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About Video-, DVD-Recorder Combo-devices for your home theater
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What was a video, DVD recorder combo device?
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Which video, DVD recorder combo devices are available?
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What do you need to pay attention to when buying video, DVD recorders and combination devices?
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Various tuners for video and DVD recorders
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Pay-TV and interfaces
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FAQs: The most common questions about video, DVD recorders and combination devices
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Conclusion: How to buy the suitable video, DVD recorder combo device
What was a video, DVD recorder combo device?
A convenient video, DVD recorder combo combines two recording paths in one. In addition to the internal hard disk, these devices can also write to a DVD with films, series and all other broadcast content. As compact combi-devices, they need only little space next to the TV-set and are easy to use. Different equipment variants with tuners for satellite, cable or antenna (DVB-T) and varying storage capacities are possible.
Which video, DVD recorder combo devices are available?
Video-, DVD-Recorder Combo device with DVB-S Tuner
In order to be able to process the TV signal optimally and in the best quality, many combination devices are equipped with a DVB-S or DVB-S2 tuner, which is suitable for satellite signals and is directly fed. With the correct programming, programs can be recorded automatically at the desired time. Encrypted programs and HD-TV are possible thanks to CI-slot.
Video, DVD recorder Combo device with DVB-T or DVB-C tuner
For signals from the cable network or via an antenna, some combination devices are equipped with DVB-C or DVB-T tuner. They have an optimal conversion of picture and sound and record on hard disk as well as on DVD. Depending on the device, they also offer HD TV and encrypted programs with a CI slot.
What do you need to pay attention to when buying video, DVD recorders and combination devices?
Suitable hardware
- HD support
- Built-in tuner: DVB-C (cable), DVB-T (antenna) or DVB-S/DVB-S2 (satellite)
- Recordable DVD formats: DVD-R, DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, etc.
- Storage capacity on the hard disk
- Playback formats: Relevant for video and image files
- Connection for the output: HDMI etc.
- Performance and power consumption
The right equipment
- For Pay-TV and encrypted programs: CI-Plus slot
- For music, videos and photos: USB-interface
- WLAN interface
- Bluetooth
Our practical tip: Suitable blank discs
For the recording of films and many other programs on DVD, corresponding blank discs are necessary. Many different formats with different storage capacities and labeling variants are now available. Rewritable blank DVDs can also be used. A look at the specific properties of the DVD blanks is worthwhile. Then there is also enough space for particularly large amounts of data.
Various tuners for video and DVD hard disk recorders
The tuner is the base unit of a TV set or also of a video and DVD recorder combo device. It selects the desired program from the different transmitted frequencies and amplifies the signal. No matter whether it is received via DVB-T, satellite or cable, a tuner is necessary. For this reason, it is directly installed in many combi-devices. Several tuners in one device even offer the simultaneous recording of two different signals. Since the combination device processes the signal already in the integrated tuner, the TV device no longer requires a tuner, since this only displays the video and audio signal from the combination device.
Pay-TV and interfaces
Modern video and DVD recorder combo devices also offer all possibilities to friends of the international encrypted TV program. Encrypted programs can also be received thanks to the integrated CI or CI-Plus slot. The integrated tuner converts the incoming signal. In addition, such combination devices can be used as multimedia devices. Photos, videos or music files can be read and transferred to the TV set via Bluetooth or USB.
FAQs: The most common questions about video, DVD recorders and combination devices
How do I connect a video recorder, DVD recorder at home?
The combination device is directly connected to the signal from the antenna, satellite or cable connection cable. The integrated tuner converts the signal and guides it from the combination device to the TV set. Audio systems can also be connected to the combination device.
How many movies can you record with a video, DVD recorder combo?
Depending on the model, the hard disk space of combi machines may be larger or smaller. If the internal memory is full, the content can be played on another hard disk or PC (depending on the device) and thus new capacities can be created. For good image quality and stereo sound, approx. 5 GB can be assumed as a rough guide for an hour of film. The lifetime of the DVD writer, which writes the contents on the small discs, is also quite high with modern devices, whereby the film library can contain a lot of titles.
What was the cost of a video, DVD recorder?
Combination devices that enable video and DVD recording can be cheaper than two stand-alone devices. Solid devices with small extras are already available in the low to medium price segment. With increasing storage capacity, multiple tuners and technical equipment for HD, Pay-TV and audio systems, the price increases.
Conclusion: How to buy the suitable video, DVD recorder combo device
When selecting the appropriate video and DVD recorder combination device, it should be determined how the TV signal is received. Thus, the model can be selected with the corresponding integrated DVB-T, DVB-S or DVB-C tuner.
If playback of certain media files (video or image) via USB is desired, this can also be a selection criterion. The biggest differences for these combination devices are the storage capacity and the recordable DVD formats. If you frequently record programs for later, but do not want to keep them permanently, make sure that rewritable DVDs can be burned.
Also the possibility to transfer the recorded programs from the internal hard disk is not given with all video-, DVD-recorder combi-devices.