Anyone have experience with these? The cost of these have now come down to below $500.00 for a Panasonic and I'm beginning to get more interested in one.
How do these things work? Can you record over and over again like you can with a VHS tape (like record, erase, record, etc)? How many different recording sessions can you program at one time (most VHS machines will do up to 8)? I want it primarily to replace the VHS machine and eventually phase out tapes all together.
Comments, ideas, suggestions?

 

I have been using the Sony model for some time now. If you have a rewritable DVD, you can re-record. There are two different DVD formats...DVD-R and DVD+R (kinda like the old Beta, VHS war of the 80s). They both come in a rewritable disc as well. My Sony will use DVD-R, DVD-RW, and DVD+RW, but not the DVD+R. To further confuse matters, the DVD-RW discs can be formatted in two different modes (VR or Video mode). I have also found that some of my recorded discs will not work on less expensive DVD players. Do some research as the items I have mentioned may be applicable to Sony only.

Don't let this scare you. I really like my Sony now that I am used to it.

Good Luck,
Mark

 

Thanks Mark. So what you are saying is, I can use a DVD recorder very much like a VHS tape machine? That is my primary use for it. Record some shows, watch them, then record over them with new shows.

 

Yes you can use it like VCR.

Mark

 

Though if you're using a dish, just get a receiver with a PVR (hard drive) the new ones will record 60 hours of programming and its really painfully easy to program. Incoming TV streams through the hard drive so you can pause live TV, pick it up when you come back and skip through commercials.

 

No dish here. Wonder if such a device could be adapted for cable recording.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by xviper
No dish here.

 

At present, TIVO service is not available in Calgary.