"Lobster" wrote in message
...
Sorry. a bit (a lot!) OT but I'd value the group's opinions on this...

My VCR is definitely on its last legs, and needs replacing very soon.
We already have a DVD playback machine; the need here is for something
to enable us to time-shift TV (ie record programmes and watch them at a
convenient time, then delete them). Not interested in preserving for
posterity here.

So the choice is between (a) a hard-disk-type recorder; (b) a DVD-R or
-RW machine; or (c) another VCR.

I really like the idea of a hard disk - no more hunting round for a
blank tape with enough free space left; no more hunting round for that
tape with the final episode of '24', which I know is there somewhere -
but have some concerns...

For example, all these machines give widely varying hour capacities,
depending on the recording speed. How realistic are these - how good is
the quality likely to be at lowest resolution? How many Gb should I
rely on for an hours-worth of viewing?

What about all these downloadable programming guides etc? Are you
always locked in to have to pay a monthly sub, plus daily phone calls,
on top of the initial purchase price?

Finally, I wonder whether it's too early to be buying an HD machine, are
they likely to improve massively in price and quality over the next 1-2
years, as we've seen with DVDs? Therefore maybe a cheapo stopgap VCR
would be best? Or a DVD-R (but you've still got the DVDs to find and
lose!)

I look forward to your views!

David

I'd personally go for a HD model and possibly maybe one which also has DVD-R
capability. The speed, ease-of-use, etc of HD recording far exceeds anything
that recordable DVD can provide (although DVD-RAM is better than the other
two formats). However, I've always wanted to keep some things on tape maybe
for family/friends viewing or just stuff to archive off hence the DVD-R.

All technology gets better by the minute so yes if you buy it now you'll be
kicking yourself next week. But hey that's life!

Presently I've experimented with a PC based digital TV system (kids Xmas
present) and it is very good. A 90 minute film can take 2.5GB (highest
quality setting) so that *may* give you an idea on what storage capacity
consumer units may provide?!

HTH!