My Dilema - Which Recorder and how to set it up?

[thomamon]

OK, Here is my problem.

I have HD DirecTV hooked up to my HD TV via HDMI, I have my PS 3 hooked up to my other HDMI input on the TV. I still have two open component inputs on the TV and the standard definition ones as well.

So this is what I have and need to do.

I have a cable box I would like to buy a DL DVD Recorder for. I would look to hook up my Cable Box(Not my DirecTV) through my new DVD Recorder to the TV and still be able to receive the HD Signal from my Cable Box. My main problem is, the cable box only has one audio output so I can not hook one directly to the TV and the other to the DVD Recorder.

This has been bugging me for a while and I can't seem to figure out a suggestion. I currently have a DVD Recorder, but it doesn't support DL DVD's.

Any suggestions on how to do this and what is a good DVD Recorder that records on DL DVD's is greatly appreciated!

[jjeff]

I think Panasonic DVDRs are one of the few that support recording to DL discs. The '08 EZ-x8 series does it best, allowing one to record straight through both layers. Last years x7 series made you close the first layer before recording to the second, not very handy for one long recording.
AFA your single audio out jack, I've found just using a Y cable on both L&R jacks works fine for audio. Video is another matter, using a Y cable on the yellow composite output makes a darker picture. You should be OK on your audio outputs splitting it once.

[Marvingj]

There are still a few good models out there for your situation which include HDMI, JVC, Pioneer, LG, Panny, Toshiba. I would stay away from minor players like no-name brands.....

[wabjxo]

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[thomamon]

I think Panasonic DVDRs are one of the few that support recording to DL discs. The '08 EZ-x8 series does it best, allowing one to record straight through both layers. Last years x7 series made you close the first layer before recording to the second, not very handy for one long recording.
AFA your single audio out jack, I've found just using a Y cable on both L&R jacks works fine for audio. Video is another matter, using a Y cable on the yellow composite output makes a darker picture. You should be OK on your audio outputs splitting it once.

I had thought about that actually, but wasn't sure if I could do that using two separate video signals. I can use the component to the TV Directly and then the S-Video to the DVD-R. I was hoping I could find a DVD-R with component in, but no such luck.

Since what I will be recording is a standard signal on the cable box, I guess it would be best to use the S-Video for that.

[thomamon]

With today's DVDRs, which all pass the raw incoming signal thru their coax in/out connection, you should try first setting the DVDR 1st on the cable coax, then coax to the box. Scan for channels in the DVDR and see how many it can tune by itself. Then, for recording things only the box can tune (scrambled channels), run the Y-cable as jjeff describes for audio and a composite or S-Video cable for video from a box line output to a DVDR line input. (Not sure you meant the box has only ONE CONNECTOR port for audio output or one L/R (Red/White) audio connection, as normal. If you need a Y-cable to split between ONE connector on the box, you'll need a 2nd Y-cable to split again at each component, box and DVDR, to go to L/R audio connectors. If the box has L/R audio ports, you'll only need one Y-cable for audio to split each connector (L and R) between the TV and DVDR.)

A diagram of that connection scheme is shown in sketch 1b in this help file.

Yeah, what I meant was one set of Audio Out(The red and white).

[robjv1]

The only thing that stinks about running the S-Video/Composite signals back from your box to your DVDR (for the scrambled channels) is that you might not get a 16:9 recording, or it might put weird boxes around your 16:9 material. I found that with a combination of adjustments to my TV and using the zoom mode, that I can get it looking about right.

[wabjxo]

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[thomamon]

This really won't be used to copy much HD, probably all SD. Old Video Tapes and one particular SD cable channel. But now that bugs me in case I wanted to record in HD, I would like it to at least keep the WS format.

I am not sure which recorder to go with now.

I wish there was one that can record non stop on DL Discs and do WS and SD.

[wabjxo]

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[thomamon]

Most DVDRs will record WS if they're delivered a WS signal/pic... the problem comes from the STB from which rthe signal originates... many don't send WS over their composite or analog outputs, and DVDRs don't have Component inputs, which WOULD preserve WS from the STB if they were available on the DVDR.

Thus, the Apple TV Converter, or a different box that DOES send WS on comp./S-Vid.

Here's a help file on WS recording with a partial list of STBs that do and don't send WS over comp./S-Vid.

People with OTA antenna don't have to worry about this, nor do people on cable if they can tune the channels they want to record in-the-clear (unscrambled), which just requires placing the DVDR 1st on the incoming coax. The addition of a STB for scrambled channels complicates that nice scenario if the box is the "wrong" kind/brand/model.

Yeah, I noticed that. I was hoping to find a DVDR with Component inputs and no luck at all. Wonder if that'll be in the future?

[wabjxo]

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[thomamon]

Yeah, I noticed that. I was hoping to find a DVDR with Component inputs and no luck at all. Wonder if that'll be in the future?

Polaroid had the last one in the U.S. in 2006 (I think, maybe 2005). You can still find some if you search for Polaroid DRM-2001G.

But does it do DL non stop? LOL

[CrazyCanuck]

A recent purchase of mine was a Sony RDR HX715 (late 2005 model) which has component in (480i only) and does straight DL, haven't tested the WS yet though.