I have one, a Panasonic (I used to have two, but one died) that I bought way back in 2003 and once recorded "stuff" on a daily basis. I have a couple thousand movies recorded on DVD-Rs from various "sources." Now, I only occasionally use it, usually to add some rare film that pops up on TCM to my collection, and I keep my fingers crossed it doesn't die on me like the other one did. It's a little hard to believe they don't make them anymore as they were great. But, for me, DVD kind of lost its luster when HD Blu-ray came in, and I've never bothered getting a Blu-ray recorder because I only want first generation HD.
As much as I loved it back a decade ago, I can't say I miss the days when I was a recording nut.
Technology moves on.. once reliable terrestrial recordings, audios, viewings, is now all dodgy digital, ditto with radio too, most equipment don't stay compatible for ever, you up-grade, the recorders don't have enough guts in-em.
I never had a DVD recorder, but I'm still using my Sony CD recorder, they stopped making them years ago, so I'm nursing my ageing machine along. I make various recording of radio programs, comedy/drama/docs (I really am captain sadness). I rip 'em on to my ipod, so I haven't just got music on there, there's all sorts of stuff.
I still have two Panasonic DVD recorders with ATSC (digital) tuners in excellent condition, but why bother recording HD material at SD resolution? That's why the recorders are now in storage.
I also have an Elgato EyeTV from almost a decade ago, and have tinkered with a Channel Master+ DVR. Both are excellent for capturing HD "off air," but I really don't watch any TV these days. I might catch up with a series friends have told me is/was very good via subscription services. My own DVD collection and all new BDs end up on the media server—even for single viewings.
If someone tells me they're still using DVD or VGA, I remark, "How quaint."
...If someone tells me they're still using DVD or VGA, I remark, "How quaint."
My Pioneer DVRLX60D is in its tenth year. I don't use it that much these days but have many DVDrs in my collection. And I do still use it to burn a DVDr (usually of a film) for my mother who is never likely to move up to HD Blu. That's how quaint it is!
I also produce DVDrs of music concerts which, if recorded in best quality, do play back very well through the BluRay player ... linked by optical cable to my DAC which feeds into my hi-fi amplifier. These certainly sound much better than the mp3 players so many people seem to prefer.
Last year, I was surprised to find that I could not replace this ageing machine so I hope it lasts a while longer.
I'm quaint. I still use all major prior formats -- VHS, Laserdisc, DVD. My Sony DVD recorder died over a year ago, which put an end my recording. Still use VHS occasionally to time-shift, since I don't have a DVR.
I have a Magnivox D.V.D. recorder which I use to record "live" television in which I set it to a certain channel and let it go without pressing the record button.
@ Mitch, it is surprising how quickly things can change. I'm a "system integrator," and many of the company's clients are cable access stations. A fair number of them are clinging to tape formats, like VHS and DVCAM, even though every other aspect of their operation is file based (the main video server, video editing workstations, etc.). Their excuse is always the same: "In case we want to play any older programs."
I always recommend they immediately begin capturing everything to computer files—before the old media players quit working. It wasn't that long ago that my boss told a client he could get them a combo player, then had to retract it when none were to be found anywhere.
Perhaps it is because I also service media gear that I am not wedded to any particular format. I'd rather have my content, than lose it to format fetishism. I gladly upgrade any commercial titles on improved formats.
@ Mitch, it is surprising how quickly things can change. I'm a "system integrator," and many of the company's clients are cable access stations. A fair number of them are clinging to tape formats, like VHS and DVCAM, even though every other aspect of their operation is file based (the main video server, video editing workstations, etc.). Their excuse is always the same: "In case we want to play any older programs."
I always recommend they immediately begin capturing everything to computer files—before the old media players quit working. It wasn't that long ago that my boss told a client he could get them a combo player, then had to retract it when none were to be found anywhere.
Perhaps it is because I also service media gear that I am not wedded to any particular format. I'd rather have my content, than lose it to format fetishism. I gladly upgrade any commercial titles on improved formats.
Your point being? I'm aware that most media formats change ... I'm bemused by the present popularity of vinyl (I know that serious hi-fi fans never dispensed with this format but for the masses these cheap vinyl players must seem awfully quaint ... I'm sure this fad will soon pass) ... and, e.g. I have fully embraced music streaming (FLAC lossless converted to WAV on the wire).
