DVD: Finally, a way to record

Consumers are doing much of their archiving on DVD drives installed in their computers. Prices of these hard drives have also dropped to satisfy most consumers. Sony's DRU-500A recorder, for example, retails for $350. The Sony device is drawing attention primarily because it is the only one that records discs in all five DVD formats. (See story, opposite page, on formats).

Those not ready to buy a DVD recorder can easily scoop up a VCR for less than $100. Dual DVD-VCR devices start at about $170.

Circuit City executives say their customers buy the dual units primarily to record TV programs. The consumer-electronics firm recently stopped selling movies on videocassette.

"People are moving rapidly to DVDs to watch movies at home. To record the occasional basketball game, they're using a VCR," says spokesman Bill Cimino.

But Mr. Cimino believes the recording function can easily be filled by a DVR. The machines, which use downloaded software from TiVo and ReplayTV, let consumers record a program for the purposes of watching it later, but without archiving it onto a tape or disc.

Another dual-purpose device, Panasonic's DMR-HS2, can store about 50 hours of programming, or record a program onto a blank DVD disc. The DVR-DVD recorder costs $1,000.

Hollywood worries that such devices could make it too easy for people to copy TV shows and movies on a large scale, or distribute the media digitally via e-mail. In response, Congress is considering legislation that would prevent consumers from transferring media onto a blank DVD. But most experts believe the public's basic recording practices will still be allowed.

"I think we'll go back to the personal-use laws that were adopted in response to the VHS and apply something similar here," says Lydia Loivides, senior analyst with Jupiter Research, a market-research firm in San Francisco.

Before buying a DVD recorder, think formats. You have five to choose from.

About half of all recorders support write-once discs (DVD-R) and rewriteable discs (DVD-RW). Retailers often call these "minus" formats. Other recorders support the "plus" formats, designated as DVD+R and DVD+RW.

Only a few recorders are compatible with the DVD-RAM format, which is often used to archive digital media.

Differences in performance among the formats are minimal. So consumers' greatest task is to make sure their discs and hardware work together.

Compatibility is not an issue for those who plan to play and record media on the same device. But those who plan to play recorded discs on a separate machine should know that DVD-R is most compatible with other players, while DVD-RAM is least compatible.

Experts warn that DVD players will not always play media burned in a recorder of the same brand. "It's a trial-and-error kind of thing right now," says Michelle Abraham, a senior analyst with In-Stat MDR, a Scottsdale, Ariz., market-research firm.

Manufacturers are now designing recorders that can read more formats. "You have better odds of compatibility if you wait [to buy]," says Ms. Abraham.

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