I would like to buy a DVD recorder, but I don't know squat about them. It's main use will be to transfer all of our family videos which are currently on VHS over to DVD. However, I suppose it will also be used for recording certain TV shows and maybe even copying movies occasionally. Are there certain functions I need to look for? Will your typical DVD recorder record and play music CD's (CD-R's and CD-RW's)? Is there anything else I should be aware of before I buy one?

Look for a hard disk drive (HDD) which makes recording and copying tapes much easier... no media logistics and OK to take a 2-week vacation! :)

The Philips DVDR3575H/37 would be ideal for your needs... 160GB HDD, NTSC/ATSC/QAM tuners to make you "future-proof," 36 timer programs for recording ALL your favorite shows while gone, plays CDs too, etc.

Click my signature for LOTS more info than you ever thought you needed (actually might help explain some things if you're new to DVD recording?). Check out the "Advantages of a HDD" subject especially.

Look for a hard disk drive (HDD) which makes recording and copying tapes much easier... no media logistics and OK to take a 2-week vacation! :)

The Philips DVDR3575H/37 would be ideal for your needs... 160GB HDD, NTSC/ATSC/QAM tuners to make you "future-proof," 36 timer programs for recording ALL your favorite shows while gone, plays CDs too, etc.

Click my signature for LOTS more info than you ever thought you needed (actually might help explain some things if you're new to DVD recording?). Check out the "Advantages of a HDD" subject especially.

I didn't really want to spend $299 on one, but maybe that's because I keep seeing DVD recorders priced for less $100 all the time. What's the difference between the sub $100 units and the Philips you recommended?

I didn't really want to spend $299 on one, but maybe that's because I keep seeing DVD recorders priced for less $100 all the time. What's the difference between the sub $100 units and the Philips you recommended?
Mostly the HDD, 36 timer programs, HDMI upconverting, and things you might not need.

Probably best to start with one of the under $100 units.

wajo is right. About you only other option would be to go to Canada and buy a Pioneer, or buy an international model Pio in the US. Either would cost more than the Philips.

Also, are there any that have a built-in Hi def receiver? I need one of those too.

Mostly the HDD, 36 timer programs, HDMI upconverting, and things you might not need.

Probably best to start with one of the under $100 units.

Another thing to watch for is the sub $100 units that may not have a tuner. I've just started looking and reading up on SDVRs and have been surprised at the new models with nno tuner. Also be careful and watch out for older models that only have an analog (NTSC) tuner i.e. no digital ATSC

Also, are there any that have a built-in Hi def receiver? I need one of those too.

Currently, no DVDRs, even if they have digital tuners, for ATSC, and QAM, will output a Hi-def signal, or record one to their HDD, if they have one. Perhaps in a couple of years?

I would like to buy a DVD recorder, but I don't know squat about them. It's main use will be to transfer all of our family videos which are currently on VHS over to DVD. However, I suppose it will also be used for recording certain TV shows and maybe even copying movies occasionally. Are there certain functions I need to look for? Will your typical DVD recorder record and play music CD's (CD-R's and CD-RW's)? Is there anything else I should be aware of before I buy one?
One thing I think you would gain by something like the Philips 3575 that you cannot see would be "reliability" There are certainly a lot of cheaper DVDR's out but most have many more issues than the Philips. If you want to save some money on the 3575 there is always the refurbished ones for $200.
Note no current DVDR's record to CD's anymore. Liteon used to be big on that, but I don't believe their still available, or have been for a few years now.

Wow. Kind of some all-over-the-place recommendations here. It's a bit strange no one has recommended anything from other companies like Pioneer, Sony, JVC, Panasonic, etc, unless of course these companies don't make anything that's comparable to the Philips. It just seems when it comes to electronics, all the companies usually have components that are comparable which are meant to compete against one another. That may not be the case here, just thought I'd throw that out there. Where do people buy the referbed Philips units and why are there referbs? Have these units been around for a long time so they just get recycled? Normally these days when a electronic component goes bad you just replace it with a new one. That makes me wonder why the Philips units are getting recycled.

You should probably check out this thread, which has posts listing most all the new DVDRs being released for 2008, with model numbers, etc. so you can search for those. (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=970168)

I still say one of your "under-$100" DVDRs would be best for you just starting out so you can get acquainted with the territory, so to speak. Try a Samsung, Panasonic or Toshiba.

