10 out of 14 systems failed standby consumption tests carried out by TÆNK, the National Consumer Agency’s testing organisation

In January 2008, TÆNK tested 14 DVD and hard drive recorders. 10 of them had standby consumption over the 2 watts threshold recommended by the Trust.

Only 7 were rated ‘good’
The other 7 recorders were assessed as average or below average because of their high standby consumption.

Power used by the 14 recorders

Product Power consumption Standby consumption
Good:    
Panasonic DMR-EH57 23,0 W 2,1 W
Panasonic DMR-EH67 24,5 W 2,1 W
Sony RDR-HX750 25,9 W 2,2 W
Grundig GDRH 5625 30,3 W 2,0 W
Loewe ViewVision DR+ 26,7 W 1,9 W
LG RH266 25,1 W 1,3 W
Thomsen DTH8677E 32,6 W 1,5 W 
Average:    
Pioneer DVR-55OH-S 26,4 W 2,6 W 
Pioneer DVR-LX60 27,0 W 2,6 W
JVC DR-MH22OS 25,0 W 3,8 W
Samsung DVD_HR753 26,0 W 2,9 W
Samsung DVD-HR750 25,3 W 2,8 W
Samsung DVD-HR755 27,4 W 2,9 W
Below average:    
Philips DVDR357OH 26,3 W 7,4 W


DVD players and hard disk recorders have more space
DVD recorders can record far more content on a DVD than a VCR can record on a tape.

Hard disk recorders record content onto a hard disk built into the recorder. The size of the hard disk determines how many hours of programmes you can save.

Hard disk recorders can record and play back simultaneously. In practice this means that you can start the recorder if the telephone rings while you are watching TV. You can then carry on watching the programme from where you left off on your return.

Combination of DVD, hard disk and VCR
Many recorders are a combination of DVD and hard disk recorder or DVD and traditional VCR. There are also TVs with built-in hard disk or DVD on the market.

TV and recorder with media centre
A media centre is a computer which can be used as a TV, DVD and hard disk recorder, CD player, radio and much more. The technology is still new and requires a greater degree of user input.

Page last updated 03.03.2009