DVD Recorder

[sfulton]

Hi, I need to replace my old VCR recorder with a DVD recorder. Being totally un-technical, I've been told that with some brands it is quite complicated to set to record programmes. Can anyone give me advice on what to buy, please. Thank you.

[hc4361]

You have two choices.
A dvd recorder which is exactly like a video recorder, except it uses dvds instead of tapes. These are fairly cheap, you can buy them for under £50.

The alternative is to buy a Personal Video Recorder. This has a hard drive, like your computer, and so there is no faffing with dvd disks. You can buy them with twin tuners so you can record two programmes at the same time; you can pause live tv and watch a programme from the start when it is part way through the recording.

Both usually have an on screen EPG - an electronic programme guide which is navigated by a sort of joystick on the remote control. Highlight the programme you want to record and press the record button. That's it.

There were some dual PVR/DVD recorders which allowed you to record to hard drive or dvd disk but I haven't seen any on the market recently.
I don't think any are particularly complicated to use.

Whichever you decide to buy make sure it has at least one digital tuner. This PVR has excellent reviews:
http://www.amazon.co....n-Tuner/dp/B00272N9PC

I have a PVR for its convenience and ease of use, but I also have a dvd recorder so that I can download recordings from the PVR to dvd disk if I want to keep them or watch them on another tv elsewhere.