Choosing a DVR Hard Drive Recorder
A DVR is a digital video recorder, an electronic device that records video to a disk drive. Using one of these is a great way to record video and you also have the option of a device that incorporates a DVD or Blu-ray player as well.
What Can I Use One of These Devices For?
Hard drive recorders and DVD recorders are useful for two main reasons.
- Record TV shows and movies: If you don't have time to sit and watch a great TV show or movie, you can simply record it to watch it at a later time of your convenience.
- Back up videos and photos: Once you have memories onto your camcorder or camera that you would like to save, you can use a recorder to back up photos and video without using a laptop or PC.
What Models Can I Find?
Sony have different models of DVR and hard drive recorders available. Some are a recording device only, while others are DVD or Blu-ray players as well. A few of the models you can find include:
- VRD-MC5: This DVDirect DVD recorder has many recording capabilities and is ideal for those who want to copy their videos and photos off their camera. You can record AVCHD video from your camcorder as well as backup digital photos onto DVD. It's possible to record video from DV or other analog video source onto DVD so that you can play in your DVD player or Blu-ray player.
- VRD-MC3: You can easily transfer photos and video straight from your camera onto disc with this DVD recorder, without the need to use a computer as it's used like an external hard drive. You can preview videos on the 2.5-inch LCD screen and up to four photos at a time. Recordable disc formats include CD-R, CD-RW, DVD+RW, DVD-R dual layer, and HDD.
- RDRHXD970: This model is a hard drive DVD recorder that has 250 GB of storage. You can record up to 385 hours of TV onto the HDD and there is also the option of pausing live TV, so you can go and make yourself something to eat without missing any of the action. You'll find an HDMI port with 1080p upscaling plus you can play and record DVD-R and DVD-RW.
- RDR-HX900: This is a 160 GB HDD recorder that can record up to five hours of audio or video content onto a 4.7 GB DVD. It can record and store up to 204 hours of AV content on the hard disk drive and has a high-speed dubbing feature when recording from HDD to DVD.