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 If I buy a DVD recorder, can I make copies of DVD films in the same way I can copy CDs with my CD burner?
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No. It is illegal to copy films (as it usually is to copy music). And most pre-recorded DVDs that you rent or buy have an electronic copy-protection system that prevents copying.
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How much can I fit on a DVD?
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DVD recorders let you trade picture quality for recording time: the better the picture quality, the more space it takes up on the disc. Typically, you'll get only about an hour's worth of best-quality recording on a disc. Doubling this to two hours still gives excellent picture quality that's better than what you’d achieve with a VCR.
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What are the advantages of a DVD recorder over a personal video recorder?
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A personal video recorder (PVR) records on to a hard disc, like the one in a computer. These have a much larger capacity than a recordable DVD, but they're not removable, and you can't play DVDs in a PVR.
Some DVD recorders incorporate a hard disc, so you can record programmes on to the hard disc, and then copy those you want to keep (or share) to a DVD.
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What are the differences between discs labelled DVD-R, DVD-RW and DVD-RAM?
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One current problem with DVD players and recorders is that there are several different DVD recording formats, all with slightly different features, and many are not compatible with the others. Most recorders will let you record using two or three different formats, and will play discs recorded in several formats. But there are usually some incompatibilities, which can make choosing a machine tricky. Make sure you research this thoroughly before purchasing.
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What are ‘multi-region’ players, and is it worth paying extra for them?
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DVD films are coded according to which part of the world they're sold in. Theoretically they’ll play only in machines sold in that region.
You can buy multi-region players, which have been converted so that they play any DVD, but the conversion process may invalidate the manufacturer's warranty. Most single region players will actually play discs from anywhere in the world if you type in a particular code (and without any tampering with the hardware itself). Try searching on the Internet for information about enabling multi-region on your particular player.
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Do I need a widescreen TV to watch DVDs?
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You don't need one, but it's a good idea. DVD players can adjust the image output for either a widescreen or conventional TV set, but most movies on DVD are best viewed in widescreen.
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Are DVD players more or less reliable than VCRs?
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DVD players are relatively new, so we can't yet say for sure how reliable they will be in the long term. So far, though, things are looking promising: only 3 per cent of models in our latest reliability survey broke down in four years. Also because they remove the need for physical contact between the player and disc, they should prove more reliable in the long term.
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Can I play CDs in a DVD player?
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Yes. Some machines will play other disc types, too, including those containing MP3 files, DVD-Audio and SA-CD (a new kind of audio format). Some will also read DVDs that contain .jpg files (such as pictures saved from a digital camera).
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