| IMO, these sd work 'like a VCR' as far as recording | | | | chances are in a couple years you'll be buying a new |
| and playback. There are models w/ harddrives, VHS | | | | one anyway. Moreover, you'll probably be able to get a |
| players, etc. built in, but to me that's overboard.Bells and | | | | cheap one w/ a built in converter or two trays to |
| WhistlesThe VHS option is not bad, but you most likely | | | | duplicate one to the other.DVD-RAM and DVD-RW |
| already have one you can plug into the inputs of the | | | | are the rewritable types. They're more expensive and |
| DVD recorder.I have a DVD recorder for archiving | | | | for my purposes aren't worth worrying about.My |
| TiVo shows as opposed to accessing my TiVo from | | | | RecommendationI got the Panasonic DMR-E55K:It |
| my PC. This is nice because it means I can also | | | | records to DVD-R like a VCR. I don't use it to record |
| archive VHS tapes, camcorder tapes, etc. w/no extra | | | | live TV so I don't use VCR+, but it has it. Also, it has |
| work.I do have a TV card in my PC so I can do this, | | | | TimeSlip which lets you watch something while it's |
| but using the DVD recorder is easier.My motto is: buy | | | | recording (start recording "24" at 8pm and start |
| what you WILL use and not what you CAN use.I've | | | | watching it from the begining at 8:20 to speed thru |
| bought lots of things that CAN do a lot, but in reality I | | | | commercials like a TiVo). Again, I don't use this, but it |
| don't use all the extra features. Not in all cases, but in | | | | has it.Plain and simple, it records my TiVo, camcorder, |
| this case, I say pass on the bells and whistles.Again, | | | | digital camera (RCA cable output), VCR, etc. to DVD - |
| there are models w/ all types of features, but if you | | | | that's what I want it to do and that's what it does. It's |
| buy one that is a DVR, DVD recorder, VCR, TV tuner | | | | easy, creates a good menu w/ thumbnails and my |
| all in one and one part breaks, it's all broke.Realize | | | | chosen titles, it's a name brand w/ good reviews and |
| Something About TechnologyRemember - this is new | | | | was fairly cheap (there was a rebate at the time).Also, |
| technology and will only get better and cheaper. If you | | | | it plays CDs and mp3 CDs w/ a good interface so not |
| buy the top of the line today, it's going to be out of | | | | only does it replace a CD player, but since you can put |
| date and/or cheap tomorrow. Test the waters w/ a | | | | so many songs on one CD, it replaces a CD |
| 'good' model and upgrade when the time is right.Editing | | | | changer.An interesting trick: If you have a digital |
| Your RecordingsChances are - you won't. It's a pain | | | | camera w/ RCA cable output, you can hook it directly |
| for the most part and usually requires DVD-RAM or | | | | into the dvd recorder and create a quick slide-show |
| DVD-RW discs to do it and they're more expensive. If | | | | dvd. Many cameras even have a slide show function |
| you have a lot of free time for this, you're a rare | | | | built in! You can use the sound from a music channel, |
| person.I was looking for this type of solution in getting | | | | CD, etc.SummaryIf you're going gung-ho into all the |
| ready for having a baby and I knew I wasn't going to | | | | nitty gritty about DVD recorders, you're either just |
| be sifting through and editing hours of video.If you're | | | | starting here or haven't bothered to read this far. If |
| really interested in editing, look in to PC options. | | | | you're looking for a good, relatively cheap solution to |
| Pinnacle, ArcSoft, Adobe, etc. - they have good | | | | digitize your tapes, archive TiVo, etc., I recommend the |
| solutions for that.DVD+R, DVD-R, DVD-RAM, | | | | Panasonic DMR-E55K.Bear Cahill is a software |
| DVD-RWDVD+R and DVD-R are like VHS and Beta: | | | | engineer in the Dallas, TX area and runs a few |
| they're both ok right now, but eventually we'll probably | | | | websites: The Armchair Geek (thearmchairgeek.com), |
| land on one or the other. It seems to be leaning | | | | Webpage Hosting Info (webpagehostinginfo.com), Go |
| towards DVD-R which tend to be less expensive | | | | To College Online (gotocollegeonline.com) and The |
| also.Many recorders and players do both, but cost | | | | Video Exchange Community |
| more. I say save some money, pick one (probably | | | | (videoexchange.org)Publish freely if this resource box |
| DVD-R) and move on. If you pick the wrong one, | | | | is included and links maintained as links. |