What do you use your HD Recorder for?

[bradavon78]

Why would I really need to move shows around? Delete portions of them? Remove ad breaks? What does it offer me over a standard DVD Recorder?

I'm trying to work out if I should get a DVD Recorder with DivX/Xvid OR a DVD/HD Recorder. I'm racking my brain trying to think of real life examples where I'd need a HD Recorder. Sure you can edit etc . . . sounds cool but would I actually ever need or use it.

I can see myself burning on to DVD+RW or DVD-RW watching the show and maybe lending the disc to a mate but I cannot think of useful examples where I'd need to record to a hard disk?

Sure blank discs only hold 4.5Gb or 8.5Gb but they're so cheap anyway big deal. Sure I could delete adverts with a hard disk recorder but again big deal it's not a hassle to fastforward through them.

Why should I buy a HD Recorder? What are their "killer" apps?

[ash]

Cutting and editing can make it look professional, also saves storage space looking after the dvdrs.

[bradavon78]

Does it really matter for a TV show?

Couldn't I take the DVD/RW and using DVD Decrypter copy it to my PC HD, edit it to my hearts content and then burn it back to DVD-R or DVD+R?

I suspect the answer is yes and realise it's easier to do this on the home recorder fine but I can only think of a handful of times I'd ever need to use editing features, right?

[Nick_UK]

It's up to you. I started off with the Panasonic E50, but upgraded to the E95, because primarily I didn't want to archive stuff (particularly movies) with adverts still in. If you can live with it, save your money.

[dmpoole]

When I bought my first Pioneer DVR-420H I thought I would never use the hard drive but its the only thing I record to. I always said I would never use the chase play but that gets used all the time. It became one of the best toys I've ever bought for capturing old videos, camcorders, TV series, films etc. Its that good that I've bought a Pioneer DVR-530H to replace it has my main editing tool and the 420 has been relegated to the living room.

[musukebba]

Originally Posted by bradavon78

Why should I buy a HD Recorder? What are their "killer" apps?

There are no 'killer apps' associated with HDD-based DVD recorders, only lifestyle preferences.

You've pretty much answered your own relevant questions, and if you can't see the advantages, then just get a non-HDD recorder and rip/edit on PC if needed. There's nothing stopping you getting a HDD version later.

However, some of us get along just fine without one.

[bradavon78]

Originally Posted by Nick_UK

because primarily I didn't want to archive stuff (particularly movies) with adverts still in. If you can live with it, save your money.

Thanks Nick this is just the sort of thing I'm looking for, a real world reason/example if you will.

Originally Posted by dmpoole

When I bought my first Pioneer DVR-420H I thought I would never use the hard drive but its the only thing I record to.

Please elaborate don't you record to DVD?

Originally Posted by dmpoole

I always said I would never use the chase play but that gets used all the time.

What's chase play?

[bradavon78]

Could someone list what exactly the editing functions of a HD Recorder are please?

[Rasczak]

What's chase play?

...where you playback slightly faster than normal so you can 'catchup' with the programme you've timeslipped on.

bradavon78 - ask yourself this: "Do you want to make edited recordings, on discs that will play in most DVD players, without having to use a PC?". If the answer is yes go for a HDD/DVDR, if not a standalone will suffice.

Could someone list what exactly the editing functions of a HD Recorder are please?

It differs between models. Why not download some manuals. Most of the major companies have manuals online - even if they are not the latest models the editing features are more or less the same.

[bradavon78]

Originally Posted by Rasczak

...where you playback slightly faster than normal so you can 'catchup' with the programme you've timeslipped on.

Sorry if I'm being dense but how does this differ to fast forward?

Originally Posted by Rasczak

bradavon78 - ask yourself this: "Do you want to make edited recordings, on discs that will play in most DVD players, without having to use a PC?". If the answer is yes go for a HDD/DVDR, if not a standalone will suffice.

It would depend on what editing I could do.

I'm trying to find out what people use theirs for and what are the popular features to see if I'd use them. I'm starting to figure it out:

Time slip
Cutting
Re-ordering
Deleting
Adding chapters
Removing chapters

Am I missing anything?

Originally Posted by Rasczak

It differs between models. Why not download some manuals. Most of the major companies have manuals online - even if they are not the latest models the editing features are more or less the same.

Good idea.

[Rasczak]

how does this differ to fast forward?

Because it plays back at 1.3x speed (or similar) and thus looks perfectly 'normal', i.e. it is watchable it's just abit quicker than normal.

[bradavon78]

Thanks guys. I think I'll go for a DVD Recorder without HD Recorder.

The main reason I want one is to give me superior quality than VHS (what I'm currently using) which a DVD Recorder will give me. I can't see myself faffing around editing what I record because:

A: I don't record a lot
B: At the end of the day they're just TV shows
C: I won't be backing up DVDs as a PC DVD Recorder is vastly superior for that.

I don't watch sport and DVDs are so cheap I'd prefer to buy films.

If I decide I want to record something off TV I'm going to spend time mucking about with I'll use a DVD-RAM disc (for example a TV 'Series'). I can then put it on DVD-R/DVD+R using my PC which I can see will take time but the crux is for a very occasional use it's not a big deal.

Of course you could say well it's still worth getting one then but you can't get a HD DVD Recorder with DivX support. I'd prefer DivX then a HD I think.

I am curious what made 'dmpoole' use the HD in his/her Recorder though? What changed his/her mind?

[JoseD]

You can also edit on DVD-RAm and -RW IIRC. What you can't do, is record and later dub from the HD what you want. Ver practical, but I guess you can do that on a PC, a bit cumbersome for example if you just want to dub a concert you recorded taking off comercials. The Panasonic EH50 is of the best and not so expensive.

[EDIT]
I mean't EH50

[bradavon78]

Thanks. I thought you meant that and it's almost £300!

The cheapest I can find a HD & DVD Recorder in one is £220. Not a band price but I doubt considering it's the bottom of the range it's all that good.

Reading between the lines it looks like most people use them for two reasons:

1. Removing ad. breaks
2. Camcorder editing

Anything else?

p.s - I've found out why you're keen on the HD Recorder dmpoole you have a Camcorder. Enough said I can see a real use for one then.

[JohnG]

I use mine for transfering stuff from my Sky+ box. Because Sky+ will only let you copy stuff at normal speed I wait until I've got a few programs to copy and then transfer them all over to the hard disk of the E85. Without the hard disk I would be limited by how much I could fit onto a DVD.