Pleeeeeeeeease help me choose a DVD Hard Drive recorder??

Thunder_struck

I've looked at roughly 19,362 (:rolleyes:) reviews and guides and I still haven't a clue which one to go for, mainly because I haven't a clue about this stuff.

So, PLEASE help!

Budget: preferably under E350 but would be prepared to go E420ish if it was really worth it.

Need the recorder to work hassle-free with NTL Digital.

Multi-region would be great, but it wouldn't be too big a deal if it only played Euro DVDs.

Would like a big hard drive (120+).

Electronic Program Guide (EPG) would be great.

Ability to store and display photos and music would be ideal.

That Simultaneous Record and Play feature, ie watch a programme from the start while recording it.

Will take any advice on brands but have always had a soft spot for Sony.

Can anyone out there think of something that fits the bill?

Thank you!

Freddie59

Thunder_struck wrote:

I've looked at roughly 19,362 (:rolleyes:) reviews and guides and I still haven't a clue which one to go for, mainly because I haven't a clue about this stuff.

So, PLEASE help!

Budget: preferably under E350 but would be prepared to go E420ish if it was really worth it.

Need the recorder to work hassle-free with NTL Digital.

Multi-region would be great, but it wouldn't be too big a deal if it only played Euro DVDs.

Would like a big hard drive (120+).

Electronic Program Guide (EPG) would be great.

Ability to store and display photos and music would be ideal.

That Simultaneous Record and Play feature, ie watch a programme from the start while recording it.

Will take any advice on brands but have always had a soft spot for Sony.

Can anyone out there think of something that fits the bill?

Thank you!

Hello TS.

Have a look at this thread:

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055025798

I've had the Toshiba for a month now and it's a brilliant unit. Be very careful when choosing between 'Timeshift' and 'Timeslip' which are completely different things. 'Timeslip' is the more efficient of the two. I think the Sony ones only do 'Timeshift' (also known as 'chasing playback').
They are, IMO, grossly overpriced, as are the JVCs.

Freddie.

sweetie

My pioneer 530h has 160 gig and a really handy EPG and also can change the channel on my ntl digital box (unlike some recorders). Very happy with it.

Thunder_struck

Thanks a million Freddie and Sweetie, I took the plunge in the end and went for the Pioneer DVR540 Multiregion....gulp. Was very tempted by the Toshibas and Sonys but the Pioneers seemed to score consistently well in everyone's reviews. No doubt it won't have a bunch of features I'd like, but it sounds good. Fingers crossed. Thanks again.

sweetie

I'm sure it will do everything you requested above. Where did you purchase it and how much was it?

Thunder_struck

sweetie wrote:

I'm sure it will do everything you requested above. Where did you purchase it and how much was it?

Hi Sweetie, I bought it from www.richersounds.ie for E450 :eek: A lot more than I originally intended paying but hopefully it will mean it won't be obsolete in six months! I haven't got it yet, fingers crossed it arrives in one piece.

sweetie

Same as where I got my 530. Believe me it is well worth paying the extra tp get such a quality product. I had a liteon that crashed a lot and died after a year so I did my research and have been very happy with the pioneer.
Enjoy!

Ronan Raver77

Thunder Struck i was going to post the exact thread but found yours:)
450 is a bit steep for me i was thinking of spending 350 max.I really dont have a clue on how to use them is the manual you get easy to comprehend????
I may pop into town and get one later and figure it out
Just realised Richer sounds in dublin closed..

Ronan Raver77

Ordered mine from richer sounds a few days ago so hopefully get it shortly:D

Ronan Raver77

13th of jan I ordered the dvr took them 4 days to tell me it was out of stock.No sign of it yet:mad:

sweetie

That's a shame but stick with it. It is a great machine!