"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...

You seem to contradicting yourself in the above, first you say that you
don't keep stuff for posterity and then say that you can't find a blank (or
presumably) used tape to record on to....


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!)


Well, a VCR is proven technology, there are known problems with recordable
DVD's (like compatibility between machines) and HDD recorders are still new
to the consumer market - over priced or under spec'ed.

Don't be taken in by Dixons (and DSG) marketing hype, IMO the VCR is far
from dead and if it was not only would the Dixons stores be clearing their
shelves of VCR's but their fellow DSG stores - Currys.........
--
Reply to group please.

begin .......nothing!

I look forward to your views!

David