Making the switch to DVD?

[lindrusso]

Hi everyone.

As fewer and fewer VHS tapes are being offered in the video rental stores these days, I am contemplating switching over to DVD. I would like a DVD-only component, as opposed to a DVD/VCR combo because I already have a VCR. However, my only concern is that most DVD players do not have the ability to record programs. We do not do this very often, but we do use it occasionally (and we use it regularly at the moment to tape American Idol for the boys ;) ). For the time being, I can use my VCR to do that, but what happens when the VCR goes?

The current DVD recorders out there are $300 or more, versus less than $100, generally speaking, for a DVD player. I don't know if I want to spend the extra money. Would it would be worth it to gamble that my VCR will last quite a bit longer (it's over 7 years old) and just go with the DVD player? But I don't like the thought that I might have to replace our new DVD player in a few years with a DVD player/recorder if my VCR does go.

I found one intriguing unit by Toshiba. It is a DVD player with free basic TiVO service for about $350. This would take care of recording concerns, but it really costs about as much as a regular DVD player/recorder.

Decisions, decisions. The other option is to keep being patient and stick with the VCR until DVD player/recorder prices come down. The player prices have come down drastically, but I wonder if the same will happen with the units that can record as well?

How have you all dealt with converting to DVD? Any thoughts or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I have just started my research and am already confused! :)

Alysha

[Jazzmatazz49]

We still have a VCR that we use for recording. I would bet that DVDs that record will be super cheap in a couple of years. Tivo is probably going to replace everything though. It's the greatest thing since sliced bread in my opinion!

[AZLorena]

We keep VCR's around for recording as well. I just bought a new dvd player for my candle workshop/workout area for under $50. If you check BestBuy often you can probably find one for cheaper. I think it is worth it to keep both around.

Lorena

[Grace]

We've got TiVo, but it's not TiVo brand - it's a digital video recorder integrated into our satellite box, which we got for $200 (one time, no extra monthly charges) through our satellite provider. You might want to check with your cable/satellite provider - they too may have a receiver box that has "TiVo" capabilites - and it's likely a lot cheaper than actual TiVo.

And I definitely vote for the DVD. Picture quality is unbelievably better, plus there's no rewinding, and all those added features/bonuses, plus they mostly come in widescreen (which we love).

Editing to add, we do keep a VCR in the basement on the basement TV for my exercise videos - those old ones I still like, plus the odd video (like our wedding video, etc.).

[gertdog]

Alysha, we were in the same boat as you a year ago. We ended up buying a basic but good Sony DVD player for about $70 (on sale), and keeping our ancient VCR for recording and viewing movies we already own on VHS tapes. I figure if the VCR breaks, we can then decide to replace it with one of the super-cheap models out there (as low as $30) or talk about upgrading to a DVD-R unit or Tivo at that point.

We love the DVD player!

[fudi2000]

Being in the industry I would have to say, DVD is the way to go. Try to avoid the combos if you can. Too many people have complained about them. The trouble is, if one breaks down, they both break down and you're left with nothing. My DH did something weird when he hooked up are PS2(which is what I use as a dvd player) and now we can't hook up a vcr. I would leave the VCR for recording stuff and go over to Sams CLub or Walmart or Kmart and get a DVD player. Even the cheap ones are half way decent.
Theresa

[lindrusso]

Thanks for the comments.

I am very gadgety and am always attracted to stuff like TiVo. DH can be gadgety too, but not when it comes to TV - he'd be happy if we didn't have one at all (not gonna happen). So, looks like all I'll be able to talk him into is the DVD player. No way he'll spend the extra for TiVo, and really, it's not necessary, just fun. :)

I have one in mind that I may get at Walmart. I like to buy at Walmart because they have a very generous return policy - 90 days - and they are right here in town - versus a 40-minute drive for anywhere else. I looked online and Sam's didn't seem to have much of a selection which surprised me.

Thanks,
Alysha

[Grace]

Alysha, do me a favor and just check with your cable company on the cost of the upgraded receiver box (with digital recording - aka Tivo - built in). I bet you money it's not very expensive, and really, my DH was none too thrilled when I told him I'd ordered one (I didn't talk to him about it first). But let me tell you, watching football (or any show for that matter) with no commercials converted him REALLY fast! He HATES commercials :D Honestly, I think he'd divorce me now if I took it away from him! And being able to record anything at the press of a button (no setting up start time/stop time/channel, etc) means you'll be recording so much more than you used to, and you'll have more time with your family when you can watch an hour show in 35 minutes (again, no more commercials, and 25 or so minutes freed up to do other things). We spend LESS time in front of the tube now because we don't have to sit through endless commercials.

You'd think I work for the company or something....:rolleyes: :p But I hope you'll check it out before you rule it out completely.

