I was looking for. Thanks IWC!!

As for the other advice, I'm happy to hear it. However, I don't know that the receiptient is going to be recording from TV as much as recording from VHS.

 

[trout, kilgore]

I just bought a NEC 3500A from newegg.com, and it's great. It's around $60 and very highly rated. I did a fair ammount of research and it turns out that not only is the one I got a solid performer, but it is also one of the least expensive.

When burning at 16x a full DVD takes just under 4 minutes to burn - so it's pretty snappy.

Link to the NEC 3500A at newegg.com

If you want to do some more homework check out the following article, it's and exhaustive review of some of several dvd burners.


DVD Burner reviews

Gads. I'm a nerd who has babbled way too much. Good luck!

 

[I'm Wild Cherry]

Something like these is what I was looking for. Thanks IWC!!

Glad I could help.

 

[sirmed]

Assuming your talking about burning movies.. or makeing movies..... and not Data... I burn Date on Dvds... and back up Pictures.. they are great for 6gb of data..

I agree with the others DVd+ is the way for movies and you need to look for one that will read both .. DVd+ or DVd- for movies .. Data makes no difference...

 

[ReadyOne]

A few websites once you are ready to compare models are:

cnet.com
zdnet.com
epinions.com

Unfortunately, I'm not sure where to find the middle ground of information.

Note that these sites are advertiser driven. IMHO you need to advertise with them before you get any sort of review, and good machines/items are often not reviewd or included in the search.

In other words, if Acme sells model "A" VCRs and Acme pays CNET to be in the price search listing, then model "A" will show in the listings. If Best sells model "B" doesn't join the price search, the model "B" won't be listed anywhere (unless Acme also starts selling that model).

 

[zhukov1943]

Have you seen this site?

http://www.dvdr-digest.com/reviews/index.php

God, I love Google...

 

[Imi]

Sirmed, it's mostly TV shows...some as old as ten years old.

 

[JoseIsWild]

You can also find some useful consumer responses on www.avsforum.com

 

[bytor2112]

www.hometheaterforum.com

best web site for anything electronic...