What format of dvd recorder do I need to record digital channels?

Question

What format of dvd recorder do I need to record digital channels?

Answer 1

You don't need any particular format, ALL DVD recorders will record either an analogue or digital input signal.Best way to connect is via Scart.

Answer 2

You can record digital channels with a DVD+R/RW or DVD-R/RW machine with a digital tuner included.  Or you can connect it to a cable, satellite or digital set top box (the ones for use with antennas) and record from that box via its composite video (yellow) and audio (white and red) outputs to the recorder's matching inputs.

The commercially available DVD recorders in the consumer price range which are stand alone units or come with the VHS recorder are only going to record the digital signal as a SDTV   image regardless of the quality of the program (SDTV or HDTV).  So you can use an older recorder and get ALMOST the same quality.  The digital tuning eliminates the complicated connections for basic cable users and makes sure the recording process is all digital which improves the results on the DVD even though it is not HD.

I will link you to some of the machines for the US but if you live elsewhere you need to get the right tuner for your country.

You can find out about that here:

Digital Cable tuning in the US -- QAM tuner -- explained here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/QAM_tuner

Countries that use ATSC for over the air free TV:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ATSC_Standa...

Countries that use DVB-T  for free over the air TV sometimes called Freeview:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DVB-T#Count...

Countries that use ISDB-T for free over the air TV:

Japan and Brazil so far ...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISDB-T#Coun...

- - -

US DVD recorders with ATSC digital tuners:

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.d...

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.d...

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.d...

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.d...

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.d...

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.d...

I prefer the Panasonic models because they usually work better.

Answer 3

You do not need any special DVD recorder or format to record standard definitition digital and analog.

You can NOT record HI DEFINITION onto a DVD.

Regular writable DVDs do not have enough memory for HD content nor do the lasers and electronics support the bitrates required to burn HD content. There is a bit more to it than that but that covers the basics of why you can't record HD on regular DVDs

You can however, record HD content if you have a DVD recoder with a built in hard drive or what is commanly called an HD-DVR w/DVD recorder. Or DVD recorder w/HDD

Answer 4

I have two, a dvd recorder with built in freeview!