DVD?DVR?Blu-ray

[Pauly]

I would like to ask for some advice about Blu-ray and related issues. Note that I am very much a beginner in these matters though I am an experienced computer user.

I recently purchased a Samsung LN46B650 TV. I wish to be able to record and play back TV programs. I would also like to have Blu-ray capabilities though not necessarily immediately for the latter. I gather that it is possible to get one device that would do all of these things though the choices seem rather limited. My inclination would be to get the DVD/DVR capability immediately and later get a Blu-ray device. But if getting all of these in a single device makes sense, I would be willing to do this.

What would y'all advise?

If it is appropriate to ask on this forum, I would also be happy to hear recomendations of specific devices or companies.

[admin]

You're right in that there doesn't seem to be much choice, and even less choice depending on which country you're in. I can't actually think of one off the top of my head, and a quick net search didn't bring up any results.

I think the best bet would be to have two separate devices for now, or wait until HD/Blu-ray recorders are available at a good price (don't hold your breath on that one - the copyright problems are still far from resolved).

Start with a DVD recorder with built in HDD for recording SD programs (or HD programs downscaled to SD). You can buy a Blu-ray player at the same time if you wish - the DVD recorder (with HDD) will probably cost more than the Blu-ray player.

Then at some stage in the future, there will be Blu-ray recorders with HDD to record SD/HD programs (there are already a few HD PVR that record to HDD, but not to disc).

As a general tip for buying a DVD recorder (although this may not apply for the US, since I'm located in Australia), get one with a HDD, because the majority of shows you record won't be something you want to keep on disc. Also look for features such as HDMI output (most of them should have it), digital tuner, and good DVD upscaling. A quick search on Amazon reveals not too many options in this area, may be due to the popularity of TiVo in the US since I've seen a few manufacturers pull out of this market altogether (eg. Pioneer). Here's one that seem to fit the bill:

http://www.consumer.philips.com/consumer/en/us/consumer/cc/_productid_DVDR3576H_37_US_CONSUMER/Hard-disk-DVD-recorder+DVDR3576H-37

[Wombler]

Yeah blu-ray recorders are now available but they cost a fortune at the moment.

http://www.pocket-lint.com/news/news.phtml/23525/panasonic-prices-blu-ray-recorders.phtml

When they get to about a fifth of that I might consider getting one.


Wombler

[gonwk]

Hi Wombler,

Thanks for the LINK! But talk about a "Weird" name for a Techie Site ... "Pocket Lint" ... if I had money I would Register the name "Fuzz Ball" ... that sounds more Fun!

G!

[Pauly]

You're right in that there doesn't seem to be much choice, and even less choice depending on which country you're in. I can't actually think of one off the top of my head, and a quick net search didn't bring up any results.

I think the best bet would be to have two separate devices for now, or wait until HD/Blu-ray recorders are available at a good price (don't hold your breath on that one - the copyright problems are still far from resolved).

Start with a DVD recorder with built in HDD for recording SD programs (or HD programs downscaled to SD). You can buy a Blu-ray player at the same time if you wish - the DVD recorder (with HDD) will probably cost more than the Blu-ray player.

Then at some stage in the future, there will be Blu-ray recorders with HDD to record SD/HD programs (there are already a few HD PVR that record to HDD, but not to disc).

As a general tip for buying a DVD recorder (although this may not apply for the US, since I'm located in Australia), get one with a HDD, because the majority of shows you record won't be something you want to keep on disc. Also look for features such as HDMI output (most of them should have it), digital tuner, and good DVD upscaling. A quick search on Amazon reveals not too many options in this area, may be due to the popularity of TiVo in the US since I've seen a few manufacturers pull out of this market altogether (eg. Pioneer). Here's one that seem to fit the bill:

Thank you very much for the information. It is extremely useful. I would like to ask two quick questions1) Do I understand correctly that with the Philips DVDR3576H referred to here, among its many functions I could play DVD movies: (2)With a TIVO device I could not play DVD movies? Pauly

[admin]

Thank you very much for the information. It is extremely useful. I would like to ask two quick questions1) Do I understand correctly that with the Philips DVDR3576H referred to here, among its many functions I could play DVD movies: (2)With a TIVO device I could not play DVD movies? Pauly

Yes, the Philips DVDR3576H plays DVD movies, and even upscales to 1080p resolution (through HDMI output only). It is also a DVD recorder with a built in hard disk drive, so you can record TV shows to the hard-drive or straight to the DVD disc (or transfer recordings from the hard-drive to a disc). The model I linked to even plays some DivX files.

The official TiVo devices don't have DVD drives I don't think, so no, you won't be able to play (or record to) DVD. But I think there are some third party TiVo devices with DVD recorders (and of course, hard-drives), but availability may be an issue.

[Wombler]

Yes, the Philips DVDR3576H plays DVD movies, and even upscales to 1080p resolution (through HDMI output only). It is also a DVD recorder with a built in hard disk drive, so you can record TV shows to the hard-drive or straight to the DVD disc (or transfer recordings from the hard-drive to a disc). The model I linked to even plays some DivX files.

That's a good combination of features at the moment and until the price of the blu-ray recorders comes down, it's a much more realistic option for most people.


Wombler