Can you record things from a DVR to a disc?

Do they make any DVD recorders w/ DVR type buffer?

• We now use a cable-provider box DVR constantly to record programs and watch them whenever we like, and very rarely do we watch shows "live" anymore. There have been a few times, though, where we would have liked to save a particularly good program more permanently onto DVD. (Even if we choose to save a program long-term on the DVR, any problem with the box and we'll lose it. And they've disabled the external USB connection to expand disk space.) I know there are really good DVD recorders on the market now. But I'm guessing they still work with a single recording session onto a DVD at a time. (So if all you have is a 30 min show that you want to record, it will record it on the DVD just fine, but essentially waste the remaining space.) Or has the technology improved? Do any use a type of DVR buffering to build a disc set? Ideally, we'd like to transfer 2 or more programs from our DVR onto a single DVD... without recording the menu steps as we select the next program!

• Answer:

  Welcome to the world of time shifting done the easy way! I wouldn't go back to not having a DVR that's for sure. As far as recording to DVD's, most of the DVR boxes that are provided by cable companies will allow you to record up to 2 shows off of cable and still watch other live programs. On the recording end, there is usually an option when you select a program on your DVR menu to record to VCR - all you need to do is plug a DVD Recorder into your DVR and you will be able to record whatever programs you like. There is usually not a buffer on most of the recorders that I have seen and you can just select to record to VCR and it will run a dub direct to your DVD Recorder. Most DVD Recorders now also allow you to play with the speed in which you want to record the programs, (like the old VHS format). Most offer an SP mode, EP Mode and an SLP mode (1 warning, using the SLP mode or SPP depending on the recorder, will give you poorer quality video and after you finish a disc it may not play on all DVD players). So if you have a 30 minute show you want to dub, you can dub it and depending on the mode you select you still will have 90 minutes in the best quality mode, over 3 hours in the next slowest mode and over 5 hours in the poorest quality mode. You can tape multiple programs on the same disc if you wish. By using the Record to VCR function on your DVR that will also allow you to record one other show and still watch other programs while the program you would like to keep is recording, so you won't be tied down to the TV during the recording time. I hope that helps, also after your first program is done you can pause until you get the next program you want to record ready or you can edit on most DVD Recorders now to take out unwanted credits or extras if the program was shorter than the original time it was allotted for.