One of the last remaining relicts of the analog era – the video recorder – is slowly dying out as well. Say goodbye to crumpled tapes, bad quality after re-using a cassette for the tenth time and complicated programming directions. Say hello to another step into a totally digital world, say hello to DVD recorders.

Even though analog VHS or PAL recorders go for as little as half the price of DVD recorders, they seem to be dying out. This is partly due to the fact that the cost for their digital counterparts keeps dropping to as little as 80 Euros (100 Dollars). The other reason for this shift in technology is the advanced features and convenient functions of DVD recorders.

One of the major advantages of digital TV recording is the fact that instead of having to fast-forward tapes one can easily skip from any position on the DVD or integrated memory RAM to another without delay. Another is the supreme quality of digital media in oppose to analog devices. And with rewriteable DVD recorders, this high quality level remains the same even after re-recording to the same disc numerous times.

Perhaps the biggest advantage is the so-called “timeshift” function of DVD recorders. While watching a live television broadcast and being distracted e.g. by a phone call, one can push the “timeshift” button and start recording to the device’s hard drive. Once the call is finished the viewer can return to watching the broadcast from exactly the point where he/she left it even while the show is actually still on.

Like any electronic device, DVD recorders greatly differ in quality, features and price. While some offers “only” support digital recording directly to DVD discs, others have a built-in memory RAM in addition to recording on discs. Other than that everyone, who is looking to go digital and switching from video recorders should compare the quality offered by each manufacturer as well as the feature-pack included.

Find more information what Siemens offers: Siemens Gigaset M560