If you see a VCR now a day, it generates curiosity and it is also possible that it will take time to understand the functionality. More so because the VCR's are now almost obsolete and are replaced by the high-end DVD players and recorders. A DVD recorder is an electronic device that contains an optical disc recorder, which records the data or a video onto blank writable DVD disk.

These recorders are available as either installable drives for computers or as standalone components for use in studios or home theater systems. If you are using your VCR for quite a time now, this recorder will offer you more advantages over a conventional VCR system.

Though the rivalry is debatable, it is very much about a host of added features that will make this recorder win the race. Some of the basic advantages of these recorders compared to the VCR are as follows.

With help of the DVD device you will experience superior video and audio quality, that is not offered by the conventional VCR Compared to the video tape, the DVD is an easy to handle and smaller in size and can contain more data as well in the form of increased recording time.

It allows random access to video chapters or files without rewinding or fast-forwarding Another great feature us the onscreen multilingual subtitles and labeling that is not available on VCRs

The quality of the media and the optical reader reduces playback wear and tear

It also allows high-quality digital copying, with little or no generation loss

It features improved editing, at least on rewritable media

You can have the playlisting done with your DVD

It eliminates the risk of accidentally recording over existing content or unexpectedly running out of space during recording

Easy to find recordings due to chapter menus

These features greatly increase the popularity of this recorder and it is rightly received by the market leaders as well as they offer a wide array of DVD recorders. Some of the leading manufacturers of the DVD recorders are Sony, Panasonic, JVC, Phillips etc. They offer the DVD recorders with some great features, which makes the experience of using them even more delightful.

A number of manufacturers have gone further and have combined DVD recorders with hard disc-based digital video recorders, allowing for simple recording to large fixed disks, and the ability to spool these recordings off the DVD at a later date.

A good recorder can record analog TV via over-the-air broadcasts, cable, or satellite, standard definition digital television (SDTV), same quality as DVD-Video (480i), analog camcorder video (8mm, Hi-8, VHS, and VHS-C formats), digital camcorder video (miniDV and Digital-8 formats). It is a better idea to read the reviews and compare the DVD recorders on features, price and up gradations. Read the reviews carefully before rushing to buy it.