Thanks for all the advice with is much appreciated
Been down to John Lewis yesterday and came out even more confused with the choices available what with analogue, digital, HD, VHS, twin tuner, single tuner, surround sound,
Sky+, loads of different hard drive sizes....arrgghhhhh!!!
I think the plan of action is now to take a look at the innards of this Sony DVD recorder, will be interesting I think purely from an scientific point of view if nothing else. And I don't have a lot to lose. I've messed around with CD and DVD drives etc in computers so doubt that it will be much more complicated to take apart (it's the reassembly that's the fun bit!). I have an account with RS components, alternatively Farnell whom from memory stock more electrical bits and bobs, otherwise may resort in a search for the part number on Google. It might actually be something as simple as a piece of fluff over the laser! - Am ever hopeful.
If I can't get the damn thing to work then I suppose that I will be swearing a lot because there are just too many DVDs to copy manually, and guess who didn't write the contents of the DVD on the cover because of the fantastic indexing system!!!
Perhaps a visit down to the Sony centre that sold me the original recorder and try a un-closed disc in another unit. If this doesn't work I will once again be considering my options and another trip down to John Lewis may be in order.
One of the options open to me is to use the
Sky+ in place of my existing
Sky unit, at least I will be able to write to the HD, though this doesn't help me with all the unfinalised DVDs I have.
Having taken a further look at the Panasonic units I am impressed, I particularly like their DVD & VHS combi priced at approx £249, though other units are available, then again, I could buy a VHS recorder and a standalone DVD HD for the same money?
You can tell that I'm going round and round with the options..........and around......and around.......and around!!! Hey, wasn't that a phrase used as a video tape advert for Scotch back in the 1980's, if my memory is correct, a talking Skeleton, re-record not fade away?