Tivo vs. VCR recording I want to buy a tivo dvr, but dad says there is nothing wrong with VCRs. I've tried justifying tivo, but i need someone to help me with the pros and cons of tivo and pros and cons of VCR recording. Tivo vs. VCR recording I want to buy a tivo dvr, but dad says there is nothing wrong with VCRs. I've tried justifying tivo, but i need someone to help me with the pros and cons of tivo and pros... » Read More Tivo vs. VCR recording I want to buy a tivo dvr, but dad says there is nothing wrong with VCRs. I've tried justifying tivo, but i need someone to help me with the pros and cons of tivo and pros and cons of VCR recording. « Show Less
234984
Check out tivo.com, especially http://www.tivo.com/whatistivo/tivofeatures/index.htmlBig differences between TIVO and VCRs. It is all on the website.
206999
This would be a poor use of this DVR. Your VHS signal is standard definition and the only thing this DVR is particularly good at is high definition. Any files recorded from your VCR could be backed up to USB flash memory, but writing them onto disk might prove tricky and you'd need an additional computer and additional know how.
488984
I have mine hooked up to the vcr until i get the DVR. The VCR only records as long as the tape is (6-8-10 hour tape). My neighbor got the DVR that goes well with the cameras and they can record 24/7. You do have to erase it. I think theirs goes to 385 hours and they bought a hard drive extension. I am going to get one asap then i will be able to tell you first hand.
1316151
The television is simply a visual output device. The DVD recorder and the VCR can care less if a tv is hooked up. I've done many a VCR to DVD transfer. Once I made sure I had everything set right I hit play on the VCR and record on the DVD. Then I turned my tv off and went about my daily routine :)
1927033
I currently use 3 different models constantly (for hours everyday) and my favourite is Magnavox MDR533H/F7 Hard Disc Drive and DVD Recorder (2013 Model), with it you can record to an internal hard disk drive or onto a dvd ( I use the rerecordable DVDs over and over so I never miss a thing) you can also dub between drives in either direction and watch a drive while recording at the same time. Maybe the most impressive thing to me about this is that one SUNDAY afternoon I had a problem with the unit after a power outage and I called the 800 number which is prominently displayed on the manual and remote, actually expecting to get a recording if anything at all, instead I got a live technician that lived in the USA, spoke perfect English and understood the product enough to perfectly resolve the issue.. ON A SUNDAY AFTERNOON!! I'll definitely get another one. The Iview that you apparently are looking at is ok too but rudimentary in odd ways and you must supply your own USB HDD and not sure if you can rig it to record on a DVD Haven't tried that yet, but the tuner is fast when flipping through channels. Good Luck!!
389974
Well, I'm going with this Toshiba recorder, because my Samsung DVD-R135 has some limitations on recording, like it'll only record on DVD- instead of DVD+, which this Toshiba does both, and copyright limitations got on my bad side, too, where the Sammy couldn't even record local stations off my digital cable box. I'm looking for a DVD recorder that doesn't have a tuner, yet, will allow for digital cable boxes to be a source for recording television shows. The Samsung does have a tuner, and I was dumb in connecting my cable box via coax instead of AV cables. That may have helped a bit, but I still think this D-R400 will do better than my current recorder. Well, I'm going with this Toshiba recorder, because my Samsung DVD-R135 has some limitations on recording, like it'll only record on DVD- instead of DVD+, which this Toshiba does both, and copyright limitations got on my bad side, too, where the Sammy couldn't even record local stations off my digital cable box. I'm looking for a DVD recorder that doesn't have a tuner, yet, will allow for digital cable boxes to be a source for recording television shows. The Samsung does have a tuner, and I was dumb in connecting my cable box via coax instead of AV cables. That may have helped a bit, but I... » Read More Well, I'm going with this Toshiba recorder, because my Samsung DVD-R135 has some limitations on recording, like it'll only record on DVD- instead of DVD+, which this Toshiba does both, and copyright limitations got on my bad side, too, where the Sammy couldn't even record local stations off my digital cable box. I'm looking for a DVD recorder that doesn't have a tuner, yet, will allow for digital cable boxes to be a source for recording television shows. The Samsung does have a tuner, and I was dumb in connecting my cable box via coax instead of AV cables. That may have helped a bit, but I still think this D-R400 will do better than my current recorder. « Show Less
1526549
That's interesting. I wonder why it's called a DVR. I actually had the same question as Dennis, thanks for your reply. OK. I just got off the phone with tech at Archos and both the home and travel DVR do record from TV, VCR and DVD player. The main difference is the Home DVR dock is not travel friendly because of size/weight and there is no "s" plug on the travel dock.