Why won't DVDR's record in HD? Why don't they have built-in HD receivers? Why won't they record in 5.1 or better surround sound? These are not new technologies so I'm guessing either there's some kind of copyright infringement issue with this stuff, or the manufacturers are just dragging their feet.

I think the reason you're getting referred to the Philips 3575 is due to your comments about transferring over videos. Most people who have done this know the benefit of the HDD for this project. Yes it can be done without one, many have done so, including me, it just makes it easier and more professional.
I love Panasonic DVDR's. I own many, the jury is out on my most recent purchase, a EZ-28. Great recording quality but I want to see how long it holds out. I had a bout with many EZ-17's failing prematurely so I wouldn't really suggest those, especially to a newbie.
New Pioneers are only available in Canada(or from a place like WorldImport.com) they will be much more expensive that the Philips, but people do go that route.
JVC makes a combo DVDR/VCR, I really haven't read much about on AVS, just people asking about it. JVC used to make good units but at least in my area they are not very common.
Wajo's idea about something like a $100 Toshiba might also be fine for a first time machine but note they will NOT have a tuner(if that's important). Panasonic's cheapest new unit would probably be the EA-18. I think ~$180 and will not have a tuner.
Most of the DVDR's will have fine SP recording, it's just speeds above that that separate the good from the better.

You should probably check out this thread, which has posts listing most all the new DVDRs being released for 2008, with model numbers, etc. so you can search for those. (http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=970168)

I still say one of your "under-$100" DVDRs would be best for you just starting out so you can get acquainted with the territory, so to speak. Try a Samsung, Panasonic or Toshiba.

That might be my best bet for now as they are all I really need to transfer my VHS's. If I'm gonna get a high dollar unit it will have to have an HD receiver, and will have to record in HD and surround sound. Apparently none of the units made today will do this.

I think the reason you're getting referred to the Philips 3575 is due to your comments about transferring over videos. Most people who have done this know the benefit of the HDD for this project. Yes it can be done without one, many have done so, including me, it just makes it easier and more professional.
I love Panasonic DVDR's. I own many, the jury is out on my most recent purchase, a EZ-28. Great recording quality but I want to see how long it holds out. I had a bout with many EZ-17's failing prematurely so I wouldn't really suggest those, especially to a newbie.
New Pioneers are only available in Canada(or from a place like WorldImport.com) they will be much more expensive that the Philips, but people do go that route.
JVC makes a combo DVDR/VCR, I really haven't read much about on AVS, just people asking about it. JVC used to make good units but at least in my area they are not very common.
Wajo's idea about something like a $100 Toshiba might also be fine for a first time machine but note they will NOT have a tuner(if that's important). Panasonic's cheapest new unit would probably be the EA-18. I think ~$180 and will not have a tuner.
Most of the DVDR's will have fine SP recording, it's just speeds above that that separate the good from the better.

What is it about DVDR's that makes it so difficult to make them reliable? And the tuner allows you record TV programs, right?

What is it about DVDR's that makes it so difficult to make them reliable? And the tuner allows you record TV programs, right?
One thing many people forget or don't address is the rapidly falling value of the U.S. Dollar. The Canadian Dollar is now worth more than the U.S. Dollar!

Mfgrs in Asia know they have to have a low price-point here cuz of our affinity for rented cable/sat DVRs, so many don't try to compete or, if they make a full-featured HDD unit, they know they won't get many Yen or Yuan for it... in fact, by the time they design it, build it, then ship it here, the U.S. Dollar might be worth 10 or 20% LESS than when they made their business plan and "profit" forecast... yet their costs have gone up the same amount in Yen/Yuan! :D

Yes tuner would only be for recording directly off of TV. If you have a cable box or some other type of tuner use that to feed your tunerless DVDR.
I think the reliability has more to do with Price Point than anything else. For the $100 that most people want to spend for a DVDR they can't put much quality into them. Kind of like VCR's towards the end. Most of the $39 VCR's were total junk, IMO.
Honestly most of the problems people seem to have with DVDR's relate to there tuner than anything else. If you get a tunerless one, you've probably eliminated the main cause of problems.

Yes tuner would only be for recording directly off of TV. If you have a cable box or some other type of tuner use that to feed your tunerless DVDR.
I think the reliability has more to do with Price Point than anything else. For the $100 that most people want to spend for a DVDR they can't put much quality into them. Kind of like VCR's towards the end. Most of the $39 VCR's were total junk, IMO.
Honestly most of the problems people seem to have with DVDR's relate to there tuner than anything else. If you get a tunerless one, you've probably eliminated the main cause of problems.

