Re: Why would I want a DVR if I have a VCR?

"Doc" <docsavage20@xxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in
news:x_nXe.422$vw6.175@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx:

>
> "Smarty" <nobody@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:auidnU5iGMoHB7beRVn-pg@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>
>> Finally, DVRs can now be had for as little as $120 if you shop
>> carefully. They are modern devices with a lot of supporting
>> infrastructure like 400 disk DVD juke boxes for $270. VCRs are a 20+
>> year old technology with a rapidly dwindling supply of equipment and
>> media.......There are other benefits as well, but these are the ones
>> which immediately come to mind...
>
> Just to play devil's advocate here, what's the dependability like with
> the current generation of DVR's? All the DVD burning I've done to date
> is on a computer. One thing I like about VCR's is that for the most
> part, they work every time, especially with a better model. Pop it in,
> push a button, done. Power flickers or goes out? The material being
> recorded is interrupted but the VHS tape isn't trashed and rendered
> unusable. VCR's also aren't subject to buffer underruns, etc.
>
> Another thing is more or less infinite reusability with VHS tapes.
> Maybe there's some point at which they wear out, but probably not with
> the kind of use they're realistically ever likely to see with Joe and
> Jane consumer. To be honest, I've had nothing but problems with
> Rewriteable CD's and DVD's. Very low batting average. You can say
> "it's your burner" etc. etc. but VCR's seem to get it done every time
> unless they're in need of repair. They also don't seem to care what
> brand of tape you use, no "this burner doesn't like the dye in this
> brand of disc" issues.
>
> What about longevity of the media? The manufacturers can make all
> kinds of claims, but DVD technology hasn't been around long enough to
> demonstrate it will last any longer than VHS tapes.
>
> Again, I'm certainly not anti-digital, just throwing out some
> thoughts.
>
>

I like VCR's as they seem to be flexible and dependable as noted. I also
like the fact I can record whatever I want on it. This model of the DVD
burner from Wal-Mart has me wanting one however.

My setup is as follows:

Cable into the VCR via the CATV port. Connection via composite to the TV-
Card. Video Card output to an inline Scan Converter with a split to the
Monitor and Line 2 of the VCR composite-in. This effectively gives me a
loop so whatever I see on the Desktop shows up in the TV-Card - which is
useful if I want to monitor what the VCR is recording from the Desktop.

By obtaining a video switcher I could send the composite signal to the
DVD after editing it instead of the VCR. And of course since it plays
DVD's my TV-Card can pick that up for me.

But I would be limited to a standard NTSC signal for the DVD - not Hi-Def
so would that be a better viewing experience than VCR? Of course as
noted I could seek out the portion much faster I wanted to view on a DVD
than I can on VHS - which I use mainly as backup for my Hi8 tapes - so
perhaps the DVD's would actually be used instead of just sitting on shelf
like the VHS tapes do.

I definitely can see the advantage of increased storage - and the fact
that the video would be full-size - though I watch all videos at half-
size - except one in awhile.

Got me thinking... Great link..
.

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