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Thread ID: 73966 2006-11-07 05:59:00 DVD Harddrive Recorder stevensaaron (6348) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
497152 2006-11-07 05:59:00 Hi I am looking to get a DVD harddrive Recorder. for My parents for Christmas. There are quite a few different brands.. I want at least 160+ Gb of Harddrive. around the $600-800. I know that prices will change as it gets closer to Christmas.
All I want to know is the best in Quality and ease of use in e.g recording, Setting up timer recording, Editing out the ads. etc.
Thanks heaps
Aaron
stevensaaron (6348)
497153 2006-11-07 06:24:00 Wow, can I be your parent?

I have a Philips, found it very good, easy to use, nice picture (using s-video), haven't bothered editing anything but it looks fairly straightforward.
Nice menus.

Oh, and it has a Seagate hard drive in it which was a major consideration when I chose mine.
pctek (84)
497154 2006-11-07 07:16:00 I have had a Pioneer DVR-540H-S for about 3 months, I did a lot of research on the net before buying it, checking out user reviews, etc. and it does everything I need.
I would advise you to pay the extra for extended warranty, as the HD will get a thrashing if you use it a lot & a 4 yr warranty is a good investment IMHO.
snoopy (74)
497155 2006-11-07 09:17:00 I've been looking at these for nearly two years (yes, I know there's a word for people like me), and when I can finally convince SWMBO that it's necessary, I will be splashing out on a Sony DVD HDD recorder, probably the 160GB or 250GB model.

I played around with a few different types in the store, so I don't have day-to-day experience to call on, but the sony was pretty easy to use. On eof the key points for me was that just about all the extra features accessible on the remote are accessible on the front of the unit, meaning if you lose the remote, you aren't stuck with basic functions until you replace (or locate) the remote. A small thing, maybe, but I find it's the small things that annoy the most, once you remove the plastic...

:2cents:
Lizard (2409)
497156 2006-11-07 19:56:00 I will be splashing out on a Sony DVD HDD recorder, probably the 160GB or 250GB model.I have a Sony 160GB model, and find it fantastic. Very easy to use (even wifey can set the record timer etc.), and I've not yet even filled the thing up. One thing that would have been nice, however, is DivX playback, which was available on another machine for the same price when I bought mine. The reason I didn't go for that one (even though it had a 250GB drive as well) was that it was a Phillips, and I've never had a Phillips that proved itself to be reliable. Besides, most of my videos are in XviD format, which probably doesn't work on that anyway.

I'm very happy with my Sony, and I'd recommend it to anybody.

Mike.
Mike (15)
497157 2006-11-07 21:26:00 Personally I'd recommend giving them an IOU and buy one next year, as the current models don't have digital tuners and therefore won't work with Freeview. As NZ's digital FTA service seems like it is going to be almost identical to the UK service (though TVNZ says the final specifications for the terrestrial transmissions haven't been decided yet), I would expect something along the lines of these to be available next year:

www.sony.co.uk
www.panasonic.co.uk

If they have perfect reception now, or don't think they will want the content on the new channels, then buying one with an analogue tuner in now would be ok. :)
maccrazy (6741)
497158 2006-11-08 03:33:00 Personally I'd recommend giving them an IOU and buy one next year, as the current models don't have digital tuners and therefore won't work with Freeview. As NZ's digital FTA service seems like it is going to be almost identical to the UK service (though TVNZ says the final specifications for the terrestrial transmissions haven't been decided yet), I would expect something along the lines of these to be available next year:

www.sony.co.uk
www.panasonic.co.uk

If they have perfect reception now, or don't think they will want the content on the new channels, then buying one with an analogue tuner in now would be ok. :)

We only watch 1,2,3, and Prime. so will they do the job? and whats up with the new digital TV and phasing out Analogue. will that affect much.
stevensaaron (6348)
497159 2006-11-08 06:39:00 We only watch 1,2,3, and Prime. so will they do the job? and whats up with the new digital TV and phasing out Analogue. will that affect much.
:rolleyes: the whole point of the shift to digital beside better image quality is that there will be new channels. Nothings been confirmed but it looks like TVNZ and Canwest will at least release one new channel each.
Pete O'Neil (6584)
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