DVD recorders are devices that write or record analog or digital audio/video data onto a DVD. These recorders can read data from any kind of analog source such as TV, videocassettes, floppy disks, CDS, and even digital cameras and mobile phones. DVD recorders are a better option than VCRs and CD recorders because of their compatibility with most recording formats. DVD recorders first entered the market in 2000 and were priced at over $2,500. Today, they are available for just $300-$400.

There are many kinds of DVD recorders: DVD recorder-VCR combo, DVD recorder-hard drive combo or standalone DVD recorders. DVDs are classified on various bases: brands, time modes, recording modes, and other options. A DVD recorder can have different time modes of 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 2, 3, 3 and 4 hours. The shorter the mode, the better the quality of the recording. One and two hour modes are better and they also play well in most DVD players. A commercial DVD can hold 130 minutes of video. Some DVDs have two layers that can hold 130 minutes of video data each. The best part is that DVD recorders are also excellent DVD players.

There are several advantages of DVD recorders as compared to video tape recorders. Some of them are superior audio and video quality, no rewinding required, faster access to a part of the recording, less storage space required, onscreen labeling, more reliability of the DVDs, possibility to delete a portion of the recording, firewire, ability to perform high-dubbing operations between the drives, and so on. DVD recorders can also prevent the copying of commercial DVDs that are protected by copy protection technologies. DVD recorders are extremely fast compared to tape or CD recorders, with a writing speed of around 21,640 KB/s (21.13 MB/s).

Some of the top manufacturers of DVD recorders today are Sony, Panasonic, JVC, Pioneer, Toshiba, Philips, LG, Samsung, Alba, Lite-ON, and RCA. Prices of DVD recorders start from $100- $150.