Detailed Look at Set Top DVD Recorders

Set Top DVD Recorders are now readily available and offer similar recording features to your old VHS VCR. Instead of recording to a tape, they all record to one of three recordable DVD formats. Either DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW and DVD-RAM. Read on for more about DVD Recorders.

DVD Formats Explained

R is a write-once format and RW is a re-writable format. In other words, an R disc can only be recorded once, RW discs can be re-used over and over. DVD-RAM discs will only play on DVD recorders that use these discs and some computer drives. DVD-R and DVD+R are most compatible with standard DVD players.

DVD-RW and DVD+RW are slightly less compatible, but will still play on most DVD players. When selecting media to use with your recorder just make sure you buy the disc that the recorder uses. Some high end Recorders will record and play both +R and -R. In that case your choice of media isn't as important.

Timer Recording

Like a VCR, a DVD Recorder has a TV tuner and a timer, for programming shows to record. Most include an Electronic Program Guide (EPG), which can be as simple as a VCR+ Plus system or as advanced as TiVo Service.

Recording Modes

DVD recorders offer several recording modes, allowing you to record in the highest quality or a lesser quality. Typical record times are 1, 2, 4, and 6 hour modes. 1 being the highest quality, 6 being the lowest. In 6 hour mode, you get a deteriorated quality, not suitable for saving TV shows or home videos. Most people find the two hour mode gives the best picture while still giving you a good amount of recording time.

Types of DVD Recorders

Set Top DVD Recorders come in three different varieties: Recorders that record to DVD disc only, Recorders that record to DVD disc and a hard drive (DVD/HDD Recorders), and DVD/VHS Recorder "Combos". Single Disc Recorders are just that, they record onto a single recordable DVD and playback DVDs. DVD/HDD Recorders can record either to the hard drive or to disc. DVD/VHS units record to DVD or VHS Tape.

Disc Only Recorders

Disc only recorders are the least expensive and do not offer long record times. These machines are most useful when connected to an analog source (VCR or camcorder) in order to transfer old tapes to DVD. If you record TV shows, you can use a DVD RW disc to copy over a program you've already watched. These machines don't give you the flexibility of being able to use a hard drive to record on.

DVD/HDD Recorders

With DVD/HDD Recorders, many TV shows can be recorded onto the hard drive, then any you want to save can be quickly transferred to DVD. Hard drive sizes vary from about 40GB to 400GB. The amount you can record depends on the size of the drive and which recording mode you use.

Before transferring from the hard drive to the DVD recorder, most of the DVD/HDD Recorders offer some type of simple editing, usually in the form of creating a playlist from your recordings. The playlist can contain many different programs, or edit out the commercials of your TV shows before saving them to disc.

DVD/VHS Recorders

DVD/VHS Combo units offer the functions of both a DVD Recorder and a VHS VCR. These devices are particularly useful for transferring VHS tapes to DVD, all in one machine.

The choices for Set Top DVD Recorders vary greatly. They offer all the functions of a VCR, while taking advantage of the DVD technology.