BEST DVR |
Digital Video Recorder |
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Since
the FCC required manufacturers to put an HD turner in new DVRs starting
late 2007 they stopped shipping them to the US market so you have
limited new choices or buy used. For now (Spring
2009)
the best option in the US is the Philips DVDR3576H/37 1080p Upscaling DVDR with Built-In Tuner (FREE shipping too) DETAILS or the Pioneer DVR-550H-S |
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Pioneer DVR-640H-S |
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New
550H Model |
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UPDATE: The 640H-S has become impossible to find new so for now, Spring 2008, I suggest the International Pioneer DVR-550H-S or the lower priced Philips DVDR3575H
This is my favorite piece of electronics. I have used the previous
Panasonic model E80H for over
two years with no problems and bought
the
new model E85HS as soon as it became available. I should add, I bought
both DVRs at Amazon.com
and have not had any problems at all. I did read the manual before I
unpacked the unit as I do with anything complex. This model is more
intuitive than most but knowing idiosyncrasies like the "hidden"
reset button are important. You can also do some things the manual doesn't
cover, like record from a DVD to the hard-drive. Like ALL consumer
DVRs, it will not copy a copy protected DVD. That includes just
about all US releases. However, copying a personal DVD, TV program or VHS
tape is a breeze. It is easy to do a variety of edits and make a very
useable menu for your DVD version. And you can copy*
a
"copy protected" DVD or tape, ANY movie really using a simple
attachment; the Sima CT-2. This magical little
device by GoDVD is
inexpensive and very simple to use.
GoDVD's
Sima CT-2 Works
on ALL TYPES OF MACROVISION (LEVEL
1 & 2) CLICK
for DETAILS I highly suggest you use the SP speed, so
instead of 340 hours of theoretical recording time you really have about
70 to 105 hours max which is still great! I only use the fastest XP speed
when it is important to see fine details (i.e. swimsuit edition of Sports
Illustrated video;-) or I am going to make a permanent copy of a less than
2 hour program to a DVD-R. Then by using the variable speed recording
choice I end up with the best possible DVD-R copy. Longer movies I use a
DL disk. With Panasonics filters
the finished copy can indeed look better than the original source but do
not expect miracles. I often use DVD-RAM for temporary storage of programs
I do not want the rest of the family to see and the high speed transfer is
a great convenience. Playback is excellent even with an older TV but your
TV works with progressive scan this model will display a very high quality
image indeed. This new models play a wider variety of VCDs (the E80H did
reasonable well) and if you like to play music through your TV
entertainment center it play CDs and CD-Rs just fine. I use my region
free unit as the source drive for recording European and Asian region
or PAL DVDs to the US standard on the DVD-R copy. So top spot goes to the Pioneer DVR-640H-S or the new Pioneer DVR-550H-S
Since the FCC required manufacturers to put an HD turner in new DVRs starting late 2007 they stopped shipping them to the US market so you have limited new choices or buy used. For now (2009) the best option in the US is the Philips DVDR3575H/37 1080p Upscaling DVDR with Built-In Tuner (FREE shipping too) or the Pioneer DVR-550H-S If you want to record directly from your camcorder, then Model Panasonic
DMR-E100HS is recommended with several " media readers"
built-in. Sometimes Wal-Mart
For DVD storage I stayed away from open towers and chose a
storage album that would protect my new investment like 'Case
Logic DVA40 Koskin DVD Album (40-Capacity)' or the
larger Case
Logic KSW-208 CD Wallet I do NOT recommend the cheap Xtreme
brand cases.
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Reviews of the many versions of iPod and also great accessories. CLICK for REVIEWS |
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You have probably seen Tiger Direct on TV demonstrating various computer systems. They also have everything associated with computers and at low, low prices. I have bought from them many times and their service is first rate. |
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Click on the store name below to Shop. |
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Wal-Mart | Circuit City | 1-800-Flowers |
Tiger Direct | TheBusinessGuide.org | Target |
Amazon.com | NetZero HiSpeed | Movies Unlimited |
Many stores have online SPECIALS not available in their physical locations. Some offer more products online, sometimes may not charge sales tax, often do not charge shipping, and some even let you pick-up you item at your local store if you prefer. My friends have personally bought from each of these merchants online because they have found it to be better than their physical store or TV program. They have also bought hundreds of items at eBay with very few minor problems and highly recommend eBay. If you use the free service PayPal you eliminate almost all risk and what bargains you can obtain! Good shopping and thanks for using my site. Please consider the many products my friend offers at TheBusinessGuide.org |
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* a fair use back-up copy of your original DVD for personal use.
© IOPP 2004 2005