With so many brands and features, how can you decide which one is right for you? Well this article will help you make a wise choice and get the one that's right for you.
Instructions
1. **Know your current setup and equipment**
I've run into shoppers who look at various models of dvd recorders and don't remotely think about their exisiting setups. In other words, what TV they have? Do they have a cable or sattelite box? What camcorder or digital camera they have.
After all, why would you? You're not buying any of those; you're getting a dvd recorder. But it is important!
2. **Antenna connections**
Not every dvd recorder has coax connectors on them. Those are the plugs that can handle your antenna. In other words, you could plug your cable or sattelite antenna wires directly into the back of the dvd recorder.
Some recorders have pass-through coax connectors. What this means is that the recorder doesn't do the tuning of your channels. Your cable or sattelite box handles that. All the dvd recorder does is allow you to connect the cables so it can record whatever channel your box is set to.
And some recorders have coax connectors that actually do the tuning. In other words, the dvd recorder can actually tune to record various channels, independent of your box.
So know what type of connections you have right now and if you can find a recorder with coax connectors on them, that will make your hookup easier. And you'll have fewer cables connected in the back, which makes things look neater.
3. **Your TV**
Some of us have older TVs. Others have HD-TV. And some of us have those big plasma or LCDs. So there is quite a variety of televisions out there.
One thing that you should know before you go shopping for a recorder is what type of connector(s) your TV has. If you have a coax, that's all you really need. Many newer ones lack this!
If you have an S-video connector, that's good too. S-video gives you a higher quality picture on your screen, but you'll need a recorder that has that connector too in order to use it!
And if your set only has composite inputs, then you'll need a recorder with those plugs on it. So I strongly suggest writing down what connectors you TV has right now before you go shopping.
FYI: My dad bought a recorder and thought it would be easy to hookup. Just 2 wires to plug in. Would have been, except for one big problem! His recorder didn't have coax antenna connectors on them so the hookup wasn't as simple. So this is why I make that suggestion of checking first!
Another thing that's important here is whether or not your set is has a built-in tuner or not. And if so, is it an analog or digital tuner?
You see, beginning Feb 2009, all TV broadcasts will be in a digital format. So those of you with an analog tuner won't be able to view those stations without a converter box (Cable or Sattelite, or a separate one that you'll need to buy).
If your set has this and you don't have cable or sattelite, then you'll be able to receive those digital broadcasts without the need for a tuner. That means you can buy a recorder without it and possibly save a little money.
4. **Built-in tuner**
Some recorders have built-in TV tuners that can scan your stations and record various channels. This is a good feature for those of you who want to watch one channel and record another. Or for those of you who don't have cable or sattelite TV because you have what's called analog, which is being phased out by Feb 2009!
The reason is because it's important to have a recorder that's capable of controlling the television stations. In other words, the recorder determines what channels it recognizes and can actually change from channel to channel.
You'll pay a little more for this feature, but generally, it's only $30-50 more.
5. **Tuner types**
There are 2 types of tuners, digital and analog. You'll pay more for the digital tuner, but it's not overly expensive in most cases. Generally $35-50 more.
The difference between analog and digital is this. An analog tuner requires a converter to receive digital broadcasts, which will be the standard beginning Feb 2009. A digital doesn't require this converter and is able to receive both analog and digital broadcasts.
So digital tuners cost more. But if you already have cable or sattelite, then you already have a digital tuner. Your cable or sattelite box.
Whether or not you decide to spend for a built-in digital tuner is up to you, but it's important to understand that all TV broadcasts in 2009 will be in a digital format. And many right now are broadcasting either in both analog and digital, or some in just digital.
6. **Progressive Scan**
Some recorders have this feature, while others do not. What progressive scan means is that the quality of the picture will be better. In other words, they'll be less flickering and a higher quality look to it.
I suggest spending the extra money to buy a recorder with this feature. To me, it's not splurging or just something nice or cool to have. It's really essential in my opinion. Do you like having TV stations that flicker constantly or are blurry? No! So why would you want that from watching dvd movies?
So it's not a question of you'll see things in more vivid colors or every little detail, but rather a more steady and clearer picture. I think most people would find these 2 things very important. Especially since you'll be watching and recording things on a regular basis. After a while, flickering can get rather annoying! So it's worth the small extra money to avoid this problem.
FYI: You may see pscan or p-scan when looking at recorder specs. They both mean progressive scan and are common abbreviations for it.
7. **Recording formats**
There are a variety of formats that dvds can be recorded in. These include:
1) DVD-R
2) DVD+R
3) DVD-RW
4) DVD-RW
What's the difference between all these? Those with the "R" at the end mean it can only be recorded onto one time. So it's permanent and the space is used up. But "RW" means it can be recorded, erased, and re-recorded.
