DVD recorders: How to buy the best DVD recorder DVD or PVR – the pros and cons

To decide easily between a DVD recorder or PVR, our table compares typical recording times, ease of use and how versatile recording is. 

We also look at how easy it is to share recordings and whether machines can take analogue signals.

Comparing PVRs and DVD
	DVD recorders	PVRs
Typical Recording Time	Standalone recorders can only fit two hours of good quality recordings on a disk. Combi models with hard disks have capacities similar to PVRs.	Have large hard disks that can typically stores 100 – 200 hours of programming.
Ease of use	Generally harder to use. Best Buys typically rate but many score lower.	Generally easy to use. Best Buys are usually rated for ease of use.
Versatile recording	Only have one digital tuner so can only record one programme at a time.	Twin-tuner PVRs can record two programmes simultaneously and let you watch a recorded programme at the same time.
Archiving and sharing	Are suitable for archiving programmes you want to keep and discs can be lent to family and friends if you want to share recordings.	Aren’t suitable for long-term archiving – you’ll need to transfer recordings to a VCR or DVD recorder to do this or share recordings.
Analogue TV reception	Many have both analogue and digital tuners so are suitable for those that can’t yet receive digital TV.	Only have digital tuners so are not suitable for those that cannot receive digital TV.