DVD recorders

Wondering if anyone knows the answers to the following questions;

What is "upconvert" recorder?

How much time can be recorded on a standard single layer DVD? How about in HD?

What is different on a recorder that costs $200 versus one costing 7 - $800?

 

I've got an upconvert recorder. From what I understand (limited), mine will take standard programming and record it into a higher quality format. It won't be HD, but will be better than standard broadcasting. I'm hopding someone will chime in that knows a lot more than me because I could be off base on this.

 

A DVD recorder can't take a broadcast recording and record it in a better format. You can only record as best as your weakest link in the chain. Upconverting means the DVD recorder probably has an HDMI cable with it, and so you can play standard DVDs through an HDMI interface. That doesn't mean you will get HD quality, just be able to use the input.

 

Don't bother with that crap.

I've got a bunch of Denon DVD players which support all sorts of format and crap, output in ultra high omg quality, and are incredibly awesome hardware quality but they are really really finicky with what they play.

In my opinion -- forget that crap and get a small computer -- perhaps an AppleTV for like 400$ (I believe its max output is 1440p, I don't remember the maximum resolution of the integrated Geforce 7800GS -- but it'll play *all* your DVD's and movies you download so you dont have to burn them.

+ If you've got a Mac for a desktop -- everything integrates perfectly.

 

i've got a toshiba dvd recorder, it's pretty cool and a nice feature, but to be honest, i've had it for about 3 months now and have used it maybe 3 times to actually record something. the dvd's i bought hold roughly 2 hours, but if you're planning on stopping when the commercials come on and then hitting play again, i'd say it will do roughly an hour and a half to an hour and 45 minutes of play time. i would almost recomend a tivo, it kind of puts the dvd-r technology out of business, the only downside being that you can't put the movies you've recorded through tivo onto dvd, or in other words, have a hard copy.

 

Actually, there are Tivo DVD Recorders. I have the Tivo Humax DRT-800. Lets you dump tivo programs direct to dvd. It works well. Burns take an hour regardless of size on disk.

-dsd

 

awesome, i didn't know about that. my friend has tivo, and it's awesome. one of these days, when i get my pimped out bachelor pad, i'm going to get it. it'll be put right next to my natalie portman shrine and beer fridge.

 

Correct, the DVD has an HDMI or DVI output which HDTV's use as the input. It is still standard definition. You could aso use the component (Red/Green/Blue) connectors which most DVD's and Most HDTV's have. Don't fall for the "Upconverter" DVD if it costs more or if you don't have an HDTV.
HD DVD recorders don't really exist yet.

http://hometheater.about.com/od/dvdrecorderfaqs/f/dvdrecgfaq14.htm

 

Just curious, but what model(s)?

 

Aw man, I don't remember the model names. We've got one paired to a Denon AVR 5800 and one paired to a AVR 3802 I think.

 

No worries, was just wondering since I've never heard of issues with Denon's being finicky. I've got a DVD 1600, which admittedly was not a top-tier model, but it plays anything and everything I've put in it.

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