Best Products > Audio 212 212 people found this article helpful The Best DVD Recorders of 2023 While not as popular as they once were, DVD recorders can be still be found (although they're often used) By Robert Silva Robert Silva Facebook Twitter Writer San Diego State University Robert Silva has extensive experience in consumer electronics and home theater product sales and sales supervision; he has written about audio, video, and home theater topics since 1998. Robert has articles published on HBO.com and Dishinfo.com plus has made appearances on the YouTube series Home Theater Geeks. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on February 22, 2023 We independently evaluate all recommended products and services. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Learn more. Tweet Share Email Audio Home Theater Headphones Earbuds Speakers Instruments Accessories Folks still want DVD recorders, but they aren't as plentiful as they used to be. Here are the models we think are the best of what is left, but keep in mind you might need to go used as they're hard to come by. Many manufacturers are no longer making new DVD recorders for the U.S. market. Some that still do are selling the same models that they introduced two, or more, years ago. Also, some of the following units listed may be officially discontinued, but may still be available at local retailers, or from third party sources, such as eBay. The Rundown Best Budget: Toshiba DR430 DVD Recorder with HDMI Output at Amazon Jump to Review Best Entry-Level: Panasonic DMR-EZ28K at Amazon Jump to Review Runner-Up, Best Entry-Level: Panasonic DMR-EA18K DVD Recorder at Amazon Jump to Review We found the choices to be slim, but of what's available, here are the models we like. Best Budget Toshiba DR430 DVD Recorder with HDMI Output Toshiba DR430 DVD Recorder. Image Courtesy of Amazon View On Amazon Here is a budget-priced DVD recorder with convenient features. The Toshiba DR430 offers DVD-R/-RW and +R/+RW format recording with Auto Finalization, a front-panel DV-input for connecting digital camcorders, and HDMI output with 1080p upscaling. The DR430 can also play MP3 CDs, as well as standard audio CDs. However, the DR-430 does not have a built-in tuner, so it is necessary to use an external cable or satellite box to record television programs. If you subscribe to cable or satellite, use a box, and have an HDTV to access the 430's 1080p upscaling video output capability, this DVD recorder might be a good match for your entertainment setup. Best Entry-Level Panasonic DMR-EZ28K DVD Recorder With ATSC Tuner Panasonic DMR-EZ28K DVD Recorder. Image provided by Panasonic View On Amazon The Panasonic DMR-EZ28K is an excellent entry-level DVD recorder that includes an ATSC tuner. This allows the reception and recording of over-the-air digital TV signals, which replaced analog signals, effective June 12, 2009. In addition to an ATSC tuner, the DMR-EZ28K also includes compatibility with most DVD recording formats, a DV input for recording from digital camcorders, and 1080p upscaling via HDMI output. Another bonus is Panasonic's enhanced playback quality on discs recorded using the four-hour LP mode. This DVD recorder has been officially discontinued but may still be available via clearance outlets or third parties. Runner-Up, Best Entry-Level Panasonic DMR-EA18K DVD Recorder Panasonic DMR-EA18K DVD Recorder. Image provided by Panasonic View On Amazon The Panasonic DMR-EA18K is an entry-level DVD recorder that requires an external tuner, such as a cable box, satellite box, or DTV converter box, to receive and record television programming. However, the DMR-EA18K does include compatibility with most DVD recording formats, a DV input for recording from digital camcorders, USB, and SD card slot for digital still image playback, both progressive scan component video outputs, and 1080p upscaling via its HDMI output. Another bonus is Panasonic's enhanced playback quality on discs recorded using the four-hour LP mode. The EA18K can also play Divx files. This DVD recorder has been officially discontinued but may still be available via clearance outlets or third parties. Final Verdict Our favorite DVD recorder has to be the Magnavox MDR865H. This particular model brings all of the features you'd expect from a top of the line model and pairs those with an integrated 500 GB hard drive. FAQ Can I put more than one movie on a DVD? While this largely depends on the size of the Movie file you're burning, but in some cases, you can fit as many as 5 movies on a single DVD-R. However, it's important to note that when burning a DVD, all you're getting is the MKV file and not the additional bonus content, subtitles, or commentary tracks. It is possible to include these features when burning a DVD, but everything you add eats up space that could potentially be used for more movie files. What DVD formats can I record to? There are a number of recordable DVD formats that are all slightly different from one another. The 2 most common formats are DVD-R and DVD-RW with the key differences being that DVD-RW can be erased and re-written whereas DVD-R can only be written and finalized once. What's the difference between a DVD and Blu-Ray? The biggest difference between these 2 formats is storage space. A standard DVD can hold around 4.7 GB of data, compare that to a whopping 50 GB of space on Blu-Ray. The extra space means that Blu-Rays can accommodate higher resolution footage, up to 1080p as opposed to DVDs that typically support 480p. What to Look for in a DVD Recorder Price - Oddly enough, this fairly dated piece of technology is often outrageously expensive on online marketplaces. This is due to their waning relevance. However, you can still find reasonable deals out there so be sure to compare prices before buying if budget is a concern for you.Design - Given that DVD recorders are on their way out, their designs haven’t exactly been a priority for manufacturers. As such, they tend to be clunkier than newer technology out there. Still, most are slim enough to stow away in a drawer until you need it.Additional features - At their most basic, DVD recorders can replace a VCR, but newer models have several neat features that offer distinct advantages. For example, some have multiple tuners, which allow you to record multiple channels simultaneously (one to the DVD and one to the hard drive). Other DVD recorders have Ethernet and Wi-Fi connectivity, though it’s important to note that this doesn’t mean they can support streaming content like Netflix. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit