Posted by <normanstrong on 12/05/05 02:18

"Ben" <z@z.z> wrote in message news:041220051722152143%z@z.z...
> In article <43930984.9115281@news-server.houston.rr.com>, Bob
> <spam@uce.gov> wrote:
>
>> On Sun, 4 Dec 2005 14:18:32 -0000, "John Howells"
>> <john@howells-99.freeserve.co.uk> wrote:
>>
>> >> Is that common, only available on some expensive models, or
>> >> non-existant?
>>
>> >Non-existent.
>>
>> But it will come one day - the networked DVD-HDD.
>>
>> Throw in a three-channel TV tuner so we can record up to 3 programs at
>> the same time and you have the ultimate DVR experience without the
>> expense of subscriptions.
>>
>> Snapstream and Sage have GUIs for making a computer into a DVR. Now
>> all we need is a PCI 3-channel tuner card.
>>
>> Wouldn't you rather have a custom PC doing the work of a DVR?
>
> My father, who is fairly non-computery, is going to buy a DVD recorder,
> so I'm looking for something that will meet his requirements (something
> that looks like and replaces the video recorder and sits in front of
> the TV) but on top of that meets my needs -- burns DVDs from my
> computer to back stuff up etc. If it was me I'd just buy a DVD burner
> for a computer.

You might consider something like the $99 Wal-Mart DVDR05MU1. It replaces a
VCR and records on DVD+R/RW. I just bought one, and I'm amazed at the
capabilities of the thing. It records at 5 different speeds and plays back
a considerable array of formats, including WMA audio on a DVDR. I knew it
played mp3 from the icon on the box, but it wasn't until I got it home that
I found out about wma.

It also might be good for you, since it has an IEEE 1394 digital video input
on the front panel.

It's physically quite small and can be easily moved about. The front panel
display is wonderful (as these things go nowadays.) The remote control is
not the best, consisting of a rectangular array. It runs off a lithium coin
cell instead of AAA cells.

Norm Strong

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