(1) A recordable or rewritable DVD drive that is connected to the computer. It may be an internal or external device. See DVD drives, DVD-R, DVD-RW, DVD+R and DVD+RW.
(2) A stand-alone DVD player for TV viewing that also records DVDs on blank DVD-R discs or DVD+R discs. The device may also record on one or more DVD rewritable formats (DVD-RW, DVD+RW and DVD-RAM). The DVD recorder is not to be confused with a DVR (digital video recorder). Although both devices can record a TV program, the DVD recorder is like a VCR that can record onto an unlimited number of optical media. A DVR, on the other hand, has a built-in hard disk with a limited amount of storage for recording. See DVR.
Combo DVD/VCR Recorder
Looking like a typical home theater component, the Samsung unit at the bottom is a combination VCR and DVD recorder. It records onto DVD-R, DVD-RW and DVD-RAM media either from the cable box, or it can be used to transfer VHS tapes to DVDs.
