Panasonic DMR-ES10S DIGA Series DVD Recorder , Silver
Better than a VCR!!!!!
I have a digital cable box from cablevision with the built in DVR which to me is a better option than buying a $500 + DVD recorder with a built in hard drive. Considering that I rent the cable box for 10 bucks a month, and considering the lifespan of a hard drive, I think it is a cheaper option. Also if you have a digital cable box        <br />you can't record one show while watching another, so spending all that money would be pretty useless to me. <br /> <br />The reason why I bought this model is because aside from owning a dvr there are occasional times where I want to keep a permanent copy of a show or movie. <br /> <br />You can record one show while watching another if you bypass the cable box, however you can only watch or record the analog channel's (1-99).  <br /> <br />To record digital channels: <br />With the dvd recorder connected to the cable box I can set the VCR timer on the cable box to record my programs while I am not home, the VCR timer on the cable box will turn the box on and turn to the channel you want to record for however many shows you want. You just have to program the recorder to record channel 3 and set the times you want to record. The menus are pretty simple and it really isn't any trouble at all.  <br /> <br />DVD-RAM is the best media option for this recorder because it allows you to edit the disk before you finalize it, it allows you to watch one recorded show while recording another as well. With DVD-rw if you want to erase a program in order to free up space you have to erase the last one you recorded, with DVD RAM it doesn't matter which chapter or program you delete, the free space will be useable. <br /> <br />DVD-RAM can be rewritten up to 100,000 times and you can buy the disks in a protective cartridge which will play in this player. <br />The only downside to dvd-ram is that it is not compatible with most other players and you can't use it on your computer unless you have a dvd-ram drive. I would recommend buying two orthree dvd-rams double sided and in the cartridge for recording your disposable sitcoms (the ones you only want to watch once). You do of course have to flip the double sided disks if you want to record on the other side. <br /> <br />For the recordings you want to keep I would recommend getting some  <br />dvd-r disks as they are most compatible with other players (more so than dvd+r).  <br /> <br />You can also record from your DVR to the dvd-recorder, I have not tried this myself but I have read on several forums that you can. <br />I have copied an old VCR tape and it came out great. <br /> <br />The picture quality is very good on two hours and pretty good on 4 as well.  <br /> <br />The dvd recorder will not record dolby 5.1, but it will record 2 channel dolby digital. There are no dvd recorders on the market that will record 5.1 (set top boxes that is, of course you can copy 5.1 and DTS on your computer if you have a recordable dvd drive).  <br /> <br />This unit is perfect for use in my bedroom, since I have the DVR in my living room. I wouldn't spend much more money on one of these things because you know in a few yrs it will be obsolete with the new blueray technology.