I am looking to buy a dvd recorder, my question is, I want to record off the tv, but if I get a non-pc dvd burner, will I be able to make exact copies of dvds with menus and special features? or do i need a computer recorder? if so, how do i copy off the tv with a computer copier?

A stand-alone DVD recorder will probably make the process of recording TV to DVD a very simple operation. But, you will not be able to use it to back up your commercial DVDs. A stand-alone recorder cannot be programmed to decrypt the encoded content on a comercial DVD (which is currently illegal in the US - even to make a backup of a DVD that you own). On a PC you can do both. There several PC applications that allow you to decrypt comercial DVDs and record them to DVD-R/RW. My application of choice is DVDShrink (freeware). As for recording TV programming on your PC you will need to also get a TV Tuner card and the appropriate software for encoding.

If you are interested in simple recordings for later viewing then as with the above answer, a stand-alone will do ya. But you will NOT be able to copy or create REAL DVD's. You will also be quite limited in editing abilities (removing commercials). Real DVD's are 'made' rather than recorded. Through the use of various programs, MPEG (most common) recordings are converted to VOB's, titles and chapters are inserted and so on. I have both the stand-alone recorder and the computer system, and the only thing I use the stand-alone for is for grabbing shows that I will watch later and then trash. All else is done through the computer...It's much more flexible.

A PC with the right software will let you add menus, etc. Get a trial version and check it out thoroughly!!! There is a top of the line program (that I won't mention the name of) that the audio and video get more and more out of sync the longer the movie is. I have an old version that works ok, but their two newer versions have the problem.

ham30, Why would you not want to mention the name of a Software app that has such a major problem. Only by other people being aware of the problem and not purchasing the software would the manufacturer be forced to fix it. Michael J

Michael, OK I will tell. It's Ulead DVD Movie Factory version 3 and 4 that I have the problem with and a lot of other people have complained about. Version 2 works fine. The reason I hesitated to name them was the possibility that it wouldn't fail for everyone, so I suggested a 'thorough' test instead.