About to buy... a DVD recorder

**Si Hunt** · 18th Jun 2007, 10:40 AM

I know I've asked this question before, but we're really, definately about to get one this time! (probably!) so I wondered if you all had any recommendations (or anti-recommendations).

We're almost settled on a Philips DVDR3440H model, which (to be frank) I wasn't keen on from first appearances, but seems to do everything: 80Gb hard disk, compatible with all the formats, two SCART sockets (and free lead, I think), within our price range (about 180). There's no freeview, but it seems rare to get a decent hard disk recorder with freeview and we're not that fussed anyway.

The reviews arn't perfect (bad remote and slow start up time being mentioned) but I'm struggling to find any of them that have faultless reviews. Our other choice is a slightly more expensive Sony with more hard disk space, but then the reviews say that has a massive complex manual, so it's horses for courses really.

If anyone has any advice AGAINST this product, opinions on it, or better recomendations, then please share!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/PHILIPS-Hard...2159414&sr=8-1

**Rob McCow** · 18th Jun 2007, 10:55 AM

Of course what you really want is to not buy a stinker...

My 2 recommendations would be to pop into a newsagents and have a look at What Hi-Fi magazine (or whatever) and to also have a look in Richer Sounds. Find a store near you and go and buy one, rather than ordering it off the net. Definetly check Richer Sounds' website for price comparison.

Just try to reisist the sales patter of getting an extra SCART cable while you're there.

**Si Hunt** · 18th Jun 2007, 12:12 PM

Most of them don't come with a SCART cable at all, so we'll probably have to get one!

Si.

**Lord President** · 18th Jun 2007, 1:25 PM

I originally bought a Liteon DVD Recorder, but after I had to take it back 4 times for breaking down, I replaced it for a Phillips one and I've had no problems at all since!

**Si Hunt** · 18th Jun 2007, 2:04 PM

Out of interest, which model did you go for? What's it like specifically?

Si.

Wayne · 18th Jun 2007, 2:24 PM

Mine's a JVC. I picked it up cheap-ish from Comet in last year's January sales. I've never had any trouble with it up to yet.

**Rob McCow** · 18th Jun 2007, 2:30 PM

Never, ever by anything from Liteon! Or LG! They may be cheap, but they fall apart like a clown's car.

**Darren** · 18th Jun 2007, 2:36 PM

Mine's a Panasonic EH50 which I got for 200 instead of 350. It is now superseeded, but has never given me problems. The Panasonic's are quite highly rated as are Pioneer.

You can go here and click the Reviews tab for comprehensive information and advice.

Wayne · 18th Jun 2007, 2:36 PM

Originally Posted by Rob McCow

Never, ever by anything from Liteon! Or LG! They may be cheap, but they fall apart like a clown's car.

My DVD Writer is Liteon! I've never had any trouble with that either.

And it's done lots of work!

**Rob McCow** · 18th Jun 2007, 2:51 PM

I got confused, LiteOn is probably OK. LG certainly isn't!

Pip Madeley · 18th Jun 2007, 4:46 PM

My DVD writer is LG, I've had it for over a year now and like Wayne's, it's done lots of work... and my widescreen monitor is also LG, and that's been working a treat.

**Matthew T** · 18th Jun 2007, 5:08 PM

My DVD recorder is a Liteon and it's given me NOTHING but trouble.

**davethesailor** · 18th Jun 2007, 8:51 PM

I don't own a DVD Recorder.

Just a quick question Si, you mentioned that it comes with 80gb of hard drive. In what way will that be used. Can you record straight off the telly onto the hard drive?

WhiteCrow · 18th Jun 2007, 9:39 PM

I got a Phillips DVD recorder last year and have found it to be a bit "wierd", a bit like a computer it's got some wierd behaviour at times - dunno if it's the machine or I've just not figured how to program it.

**SiHart** · 18th Jun 2007, 10:30 PM

We have a Panasonic, which is fairly reliable and easy to use, but it doesn't have a hard drive, so I can't help with one of those.

Si xx

**Darren** · 18th Jun 2007, 10:36 PM

Buying a recorder with a hard drive would give more editing options, and a recorder which accepts RAM disc's would also.

**Si Hunt** · 18th Jun 2007, 11:02 PM

Just a quick question Si, you mentioned that it comes with 80gb of hard drive. In what way will that be used. Can you record straight off the telly onto the hard drive?

Yes, I believe it's like an "intermediate" space for storing video, so you can edit it and play around with it before writing it to disc?

Thanks for all your help, though it seems for every person with a bad experience of brand X, there's someone else who's had no problems with it.

Si.

Pip Madeley · 19th Jun 2007, 12:33 AM

Originally Posted by Si Hunt

Yes, I believe it's like an "intermediate" space for storing video, so you can edit it and play around with it before writing it to disc?

Correctamundo. Just like you would with a computer hard drive (but obviously with less freedom)

Thanks for all your help, though it seems for every person with a bad experience of brand X, there's someone else who's had no problems with it.

It's the same with everything, really. But I think you're in good hands with that one there Si, it does both - and + discs, you've got two SCARTs, it's got a good sized hard drive, and Philips is a good name. I agree with Mr McCow though, you might be better getting it from a proper retailer rather than an Amazon Marketplace seller, as if it went wrong you'd be up poo creek sans paddle. Although I bought mine from an online store, it had a three year guarantee - guarantees are always worth it for peace of mind.

**Si Hunt** · 20th Jun 2007, 9:24 AM

Can you edit the stuff you upload to the hard disk before you arrange it on a disc, e.g to tidy up the file, get rid of adverts etc? If so, what's the software like?

Si.

Pip Madeley · 20th Jun 2007, 10:58 AM

Originally Posted by Si Hunt

Can you edit the stuff you upload to the hard disk before you arrange it on a disc, e.g to tidy up the file, get rid of adverts etc? If so, what's the software like?

Si.

Well, if you're doing it with a PC, you'd just upload the raw video and edit away frame by frame, add fades to black etc etc to your heart's content, and then add completely custom menus to your DVD (I make mine via Photoshop, you've seen them in past DVDs). But it's rather laborious to do & you need to learn the software - much easier with a DVD-HDD recorder, you can also edit out adverts frame by frame via your remote control, then burn the programmes to a disc, although with their normal menus (you usually get a choice of colour schemes though).

The bonus with a DVD-HDD recorder of course is that, taking Who as an example, I start recording at the end of the People's Quiz, and leave it till Confidential is finished. Then I can cut out the unimportant stuff, but keep things like continuity/trailers for the show. Cause I like those things.

Gone are the days of trying to be quick with your VCR pause button, to get a perfect join, you can just sort it all out in your own time afterwards.

**Si Hunt** · 20th Jun 2007, 11:02 AM

Is DVD-HDD simply a DVD recorder with a Hard Drive? I get confused between this and HD format.

Si.

Pip Madeley · 20th Jun 2007, 11:04 AM

Yes, it's got nothing to do with High Definition - HDD stands for Hard Disc Drive.

**Antony Cox** · 20th Jun 2007, 1:29 PM

We've recently updated from a standrad Sony DVD Recorder to a HDD Recorder, and it's fab! It's also got a built-in Freeview Tuner so it amazingly easy to use!

I'd highly recommend it!

**Milky Tears** · 20th Jun 2007, 1:38 PM

I've never had any problems with my Sony DVD recorder (160GB Hard Drive with Freeview).

I'm turning into Steve Roberts!

**Si Hunt** · 21st Jun 2007, 5:46 PM

What does this mean:

DVD-RAM Playback: No

DVD-RAM Recording: No

Is it bad? We haven't purchased yet.

Si.

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