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DVD Recorders – Introduction

Do you want DVD quality, yet miss your old video recorder’s ability to record your favourite programmes? Well, you can get the best of both worlds with a DVD recorder, thanks to its versatile recording functions together with its DVD quality sound and vision.

There are many models of DVD recorder on the market today, each with different specifications and features. This means that whatever your needs, there is a model of DVD recorder on the market to suit you.

What is a DVD Recorder?

A DVD recorder records from TV to DVD discs, making better recordings than its VCR equivalent. DVD recorders are also able to play normal DVD discs.

DVD recorders can record from the following sources:

• Analogue TV, plus digital cable, satellite and Freeview
• Standard Definition Television, which is the same quality as DVD-Video
• Digital Camcorder Video (Digital-8 and miniDV)
• Analogue Camcorder Video (8mm, Hi-8, VHS, VHS-C formats)

DVD recorders can record programmes in various resolutions ranging from DVD quality to that of VHS. They typically record in one hour, two hour, four hour and six hour modes, with the one hour mode being equivalent to DVD quality, and the six hour mode approaching VHS Extended Play quality.

Advantages of a DVD Recorder

A DVD recorder combines the convenience of a video recorder and the digital qualities of a DVD player. Here are some of the advantages of a DVD recorder when compared to video recorders and other recording equipment:

• No degradation: Your DVD recording will not degrade with every use in the way that recordings on video tape do.
• Better picture: A DVD recording offers almost twice the resolution of a VHS recording.
• Durability: DVDs are subject to significantly less wear and tear than video tapes.
• Space Saving: The size and packaging of DVDs means that they take up less space than their VHS counterpart.
• Easy to find your recordings: A play list shows all the recordings that are on a disc, so you don’t need to keep forwarding and rewinding as you would with a video tape.

Disadvantages of a DVD Recorder

DVD recorders do, however, have several drawbacks:

• Expense: DVD recorders are more expensive than standard DVD players and are far more expensive than video recorders.. However, DVD recorders are gradually becoming available at fairly reasonable prices. DVD recorders generally retail at around £100 in the UK, and some models are available for around £70. It is hoped that there will soon be little price difference between a DVD recorder and a video recorder.
• Difficult to use: DVD recorders can be difficult to use and set-up due to complicated menu systems. You will also need to integrate your DVD recorder with your cable, satellite or Freeview system.
• Formatting time: There are also problems regarding the extra time needed to format the disc before recording and writing to disc afterwards.
• HDTV: Most models of DVD recorder are not HD-ready.

Further Information

You can find some hints and tips on what to look for when choosing a DVD recorder in our How to Choose section.

If you want to buy a DVD recorder, you can find out more about some of the top online suppliers, including details of their delivery times and postage and packaging costs, in our Where to Buy section.

You can learn more about other types of DVD player in our Types section.

You can find out more about specific manufacturers and brands of DVD recorder in our Brands and Top Models sections.