FYI: RW discs are more expensive, but not overly so.
What's important here is what format your recorder can handle. There are "minus R and RW" and "plus R and RW." So a DVD-R is a "minus R," while a DVD+RW is a "plus RW."
Not every recorder can handle all these formats. For instance, I have one that can only handle the minus discs. My other one can handle plus and minus ones.
If you buy say a minus machine, then you'll need to make sure you only use DVD-R or DVD-RW discs in it. If you were to buy DVD+R by mistake, your machine won't be able to read it and you'll get an error message.
So it determines what discs you can use with it. So long as you know which one your recorder will use, you can make sure you buy the right discs. But if you want more flexibility and/or want to avoid possibly buying the wrong one, then you may want a machine than can handle both minus and plus discs.
FYI: DVD+R and DVD+RW discs tend to be a little cheaper than the minus discs. About $1-2 less.
8. **Combo units**
Some people only want a dvd recorder because they either don't want to use tapes or already have a VCR to record on tape. Others want one machine that can record and play tape or discs.
A combo unit is a DVD on one side and a VCR on the other. So you can play and record both tapes and discs. They're more expensive and run around $100-150 more, but it can be a space-saver.
In other words, you'll have 1 machine instead of 2. And that saves space, uses fewer cables and outlets, and 1 remote instead of 2. That's because the combo units have a single remote to work both sides of the machine.
For example, I replaced an old VCR with a combo unit. That way, I have both a VCR and DVD recorder and 1 remote. My other TV has a separate VCR and DVD. So I have one remote for the VCR and another one for the DVD.
FYI: Universal remotes may work. Depending on the make and model recorder, a universal remote may be compatible. But you should be aware that some remotes may only work the DVD or VCR side. In other words, it may recognize the brand's VCR but not DVD and vice-verse. So be prepared for needing to use the remote that came with your unit.
FYI: Some of you may be thinking of buying a combo unit so you can record 2 channels at the same time. One onto tape and the other onto disc. Sorry, but you can't do that! A combo unit isn't capable of recording 2 things simultaneously!
A combo unit simply means that you can record and play something on tape or disc, but still records one thing at a time. So if you have two programs on at say 7am and want to record one on tape and the other on disc, a combo unit won't do it.
But with a combo unit, you can say record one program at 7am on tape, and another program at 10a on disc.
The biggest advantage of a combo unit is your being more easily able to dub (copy) between tape and disc. So you can take your old tapes and transfer them onto disc with the push of a button. The same goes for taking something on dvd and putting it onto tape.
All combo units include the dubbing or copy feaature! So it's standard with them.
Without a combo unit, you'll need to connect cables between your DVD recorder and VCR. The quality will be less because you loose picture and sound with cables. But the combo unit won't effect quality at all!
9. **Brand name**
Some people prefer a particular brand, such as: Panasonic, Sony, RCA, Toshiba, etc. Others don't really care which one it is so long as it's a good one.
For example, I bought a no-name one years ago and never had a problem with it. My newer one is a name brand and works just fine too. You see, there aren't that many moving parts so very little can really go wrong.
Just like a VCR. Regardless of the brand, they all tend to work and last long enough. Same is tru for most dvd recorders. But if you want piece of mind or prefer to stick with a particular brand, that's your choice.
Just realize that some brands are more expensive than others. And some brands are more compatible with universal remotes than others.
10. **Built-in hard drive**
Some of the newer recorders have built-in hard drives you can record onto. This allows for increased storage and can be upgraded with a larger drive if you'd like.
However, one problem I've heard from people who've purchased them is that the hard drives may fail or become corrupt. Yes, you can replace them with another drive, but to me, the last thing you want is a hard drive to fail in the middle of a recording!
While it may not happen all the time, if a hard drive were to fail, you could loose not only your recent recording, but possibly everything on the drive! So it's like your computer crashing!!
So I tend to suggest avoiding these machine, which can cost $200-300 more!
Discs can hold around 6-8 hours at the lowest quality setting, which is about 3 movies. In addition, discs don't generally fail in the middle of recording, so they're pretty stable. And discs aren't expensive, so you'll be able to buy a pack of 50 for around $30-50.
FYI: I recently bought a pack of 100 DVD-R for $25!
So I feel that the hard drive models aren't worth the extra money or risk. Use that extra money to buy more discs and have something that's more stable and proven reliable.
Tags: combo unit, other words, cable sattelite, recorders have, analog digital, coax connectors
