Does anyone out there have a DVD recorder and can successfully record programmes via Telewest Cable ? I've been hearing that it doesn't work (although Telewest says it will) and don't want to waste money on a recorder if I can't record !

I don't know because we don't have cable. However I can answer a different question!

I recently asked my DVD geek friend which recorder to get. He said "None of them because there are several formats and the technology needs a little time to mature and come down in price". He pointed me to this page (http://www.dvdrhelp.com/dvd)

Instead he recommended that I get a £40 player from ebuyer.com that supports all the formats.

The above site also has the special codes to make your player multi-region.

Originally posted by Lesley R
Does anyone out there have a DVD recorder and can successfully record programmes via Telewest Cable ? I've been hearing that it doesn't work (although Telewest says it will) and don't want to waste money on a recorder if I can't record !

You may want to do a search or ask the question at the Digital Spy forums (http://forum.digitalspy.co.uk/board/index.php). If there really is an issue with Telewest and DVD recorders it will probably be discussed in a thread there somewhere.
:)

Bizarre.

That's quite easily the dumbest 'expert advice' I have heard for quite some time.

Your friend sounds like he has no idea what he is on about.

DVD Recorders are fine and the format makes no difference whatsoever.



Originally posted by garrence
I don't know because we don't have cable. However I can answer a different question!

I recently asked my DVD geek friend which recorder to get. He said "None of them because there are several formats and the technology needs a little time to mature and come down in price". He pointed me to this page (http://www.dvdrhelp.com/dvd)

Instead he recommended that I get a £40 player from ebuyer.com that supports all the formats.

The above site also has the special codes to make your player multi-region.

Originally posted by fattybear
Bizarre.

That's quite easily the dumbest 'expert advice' I have heard for quite some time.

Your friend sounds like he has no idea what he is on about.

DVD Recorders are fine and the format makes no difference whatsoever.


The format does make a difference.

You can not take a DVD+RW and make it work in a DVD-RW drive.
There currently is still no standardised format for DVD's. It is sensible to wait until there is an industry standard or buy a dvd recorder which can cope with all formats.

Skatie

I've been told its a little like the Betamax v VHS when video recorders first came out.

It is best to wait to see which format wins.

Best DVD recorder is a Panasonic DMRE50, it records DVD-RAM & DVD-R.

DVD-RAM allows you to pause Live TV (when you are taping) and even watch the start of a program while you are recording the end still!

You'll be waiting a while to see which wins, its been neck and neck for years already now and doesnt seem to be ending.

There is always a way of making these things work.

Sometimes the solution is not as straight forwrd as you would like.

Once again - absolute tosh.

These housewives tales really do annoy those who REALLY know what they are talking about.

Let me ask you a question - when would you take a dvd+rw and put it into a dvd-rw drive ?

If you want a dvd recorder - you probably want it to record from tv to dvd.

If that's the case you will be taking a recording and playing it back on the SAME MACHINE ?

If not - you can take the recorded disk and play it in a dvd player anyway.

The only thing you wouldn't be able to do all the time would be to play it in a different dvd RECORDER - and why would you want to do that anyway ?

The format matters not one JOT - just go out there and buy a dvd recorder for god sake - you'll be FINE

The only thing you should avoid is bad advice from people who have heard 'from a friend of a friend who is an expert' about these things.

I thank you.


Originally posted by Skatiechik
The format does make a difference.

You can not take a DVD+RW and make it work in a DVD-RW drive.
There currently is still no standardised format for DVD's. It is sensible to wait until there is an industry standard or buy a dvd recorder which can cope with all formats.

Skatie

Originally posted by RPG
Best DVD recorder is a Panasonic DMRE50, it records DVD-RAM & DVD-R.

DVD-RAM allows you to pause Live TV (when you are taping) and even watch the start of a program while you are recording the end still!

You'll be waiting a while to see which wins, its been neck and neck for years already now and doesnt seem to be ending.

