VHS Replacement

[ColinR]

My Father in laws video machine's recording head has packed up. He'll continue to use it to play his VHS collection. He needs to record though.

What is the norm for the replacement of a video machine? Something not too expensive either

 

[Keeper]

a PVR? could also get a DVD Recorder?

 

[ColinR]

PVR costs too much. He's not poor - but doesn't spend money either
DVD Recorder was my first thought.. are they main stream?

 

[Keeper]

does he have a PC? could always use that?

personally i'd buy the cheapest Media Centre (Like an entry level popcorn hour or something), and slap on a 1TB hard drive - they go for quite cheap at esquire!

 

[ColinR]

He's 70, and struggles with the video machine most of the time! I think the DVD recorder is his only hope. I don't see record facilities on the Popcornhour?

 

[howardb]

LG seems to have the market on the HDD DVD Recorders, although there are also some Samsung and Sony models out there, but scarce. DVD-only recorders are more plentiful, but can be problematic for the older generation...

Also note that LG optical drives are problematic, with many people complaining that they die and need replacing every 6-12 months - I'm on my 5th replacement drive already, in 3 years...

 

[demon angel]

I recommend a dvd/video combo.
Or he could check out cash crusaders and get another cheap secondhand vcr.
My grandparents hate change or anything that requires more the 2 button presses.
I understand where you coming from.

 

[tco21]

VCR's go for abour R400

 

[davemc]

Buy him another VCR and about 30 blank casettes.
The cost of blank re-writable DVD's will force him to tell you to get lost.
The complexities of a PVR will also force him to tell you to get lost.

 

[Nerfherder]

Convinced my wifes 80 year old grandpa to use a DVD-writer.... He figured it out eventually, get one that has a HDD.

 

[demon angel]

Buy him another VCR and about 30 blank casettes.
The cost of blank re-writable DVD's will force him to tell you to get lost.
The complexities of a PVR will also force him to tell you to get lost.

LOL!
That sounds like my oupa.