VCR/PVR HELP

IS VHS OBSOLETE?
WHAT OTHER FORMATS ARE THERE? (and we're NOT going to mention Betamax!)

Obsolete? not quite as many manufacturers make vhs vcrs but almost all are budget models combined with a dvd player.

S-VHS -OBSOLETE
This format is similar to vhs but has a sharper picture. Older s-vhs machines needed special tape to work on s-vhs, but newer ones worked using standard tapes (called S-VHS ET mode). Despite its good quality it was always a minority format. Only proving that the deciding factors for the average consumer is price and compatability.

Note that a recording made in s-vhs mode will NOT play on the majority of normal vhs machines, they have to be played on an s-vhs machine. S-VHS had been popular for editing or copying recordings from a camcorder, and even as a semi-pro format in the past, but has been overtaken by digital formats now.

D-VHS -VERY OBSOLETE!
or Digital-VHS was introduced over 10 years ago by JVC but was not at all popular, probably as the machines and tapes were expensive. However it did produce very good pictures and the machines also recorded and played in normal VHS. Main plus point is very long playing times, up to 21hours on one tape with pretty good digital quality.

RECORDABLE DVD
These are rapidly gaining popularity, see Recordable DVD HELP for lots of information. Consider carefuly though as this is more complex technology to operate than old fashioned VHS tape so not for everyone! Plus points are instant access across the disc for playback and they can be very high quality.

HARD DRIVE recording The 'PVR' (personal video recorder).
The most popular concept for home-recording, using computer hard drive technology. The recording is stored within the machine (so cannot be 'taken away' and played on another vcr). Typically well over 100 hours can be recorded, a lot longer in a lower-quality mode (there are options in recording quality).
They can combined in the same unit as Sky (Sky+), recordable DVD, digital Freeview or Freesat TV. Some can record one channel whilst watching another.
Advantages are:-
Record and play 'at the same time', can start recording then some time later start watching from the beginning of the recording while the recording is still going on.
Very good quality.
Instant access (like dvd).

ARE TIMERS ALWAYS DIFFICULT TO USE?

The answer is NO! (but often yes!)

Videoplus was the first inovation to ease this age-old issue. Simplify the process by entering a number (which is decoded in the vcr into time-date-channel) shown in the tv guide listings. On 'PDC' (program delivery control) machines then the program should start and stop recording accurately. However PDC did not always work (for very technical reasons) so many users reverted to modifying a videoplus program manually to allow for programs running late.

But now with digital TV broadcasting (Sky, Freeview etc) timers are based round the program guide, usually just hit the red button when selecting a program in the guide and it will set the timer to record it.

We aim to give accurate impartial advice about the products we supply, but as manufacturers sometimes change specifications without warning and new products appear overnight, it is not possible to guarantee our advice is always up-to-date. Always phone us or call in to our shop to get the latest info.