DVD Recorders Explored
Thinking of getting a DVD recorder, and looking for some advice? FrequencyCast is an online radio show that discusses digital TV in the UK. We covered DVD recorders in depth in Show 20 of our podcast.
For more on digital TV, take a listen to our online show, or read through this page for some extra notes on buying and using a DVD recorder.
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Listen to show 20, covering DVD Recorders:
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Why you need a DVD Recorder
- No more VHS: The traditional VHS Video Cassette Recorder is a thing of the past - it's getting increasingly difficult to buy a new VCR, as most folk are now using DVD.
- Better quality: DVD offers much higher quality playback and recording than good old analogue videotape recorders.
- Archive: If you have a large collection of old VHS recordings on video tape - you might find that your tapes are degrading - magnetic tape goes 'funny' after years of storage, and mechanically, there's a lot that can go wrong with video cassettes. Dub those old recordings to DVD while you can. More on archiving.
- Share with friends: The V of DVD stands for Versatile - and DVDs are just that. You can store video, mp3, JPEG photos and computer data on a blank DVD, and share with your friends - much more flexible and shareable.
Getting a DVD Recorder
If you're interested in recording video onto DVD, there are two types of recorder:
- Seperate: A stand-alone DVD recorder that hooks up to your telly, video and set-top box (pictured above)
- Computer: A computer DVD recorder that you can either install into your PC's case, or connect to you PC externally
For the purposes of this article, we're going to concentrate on the stand-alone DVD Recorder that you may connect to your main telly.
Sony RDRGXD360 DVD Recorder from Currys and Comet
What to look for in a DVD Recorder:
When buying a DVD recorder, here are the three top things to consider:
1. Digital vs Analogue
As you may have heard, the UK is set to "go digital" by 2012 - but how does this affect you if you want to buy a DVD recorder?
After your TV region has gone digital, you'll either be getting your live TV digitally, using one of the following services: via a TV aerial using Freeview, via a satellite dish (e.g. Sky), via cable (e.g. Virgin Media), or over the Internet
At the moment, there are two types of DVD recorder - those with an analogue receiver, and, more recently, those with a digital receiver, and you need to decide which one to go for. A DVD recorder can record TV programmes in one of three ways:
Analogue TV via a TV aerial: The 5 main TV channels using a standard aerial lead. This is the service that's going to be switched off in the UK by 2012. DVD recorders with an analogue receiver receive Analogue TV.
- Digital TV via a TV aerial: You may know this better as "Freeview", and is received with a standard TV aerial. You need to be in a Freeview reception area to get Freeview (help), and have an aerial lead connected to your DVD recorder. DVD recorders with a digital receiver receive Digital TV.
Via a set-top box: As well as TV aerial inputs, DVD recorders can also record from other equipment, such as a set-top box or an old video recorder. Connection is made using a SCART lead. If you have Sky Digital, Virgin Media Cable, BT Vision or Top Up TV, you'll have a set-top box (also known as a digibox). You connect the output of your digibox to a DVD recorder using a SCART lead, then record from the digibox onto DVD via the SCART input, and not the TV aerial input. (help). DVD recorders with either an analogue or a digital receiver can connect to a set-top box.
... So, your choice comes down to getting a DVD recorder with an analogue or a digital receiver - two choices, as we explain below:
Choice 1: A DVD Recorder with an analogue receiver: This will be able to record analogue TV (the main 5 channels) via a TV aerial UNTIL your TV region "goes digital" (somewhere between 2008 and 2012 - see timetable). It can also record from an old video recorder connected by SCART, as well as a digital set-top box (e.g. a Freeview set-top box, a Sky Digital Box, a Virgin Media box or a BT Vision v-box) - Connections via SCART are not affected by the Digital Switchover. Warning: After the switchover, these will only be able to record TV from the output of a Digital TV receiver, so think carefully!
Choice 2: A DVD Recorder with a digital receiver: Freeview offers Digital TV via a TV aerial. At the start of 2008, around 75% of the UK is in range of a Freeview transmitter, and this will increase as we get closer to 2012. If you're in a Freeview coverage area and can get Freeview, then go for a DVD recorder with a digital TV receiver built-in. Look for the logo on the right. This will be able to record the Freeview channels (including the main 5 channels) via a TV aerial. It can also record from an old video recorder connected by SCART, as well as a digital set-top box (e.g. a Freeview set-top box, a Sky Digital Box, a Virgin Media box or a BT Vision v-box). We say: Will work with all digital TV services, and will be able to record TV via an aerial now (if in Freeview coverage) and after the Switchover.
