[alone]

Oh god where do I start.

I have a sharp 26 inch tv with built in freeview.

Similar to this but obv diff screen size
http://www.comet.co.uk/shopcomet/pro...SHARP-LC20AD5E

I'm confused by all the HD DVD/BLU RAY DVD stuff. I basically want a dvd recorder with a hard drive and so that it can record one freeview channel while I watch another.

Am I right in assuming I need to get a dvd recorder with built in freeview?

I'm verging towards Sony as a brand as parents have a Sony dvd recorder and all seems pretty well. Bad experience with phillips and goodmans so won't really go there.

Anyone willing to help clear the whole mess up in my head and suggest any potential recorders

[David (2)]

ok, well forget about Blu-Ray for now - you cant buy Blu-ray domestic recorders yet.
(and you know HD-DVD is a dead format).

So that leaves a choice of....
Hard disc PVR (twin tuner Freeview).
DVD Recorder with built in Freeview
Combi Hard disc/DVD Recorder with built in Freeview

Whichever system you get, make sure it does indeed include the Freeview chip - many cheaper models dont (they only record analogue channels 1-5).

A twin tuner Freeview PVR would allow you to record 2 different channels at the same time, while you view a 3rd channel on your digital tv. You could also record one digital channel while viewing a different one, or record one channel, while playing back an existing recording. The downside is that it wont have a DVD recorder.

A DVD recorder with built in Freeview chip is just that - just a direct replacement for the old Video recorder. As long as its a Freeview model (some are analogue only), it could record one digital channel direct to disc, while you view a different digital channel using your digital tv.

A Combi Hard drive/DVD recorder (I have a Panasonic Combi), is the other option. As so long as it has Freeview built in, you can record to the in built hard disc, or direct to DVD. From what I have seen these machines default to hard disc recording, since most people use their recorders for things like Eastenders, then delete the recordings after seeing them. No point using blank DVD's for that. You can also make "high speed" copies from the hard disc to blank dvd's. Very smart, no messy extra cables. With its own Freeview chip, it will record one channel, while you view a different digital channel on your digital tv. But, 99% of these combi's only have a single Freeview chip inside (whereas a plain PVR can have 2). However since you have a digital tv, it wont make any difference.

The latest Panasonic's are very good, and is a mature product - very few problems since I bought my one, and its easy to use. Build quality is A1 as well. Avoid the Goodmans, my previous DVD recorder (not a combi) was a Goodmans - bought due to the cheaper price - dont fall for it - nothing but problems. I have used a recent Sharp DVD recorder (analogue model), and even on that the ease of use and quality was not upto Panasonic standards. The Sony I would hope/expect to be on a par with with the Panasonic.

Guessing your digital tv has at least 1 HDMI input socket - some machines (inc the Combi Panasonic) have HDMI so you can buy a standard HDMI cord (£20) and get your current "normal" DVD's and Freeview pictures "upscaled" sort of like a fake High Def.

Dave

[bobcar]

It depend what you want to do. Unless you want to archive programmes longish term you are better off with a PVR rather than a DVD recorder, these are much easier and more convenient to use for timeshifting.

Edit: David beat me to it with his much more comprehensive answer.

[David (2)]

I have a twin tuner Freeview PVR and a Panasonic DVD/harddisc/Freeview combi. I would say that if you have a digital tv (one with freeview built in), then go for the combi.

The reason I say this is that with a Combi, you get a built in DVD, so you dont need another DVD machine hooked up. So your DVD player and recorder is all in the same box. This then allows you to make high speed copies (transfer) from hard disc recordings to blank dvd's. You cant do this at high speed if the DVD is in a different box and connected with a SCART cord - you would be forced to record at 1x (normal viewing speed). If you want to get the best out of your current pre-recorded/rental DVD's on your HD Ready tv, get a Combi with HDMI connection and use that to hook up to the tv. If you have a 2nd DVD player with HDMI, its another box, another wire, another remote control.

The only downsides to a Combi are...
1: price-you can buy the Humax twin tuner freeview pvr for under £200, but a Pansonic Combi will cost at least £270 (the Sony maybe more).

2. a pvr like Humax 9200 now supports "Freeview Playback" specification, which really means its got Series Link on it, whereas teh Combi wont have this feature.

3. If your tv wasnt a Digital (Freeview) tv, and you were not going to change it for a few years, than a PVR (twin tuner) has the advantage of letting you view one digital channel while it records a different one for you. But since your tv is digital, it has its own freeview chip, so having a twin-chip in the recorder is not a requirement unless you feel you need to view one, and record 2 different channels at the same time.

Dave

[mickyfinn1948]

I've just got a Panasonic DMR-EX77 and when viewing upscaled (1080p) freeview on my Sony KDL 40W2000 tv, its one of the best sd picture I,ve seen. Likewise when viewing dvds.

Its a doddle to record to the hard disk; have'nt had a chance to try recording to dvd yet.

Got mine from Digital Direct for £193 + postage.