The DVD Recorder Buyers Guide: The Reference Guide To Choose The Right DVD Recorder For You.

When purchasing a DVD Recorder simply consult this buyers reference guide. After careful thought we have decided to create the guide in a question and answer format. This has been done for 3 reasons.

Firstly it allows us to update the website easily.

Secondly it allows us to answer the questions we have been asked over and over again.

Finally this format will allow you to view the information which is relevant to what you are looking for.

That's about it so here we go just click on the links below for the answer to your questions. If you feel there is a topic which is not covered in the DVD Recorder Buyers Guide below please contact us and we will try our best to answer your questions.

The DVD Recorder Buyers Guide Section 1. General Questions.

Q: What does DVD mean?

A: DVD stands for Digital Versatile Discs.

Q: How do DVDs differ from Compact Discs? (CD's).

A: CD's and DVD's are very similar however a DVD has around 7x the data capacity of a CD. This extra data storage capacity allows DVD's to store a full film.

Q: How do DVD's store data?

A: The information or data is coded in the form of very small bumps on the disc.

Q: What are DVD Discs made of?

A: DVD's are made of several layers of polycarbonate plastic. These layers have very small bumps, which carry data. Reflective layers protect the bumps. Aluminum is used behind the inner layers, and a semi-reflective gold layer is used for the outer layers. Each layer is coated with lacquer.

Q: How does a DVD player work?

A: DVD player's work by shinning a laser beam onto the surface of the DVD to read the bumps. The reflected light is the decoded back into data.

Q: Are old films available on DVD?

A: Yes more and more old films are being re-released on DVD.

Q: Why should I buy a DVD Recorder?

A: Lets compare DVD technology to VHS. Recordable DVD's give better quality and are more durable and convenient. The picture quality from a DVD will be sharper and composed of more lines per inch. Videotape will pass over metal heads & rollers this will stretch and wear out the tape. A DVD will only be touched by a beam of light, which will cause no damage at all. Other advantages include a reduction of storage space required, almost instant forwarding and rewinding also additional features such as the directors cut.

Q: Should I buy my DVD Recorder online?

A: You can really save money by shopping online. Online stores have very low overheads and can provide very good deals, which cannot be matched offline. The other advantage is the high level of customer service and product information provided online. They just can't afford to get it wrong because you have the option of clicking to another site. DVD Recorder Buyers Guide recommends various established online vendors in it's reviews.

Q: Can I play my recorded DVD's on other DVD players?

A: There is no guarantee that any DVD you make with your DVD recorder will play on all DVD players. This is mostly dependent on the format used to record the DVD. For further details please view the format question in section 2.

Q: How much do DVD Recorders cost?

A: When DVD recorders were first launched they cost in the region of $3,000. However over the last 2 to 3 years prices have dropped fast. You can now purchase DVD Recorders for as little as $199 for a basic machine to $300 for a full-featured unit.

Q: Can I make copies of a DVD I recorded from cable?

A: Some Cable / Network providers are beginning to protect their programs. They allow you to record to DVD or a hard drive but will not allow you to make copies from the DVD or hard drive.

Q: What is the difference between a DVD Recorder and a DVD Burner?

A: A DVD recorder is similar to a VCR. It can record from the TV and can record from any analog video source. A DVD Burner is an external or internal DVD drive that is capable of recording video but also read and write computer data and store it on a DVD Disc.

Q: Can I copy original DVD movies using my DVD recorder?

A: Nearly all original movies come with protective coding which will not allow you to copy them.

Q: What about DVD Discs?

A: New discs can be bought from most electrical equipment outlets. Always make sure that you buy the right discs for your DVD recorder. For example if you have +R recorder you need to buy a +R disc. A -R disc will not work in a +R recorder. Don't buy discs labeled for data only as these are designed for computers only. There are many suppliers of DVD discs and prices vary. DVD Recorder Buyers Guide advice is to stick to high quality branded discs. From painful experience unbranded cheap imports just do not have the quality required.

Q: What is a DVD Ripper?

A: A DVD Ripper is basically software that will digitally extract data from a DVD disc and save the data to the computer’s hard drive. This can then be burnt onto DVD or CD.

Q: What is a DVD Burner?

A: A dvd burner is hardware (equipment) that records on to a DVD disc using a laser that “burns” the information onto the disc.

Well that brings to an end DVD Recorder Buyers Guide Section 1.

DVD Recorder Buyers Guide Section 2. Jargon Buster.

Q: What does the DVD Terminology Mean?

A: At the time of writing there are two main types of DVD recording methods. These are the - format and the + format. The + or - simply states which format the DVD recorder operates. Either format will give you high quality recorded DVD's. Most DVD recorders will record in only one format. However some will record in either format these are called Multi-Format DVD Recorders. These recorders are more expensive than the single format DVD recorders. Most recorders will play either format. When you start to explore the DVD recorder specifications you will be faced with various terms. We have listed descriptions for the majority of these terms below:

DVD-R: Translates to DVD recordable in the - format. DVD-R is a record once format you cannot re-record on the same disc. This format can be played in most DVD players and is the most universal DVD recording format. DVD-R discs need to be finalized at the conclusion of the recording process before they can be played on another DVD Player. DVD discs can usually hold up to 6 hours data in this format.

DVD-RW: Translates to DVD Rewritable in the - format. Discs can be recorded on, erased and re-recorded on many hundreds of times. These discs also need to be finalized. Discs can hold about 2 hours of data.

DVD+R: Translates to DVD recordable in the + format. DVD+R is a record once format you cannot re-record on the same disc. DVD+R discs need to be finalized. This format offers a greater degree of compatibility with current DVD technology. This format can be played in most DVD players. DVD discs can usually hold up to 6 hours data in this format.

DVD+RW: Translates to DVD Rewritable in the + format. Discs can be recorded on, erased and re-recorded on many hundreds of times. These discs do not need to be finalized as this happens during the recording process. Discs can hold about 2 hours of data.

DVD+R DL: This translates to a record once format similar to DVD+R, except that it has 2 layers. This allows twice the recording capacity on one side of the disc. This is a less compatible format.

DVD-RAM: RAM translates to Random Access Memory. This format is not compatible with most DVD players or computer drives. DVD-RAM Discs can be rewritten to up to 100,000 times.

Well that brings to an end the DVD Recorder Buyers Guide. Remember if you have any other questions please do not hesitate to contact Best-DVD-Recorder-Reviews.com

The DVD Recorder Buyers Guide
Best DVD Recorder Reviews.com