DVD recorders continued

[tracymort]

Won't let me post answer to below question so putting my reply here!

[tracymort]

Tracy's asked me to help with this one...I'm a manager of a HiFi retailer and deal with all three DVD recordable formats, these being Pioneer (DVD-R), Philips (DVD+R), and Panasonic (DVD-RAM). All have their own extra features here and there. Panasonic machines use a cartridge-type disc but have a great 'time-slip' function. This means you can watch the beginning of a program whilst it is still recording towards the end. The Philips and Pioneer formats use a standard disc that can store up to 6 hours recording at different levels. The more you fit onto a disc, the lower the quality of picture drops. Even at their lowest levels, they are still fully watchable in my opinion and still better any VHS machine. Contrary to some belief, the Philips format (DVD+R) will play on a great deal of other branded machines...i've tried Toshiba, Sony, Pioneer(!), Acoustic Solutions, LG, Cyber Home, and Wharfedale to name a few, and no problems there. The Pioneer format (DVD-R) wasn't quite as compatible and their machines are also quite a lot more expensive (just under �1,000 compared to the Philips' now around �380). All formats can copy from TV, video, camcorder easily, and using a Macrovision-disabled (copy-protection free) DVD player...from another DVD as well, but bear in mind there is obviously copyright restrictions that apply. If making back-up copys of your DVD's, cheaper machines tend more to have 'hacks' that remove copy-protection. The cheapest I know of being the multi-region Acoustic Solutions DVD321 at �70.

[tracymort]

...My money in the format war is on the Philips DVD+R format. Big guns Sony and Microsoft have put their weight behind it, and it seems to be the most friendly type of disc for other branded machines as well. Panasonic could still do well as they are soon to be introducing hard-drives to their machines for back-up, but Pioneer even though it's a fantastic machine, is still behind in the price stakes. They need to react to the other formats soon or they will end up as the 'betamax' of DVD recording.

[Metaphysical]

I would place my money of the DVD+R & DVD+RW style DVD recorders to win the battle. They do seem more compatible than DVD-R/RW. They only problem at the moment is the price of the DVD+R/RW media. They retail at around �20 in the high street and �6 on-line. It should hopefully drop as the format becomes more common - well I hope it does!!

[tracymort]

No it's more like �6 for a RW and �4 for R!