My love of good sounding/quality music means I watch less and less TV/films and so, whilst I have considered a Blu-ray recorder I'm not sure it is a worthwhile purchase whilst my ten year old DVD recorder still works. And, as I stated, I reckon the music playback is better quality than many others' mp3 players. Not that I use it for this purpose very often. Those discs also play via the PC so I need not worry that they will become obsolete when the player dies. I've been through that with Betamax and VHS, in addition to vinyl and cassette formats.
But, more importantly, the recorder is useful for capturing and burning films to DVDrs for my aged mother. All I need are some films she wants to watch!
If you're using DVD-R because it's what you have and it works, I get that. I'm missing your point about it sounding better than MP3. I thought we were talking about video.
I prefer to replace patchwork older gear with newer, more reliable alternatives when possible. My mom is in her late 70s and dislikes in-yer-face displays of technology. She didn't like the 32" LCD I replaced her failing 19" CRT with, until she saw how much easier it is to read text on a bigger screen—and without the blooming and flickering of the older tech. Now she loves it. (She thinks my brother's 70" screen is garish, though.) She was never fond of VCRs, but took up streaming once she found how easy it is to operate the unit (in this case, an Apple TV).
And I wasn't advocating a Blu-ray recorder, either. I mentioned two other means of capture and playback—which do not consume media, like optical discs. I don't need to sell you on streaming, since you obviously use it already. I'm also able to manage my mom's system remotely, if necessary. Perhaps you don't have that option.
All in all, my "point" was not to bash older tech, but reply to the OP on why I no longer use it.
Mitch wrote: Your point being?... All in all, my "point" was not to bash older tech, but reply to the OP on why I no longer use it.
Your opening post concluded with the line If someone tells me they're still using DVD or VGA, I remark, "How quaint."
Definition of "quaint": unusual; odd; whimsical which suggests that you think anyone still using this technology is living in a bygone era. I'm pleased to read that you have revised your view: your new statement concludes ... not to bash older tech ... because I certainly read your earlier posts to imply this.
I would love to get my mother (nearing 86) to improve her TV/DVD set-up (and add a decent CD player) but I know that those days will come only when the existing kit fails. As for remotely controlling it ... I wouldn't have a clue and don't understand why this would be useful.
I've talked with people about streaming films/TV from my PC/NAS but until I find out how to rip DVDs to a NAS I see no mileage in this. And since I watch so little (compared with 10 years ago) again, what would be the point?
As for my DVDr ~ mp3 references: I stated that I use my aged DVD recorder for retaining discs of music concerts. I'm sure anyone who plays such concerts via a flat-screen TV's own speakers probably wouldn't be bothered to listen/keep such broadcasts but I make the point that by transferring such music to a DVDr and playing that disc via a hi-fi set-up the sound is very good, better (I believe) than many achieve using lossy mp3 sound.
Perhaps with your technical knowledge you could advise (I'm not asking you to!) how to get the freesat broadcast to store on my NAS (in a format which I can burn to DVDr for my mother) without using the DVD recorder. I know my NAS firmware includes many apps which I've never looked at but since I have no direct link from the Satellite dish to the PC/NAS I think this may be the first hurdle!
Hence there are good reasons to keep this old quaint technology.
What has happened in the Milwaukee area since Charter bought out Time/Warner and became "Spectrum" is that stations like Turner Classic Movies now have encoding that allows you to record to the hard drive on your DVDR/HDR, but when you go to record from the hard drive to a DVD-R you are informed that this is not allowed.
I don't know how widespread this is nationwide. I'm sure they'd prefer you get one of their cable boxes with an onboard DVR that they could add an additional monthly charge for.
What has happened in the Milwaukee area since Charter bought out Time/Warner and became "Spectrum" is that stations like Turner Classic Movies now have encoding that allows you to record to the hard drive on your DVDR/HDR, but when you go to record from the hard drive to a DVD-R you are informed that this is not allowed.
I don't know how widespread this is nationwide. I'm sure they'd prefer you get one of their cable boxes with an onboard DVR that they could add an additional monthly charge for.
Tarantino still uses VHS at home. The creatives don't care.
Did he say it in an interview, trying hard to outdo other nerds? Ah but wait, he worked in a video store and saw 4 million vhs tapes a week. Perhaps he bought up the store before it shutdown?
It's possible to glean every aspect of editing, colour, directing in terms of art by watching any format. It's far more nerdy to obsess about the latest format all the time, which actually would've taught him nothing more. Unfortunately the industries just force us to keep updating. But there are no figures out there for the many people who didn't care about the marginal improvements with BluRay and just dropped out. There are many. If DVDs become obsolete, they'll just move on and get another hobby.
