DVD recorder suggestions?

[katiemack]

We are thinking of buying a DVD recorder...any advice or suggestions on brand, model or what NOT to buy would be welcome. Thanks.

[PigsDad]

At this point, DVD recorders are so mainstream that I don't think the brand really matters that much. They are basically throw-away now if they break, so just go with the least expensive model that will work for you, IMO.

Kurt

[philsfan]

Are you talking about recording TV shows on to a hard drive or DVD disk directly (a DVR)? If so, we have a Philips that uses TVGuide online to make it easy to schedule the shows you want to record. The problem with that is that our last two cable companies haven't had TVGuide online so we had to manually key in stuff just like it we did on the old VCR's instead of just pulling up the schedule and picking the show.

If you're talking about a burner for your PC, I agree with Kurt.

[funtime2]

Have you thought about checking the Buyer's Guide Magazine for suggestions?

[katiemack]

Originally Posted by philsfan

Are you talking about recording TV shows on to a hard drive or DVD disk directly (a DVR)? If so, we have a Philips that uses TVGuide online to make it easy to schedule the shows you want to record. The problem with that is that our last two cable companies haven't had TVGuide online so we had to manually key in stuff just like it we did on the old VCR's instead of just pulling up the schedule and picking the show.

If you're talking about a burner for your PC, I agree with Kurt.

We are talking a TV hookup, not PC. Thanks for the recommendation of Phillips, is there a model number?

Originally Posted by funtime;

Have you thought about checking the Buyer's Guide Magazine for suggestions?

Is there a link to Buyers Guide? We usually get so many great recommendations from members on the board that it never occurred to me to check another source...but I will check it out.

[missiletoe]

I just did some research on this and decided on the Philips DVDR3576H-37. I just ordered it from Sams Club online so I don't have it yet to give it a more thorough review. It was less than $300 at Sams, and about the same price at Amazon. The DVDR3575H-37 is the same recorder with a different color case and a different user interface menu. There is a great write up on this recorder in the AVSForums at Philips DVDR3575H/37 and DVDR3576H/37 Features, Setup and Operation - AVS Forum.

[katiemack]

missiletoe, Thanks for the link and info....let me know how you enjoy the new recorder!

[philsfan]

Originally Posted by katiemack

We are talking a TV hookup, not PC. Thanks for the recommendation of Phillips, is there a model number?

What I meant was make sure whatever you buy has the ease of use you are looking for. If your tv provider doesn't carry what the DVR uses to make programming it a point and click type experience you may get tired of it. We did. We now rent a DVR from Cox cable for our main living area so that we can just bring up the show we want to record on the guide and click on record with the remote.

Our Phillips is an HDRW720. We haven't had any problems with it. We still use it when Mary has three shows that are on at the same time that she just HAS to see. The Cox DVR can only do two at a time.

If there were three shows a year I wanted to record, I would be happy.

[Marti]

We have a Samsung DVD-R130
Stereo Sound - Remote Control

We mainly use it to play photo
CDs & DVDs that I have made

[katiemack]

Originally Posted by philsfan

Our Phillips is an HDRW720. We haven't had any problems with it. We still use it when Mary has three shows that are on at the same time that she just HAS to see. The Cox DVR can only do two at a time.

If there were three shows a year I wanted to record, I would be happy.

ROTFLMAO! This is just so true....but the occasional old time flick on during the wee hours, and Craig Ferguson's Late Late show have us wanting the recorder. But don't we know, there is a dearth of anything interesting on the Tube!