A DVD recorder is a device for recording multimedia content onto a blank DVD disc. They are a fairly recent addition to the plethora of home multimedia technology. Before their introduction, and for a decade beforehand, consumers could only play DVD's, and still had to relay on VHS recorders to record multimedia content.

DVD recorders tend to be more complicated to operate than their VHS counterparts. The various recording formats and copy protection can bewilder many people. DVD discs are recorded into regional formats. Which means that a selection of DVD players can only play the regional DVD disc designated for it.

What are the current advantages of DVD, in comparison to VHS.

• Unlike VHS tapes, DVD discs do not deteriorate over time.
• Track and chapter lists can be inserted to save on fast forward and rewind.
  
• DVD format support CDs, which means CD tracks can be burnt onto DVDs.
  
• Option of one time recorded discs or re-recordable discs.
• Offers superior video and audio recordings.
• Playlisting and a menu index of content.
• Subtitles in a multitude of languages can be added.
  
• DVD recorder not automatically record over existing data.
• DVD recorder will warn if there is insufficient storage space.

DVD recorders can support all or one of the following rewritable technologies.

1. DVD-R/RW
   
2. DVD+R/RW
   
3. DVD-RAM

The price of DVD recorders has come down considerably since their initial release. You can now buy a budget machine for £100. Of course, the more you pay, the more extensive the list of features, and the better the quality of recording and playback.

To begin with, the majority of the original DVD recorders recorded directly onto the DVD disc. The disadvantage with this system, is that you do not have the option of previewing the recorded content, and the convenience of when to record is negated.

While many budget DVD recorders still only provided the option of recording directly to DVD, the vast majority of DVD recorders now come with a hard drive. The typical amount of storage space is 160GB.

Along the hard disc, the following are some other features provided by DVD recorders.

• A hard disc, so you can pause live TV and record longer films.
• Record one channel, watch another simultaneously.
• Seven day electronic programme guide.
• HDMI upscaling and connection for high definition support.
• Digital video noise reduction.
• CD, DivX, VCD, CDR, SACD, MP3, CDRW and JPEG compatible playback.
• Memory card slot.
  
• Dolby Digital 5.1 recording.
• Two or more scart sockets, if a TV is not HDMI compatible.
• Digital Coaxial input.
• S-Video output.
• Interactive disc features supported.

As has been stated, a number of prominent manufacturers are combining their existing DVD recorder technology with hard drive based technology. Called 'digital video recorders' or 'DVRs' for short.