Is it Time to Buy a DVD Recorder Yet?

hmen · « **on:** 25 Apr 2004, 05:25 pm »

I'm seriously considering taking the plunge but I don't want to end up with this decade's Beta Max. Any opinions or advice would be appreciated.

JoshK · « **Reply #1 on:** 25 Apr 2004, 05:42 pm »

My advice is whichever you buy, make sure it has a HD in it. I bought a Panny DMR-E80H and I haven't yet used the burner but I use the HD everyday. Its invaluable. I don't watch commercials anymore. I preprogrammed all the shows I like to watch and then watch them a day behind from the HD and then skip commercials. Best thing I have bought in a long time.

hmen · « **Reply #2 on:** 25 Apr 2004, 06:16 pm »

Quote from: JoshK

My advice is whichever you buy, make sure it has a HD in it. I bought a Panny DMR-E80H and I haven't yet used the burner but I use the HD everyday. Its invaluable. I don't watch commercials anymore. I preprogrammed all the shows I like to watch and then watch them a day behind from the HD and then skip commercials. Best thing I have bought in a long time.

What's an HD?

bubba966 · « **Reply #3 on:** 25 Apr 2004, 06:25 pm »

Hard Drive

Tonto Yoder · « **Reply #4 on:** 25 Apr 2004, 07:20 pm »

I just bought a Panasonic DMR-E55 that records on DVD-RAM's as well as DVD-R's: while I'm still getting the hang of it, the DVD-RAM seems to have some of the benefits of a hard drive (I also have the hard drive-based Tivo).
I imagine differences in the two formats will become clearer as I gain more experience. The E55 was $350, while the Panasonic 80H Josh mentioned is $699? (Best Buy had an open box 80H for $399).

PeteG · « **Reply #5 on:** 25 Apr 2004, 07:30 pm »

Try to get a player were you can edit on the HD, it will be very useful.

hmen · « **Reply #6 on:** 26 Apr 2004, 02:26 am »

I found a an open box Panasonic 80H at Circuit City for $450. Thanks to everybody for the advice.

Tonto Yoder · « **Reply #7 on:** 2 May 2004, 02:03 pm »

Quote from: hmen

I found a an open box Panasonic 80H at Circuit City for $450. Thanks to everybody for the advice.

That seems like a pretty good deal--as noted above, the hard drive feature will be very useful. For anyone else looking for open box bargains, make sure you get EVERYTHING essential!! The local Best Buy had some open boxes that seemed like bargains until I found out the remote was missing: the remote is no mere convenience, but an essential programming/setup tool. You'd have to order a remote from the manufacturer, probably cancelling out any savings