8. Are there DVD recorders which can record from TV/VCR or analog video source ?
DVD video recorders were introduced in Japan in late 1999, and in the United States almost a year later. A DVD video recorder works very much like a typical consumer videocassette recorder VCR. Most units have a TV tuner with standard audio and video input jacks and can be programmed to record various broadcast. Because of the direct access characteristic of the DVD discs, recordings on a DVD can be instantly accessed from an on-screen menu.

Many DVD video recorders provide on-screen TV program listings. The consumer can just pick the appropriate TV shows to record without having to enter additional program information such as the time and the channel of the broadcast.

DVD video recorders are still expensive but they are getting more affordable (you can get a decent unit from $250 to $700 as of late 2005). DVD recorders can be used to record programs from satellite and cable receivers, video cameras, and any analog video source. After the enactment of the "Digital Millennium Copyright Act", passed by US Congress in 1998, DVD video recorders by design cannot copy DVD movie discs which contain anticopy protection such as CSS or Macrovision.

DVD video recorders are not the same as inexpensive DVD recordable drives (DVD burners) for computers. Besides the ability to record and store data, DVD video recorders include firmware to perform video encoding (MPEG-2), audio encoding (Dolby Digital, MPEG, or PCM), and the generation of navigation and control data conforming to the DVD-Video format, so that the recorded disc can then be played on any DVD player.

There are six recordable versions of DVD media: DVD-R for General, DVD-R for Authoring, DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, DVD+RW, and DVD+R. DVD-R and DVD+R can record data only once, whereas DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, and DVD+RW can be rewritten thousands of times.

      

A DVD video recorder offers many advantages of DVD technology over conventional tape recording, including:
Superior video image and audio quality (better than CD).
No rewinding is required. Ability to fast forward, skip, freeze, slow motion, and digital zoom.
Direct access to a particular chapter of the recording.
Slim and a Attractive packaging which takes significantly less space than the bulky videotape.
Durable media. DVDs are less subject to wear and damage than videotape.
No copy fading. The dye materials on a recordable DVD may last from 25 to 100 years.
The ability to program a play list to allow watching previous recordings in arbitrary order.

One of the disadvantages of DVD recorders compared to VCRs is cost. However, this is probably no longer an issue, since the downward pressure on the prices of recorders and recordable discs is likely to eliminate any disadvantage of having a DVD Recorder over a VCR. DVD recorders require some extra time both to initially format the disc for recording and to finalize the disc once recording has been stopped. This disadvantage does not apply to DVD-RAM disks which behave more like a hard disk and require no finalization. The following picture shows a decent DVD video recorder manufactured by Sony which includes a large capacity hard drive.

Modern DVD video recoders make recording easy with the built-in hard drive, which means you can save to the unit before creating a DVD. 160 GB of hard disk space allows to record up to 260 hours of programming in SLP mode. Look for the following features in a modern DVD video recorder.
Record to DVD: Store your favorite shows in crisp digital format with the DVD recording function.
Recording formats: Single-layer DVD+R/+RWs, DVD-R/RWs and dual-layer DVD+R DL
Progressive-scan playback: Enjoy your favorite programs and movies in enhanced-definition (720p) format when connected to a digital TV.
Multi-format playback: Enjoy DVDs, CDs and more with multi-format playback.
A/V versatility: S-video and component video outputs provide superior picture quality.
Digital audio: Digital optical and coaxial outputs handle a wider bandwidth of information, so you get cleaner, crisper audio.
i.Link interface: Transfer from your camcorder straight to DVD.
HDMI™ interface: Get super clear, utterly crisp video and audio signals with HD ready TV sets.
Chasing playback: Recording is simple with chasing playback and the ability to simultaneously record and play a program.
High-speed dubbing: Get 64x high-speed dubbing from the hard drive to DVD.
TV virtual surround: Choose from four different surround modes for audio with an unparalleled sense of spatial realism.
Convenience features: On-screen program guide, one-touch recording and playback, and parental controls.