387769
The DVDO does work with "standard" VCR as in VHS or Betamax with not special equipment needed as you claim. Perhaps you have a bad unit. All one has to do is connect the output of the VCR to the input of the DVDO and THAT's IT! The DVDO does everything else. And if you've got a TBC, then you don't sound like someone who needs the DVDO for VHS playback. How can one have a TBC and NOT understand the DVDO?
769394
You can record TV shows onto the Tivo HDD. They are encrypted so you can copy them someplace else. TIVO is always recording which is why you can pause live TV, or if a show is playing on a channel it's already on, and you missed 30 minutes, you can hit record and it'll record from the beginning onward. if you change the channel that data would get tossed and it'll start recording on the new channel, just in case you want to do that again or just pause live tv to take a piss break or get something to eat. Nothing any other DRV can't also do. Netflix is different. You're not recording content from your Antenna, you're streaming a program from a service. In this case it's Netflix. You are only streaming it directly from Netflix. Nothing is getting recorded to the HDD. It's no different then if you were using a ROKU Box, or a Chromecast, or watching on your computer.
2080410
On a home recorder the different discs provide different record features and playback options. Also, the manufacturer of the unit probably has a preferred type and record speed that they recommend. For computer work and data both types have worked for me as long as they're a name brand like Sony or Verbatim.
1796337
I purchased a Toshiba dvd/vcr combination recorder/ player. It is model # DVR670KU. I have never been able to get it to work. I have a Sony LCD Digital Color TV (Bravia). Even the cable guy could not get it to work. I bought it on Ebay (first mistake) and they would not take it back. I have had it 2 years and yet to get it to record or play a dvd. What am I doing wrong.
1406748
If you have both a directv dvr and TiVo then yes. Cheaper to have only one or the other . Have you seen new monster TiVo? Expensive but huge dvr capacity!
1145574
You need to hook it up to an external tuner, like a cable box or dish. In addition to playing and recording on VHS tapes, it also functions as a DVR, so you always have to hook it up to other stuff. If you are looking for just a VCR player/recorder, go for one that has a built in tuner. If you are looking for just a VCR player that you can hook up to your TV,look for just a VCR palyer.
2013862
My VCR is also still working, but I fear any day it will "konk out" and I'll be lost. I also use a portable DVD player which is OK, but it would be nice to have an "all in one" which would be relatively easy to install and would still enable me to record shows directly from the TV without a hassle. I only have the very basic cable system (no separate box or satellite).
1209577
If you can't get any HD programming, then I think you wouldn't buy an HD tivo. You can get a dual tuner tivo that isn't HD for a lot cheaper. The only reason to get the HD tivo is if you have both an HD television set and can get HD programming. Recording through a regular tivo wouldn't let you make use of your HDTV capability. Even the series 2 are still GREAT devices. I have bought three series 2 for myself and as gifts over the past several years and everyone I know who has one loves it.
1350823
I only use mine now to switch to my dvd player when needed, so this hasn't been an issue for me. I got mine when I had my dvd player and older Tivo on it....and don't remember ever having any problems...it worked great for me...
1405620
What about video tapes? If I attach a VCR, can I transfer my old VHS recordings onto a DVD using this DVR Recorder?