I don't see any reason why you wouldn't want to use a new DVD recorder as a player as well. If it wears out faster because of dual use, you'll just have to replace it sooner. But by the time you do, newer technology will be available to give you more to choose from.
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Help me find a DVD recorder for my (modest) needs
I've never bought a DVD recorder before, so forgive my ignorance. I am in the market for an inexpensive player just to archive DVD-R of old videotapes and the occasional TV program. The thing is, I'd also like something that could serve reasonably well as an everyday player, and I understand this isn't easy to find -- many people apparently are transfering the finalized discs to their "real" DVD player to view them, or using their "real" player for everyday movie watching.
Let me tell you where I'm coming from. I currently have a Toshiba SD-3950, which is an entry level player but a pretty good one overall. I use it with an ordinary 27" CRT tube TV. Could I expect at least my current level of video quality if I replaced the Toshiba in the lineup with a modestly-priced recorder, and if so, which models would be best for my purposes?
Let me tell you where I'm coming from. I currently have a Toshiba SD-3950, which is an entry level player but a pretty good one overall. I use it with an ordinary 27" CRT tube TV. Could I expect at least my current level of video quality if I replaced the Toshiba in the lineup with a modestly-priced recorder, and if so, which models would be best for my purposes?
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I don't think you would see much difference in video quality but what you will see is that you don't have all the bells and whistles of your Toshiba. The navigation functions are pretty basic on the recorders.
Regarding a DVD player or recorder lacking bells and whistles, it seems like most of us have them and rarely use them, if ever.
That said, I can see a video quality difference between my DVD player and my DVD recorder when watching on my HDTV. But, that difference is not really noticable when watching on an analog TV, for me at least.
I would be more concerned about wear than video quality on an analog TV.
Personally, I like the convenience of a multi-disk player over a single-disk device.
That said, I can see a video quality difference between my DVD player and my DVD recorder when watching on my HDTV. But, that difference is not really noticable when watching on an analog TV, for me at least.
I would be more concerned about wear than video quality on an analog TV.
Personally, I like the convenience of a multi-disk player over a single-disk device.
Get a Toshiba D-R4 DVD recorder from eBay (about $100 or so). Excellent quality recording, and a very good DVD player, too. You will not be able to see any difference (if there is any) between your 3950 player and the D-R4... especially on a 27" tube TV.
Thanks for the replies. I am test-driving a Panasonic E20 and so far the picture is better than my old Toshiba. I know some people don't like the FR setting's limitations, but I don't really plan on using that feature anyway. If I end up hating it for some reason, I'll try to trade it in for the Toshiba D-R4, but so far so good.
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Well this depends on how much and when someone records and watches recordings/movies. Wear-n-tear aside, it can also be a case of resource utilization - eg watching on a dvd player while the dvd recorder records things. For example, if you have a backlog of VHS tapes to convert to DVD. On the other hand, if someone records a few shows during the day and watches them during the night, they may not have any timing conflicts, so having a separate dvd player is not a resource utilization problem. But if someone records shows at night and watches them at night, they may find themselves waiting for the recorder to finish so they can watch something else. But with DVD-RAM and -RW(VR) you can watch in parallel if they are on the same disk, and obviously if you have a hard-disk model you have more flexibility.
| Originally Posted by tluxon I don't see any reason why you wouldn't want to use a new DVD recorder as a player as well. If it wears out faster because of dual use, you'll just have to replace it sooner. But by the time you do, newer technology will be available to give you more to choose from. |
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