DVD recorders. Record and play?

stripes · 30-06-2007, 08:36

Hello.

Now, and this might be a really daft question, but sometimes I am amazed at my own ignorance....

Can all DVD recorders playback and record at the same time? And if not all, then what words should I be looking for in product descriptions?

I am thinking of buying a DVD recorder with a large hard drive plus built-in Freeview, but the manufacturer's sites (Panasonic, Sony, for example), don't really answer my question.

Thanks.

Allen, London.

Jules · 01-07-2007, 00:51

Anyone have an answer for Allen?

alferret · 01-07-2007, 08:40

Im not 100% sure but I would say that some do.
I have a Phillips DVD3460H and as far as I know it doesnt do that, that is if im getting the gist of your question right.

You require a HDD DVD PVR that will allow you to record program "A" while at the same time watch program "B" that you recorded previously?

As for keywords I wouldnt know what to suggest other than take your best shot and trawl though the links thrown up.

Not really helpfull I know.
If I get some time i'll take a look and see if I can find out anything for you.

Uncle Peter · 01-07-2007, 10:16

Or are you asking if it's possible to record to hard disk and play a dvd at the same time? I have a Lite-On HDD/DVD recorder and you must explicitly select either HDD or DVD as the active component so unfortunately you cannot do this... not with the model I have anyway.

alferret · 01-07-2007, 11:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Uncle Peter

Or are you asking if it's possible to record to hard disk and play a dvd at the same time?

Good point Unc.

Allen, can you expand on your request?

stripes · 01-07-2007, 14:59

Sorry not to have responded sooner - for some reason my 'instant email notification' didn't work!

So...

I want to be able to watch a prerecorded program from either a DVD or from the hard disc, while at the same time recording a different program, probably through the built-in Freeview, possibly through an external (Virgin-type) cable set-top box. (Although given our viewing habits I should imagine that we'll quite quickly drop the cable side of our input in favour of just the Freeview).

Not bothered whether it records to DVD or not in the above example, but I would have thought 'play from hard drive/record from hard drive' simultaneously would fit most bills.

Hope this clarifies the question, and apologies again for apparent rudeness.

Allen.

**Kevin T** · 01-07-2007, 15:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by stripes

Hello.

Now, and this might be a really daft question, but sometimes I am amazed at my own ignorance....

Can all DVD recorders playback and record at the same time? And if not all, then what words should I be looking for in product descriptions?

I am thinking of buying a DVD recorder with a large hard drive plus built-in Freeview, but the manufacturer's sites (Panasonic, Sony, for example), don't really answer my question.

Thanks.

Allen, London.

Panasonics do, I've had one DVD recorder & one HDD/DVD recorder (DMR-EX75EB) which could record one programme while watching an earlier recording. On the DVD recorder you had to be using DVD-RAM discs to do it though...

multiskilled · 01-07-2007, 16:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cobbydaler

Panasonics do, I've had one DVD recorder & one HDD/DVD recorder (DMR-EX75EB) which could record one programme while watching an earlier recording. On the DVD recorder you had to be using DVD-RAM discs to do it though...

This was one of the features of dvd ram, the ability to record whilst watching(time slip) so you could pause a broadcast then watch it delayed from that point whilst it recorded the live broadcast similar to a pvr with a hard drive.

stripes · 11-07-2007, 07:23

Just to wrap this thread up:

I bought a Panasonic DMR EX75 etc as all reports, from Cobbydaler to Which, said it was good.

It is. Freeview (with a new aerial, of course) is as good as ntl cable reception. Copying old videos onto it is child's play. I had it set up and running within hours, and no major headaches.

Marvellous bit of kit, wish I'd upgraded years ago, etc., and would recommend it to anyone.

Oh, and you can watch a previously recorded programme from the hard disc while you're recording a new programme TO the hard disc. Not yet sure about DVD-RAMs, as I haven't got any, but I'm sure they'll add another level of use. (With a bit of button-pressing, you can record a new prog. ex Freeview at the same time as watching a TV prog through ordinary aerial reception).

Thanks for the replies.

Allen, London.