Community Newsletter: Q&A: Advice needed for an all-in-one DVR that can burn DVDs

DVRs and VHS to DVD, lions tigers and bears, oh my!

In reply to: Advice needed for an all-in-one DVR that can burn DVDs by Lee Koo (ADMIN) 

Jim,

No worries.

Your decision on a DVR may already be made for you if you currently have cable service. Your cable provider (mine is Comcast, for example) can provide a DVR unit, usually at a modest additional fee to the standard cable box. It is simple to connect and most cable operators offer a free installation if you find it difficult. (Difficulty is relative to the experience and patience of the customer...so do what makes you most comfortable.) This is the most cost effective and compatible way to get DVR capability.

If you have satellite service, some satellite services offer the DVR box as part of the monthly fee (e.g. DishNetwork) while others will sell you one or you can buy your own (e.g., DirecTV). All of the major discount retailers will usually have a satellite compatible DVR/tuner for you to buy. Prices will range from $99 to $300 depending on functions and sale prices. There is usually an additional fee for the service or $5 per month or so. Talk to the sales staff at the store and make sure they know what type of satellite service you have.

If you are pulling in signals from your house antennae, then a TIVO box may be for you to consider (with all due deference to your bride). Our family has used TIVO in the past. The menus and options are excellent: with superior search and recording options to our cable box unit. (You can also use TIVO with satellite and cable services, depending on the box purchased: again, check with the sales person at the store). Prices range from $200-$800 depending on options.

Some things to consider whatever you decide to do:

Is your TV high definition (HD)? If yes, what inputs does it accept (e.g., composite, RF, etc. - check your manual)

Do you want to hook the audio up to your home sound system? If so, what inputs/outputs are you currently using?

Do you want to receive and record HD? If so, make sure you purchase an HD model.

Make sure the outputs on the DVR you purchase are the same as the inputs on your TV and audio equipment to simplify the installation process. (Any electronics chain will be more than "happy" to upgrade your other equipment to match the latest and greatest DVRs....but do you want to?)

It's possible to make it very easy to install the DVR by simply matching current outputs and inputs to the new DVR box, making it a simple "unplug, then plug n' play" exercise.

About recording VHS to DVD.... There are VHS/DVD combination boxes that will allow you to copy from the VHS side to the DVD side: if you buy one, make sure it supports the cross copying. Some don't, especially the lower priced ones. One question to consider at this point is whether or not you want a DVD player that "upconverts" the signal to HD (1080i) if your TV supports it. The same discussion on mapping your TV inputs to the VHS/DVD outputs is important.

You could purchase a set top DVD recorder for $99 to $300 which will take output from your current VHS recorder and allow you to record to DVD...simple and cheap.

And...make sure the DVR and the VHS/DVD, don't end up competing for the same TV input. Most will configure together OK, but check with your sales person when you buy the units and they can help guide you on what plugs into what. (Bring your TV/Audio manuals to the store and show them what you have to work with and/or if you have a friend who is good with this stuff, offer them beer and pizza to help you...)

Finally, you could hook that VHS up to your PC using special hardware, then digitize all that old video and improve quality and edit it.....then create your own DVDs for posterity. Dazzle has a line of hardware that is reasonable for example...but you need computer skills, big hard drives and time to do all of that work...not to mention the interest.

Have fun!