[Valerie226]

We are caught in limbo too. I bought a DVD a year ago but was disappointed. I would rather watch a less clear picture on VHS than a skinny, puny picture with black strips across top and bottom on DVD. A big percent of the movies we have rented on DVD have had major technical difficulties besides. DVD quality has much to do with the TV you're playing it through . ours produces a very small picture regardless of format. we also have a large collection of VHS tapes that we still watch. If I buy a movie I buy DVD, but rentals I still get VHS. Admittedly there are some new releases that are only coming out in DVD.
You may want to rent ( if you can) a DVD player where you get movies & check out what kind of picture you will get. If the picture is skinny you may not be happy with DVD. We are stalling because we will need to get a new TV before DVD will be good enough. Just something else to consider...

[ellamay]

I would rather watch a less clear picture on VHS than a skinny, puny picture with black strips across top and bottom on DVD.

This "skinny picture" is the letterboxed version of the movie that is actually true to the director's vision of the film and to what you would see on a movie screen. Non-letterboxed versions of movies on DVD cut off movie content on the sides of the screen and may end up omitting important details, or the movie ends up getting compressed and distorted. Just FYI.

We love our DVD player and have stopped buying VHS tapes because the DVDs are so much better. If you have a halfway recent or decent TV, the DVD quality vs. VHS is remarkable. My DH rigged our DVD player to play through our stereo, so we have surround sound and our movies look and sound awesome. We also still have our VHS hooked up, though, so we can watch movies we have on VHS tape. After I got used to DVD, though, I found out that I was disappointed by the inferior quality of the VHS. HTH

[Valerie226]

Yes, I know what letterboxed is, and I can appreciate all that. however, on a not terribly old TV you can end up with a microscopic picture. the different DVD versions ( I forget, full screen and widescreen?) make no difference. There was some other picture adjustment but the images get so distorted it's not watchable. Our TV is 34 inch and some DVD's barely fill half the screen. Yeah, the picture is sharp but we need to rearrange furniture to see it!.
If I had known beforehand how small the picture would be I would have not have bothered with DVD until I was ready to upgrade the TV. Just a thought to save someone some aggravation if they have a less than brand new TV.

[lindrusso]

Originally posted by Grace
Alysha, do me a favor and just check with your cable company on the cost of the upgraded receiver box (with digital recording - aka Tivo - built in).

I guess I dismissed your suggestion because we don't have any kind of box at the moment. We have simple cable with no box - no satellite or anything like that. Even if they did offer it, we'd be paying the $200 for that and then another $100 for a DVD player - still bringing us to the same amount for the TiVo thing I was looking at.

But thanks, Grace. :) It would be great to have, but we'll have to pass for now - no way I'll talk him into the extra $200. When our TV broke, he didn't even really want to replace it. :rolleyes: But he would have missed having it for sports and movies (since we don't get out to the theaters). If it was something I felt was truly important (like us getting a dog this spring ;) ), I'd push, but it's not, so I won't. :)

Thanks for your input Valerie - I may rent as you suggested. Our TV is rather small - not to me, but by today's standards - I think it's a 27-inch? My mom and MIL have gotten a DVD player with the same size TV and have not complained, though.

Decisions! :)

Alysha

[lindrusso]

I bought a DVD player yesterday at Walmart. I ended up buying a pretty basic player for about $70. This way I figure we can upgrade when the prices on the recordable DVDs comes down - or until I can talk DH into TiVo - because we did not spend a lot on this player. ;) :)

We watched our first DVD movie last night and we were not bothered by the letter box format, even though our TV is smallish. I did notice that some of the DVDs at the rental place come in full screen or letter box format, so on some movies we may have a choice if it does ever bother us.

Anyway, I loved that I didn't have to mess with the tracking - a nice clear picture with no adjusting and the sound was much better too.

What is really unbelievable is that the VCR we own now cost us almost $300 7 years ago! :eek: Now even the latest technology barely costs that much! So goes it in the world of electronics.....

Thanks for the help. :)

Alysha

[Angelina]

Just being nosy here...but how does a cable without box work? I have never seen such a thing. :o

Angela

[Gilgamesh37]

If you have a cable-ready tv, you just take the co-ax cable from where it comes out of the wall and just plug it straight into your tv--and voila, all your cable channels. Most cable-ready tvs are cable-ready to something like 150 or 200 channels, which is sufficient in most places. But some cable companies (like mine, grrr) have starting moving all the premium channels up to the 500 and 600s, thereby forcing you to get digital cable (which entails renting the decoder box from them) if you want to get HBO, Cinemax, etc.

[Angelina]

Originally posted by Gilgamesh37
If you have a cable-ready tv, you just take the co-ax cable from where it comes out of the wall and just plug it straight into your tv--and voila, all your cable channels. Most cable-ready tvs are cable-ready to something like 150 or 200 channels, which is sufficient in most places. But some cable companies (like mine, grrr) have starting moving all the premium channels up to the 500 and 600s, thereby forcing you to get digital cable (which entails renting the decoder box from them) if you want to get HBO, Cinemax, etc.

Ahhh...I didn't know that! Technology sure is wonderful. I have digital cable and I never saw a cable service like you describe it. :)

Angela