Specifications

Choosing a DVD Recorder
DVD PLAYERS & RECORDERS
INTRO TO DVD
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DVD Formats
The major DVD formats are DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW and
DVD-RAM. DVD-R/RW is backed by Pioneer and supported on the
computer side by Apple; DVD-RAM is backed by Panasonic with support
by Toshiba; DVD+R/RW is backed by Sony and Philips, with support from
Hewlett-Packard.
DVD-R and DVD+R are write-once formats, while DVD-RW, DVD-RAM are
reWritable i.e. you can record more than once onto the same disc.
DVD-RW and DVD+RW discs can be erased and re-recorded about 1,000
times, while DVD-RAM discs can be re-recorded up to 100,000 times! The
+ and - varieties are not compatible, however, there is no difference
between + and - in terms of quality, although for some reason, - discs
tend to be cheaper. DVD+R/+RW recordings are always DVD-Video com-
patible . With a DVD+RW video recorder, you don't have to worry about
the various recording modes and options. All discs that are produced by
the DVD+RW video recorder, both DVD+R and DVD+RW, regardless of
their playing time or picture quality setting, are written in a compatible
mode and therefore can be played in the vast majority of standard
DVD-Video players.
DVD-R is the format that's most compatible with current players and
drives. DVD-RAM is the least compatible — it will only play on DVD
players specifically designed to handle it. However, DVD-RAM does offer
some unique capabilities; the discs are double-sided and therefore have
a greater capacity. They also allow 'time-shifting', watching the beginning
of a recording while still recording the end, pausing live TV etc.
DVD recorder machines have come a long way in
the past year or so. The prices on these stand alone
units have dropped from around $800 to 200 -
$300. There are many different brand names
available (JVC, Panasonic, Pioneer, Sony and
Toshiba) for a DVD recorder-and most of them are
going to be an excellent choice. Finding the right
DVD recorder for you isn't as hard as you might think. Although the choice is bewildering (and becoming
more so each day)
you'll find it hard to buy a bad machine - and if you look around you'll find a great machine at a cheap price. Record TV
shows and home movies and then watch them on a DVD player, or on your computer's DVD-ROM drive. Like a VCR, a
DVD recorder has a built-in TV tuner, and a clock/timer for unattended recording.
Advantages of Recording to Disc
◆ The advantages of recording video to DVD versus tape is the same as recording music to CD instead of cassette. You don't have to fast-forward or
rewind to find an unused section of tape, or worry about unintentionally recording over another segment. The DVD recorder keeps track of the size
and location of any available space on the disc. To start recording, you simply push the Record button. Arranging and editing video segments with
a DVD recorder is as easy as creating a mix CD on a CD recorder.
◆ DVD discs are a much more durable and robust medium than magnetic tapes. This makes them ideal for archiving programs recorded on tape, or
for transferring precious camcorder footage. Disc-based recording eliminates worries about old or worn tapes getting stuck in your VCR or
degrading over time. And although the technology in DVD recorders is very advanced, they actually have fewer moving parts than a VCR, for
better long-term reliability.
◆ DVD recorders provide anywhere from one to six hours of recording time on a regular 4.7GB single-sided blank DVD. There are differences depending
on which recordable DVD format you use, but you can generally expect to record 1-2 hours of studio-quality video, or up to 6 hours at VHS quality.
The highest-quality mode yields recordings with picture and sound quality that are virtually indistinguishable from the original.
HDD Recorders
DVD HDD recorders offer flexibility and convenience: they allow you
to record directly onto a high-capacity hard drive disk—perfect as a
temporary storage and the ability to record to DVD disc, ideal for
more permanent storage. The greater the size of the hard disc, the
more TV you can record, so go for the biggest you can afford. It's
bound to fill up quicker than you think.
The hard drive is normally accompanied by DVD-RAM, or DVD-R
compatible recording capability. In addition to more flexibility in
storing the programs, there is also greater flexibility in viewing the
shows with most of these recorders. For example, you can watch a
recorded program and simultaneously record a new program into
the disc. Also, you can stop live picture and the recorder keeps on
recording, and you can resume to watch the program as you please.
DVD hard disc drive recorders work much like the computer drives
used in personal computers. The amount you can store in the hard
drive unit of broadcast programming depends on how big the storage
space is and what type of recording mode you use. For example, an
80 GB had disc drive in select Toshiba models gives you up to 75
hours of recording time on a LP mode. The quality of the recording is
deteriorated somewhat from the original in this mode, however.
Most DVD hard drive recorders also have smart recording unit, which
will record, if the DVD disc hasn't got enough space, the remainder of
the program onto the hard drive.