So basically I can just use my satellite receiver as the tuner? I'm guessing it has some sort of output I can use to send to the DVDR?

Exactly, it should have a S-out or Composite video out, along with left and right audio.
No need for the problematic tuner in your case.
Seems like people like the Toshiba and they make a tunerless one for ~$100.

Why won't DVDR's record in HD? Why don't they have built-in HD receivers? Why won't they record in 5.1 or better surround sound? These are not new technologies so I'm guessing either there's some kind of copyright infringement issue with this stuff, or the manufacturers are just dragging their feet.

Does anyone have any input regarding this?

The standard for a "standard DVD" is 480, not HD, therefor they cannot record in HD and play in a standard player.
Some people have recorded HD on a Standard DVD using other formats that are only playable in HD DVD or Blue Ray players, the problem with that is capacity. From what I've seen you can only get between 40 and 50 min of HD on a standard DVD. Not too handy.
If Blue Ray recorders become available that will solve the capacity issue, but cost and copy protection schemes will hamper recording ability. Currently blank BR discs are ~$20 and the players aren't available yet. Their something in the $1000's in Japan currently.
I really don't don't know what's the problem with 5.1, no DVDR I know of has ever recorded 5.1. I believe computers are capable of 5.1, but not standalone devices. Maybe someone else knows why.

I really don't don't know what's the problem with 5.1, no DVDR I know of has ever recorded 5.1. I believe computers are capable of 5.1, but not standalone devices. Maybe someone else knows why.
Could be a crack in Hollywood's hold on high-quality home-recorded discs. Don't think they want you to have outstanding audio, just as bad as they don't want you to be able to reproduce outstanding video!? ;)

Exactly, it should have a S-out or Composite video out, along with left and right audio.
No need for the problematic tuner in your case.
Seems like people like the Toshiba and they make a tunerless one for ~$100.

Would you happen to know the model number of that Toshiba?

i bought the toshiba 600 at xmas... he has been back for repair 3 times , and it still does not record from my hi 8mm camera for more then 3 mins..

so far have ruined 50+ dvd's

i sent a 'nasty' email to toshiba last week, and they are replacing the 600 with the 610.. we'll see if it works any better...

at this present moment, i borrowed my bro's panasonic,hooked up the camera, and its been recording for 35+ mins... so far so good...

as to the toshiba... if u go to amazon.com, and types in the toshiba 600 model, there are about 25 comments... most of them negative, and most guys are complaining about the same error message i got...

So I guess I'm still looking for recommendations as it sounds like the Toshiba isn't a very good choice.

Gotta run, but if you took your recommendations from everyone that had a problem with there DVDR you'd never buy one. :confused:They ALL have there issues, some less than others. Try and form a general census from the various threads, but again every DVDR has it's issues.:eek:

So no one recommends anything besides the Philips or the Toshiba?

Depends on what you want to spend.

As far as the Toshiba, it gets mostly good reviews, so you can't just go by one person's experience. It sounds like a really good deal for the money, and people here are right in saying that for your first recorder, it'd probably be the best choice, as it'll do everything you really need it to do at this point. Other than paris401's unfortunate experience, practically everyone else around here who has one says it's a fine recorder and has great picture quality.

Depends on what you want to spend.

As far as the Toshiba, it gets mostly good reviews, so you can't just go by one person's experience. It sounds like a really good deal for the money, and people here are right in saying that for your first recorder, it'd probably be the best choice, as it'll do everything you really need it to do at this point. Other than paris401's unfortunate experience, practically everyone else around here who has one says it's a fine recorder and has great picture quality.

as i said on my prior thread, check out amazon.com

there are 25 odd opinions on the 600, and probably 1/2 of em have the same complaint i have..

anycase my machine was packed up and sent back to toshiba for a new 610.. while the machine sux's, i have to say toshiba is doing rite by me, so as a company gotta give em an A+...

as i said on my prior thread, check out amazon.com

there are 25 odd opinions on the 600, and probably 1/2 of em have the same complaint i have..I just read them, and I guess if I wanted a deck specifically to copy home tapes to DVD, I probably wouldn't want to take a chance with the Toshiba after reading that.

A few people said they had no problem, though.

Still, you're right - personally I wouldn't take the chance. It sounds to me like some kind of false positive copy protection problem. I guess not having a tuner doesn't make the Toshibas, which are one of the worst with CP, any less susceptable.