Advice please...my VCR died..I only use it to tape a few programs that I miss if I'm working

[likesmountains 52]

usually just Countdown..I have a DVD player already..Should I get another cheap VCR or are the DVRs good for taping TV? Thanks, the choices are a little overwhelming.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

1. Depends on how much money you have

A new VCR will cost you about $30.

I had a DVR as part of my Comcast package for a while, and while it was nice to be able to set up a whole bunch of recording for different channels throughout the week when I was out of town and so on, there wasn't any way to keep programs from being recorded over.

There are also DVD recorders, but I don't know anything about them.

[likesmountains 52]

2. so you get a blank DVD to record on...can it be re-recorded over an over?

[Rosemary2205]

4. I have a DVD recorder

It cost me @ $120 - pick up blank DVD-RW discs (they come in minus and plus and I have not noticed that it makes any difference)- the discs don't last as long as the old VHS tapes do but the quality is better. My big complaint is the fast forward is slower than molasses as far as zipping out commercials. About every 3 months the disc just WON'T be read, self locks or some other weirdness and we lose whatever was recorded. We throw it out and put in a new blank disc.

The DVD recorder was easier to program than the VCR believe it or not.

If you go this route - when you buy blank DVD's - get a good name brand. The store brands are AWFUL.

[likesmountains 52]

9. Thanks, I guess that's what I'll have to do..I just wasn't sure about the re-recording of the DVDs

[riverdeep]

13. Yes, theoretically.

If you get a rewritable DVD (DVD-or+RW), which are more expensive than one time use discs, you can record over and over. Also, DVD-RAMs work, but aren't compatible with any other player. The advantage here is that you can start recording a program, wait a couple minutes and watch the program while the machine is recording it.

I have a recordable DVD player, and recently just went back to VHS tapes, for programs that I just want to watch once. The disc sometimes just doesn't record. Sometimes, it won't read the discs that were previously working fine. The picture quality is only good when you use the highest setting, otherwise, the VHS tapes have as good as, or better quality. Note that some of this is particular to certain brands of player-some work better than others. You can still get VCR's over the internet, but usually they are of poor quality. It's easier to get combos. This may be less expensive in the long run.

I also have a set alone VCR, probably one of the last semi-quality ones made, and it isn't as good as ones I've owned in the past. They either aren't making them or making them of very poor quality. It's a JVC HR-S3902U. It works fine, with decent picture. But good luck finding it. But JVC is very much hit or miss these days, and they used to be one of the best.

[grasswire]

6. I don't see any VCRs in the stores any more.

It's all combos. Which is too bad for those of us who already have a DVD player but our VCR player has died.

I want a VCR. I'm looking.

[likesmountains 52]

7. That's what I see too..all combos...

[madinmaryland]

3. Buy another cheap VCR. In a couple of years you should be able to get a

DVR fairly cheaply. My wife records 10-12 hours a week, on two $40 VCR's. They last a couple of years, then we get new ones. I have not recorded anything in years. They don't have pr0n on the channels I watch, so.. :evilgrin:

[likesmountains 52]

8. I wish I could...there just aren't any VCR players around anymore...

It's too bad, I was perfectly happy with my set up.

[hyphenate]

5. Well....

if you don't mind putting out a little every month, you might want to invest in a TIVO (aka a DVR) if you have cable or satellite. I know on DirecTV, you can get one for either free or a small fee for making a committment for a year--you can also pay for the full year in one swell foop, or by the month--I pay $12.95 a month to TIVO.

With a TIVO (DVR) you never have to worry about taping ever again--you set up your shows with a complete onscreen interface, and the machine automatically "tapes" for you every time. You can get what they call a "season pass" to specific shows and whether you are home or not, it will record your favorites for you.

If you want to, you can buy the wireless adapter instead of plugging it into the phone, and you can then make DVDs of almost anything you record to show on a DVD player. I must say, I haven't used my VCR in over two years now that I have the TIVO. And this is coming from someone who has collected and recorded videotapes since 1984.

[likesmountains 52]

10. Thanks hyphenate...I might check that out...sounds pretty easy!

[MissMillie]

11. I went looking for a VCR and couldn't find one

that stands alone. I imagine you might be able to order one online... but a DVR will probably be your best bet

[Wcross]

12. Ever considered a TIVO?

They are so much better than manually recording programs.