DVD Recorder Buying Guide
The Digital Versatile Disc (DVD) has become one of the most popular and widely used digital storage media today.
To record movies and other data on a DVD, you need a DVD Recorder. A DVD recorder can record analog TV from cable or satellite, standard definition digital television (SDTV), camcorders analog video data and digital camcorder video data.
DVD Recorders, in comparison to the older Video Cassette Recorders (VCRs), can give almost double resolution so the quality of image you get is more crisp and clear and interference free. In addition, DVD players deliver high quality audio through two channels and are very compatible with the Dolby Digital System.
When it comes to device control, DVD recorders and players can be easily navigated as opposed to their VCR counterparts.
When viewing movies from DVD players, you can get more viewing options like variable zooming and slow motion. And a DVD can have at least twice the storing capacity compared to a CD. Other file formats like photos and compressed audio and video formats like MP3 and WMV can be stored on DVD. Most DVD players can in fact play MP3s and other compressed formats.
DVD RAM Disk Format
This format allows you to view a program while other data is being recorded. You can rewrite your data many times but this disk format can only be played in a DVD RAM player.
DVD-R/RW Disk Format
R stands for write once as in DVD-R while RW stands for rewritable as in DVD-RW. The DVD-R/RW disk allows you to automatically write onto available space on the disk and can be played on most DVD players, but data can only be written on one layer. This format is also supported by the DVD forum and used primarily by Pioneer and Apple.
DVD+R/RW Disk Format
This disk format is the same as the DVD-R/RW Disk Format except that data can be written on multiple layers. This file format is primarily supported by Dell, Microsoft, Philips, Sony and HP. This gives better and more disc storage compared to the DVD-R/RW Disk Format but this is also more expensive.
DVD Recording Time
DVD recorders have 1 to 6 hours recording modes. But if you want high quality recordings, you may consider 1 or 2 hours modes. For VHS quality, you may opt for 4 hour mode. Higher hour recording modes tend to degrade quality.
Analog TV Tuner
This tuner allows you to get TV channels so you can program recordings on your DVD recorder. This receives channels through cable, antenna or a satellite system.
Electronic Program Guide (EPG)
You need the EPG to record you shows on the DVD recorder. While working with the EPG you see a nice graphical display of the TV show from different channels and interactively sort them by categories.
Progressive Scan
This feature interlaces scan signals so you get more crisp and bright images without distracting scan lines.
Variable Bit-Rate (MPEG-2) Recording
This can be used when you want to reduce the amount of data in compressed video streams. It automatically adjusts recording by reducing lower bit rates for simple scenes and higher bit rates for complex scenes thus reducing final data output.
Video Pre-Processing Circuitry
The quality of picture can be greatly enhanced with a video pre-processing circuitry. The circuitry helps reduce noise and equalize picture quality. There are many circuitry manufacturers so make sure you get the brand with the most features.
Simultaneous Record and Play
If you are always on the go and have a hectic schedule, you will want do more than one thing at a time. With this feature, you can record one show and simultaneously playback another. For example, if you are recording your favorite show and you need to buy something outside your house, you can come back 15 minutes later and you can watch what you missed on record while the DVD recorder continues recording the rest of the show.
Linear Editing Feature
This is an old video editing method used during the days when video tapes reigned supreme. This can be very time consuming, and you need to follow a linear sequence.
Non Linear Editing Feature
With this feature, you can record any scene into a new medium in any order thus saving you much time and giving more professional looking output.
Titling
With this function you can add titles to the video you recorded on DVD.
Menu Creation
You can produce a video presentation that will have a menu that includes chapter navigation so you easily go from one scene to another in a non-linear manner.
DVD Recorder Hard Disk Drive
A DVD has limited storage space compared to a hard disk. This is good if you want continuous recording of a long video without wanting to be bothered by constantly changing blank DVDs. You will want to buy a DVD recorder with a hard disk. Later you can transfer the data from hard disk to DVD for archiving and easy sharing with friends.
Firewire
This is a high speed way to connect video and audio signals from digital camcorders to other storage media.
Component video inputs and outputs
This is another way to connect digital gadgets so data can be moved from one medium to the other.
Digital audio outputs
So you can enjoy the best quality sound when you play the DVD record, you may consider buying DVD recorders that have optical or coaxial digital audio output so you can connect with the high end Dolby Digital Sound System.
