DVD recorders: Features explained
Combination models
DVD recorder/PVR/VCR combi
Combination units fuse a DVD recorder with 2 or more other products – most commonly a HDD or hard drive or occasionally a VCR.
Combination models might have less cabling but are harder to use and the VCR sections can be poor quality.
PVR section of DVD/PVR combos are generally not as versatile as stand-alone PVRs - they usually only have one tuner - so can record one channel watch another, and they sometimes lack the full pause live-TV feature.
Another drawback is that if you want to upgrade or replace just one bit you can't - you're stuck with the whole machine.
DVD recorder/HDD
Many DVD recorders come combined with a hard disk drive (HDD), offering more recording space and flexibility. HDD can store recordings that are as good as broadcast TV.
DVD recorder/PVR
This is a combination product in itself – with a hard-disk, digital tuner and in-screen electronic programme guide in one. Recording is easy thanks to the on-screen electronic programme guide (EPG). Simply highlight the programme of choice and hit record.
DVD recorder/PVR/VHS
Works in the same way as the DVD recorder/PVR but has a VCR built in as well.
Digital tuner built in
If you live in the Freeview reception area and receive your digital TV this way then make sure you buy a DVD recorder with a built-in Freeview tuner so you can record one digital channel while you watch another. Programming using the Freeview EPG is also much simpler.
There are many DVD formats and some machines can play all
Recording
DVD disc compatibility
Not all DVD discs are the same. There are a bewildering number of different recording formats – DVD-R, DVD+R, DVD-RW, DVD+RW and DVD Ram – each with slightly different features and capabilities. See 'Disc formats'.
All DVD players and recorders will play pre-recorded DVDs - those you rent or buy. Any DVD player or recorder can also play standard CDs.
Some machines can also play newer types of audio disc like DVD-Audio and SA-CD, which claim to offer better sound quality.
Flexible Recording
This impressive feature makes sure the programme you record fits onto the disc. The recorder matches the length of the programme to the amount of space left on the disc by adjusting recording speeds.
Time v quality
When recording to DVD discs, you can trade picture quality for recording time. Typically, you get only 1 hour of recording per disc in best-quality mode. Doubling this to 2 hours still gives excellent picture quality – far superior to a VCR.
If you want to make a disc last for 3 hours, picture quality will suffer but will still be better than a VCR.
The Electronic Programme Guide helps you plan your TV week
Useful features
EPG
The on-screen electronic programme guide provides programme and schedule information for the week ahead.
You can access the Freeview EPG via a digital tuner.
Video Plus
Video plus is a hassle free way of recording non-digital channels without having to set the timer. Simply type the number you find in TV guides such as Radio Times.
Resume
The ‘resume’ feature remembers where you finished watching a disc if you leave it in the machine. It’ll then start from that point when you begin to play it again – handy if you went to bed in the middle of a film one night and want to start watching it again the next day, for example.
Bookmarking
The player/recorder stores bookmarks of your favourite scenes so you can easily access them again.
Most models forget these when you remove the disc from the machine, though more sophisticated DVD players let you bookmark several discs, and will 'remember' your bookmarks even when the disc is removed.
Connections
A DVD recorder is relatively easy to hook-up. To use a DVD player or recorder, you need a TV with a Scart input, and a Scart lead to connect the two. Not all of the machines we tested came supplied with a Scart lead.
An HDMI digital audio and video output connects to an HD ready TV. It doesn’t produce true HD pictures, it simply up-scales its standard quality picture to display on the screen.
Occasionally we’ve found picture quality is better than when using the standard Scart connection – but a lot depends on your make of TV. With some models picture quality actually deteriorates.
For advice and tips on connecting your DVD Recorder to your television or digital receiver, see our online connections wizard.
Playback
Stills and sound files
Most DVD players and recorders will also play discs containing you digital photo images (Jpegs) or MP3 sound files stored on CD.
Freeview
If you live in the Freeview reception area and receive your digital TV this way then make sure you buy a DVD recorder with a built-in Freeview tuner so you can record one digital channel while you watch another. Programming using the Freeview EPG is also much simpler.
In 2008 will add the ability to set the recorder when you see a trailer for a programme you like. If, for example, the BBC shows a trailer for the next episode of Spooks you can hit a button on your remote control to tell the PVR you want it to record it. No need to delve into the EPG to find it.
The freeviewplay website back carries details of new models launched that conform with this new standard.
HD up-scaling
Some DVD recorders and players can produce a pseudo-high definition picture if you connect them to an HD-ready TV. Those that can do this have a high-definition HDMI socket on the back that you need to connect to the HDMI input of the TV.
From what we’ve seen to date this can result in an improved picture but results are variable and it depends on what TV you are connecting to. At present this feature seems of limited value.