2. Hard disk recorder
DVR stands for Digital Video Recorder, and is essentially a hard-disk recording system. Services like Sky+, Virgin V+, BT Vision and Top Up TV Anytime already use a PVR, allowing you to record TV onto a hard-disk. You can now get DVRs with built-in DVD Recorders - These are great for allowing you to record lot of shows, and archive your favourites onto DVD if required. They're also DVD players, and many also can record Freeview meaning one box sitting below your telly, instead of three. We featured digital hard disk recorders back in Show 6
3. Choose a format
A little like VHS and Betamax, there are a number of different DVD recording formats, and you need to be aware of which format to choose. See below for more on the different DVD formats.
Recommended DVD Recorders
SONY RDRGXD360
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Freeview receiver, 8 day programme guide. Supports DVD+R , DVD+RW , DVD-R , DVD-RW as well as MP3 and JPG. Last time we checked, this was available for £149.99 from Empire Direct. It's also available from Martin Dawes, Currys and Comet for £199. |
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DVD with Freeview receiver. 160 Gig drive. Hi-Def upscaler via HDMI socket. Available for around £250 from Comet and Currys |
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DVD with Freeview receiver. 160 Gig drive. Hi-Def upscaler via HDMI socket. Supports
DVD, DVD-RAM, DVD-R/RW, DVD+R/RW, CD, CD-R/RW, VCD, SVCD, JPEG, MP3, for £230 Available from Currys and Comet for £290. |
Take a look at Dixons, Comet, Argos and 24-7 Electrical for DVD Recorders.
DVD formats
Life is never easy, and to confuse everyone, there are a number of different DVD formats, as follows:| DVD format | Detail |
| DVD -R | These two formats are "write-once". Once you have recorded onto them, you can't add to, or erase, the contents. These play back in most DVD players |
| DVD +R | |
| DVD +RW | These two formats are re-recordable. You can re-record onto them up to 1000 times. |
| DVD -RW | |
| DVD RAM | Less common than the other formats. It's often used for data as it behaves like a hard-disk, but is also supported by some DVD recorders, and is quite versatile. Recordings on a DVD RAM disc are unlikely to play back in many DVD players |
| HD-DVD | The two competing High-definition formats. At the time of writing, no stand-alone domestic recorders exist - but you can burn to these forms from some PC DVD writers |
| Blu-Ray |
Commonly, blank DVDs have a capacity of 4.7Gig, equivalent to 2 hours of standard definition video. Our format of choice for compatibility, re-recordability and availability is the DVD+RW format - but if in doubt, look for a DVD recorder that can cope with multiple recording formats.
Blank disks cost around 90p each - but are a lot cheaper if you buy them without cases - you can buy 100 in bulk for less than 20p a disk.
Your DVD Recorder questions
| Recording from a digibox | If you want to record onto DVD from a Sky, Virgin or Freeview digibox, you'll need to connect the output of your digibox into one of the Line Input sockets on your DVD recorder. You'll typically do this using a SCART lead. Here's a quick guide on how to do this:
We've been asked if you need to look for an analogue or digital DVD recorder for recording from a Sky box - easy answer... it doesn't matter, as connecting via SCART doesn't make use of the DVD recorder's TV tuner. Given that the Digital Switch is approaching, it might be worth future-proofing, and going digital. |
| Archiving to DVD | For information on archiving your old video cassette tapes to DVD, see our Archiving your Recordings page, or take a listen to Show 21. |
| Digital Switchover | The FrequencyCast podcast team are sure that you've heard about the upcoming Digital Switchover - the UK is sent to turn off analogue telly by 2012. So how does this affect you if you're looking to buy a DVD recorder? Well, if you have Virgin Media Cable TV, Sky or BT Vision, then these TV services are already digital - and all you need to do is connect your set-top box to your DVD recorder using a SCART lead. You don't need to use the DVD's TV tuner, as you record via the DVD recorder's Line-in.
For more on the Digital Switchover, see www.switchhelp.co.uk, or listen to our Audio Guide to the Switch |
| DVD +R and DVD-D | A question from listener Neil Fulcher: "Listened to your report on DVD recorders with interest (Show 20). There is clearly a difference between DVD-R, and DVD+R. What is it, and is it worth worrying about?" DVD-R was developed as a DVD format by Pioneer, and DVD+R by an alliance that included Philips and Sony. DVD-R got their first. Whilst there is a technical difference, from a practical level, there's not a lot to worry about - Both formats can be played by around 90% of DVD players, you just need to make sure you buy the right discs for your recorder. For example, if your recorder can only burn DVD-R discs, don't buy a box of blank DVD+D discs. More more on this subject, try this article. |
On the DVD recorder remote control, you'll need to select the Line In / Ext / AV channel into which you've connected the SCART lead from the Sky box.
Got a question on DVD Recorders that we can answer in our next podcast?
Call 0208 133 4567 or send us a message
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