DVD recorder and upconverting player

[neojoker]

I'm wanting to get a new DVD player for my HDTV, so naturally I want to get one that will upconvert. However, I'm also thinking about getting a DVD recorder. Currently, I have a capture card on my PC that I use, but it's inconvenient because my PC isn't near my TV/sat box, and if I record something then I have to watch it on my PC. I would prefer to have a DVD recorder where I could record to an RW disc and watch it on my TV, or edit it on my PC later if I wanted, etc.

Do any of you have any experience with the DVD recorders that are available now or have any suggestions?

[beanboy89]

I'm also interested in getting a DVD recorder. I too have a TV tuner on my PC, but it is too inconvenient to set up every time I want to record something, and I want to watch whatever I record on my TV. I want something that I can use like a VCR, so I can either program it to record on a daily basis or just hit the record button if I want to record something on the fly.

[bangbang023 Veteran]

Ok, this is where you have a conundrum. The two units I suggest will be for completely opposite reasons:

- Sony RDRGX355: Going to be the best upconverted video quality at a decent price. Sony just seems to do upconverting very well.

- Panasonic DMR-EZ27K: The Panasonics are notoriously easy to use. Video quality won't be as good as the Sony, but anyone can figure these units out easily.

Units I would avoid would include Samsungs. Almost every year, you hear of software issues from their lines of players and recorders.

[neojoker]

Thanks, bangbang (always good advice from you here in the forums). From what I'm reading in reviews and on other websites, the Sony has great playback abilities, but copyright protection that will drive you crazy if trying to record. The Panasonic also has some great reviews and I have yet to see any complaints on its recording abilities. The Panasonic may be a better choice for me.

I agree on the Samsungs. I've heard of horrible problems out of their players/recorders, so I've stayed away from looking at those.

Any other advice welcome, of course...

[beanboy89]

I've done some research on both the Sony and Panasonic model, and it appears that the Sony has no tuner, but the Panasonic has an ATSC tuner. If I get the Panasonic with the ATSC tuner, I could record over-the-air digital TV to DVD?

Also, I have an older LCD HDTV, but it's analog (it doesn't have an ATSC tuner or HDMI). If I get the Panasonic DVD recorder, could I use an antenna to pick up OTA digital HDTV, then connect the DVD recorder to my TV through component and get HD content in 720p or 1080i?

Thanks.

[neojoker]

  beanboy89 said:

I've done some research on both the Sony and Panasonic model, and it appears that the Sony has no tuner, but the Panasonic has an ATSC tuner. If I get the Panasonic with the ATSC tuner, I could record over-the-air digital TV to DVD?

Also, I have an older LCD HDTV, but it's analog (it doesn't have an ATSC tuner or HDMI). If I get the Panasonic DVD recorder, could I use an antenna to pick up OTA digital HDTV, then connect the DVD recorder to my TV through component and get HD content in 720p or 1080i?

Thanks.

Unless I'm missing something, then yes, I think you should be able to do that.

By the way, I did get the Panasonic, and so far I like it (haven't used it that much). Played around with the recording, and it seems to do a good job. Player quality is also good.

[bangbang023 Veteran]

  beanboy89 said:

I've done some research on both the Sony and Panasonic model, and it appears that the Sony has no tuner, but the Panasonic has an ATSC tuner. If I get the Panasonic with the ATSC tuner, I could record over-the-air digital TV to DVD?

Also, I have an older LCD HDTV, but it's analog (it doesn't have an ATSC tuner or HDMI). If I get the Panasonic DVD recorder, could I use an antenna to pick up OTA digital HDTV, then connect the DVD recorder to my TV through component and get HD content in 720p or 1080i?

Thanks.

1. Correct.

2. Should be able to, though I'm not 100% on that, to be honest.

  neojoker said:

Unless I'm missing something, then yes, I think you should be able to do that.

By the way, I did get the Panasonic, and so far I like it (haven't used it that much). Played around with the recording, and it seems to do a good job. Player quality is also good.

Glad you enjoy it (Y)

[+StevoFC MVC]

  beanboy89 said:

I've done some research on both the Sony and Panasonic model, and it appears that the Sony has no tuner, but the Panasonic has an ATSC tuner. If I get the Panasonic with the ATSC tuner, I could record over-the-air digital TV to DVD?

Also, I have an older LCD HDTV, but it's analog (it doesn't have an ATSC tuner or HDMI). If I get the Panasonic DVD recorder, could I use an antenna to pick up OTA digital HDTV, then connect the DVD recorder to my TV through component and get HD content in 720p or 1080i?

Thanks.

If you have cable you don't need to use an antenna. Most cable companies broadcast the local HD stations for free.

[beanboy89]

  StevoFC said:

If you have cable you don't need to use an antenna. Most cable companies broadcast the local HD stations for free.

But that would require an ATSC/QAM tuner, correct?

[bangbang023 Veteran]

  beanboy89 said:

But that would require an ATSC/QAM tuner, correct?

If you're not using a cable box, then yes. You said your set doesn't have one, so you'd need a cable box.