A DVD recorder is a consumer electronics device that records analog or digital audio/visual (A/V) signals in a digital format onto a digital video disc (DVD). DVD recorders are distinct from digital video recorders (Personal video recorders) in that they record onto a removable disc (the DVD) instead of a hard disk. Like a video cassette recorder (VCR), the DVD recorder has standard A/V inputs and playback functions. Like a DVD player, the DVD recorder can also be used to play many audio and video compact disc.

DVD recorders first appeared on the consumer market in 1999 in Japan, and then in 2000 in the rest of the world. Early units were priced between between 2,500 and 4,000 United States dollar. As of mid-2004, substantial increases in the quantities available and in the number of retail outlets selling DVD recorders have resulted in price reductions of approximately 90% compared to prices in 2000.

==Format issues==

DVDs come in three major formats: the minus (also referred to as dash ) format (DVD-R and DVD-RW), the plus format (DVD plus R, DVD plus RW and DVD plus R DL), and the DVD-RAM format. Nearly all DVD recorders use either the minus or plus format, but at least one available model (in 2004) uses both minus and plus formats. The minus format is promoted by a group of manufacturers known as the DVD Forum. The plus format is promoted by a group of manufacturers known as the DVD plus RW Alliance. Some manufacturers belong to both associations.

As of 2004, both formats seem equally popular with consumers. While the plus vs. minus battle may evoke memories of the Betamax vs. VHS video format war of the 1980s, consumers are faced with a less stark choice here in that both plus and minus formats are compatible with the vast majority of DVD players now available.

==DVD recorder vs. VCR==

Many writers have anticipated the DVD recorder to be the natural successor to the VCR because of the advantages of DVD recording. These include

The main disadvantage of DVD recorders compared to VCRs is cost (as of 2005). While VCR s come essentially for pocket change nowadays, the emerging standard of home DVD Recorder set-top boxes is yet to become as plausible an option. However, the downward pressure on the prices of recorders and recordable discs due to increased supply and market competition is likely to soon eliminate this disadvantage. Another notable disadvantage is that DVD recorders require some extra time both to initially format the disc for recording and to finalize the disc once recording has been stopped. This disadvantage does not apply to DVD-RAM disks, which behave more like a hard disk and require no finalization.

==DVD recorders and HDTV==

DVD recorders available on the market as of 2005 are not capable of capturing the full range of the visual signal available with high definition television (HDTV). This is largely because HDTV standards were finalized at a later time than the standards for DVDs. However, DVD recorders can be used with HDTV since currently available HDTV sets also have standard A/V connections. It is expected that a HD-DVD and HD-DVD recorders will eventually be developed to capture the full signal range available with HDTV.

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