Totally agree. Actually I am trying to buy an E50 today, but the buggers have actually gone up in price and are out of stock nearly everywhere. The cheapest multi region version that I can find in stock is £300 from Richer Sounds. However, if I'm patient I could get it for £260 from Hughes Direct. Problem is, I'm not patient. What to do, what to do...

Originally posted by fattybear
Once again - absolute tosh.

These housewives tales really do annoy those who REALLY know what they are talking about.

Let me ask you a question - when would you take a dvd+rw and put it into a dvd-rw drive ?



Chill bigbear...:cool:

Originally posted by chill
Totally agree. Actually I am trying to buy an E50 today, but the buggers have actually gone up in price and are out of stock nearly everywhere. The cheapest multi region version that I can find in stock is £300 from Richer Sounds. However, if I'm patient I could get it for £260 from Hughes Direct. Problem is, I'm not patient. What to do, what to do...

Richer Sounds, if you go on the site you can get some excellent Sony Headphones free as well :D

Originally posted by fattybear
Once again - absolute tosh.
Aggressive!
The only thing you wouldn't be able to do all the time would be to play it in a different dvd RECORDER - and why would you want to do that anyway ? [/B]
I'd argue it's safe to assume that within a few years most DVD machines will be recorders (Some PC DVD recorders are already below £70). So if you record a film on your by-the old machine in a format that is no longer supported, then try to play it on a friend's machine..
I guess there's a reasonable chance, however, that machines will record in some formats but be able to play most formats.

Sorry to anyone who found my posts offensive - I was just pulling your leg.. !!

Originally posted by fattybear
Once again - absolute tosh.

These housewives tales really do annoy those who REALLY know what they are talking about.

Let me ask you a question - when would you take a dvd+rw and put it into a dvd-rw drive ?

If you want a dvd recorder - you probably want it to record from tv to dvd.

If that's the case you will be taking a recording and playing it back on the SAME MACHINE ?

If not - you can take the recorded disk and play it in a dvd player anyway.

The only thing you wouldn't be able to do all the time would be to play it in a different dvd RECORDER - and why would you want to do that anyway ?

The format matters not one JOT - just go out there and buy a dvd recorder for god sake - you'll be FINE

The only thing you should avoid is bad advice from people who have heard 'from a friend of a friend who is an expert' about these things.

I thank you.

Thats a big assumption to make that you will always want to play it in the same machine. I for one wouldn't want that restriction.

My information was also not a housewife's tale it was pure fact.

But then it is up to what the user wishes to use the DVD recorder for and if they would like the constraints involved with only having a DVD recorder that uses one type of format.

Skatie

Originally posted by RPG
Richer Sounds, if you go on the site you can get some excellent Sony Headphones free as well :D

My sensible side has won out, now that I've seen it even cheaper (http://www.ajelectronics.co.uk/ViewProdDetails.asp?prod_code=95&Prod_name=Panasonic+DMR%2DE50+DVD+Video+Recorder&cat_names=DVD%20%3E%3E%20DVD%20Recorder). I'll wait until after Christmas at least.

Here's my twopenneth.

I have just bought a DVD recorder. I wanted to record onto dvd(+or-)rw and watch the recording on a standard dvd player I have upstairs. I was going to go for the Panasonic, however as stated it records on dvd-r and dvd-ram. DVD-RAM is not compatible with std dvd players. This would mean having to record onto dvd-r and then bin the recording when it is no longer of use. This is expensive. Get a dvd recorder that records on either dvd-rw or dvd+rw. These discs can be used over and over again and are compatible with 85% of dvd playes (probably 99% of newish ones).

I got the Philips DVDR70 which records on dvd+r and dvd+rw. My mate has got the same and we're both very impressed with it (£250 off Comet's website). I would steer clear of dvd-ram (imho), the discs are expensive too.

I hope this has been of help to you.

but when DVD-R are like 20p a disc its throwaway money anyway :lol:

plus, if you are using the RAM disc on the same machine it doesnt matter, if its elsewhere whats 20p amongst friends? ;)