The Choices
Deciding on a Set Top Digital Video Recorder can be a daunting task. There are basically three choices when purchasing a Set Top Digital Video Recorder. A DVR that is a stand-alone box with an internal hard drive and some type of Electronic Programming Guide for recording TV. The best example of this is the TiVo Digital Video Recorder. Another option is a DVD Recorder with a built-in hard drive. With this type of Recorder, TV shows can be recorded to the Hard Drive or directly to a DVD disc. Also with a DVD/Hard Drive unit, TV shows can be recorded to the hard drive and then to DVD for permanent storage. Some examples of this type of Recorder are: The Humax DVD Recorder with Built-in TiVo or The Panasonic DMR-EH50S DVD Recorder with Built-in 100GB Hard Drive and TV Guide On-Screen. The final option for a Set Top DVR is a DVD Recorder/Hard Drive/VCR combination machine. This product combines the features of a DVD Recorder/Hard Drive Recorder with the familiar VHS VCR. A good example of this is the JVC DR-MX1S Hard Drive/DVD/VHS Recorder Deck.
How to Choose
Choosing the machine that is right for you is a tough decision. You need to decide what options you want and how much you're willing to spend. A basic TiVo DVR can be had for a very inexpensive price, but you don't get the ability to back up to DVD or VHS tape. A DVD Recorder with a built-in Hard Drive gives you the flexibility to record to the hard drive or DVD, but can get expensive. The DVD/Hard Drive/VHS Combo unit is attractive because of its versitility in recording to DVD, VHS tape or the hard drive, but is typically very expensive. The final factors in deciding depend on what you want to do with your DVR. If you are only interested in recording TV shows, watching them and then deleting them, then a TiVo or ReplayTV would be fine. For those who want to record TV and then save the shows, then choose a DVD Recorder/Hard Drive unit. If you have old VHS tapes that you want to save to DVD and you want to be able to record TV shows and save those as well, then you might want to check out the VCR/DVD/Hard Drive Combo unit.
More Digital Video Recording Quick Tips
Deciding on a Set Top Digital Video Recorder can be a daunting task. There are basically three choices when purchasing a Set Top Digital Video Recorder. A DVR that is a stand-alone box with an internal hard drive and some type of Electronic Programming Guide for recording TV. The best example of this is the TiVo Digital Video Recorder. Another option is a DVD Recorder with a built-in hard drive. With this type of Recorder, TV shows can be recorded to the Hard Drive or directly to a DVD disc. Also with a DVD/Hard Drive unit, TV shows can be recorded to the hard drive and then to DVD for permanent storage. Some examples of this type of Recorder are: The Humax DVD Recorder with Built-in TiVo or The Panasonic DMR-EH50S DVD Recorder with Built-in 100GB Hard Drive and TV Guide On-Screen. The final option for a Set Top DVR is a DVD Recorder/Hard Drive/VCR combination machine. This product combines the features of a DVD Recorder/Hard Drive Recorder with the familiar VHS VCR. A good example of this is the JVC DR-MX1S Hard Drive/DVD/VHS Recorder Deck.
How to Choose
Choosing the machine that is right for you is a tough decision. You need to decide what options you want and how much you're willing to spend. A basic TiVo DVR can be had for a very inexpensive price, but you don't get the ability to back up to DVD or VHS tape. A DVD Recorder with a built-in Hard Drive gives you the flexibility to record to the hard drive or DVD, but can get expensive. The DVD/Hard Drive/VHS Combo unit is attractive because of its versitility in recording to DVD, VHS tape or the hard drive, but is typically very expensive. The final factors in deciding depend on what you want to do with your DVR. If you are only interested in recording TV shows, watching them and then deleting them, then a TiVo or ReplayTV would be fine. For those who want to record TV and then save the shows, then choose a DVD Recorder/Hard Drive unit. If you have old VHS tapes that you want to save to DVD and you want to be able to record TV shows and save those as well, then you might want to check out the VCR/DVD/Hard Drive Combo unit.