I don't have any stories but suggest that if you're going that route to look into a player that is also going to handle Divx 5 and if you can get it Divx 6 along with as many other formats as possible.  My guess would be that a modern player with a hard drive would at least handle Divx 5.  There may also be others on the market handling other mpg4 formats and other video formats.  A google into new DVD formats expected to hit the market soon would help too.  There may be forums out there that are specifically there for these questions too.

Quoted from MeanDean

I don't have any stories but suggest that if you're going that route to look into a player that is also going to handle Divx 5 and if you can get it Divx 6 along with as many other formats as possible.  My guess would be that a modern player with a hard drive would at least handle Divx 5.  There may also be others on the market handling other mpg4 formats and other video formats.  A google into new DVD formats expected to hit the market soon would help too.  There may be forums out there that are specifically there for these questions too.

I noted some of your suggestions here and finally have my new DVD.

After a week of figuring out how to make the TV and DVD 'talk' to each other I am very happy with the unit and how it works.

. . .*     . .I set the G code for News on Sat evening while I was out. . and 'tweeked' the end time to make sure I got the weather. . when I added the extra minute . . I did not notice that I had set the end time for 1.03 instead of 18.03pm . . .after 19 hrs of continuous taping. . the limit was never reached. . it just kept going!. .    .*. . great to have a HDD    

Quoted Text

after 19 hrs of continuous taping

That's funny.  It sounds like something I'de do.

Does anyone have a DVD recorder they use for recording off their TV? I am intending to buy one in June/July. I want an 80GB hard drive and I am expecting to pay under $500. I have checked some out and like the LG but would like some personal input from anyone who either has one or has an opinion on one. Cheers

Mine only records rewritable DVDs.
I'de do a search on it and find a forum dedicated to it.  You'lle want something that plays bach as many media formats as possible and hopefully isn't 2 years behind compared to what's available overseas.
If you find a mp4 compatable or xvid compatable or so on, then if it isn't divx certified as well it's a dodgy thing.  The last I heard on file formats, Nero supported formats were supposed to be on the horizen but I have no idea why that's a good thing.
Get one that will play MPG1, MPG2, DVD, Divx 6 if they are available here otherwise Divx 5, If you think you'lle need it then Windows media.  I know you downlad so just to clarify, Xvid is usually playable on a Divx device.  The reason for that is that people who record often times keep the Xvid encoder settings within specifications that Divx can read.  Sometimes people don't care and put up an incompatible file.  You probably have a better idea of file formats out there than I do now that I think about it because you use it often so it's good if you can think of other formats you want it to play.
For something with a hard drive in it, I'de want it to do everything.

Hey Suzi if you have an old computer that's capable of sustained transcoding at above 25 fps, there's programs that will let you use it as a VCR.  You just won't have a remote and will have to have a keyboard and mouse plugged into it.  I was thinking of trying it out but the processor in the old one is a bit shot and won't handle the load.

Thanks for all that info Dean. I have one of the first DVD players and it is terrific. A Pioneer that cost around $600 when first released. It does 'all regions' and has never missed a beat in the 4 or more years we have had it. It plays different formats also but I have only ever used it for regular DVD's. I am just so sick of my LG VCR that is 4 years old playing up. It asks me to clean the heads all the damned time, straight after I have cleaned them. Actually I don't think it IS the VCR that is the problem. It is the VHS tapes. I buy new ones and within one use they are useless. I reckon it's time to upgrade and embrace the newer technology!

I got my Panasonic 80G HDD recorder about 2 months ago. I love it. It was about $600 though.  It takes a bit of getting used to but it is worth it. It records hours of material and you don't have to worry that the disc/tape runs out.

G- Code is on it too. . so any 'mugg' can use it.    

Quoted from SuziH

. I am just so sick of my LG VCR that is 4 years old playing up. It asks me to clean the heads all the damned time, straight after I have cleaned them. Actually I don't think it IS the VCR that is the problem. It is the VHS tapes. I buy new ones and within one use they are useless. I reckon it's time to upgrade and embrace the newer technology!

I have an LG vcr that is behaving just the same as yours ,suzi, and it is only about 6 months old. Yet we have a Samsung in the bedroom that is about 3 years old and never plays up or skips a beat.
It is not the tapes Suzi, it is the recorder.
I would certainly never touch LG again for Hi-fi or Audio equipment, even the retailer told me the drums etc on LG were plastic.

Quoted from SuziH

. I am just so sick of my LG VCR that is 4 years old playing up. It asks me to clean the heads all the damned time, straight after I have cleaned them. Actually I don't think it IS the VCR that is the problem. It is the VHS tapes. I buy new ones and within one use they are useless. I reckon it's time to upgrade and embrace the newer technology!

I have an LG vcr that is behaving just the same as yours ,suzi, and it is only about 6 months old. Yet we have a Samsung in the bedroom that is about 3 years old and never plays up or skips a beat.
It is not the tapes Suzi, it is the recorder.
I would certainly never touch LG again for Hi-fi or Audio equipment, even the retailer told me the drums etc on LG were plastic.

Are you one of those people who have bought a cheap DVD player, or maybe even an expensive one, only to find it worn out 18 months later?

Chances are you are in the habit of leaving a DVD in the player when it has finished, and don't turn it off.

The manufacturer won't tell you, nor will the salesman, but what this means is that the laser and motor in your player is working 24/7 and cramming 7 years of normal use into 1-1/2.

The solution is simple. When the movie finishes, take the DVD out and turn off the player.

I am not guilty of the above, and in any case, my player shut down automatically after 20 minutes.

But the same apply with computers.
I have the bad habit of leaving CDs in the CD player for days. And the result is the same.

Ten years ago, offices left their computers on 24/7 on the pretext that each time you turn the computer on, it is hard on the hard drive and wears it out.

But now, you have to wonder what it does to the life of a hard drive while it is spinning constantly 24/7.

I have always removed the CD or DVD from the player after playing - I have just felt uneasy leaving them in the player - now I know why!

Since this topic has been posted DVD recorders have certainly come a long way.Very soon i will be buying a DVD hard drive recorder,which sort no idea at the moment

I have had a Sony DVD/Hard drive recorder for a year now, am very happy with it still

I just disconnected my VCR last weekend